week commencing 16th December

Dear Parents

 

Thank you to everyone who came to the nativity shows, they were a great success and the costumes were brilliant!

Photos of the nativity, Christmas parties and pantomime will be going up on our digital photo frame in the hallway.

 

Christmas closures

The nursery will be closing at 3pm on Tuesday 24^th and reopening with normal opening hours on 2^nd January.

For those term time children, the term ends Friday 20^th December and starts again on 6^th January.

 

Direct Debits

The direct debits are now up and running and going well!

All regular voucher payments will be deducted from the amount taken, so voucher users are still able to make the most of the ease of paying.

It is also helpful for the children receiving Free Entitlement funding, as it means you won’t have to change your standing order each month as your fees change, the direct debit would do that for you.

If you have any questions about direct debits please let me know.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group will be  investigating the wooden shape sorters

Tuesday –Julia’s group are getting moving as they dance and play musical instruments

Wednesday – Magda’s group will be looking at books with flaps, buttons and zips

Thursday- Nilem’s group is singing “Head, shoulders” as they explore body parts

Friday – Becci’s group are hiding objects under blankets and seeing what they can find

Charlotte is off Friday, Julia is off Monday, Nilem is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group are using different sized balls as they develop physical skills

Tuesday – Donna’s group is exploring sounds with the musical instruments

Wednesday – Donna’s group will be imaginatively playing with the small world toys and blocks

Thursday – Leanne’s group are listening to stories in groups

Friday- Sophie’s group will be using objects to explore big and little

Donna is off Friday, Sophie is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week.

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Jess’s group are getting creative as they do junk modelling

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be practising writing skills as they write letters to Santa

Wednesday – Chloe’s group are  cooking Christmas puddings

Thursday – Chloe’s group are developing large physical skills as they throw and catch balls.

Friday – Jess’s group will be reading stories and suggesting what happens next.

Jess is off all week, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison is in Monday to Thursday 9.30-2.30

 

Have a great weekend from

Caroline and the South Hill Team

week commencing 9th December

Dear Parents

 

Christmas party!

Don’t forget the Christmas party is tomorrow from 3.30-5pm!

Hope to see you all there.

 

Christmas nativity, next Thursday!

The Nativity play is Thursday 12^th December. The morning performance is at 9.30. The afternoon performance is at 4.15. We will not be allowing parents in before 9.15 or 4pm as we are using the stage area as a dressing room!

Forms asking for permission for other parents to video and photograph the children are going around. However we ask that you do not put photos of other people’s children onto the internet on sites such as facebook.

Because we want all our parents to get the chance to see the performance, it is going to be very busy at both performances. If possible please can you leave any coats and bags at home or in the car as we are not going to have any spare room!

The seating will be first come first served, with seating on the floor, on chairs and standing room too. You will certainly get to know the other parents as you will all be very close on the day!!!!!!! Also you will only be allowed to see the show you have booked as both performances are now full.

If any of you are having trouble with costumes just let us know. The babies are stars or angels, the Bluebells are the village people and preschool have different roles – ask Jess if you have forgotten! Please can you bring in your child’s costume the next time they are in so we can have dress rehearsals!

If your child is not in on a Thursday they only need to attend the show you are seeing.

 

Bring your singing voices and Christmas cheer!

 

Christmas closing

We will be open as normal on Monday 23^rd December and we will be open Christmas Eve but aim to close at 3pm, we do ask you kindly if at all possible the children could be picked up by 3pm as it is the one day of the year we try to get the staff home early.

We will be open as normal on Thursday 2^nd January and term starts on 6^th January for all of our term time only children.

 

Illness

We still have some bugs going around, lots of children have coughs and colds and are generally feeling under the weather. With coughs and colds we use our well child policy to determine if children are well enough to come into Nursery:

The definition of a well child:

 

• A child who is not dependent on Calpol or similar.
• A child who does not require a greater ratio.
• A child with normal bowel movements.
• A child who participates in activities as they normally would.

We may have to call you to collect your child is they are not well enough to be at nursery. We don’t do this lightly as we understand that it is a busy time of year, however the well being of the children in our care is paramount.

 

Buttercups

Monday – Nilem’s group will be playing with the small world toys as they build vocabulary

Tuesday – Becci will be reading books with the children in small groups.

Wednesday – Julia’s group are investigating ICT toys to find out what happens next

Thursday- Charlotte’s group is getting moving as they roll balls to each other

Friday – Magda’s group is having a tea party as they play alongside each other

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Julia is off Friday, Nilem is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group will be using the magnifying glasses in the garden

Tuesday- Sophie’s group are using the shape matching cards to identify shapes and colours

Wednesday – Donna’s group is counting mini motors and sorting them into groups

Thursday – Donna’s group will be using the large hoops to make big movements outside

Friday- Leanne’s group are having a tea party with the dolls

Donna is off Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Tuesday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Chloe’s group will be getting festive as they make Christmas Crafts and talk about celebrating Christmas

Tuesday – Chloe’s group is developing their speaking and listening skills as they work with each other in small groups

Wednesday – Jess’s group are creating calendars, and choosing different materials to decorate them

Thursday – Jess’s group will be developing fine motor skills as they create magnetic frame

Friday – Chloe’s group are exploring shapes in the environment. We are also going to see the Pantomime in the afternoon!

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Monday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday

week commencing 2nd December

Dear Parents

 

Illness

We have had several cases of hand foot and mouth. There is also a mystery virus where the children have temperatures and are generally under the weather. We would like to remind you that we can only give the children prescribed medication and your child will need to be away from nursery for 24 hours after starting a course of antibiotics.

It is hard when children are ill as we understand that you are all juggling work and home commitments, however so that germs do not spread in the nursery we ask that you keep your child at home if they are not well.

 

Christmas party, Next Friday!

Christmas is getting close! Our children’s Christmas party is Friday 6^th December from 3.30- 5pm.

If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult. Siblings are also welcome, however please can you provide a present that Father Christmas will give to them.

Father Christmas will be bringing gifts for all of the Nursery children and he will be arriving at 4.30 to see the Bluebells and Sunflowers and will pop in to see the Babies at about 4.50.

We will be playing party games and having a party tea too! Hope to see you all there.

 

Christmas nativity

The Nativity play is Thursday 12^th December. The morning performance is at 9.30. The afternoon performance is at 4.15. We will not be allowing parents in before 9.15 or 4pm as we are using the stage area as a dressing room!

Forms asking for permission for other parents to video and photograph the children are going around. However we ask that you do not put photos of other people’s children onto the internet on sites such as facebook.

Because we want all our parents to get the chance to see the performance, it is going to be very busy at both performances. If possible please can you leave any coats and bags at home or in the car as we are not going to have any spare room!

The seating will be first come first served, with seating on the floor, on chairs and standing room too. You will certainly get to know the other parents as you will all be very close on the day!!!!!!! Also you will only be allowed to see the show you have booked as both performances are now full.

If any of you are having trouble with costumes just let us know. The babies are stars or angels, the Bluebells are the village people and preschool have different roles – ask Jess if you have forgotten!

If your child is not in on a Thursday they only need to attend the show you are seeing.

 

Bring your singing voices and Christmas cheer!

 

Christmas closing

We will be open as normal on Monday 23^rd December and we will be open Christmas Eve but aim to close at 3pm, we do ask you kindly if at all possible the children could be picked up by 3pm as it is the one day of the year we try to get the staff home early.

We will be open as normal on Thursday 2^nd January and term starts on 6^th January for all of our term time only children.

 

Staff training

Sophie is on the last day of her four day developing practice course on Thursday.

Chloe is attending physical development training on Wednesday

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group will be exploring treasure baskets

Tuesday – Julia’s group is playing with cornflour and making marks in the gloop

Wednesday – Magda’s group are squeezing balloons (could be noisy) as they learn about shapes

Thursday – Nilem’s group are reading books in small groups.

Friday – Becci will be helping the children work together to complete puzzles

Charlotte is off Tuesday, Julia is off Monday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group are counting with linking elephants

Tuesday – Donna’s group is reading noisy stories such as “Roar” and making the sounds from the book

Wednesday – Donna’s group will be free painting as they explore colour

Thursday – Donna’s group is using the new blocks and vehicles

Friday- Sophie’s group will be using large balls in the garden

Donna is off Thursday and Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Jess’s group are making pyramids as they build physical skills

Tuesday – Chloe’s group is making and eating cheese fondue – retro!

Wednesday – Chloe’s group will be making paper chains as they develop an understanding of shape

Thursday – Jess’s group are creating gingerbread people and using materials such as glitter and sequins to decorate them

Friday – Chloe’s group will be developing handwriting skills as they practice writing their names.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison works 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday term time.

week commencing 25th November

Dear Parents

 

Direct Debits

For those of you who have signed up to the Direct Debit system, payments will start from December. Please make sure any standing orders are cancelled, families with regular voucher payments will have these deducted from the invoice total before the payment is taken.

 

Baby Expo

For those of you at a loose end this weekend, why not pop along to the baby expo at Surrey Sports Park. We have a stand there and would love you to pop by.

You can find details of the show at:

http://www.babyexpobabyshow.co.uk/

 

Christmas Parties

Christmas is getting close! Our children’s Christmas party is Friday 6^th December from 3.30- 5pm.

If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult. Siblings are also welcome, however please can you provide a present that Father Christmas will give to them.

Father Christmas will be bringing gifts for all of the Nursery children and he will be arriving at 4.30 to see the Bluebells and Sunflowers and will pop in to see the Babies at about 4.50.

We will be playing party games and having a party tea too! Hope to see you all there.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Becci will be developing the children’s communication as they play with puppets and sing animal songs.

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group are baking star biscuits to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Julia’s group is going to be developing a sense of self as they explore mirrors

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be understanding textures as they play with the treasure baskets

Friday – Magda’s group is making candle holders with salt dough for Hanukkah

Charlotte is off Friday, Nilem is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Julia and Becci are in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group are playing together to find objects hidden in the sandpit

Tuesday – Sophie’s group  will be making potato cakes to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Donna’s group is reading the story “Eight Candles” to celebrate Hanukkah

Thursday – Rose will be reading favourite stories with the children

Friday – Donna’s group is making salt dough decorations

Donna is off Thursday and Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

18^th – 25^th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Chloe’s group will be cutting out and making stars as they learn about shapes

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are making star biscuits to celebrate Hanukkah

Wednesday – Jess’s group are learning about the world as they play games with a dreidel

Thursday – All of the children will be developing writing skills as they make Hanukkah cards

Friday – Jess’s group will be developing communication skills as they play the lunch box game together.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Monday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday

 

Have a great weekend

Caroline and the South Hill Team

week commencing 18th November

Dear Parents

 

Staff news

We are delighted that Julia has become a permanent member of the team! Julia has been working as cover staff for a while and we are really pleased that she will be joining us full time. As we expect Emma to be off for a while Julia will be taking over Emma’s role as Room Senior as well as taking over Emma’s key children. If you have any questions about this please see Caroline or Charlotte.

We have started a collection to raise money for a wig for Holly. If you would like to donate any money please see Caroline.

 

Children in Need

Congratulations to the winner of our through the keyhole game: Jackie Pocock!

The winner was drawn today by one of our parents.

We have managed to raise £110.00 For Children In Need, which is great!

 

Nursery Policies

To all of those parents who have kindly reviewed our policies please can we have your feedback now for us to use when we update the policies next week.

 

Last week of the colouring competition!

This is the last week to return your child’s completed picture; then we must all make sure we pop into Hamptons Estate agents and vote for the Castle Nursery pictures.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Becci will be getting the children moving as they dance with ribbons and streamers

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be developing physical skills as they paint pictures

Wednesday – Magda’s group is going to be playing feeling games as they explore the treasure basket

Thursday – Charlotte’s group are reading stories together in the cosy area.

Friday – Magda’s group is singing number songs

Charlotte is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci and Julia are in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group will be developing gross motor skills as they kick balls

Tuesday – Leanne’s group are getting messy as they play with cornflour

Wednesday – Sophie’s group will be using the song sacks at circle time

Thursday – Donna’s group is counting to 10 using the compare bears.

Friday – Leanne’s group are exploring the toy sea creatures in the water tray.

Donna is off Friday, Sophie is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

18^th – 25^th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Jess’s group is  making jewel patterns with ice!

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be using the emotion dolls to talk about feelings

Wednesday – Jess’s group are using their hands to paint with

Thursday – Chloe’s group will be making their own burgers for tea!

Friday – Chloe’s group is developing ICT skills as they play on the computer

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday

week commencing 11th November

Dear Parents

 

One week until ………

 

·         We draw the winner of the “through the key hole” competition. So there is still time to get your entry in!

 

·         We ask for all the feedback on our policies. If you would like to read through the policies please let me know and I can email you a copy.

 

And then there was light!

Our electrician has fixed the sensor light by the buggy sheds and has put a new light switch on the outside of the buggy shed. Hopefully it will make things easier for all of you using the buggy sheds in the dark. Although recognising your buggy, in the dark, from a selection of very similar buggies is a skill!

 

Colouring competition.

There is still time to get your entry in for the colouring competition. We will be collecting entries in by 22^nd November.

 

Staff news

Donna is on a Positive Behaviour training course on Monday. Sophie starts the first of a four day training course on Developing Good Practice on Thursday.

Whilst Emma is away the other staff will be covering Emma’s key group, so that no one misses out.

 

Policy of the week

This is on hold at the moment whilst we review and then update our policies.

 

Wow vouchers

 

Please help your child’s key person by returning these Wow vouchers, completed with things your child has been up to outside of Nursery. Anyone can complete them so get Grannies and Granddads’ involved too. Understanding what your child is like both in and out of Nursery is vital for us to be able to support them fully, so please take full advantage of using the “Wow vouchers” to tell us how great your child is.

 

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Whilst Emma is away the other staff will be covering Emma’s key group so that no one misses out.

Monday – Becci will be setting up a wet pasta activity so that the children can explore texture.

Tuesday – Charlotte will be supporting Emma’s group to develop physical skills as they use the tent and tunnel.

Wednesday – Nilem’s group are developing their language skills and vocabulary as they play with the toy animals.

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is investigating wet sand.

Friday – Magda’s group will be using words like “lots” and “all gone” to build an understanding of quantity.

Charlotte is off Friday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Rose is supporting the children as they count the blocks as they stack them.

Tuesday – Donna’s key group is looking at and learning about animals, as they play with toy animals and read animal books.

Wednesday – Sophie’s group will be building their imaginations as they play with cardboard boxes and dressing up clothes.

Thursday – Donna’s group are developing social skills as they roll balls to each other.

Friday – Leanne’s group is enjoying books together.

Donna is off Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Sophie is off Monday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

4^th – 11^th November – Weather by First Hand Science

18^th – 25^th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday – Chloe’s group is practising counting as they play, what’s the time Mr Wolf.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be developing social skills and imagination as they play the Three Little Pigs in the role play area.

Wednesday – Alison is working with the children as they make puppets.

Thursday – Jess’s group will be experimenting as they make ice gloves.

Friday – Jess’s group is reading the book of the fortnight together.

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison does 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday.

 

Have a great weekend

Caroline and the South Hill Team

week commencing 4th November

Dear Parents

 

Charlotte’s party!!!! This week!

It is Charlotte’s 15 year anniversary working at Castle Nursery so we are having a surprise party!

The party is this Thursday (7^th November) from 4 pm to 5pm everyone is invited, children not in on this day will need to be accompanied by an adult.

We will be having a party tea, games and dancing.

If you would like to contribute to a present for Charlotte there is a collection and a card, just see Jess or Caroline.

It is also Emma’s five years at Castle so we will be celebrating this too!

 

Policies

We are currently reviewing all of our policies. If you would like to read through them and give your feedback, you could help shape the way we operate.

Just let Caroline know and we can email you a copy of the policies to look at. All feedback is gratefully received.

 

Staff news

This week Caroline is attending a training session on the Special Educational Needs and Disability reforms and Emma is attending a training session on ‘Tummy Time’ for the babies.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group is developing vocabulary as they explore objects and name them.

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group will be stacking blocks and knocking them down counting the blocks as they go!

Wednesday – Magda’s group are developing relationships with their key person as they play peek – a –boo

Thursday – Nilem’s group will be understanding what happens when we can’t see objects when they play hide and seek

Friday – Emma’s group are building large physical skills and getting creative as they use rollers and large paint brushes to paint

Charlotte is off on Friday, Emma is off Monday and Thursday, Magda is off Tuesday, Nilem is off Friday and Becci is in all week

 

Bluebells

Monday- Leanne’s group are exploring textures as they make leaf paintings

Tuesday – Leanne’s group will be developing an understanding of the world as they play with the small world toys.

Wednesday -  Sophie’s group is using the tiger and dinosaur feet in the garden to build large physical skills

Thursday – Donna’s group are taking turns with their friends as they play ball games.

Friday – Sophie’s group will be learning about shape and space as they use the shape sorter toys.

Donna is off on Friday, Sophie is off on Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

4^th – 11^th November – Weather by First Hand Science

18^th – 25^th November – The Lion’s Share by Matthew McElligott

2^nd -9^th December – One, Two, That’s My Shoe by Alison Murray

16^th – 23^rd December – Spotty Dotty Got Chickenpox  By Miriam Moss and Joanna Mockler

Monday  - Chloe’s group are making Diwali candle holders

Tuesday –Jess’s group are getting creative as they make Pirate hats for role play games.

Wednesday – Jess’s group will be sorting and matching with the toys cake stack.

Thursday – Jess’s group is developing fine motor skills as they print with vegetables.

Friday – Chloe’s group will be developing pencil control skills as they have a go at Hindi writing for Diwali

Jess is off Tuesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Alison works Monday to Thursday 9.30-2.30

 

Caroline and The South Hill Team