week commencing 30th September

Dear Parents

 

Photographer

The photographer is coming on Thursday 3^rd October in the morning. All children in on this day will have their pictures taken unless otherwise requested by the parents.

For those of you not in on this day we have a drop in session from 11.30 – 1pm. Please can you let us know what times you would like to come down so we can make sure everyone gets a slot.

Fran our photographer is happy to take family pictures and pictures of siblings too. The pictures will be back in time for Christmas and make great presents!

 

Chicken Pox

We have one case of Chicken pox in the Sunflowers room L

 

Wet wipes packets

We are still collecting empty wet wipes packets for The charity Ellie’s fund.

Please give your empty wet wipes packets to Donna.

For more information on Ellie’s fund go to:

 

http://www.elliesfund.com/

 

 

 

I am on holiday next week but leave you in Charlotte and Jess’ capable hands!

 

 

 

Policies of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week in the hallway and on our blog:  http://castlenursery-southhill.blogspot.co.uk  (you may have to cut and paste this link).

If you would like to see this or any of our policies please ask Caroline.

Our Policy this week is:  Confidentiality policy

 

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 -  Magda’s group are listening to sounds and finding out what makes those sounds.

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group is exploring the treasure basket

Wednesday – Nilem’s group will be recognising patterns, shapes and colours as they play matching games.

Thursday – Charlotte’s group will be painting using objects such as balls and cars instead of brushes

Friday – Emma’s group are developing social skills as they play together.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Sophie’s group will be exploring the toy animals and making animal sounds.

Tuesday – Leanne’s group are getting physical with an obstacle course!

Wednesday – Donna’s group are exploring the sensory box

Thursday - Leanne’s group will be reading the story “Lucy’s Picture” and talking about what they like doing at nursery.

Friday – Rose is supporting the children’s counting skills as they count toy people.

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

16^th -23^rd September Charlie and the Cheese Monster – Justin C H Birch

30^th September – 7^th October  The Lion’s Share – Matthew McElligott

14^th – 23^rd October Are the Trees Alive? – Debbie S Miller

Monday – Jess’ group are creating patterns in cornflour gloop

Tuesday – Chloe’s group is sorting colours as they organise mini motors

Wednesday – Jess’ group will be playing alphabet lotto as they learn their letters.

Thursday- Alison will be developing the children’s understanding of Autumn as they explore autumn objects together.

Friday – Chloe’s group is getting scientific as they test what happens when you give flowers coloured water.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Caroline and the South Hill team

Confidentiality policy

Confidentiality policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on what the confidentiality policy is and how it staff members need to adhere to it. This policy works alongside the information sharing policy.

 

Points to consider

 

If a child is considered at risk the child protection policy will take precedence over the confidentiality policy where conflict between the policies arises.

 

Castle Daycare & Preschool have a legal obligation to hold information about children using their nurseries and about staff employed at the nurseries.  It is necessary to record basic information for registers, invoices and emergency contacts. 

 

It is entirely possible that our staff, because of their relationship with both the children and their parents/guardians/carers, may learn more about individual families using the nursery. Consequently our staff team are advised that disclosure or discussion referring to any children or their families using the nursery will result in disciplinary action being taken. 

 

Issues relating to the employment of staff, whether paid or unpaid, will remain confidential to the people responsible for management of personnel.

Students, volunteers and staff on training or temporary work assignments, when observing or working in the nursery, as part of their induction process will be advised of our confidentiality policy and their duty to respect it.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

·         All child records will be held securely or where held on a computer, the equipment will be password protected to ensure access by authorised persons only

 

·         Staff members are not permitted to discuss individual children, other than for purposes of curriculum planning/group management, or other relevant management issues with people other than the parent/guardian/carer of that child.

 

·         If any information is requested about a child from any source, for whatever reason, the parent/guardian/carer’s permission will always be sought.

 

·         Parents will have access to the files and records of their own children but will not have access to information about any other child.

 

 

·         We will inform parents and carers when registering their child that they can share personal information in the confidence that it will only be used to enhance the welfare of their children

 

·         Children’s records maybe stored off site at our registered head office at:

 

Cranbrook

Antlands Lane East

Shipley Bridge

Burstow

Horley

RH6 9TE

Parents as partners policy

Parents as partners

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on how we value and recognise Parents as the first educators and as our partners in supporting and nurturing the children.

 

Points to consider

 

Through this policy and the appointment of professional staff, we aim to make parents/carers feel comfortable in our nurseries and that the staff team are friendly, approachable and attentive to their needs and the needs of their children.

 

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

1. Having an ‘Open door’ policy to parents/carers.

 

2. Consulting and seeking guidance from parents/carers when planning and implementing child care practices.

 

3. Parents/carers having the opportunity to discuss and review their children’s progress at regular developmental evenings or at any other time.

 

4. Parents/carers will have access to their children’s records at all times.

 

5. Informing all parents/carers of the policies, procedures and guidelines the nursery operates by.

 

6. Establishing  varied and effective parents/carers methods of communication

 

7.      Ensuring that all Parents/carers are provided with the opportunity to actively participate in all aspects of the nursery. Where appropriate this will, include the review and implementation of policies and delivery of services to their children.

 

8. Giving the parents regular opportunities to feedback on their child’s progress and developmental stages

 

9. By giving detailed daily feedback to the parents

 

10. Having a regular blog/newsletter for parents

 

11. Having regular parents social events such as sports days, picnics and bbq’s.

 

12.  Having a clear complaints policy

 

13.  Supporting the parents as well as the children through transition times.

week commencing 16th September

Dear Parents

 

Direct Debits

Hopefully you will have all received your letter explaining about direct debit.  If you have any questions about this please ask!

 

School Leavers 2014

We have just received the information leaflets about applying for school places. These will be sent home this week

 

Nursery Numbers

For those of you in on Thursday you may have noticed that Bluebells is getting busier! We are still splitting into groups so that the group sizes are nice and small and we are looking at meal times and after tea to ensure that room runs smoothly. If you have any questions please ask the Bluebells team.

 

Nut free Nursery

Please be aware that we have a child with a severe nut allergy. Please do not allow your child to bring in any products that contain nuts as this may cause the child to have an allergic reaction.

 

Signing in

It is really important that all parents/carers sign the children in and out. We are due our Ofsted inspection and they will be checking our registers!

 

Events

The diary for the end of year events will be out very soon!

 

We have the photographer coming on Thursday 3^rd October. The photos will be back in time for Christmas and make great presents!

If your child is not in on this day you are welcome to bring them in. Fran our photographer is also happy to do family shots too, so feel free to bring everyone!

Please ask Caroline for available time slots.

 

The Sunflowers are going on a toddle waddle on Thursday 26^th September at 10 am to raise money for Meningitis trust. If your child is in on this day they will be given a sponsor form, If your child is not in on this day and you would like to take part please see Chloe.

 

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 – Nilem’s group is developing their physical skills as they wash and dress dolls

Tuesday – Emma’s group will be singing action songs.

Wednesday – Magda’s group are Playing peek-a-boo with different material.

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is playing imaginatively as they dress up

Friday – Emma’s group are playing with the dolls together as they develop social skills.

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

 

Bluebells

Monday- Donna’s group is singing lots of different nursery rhymes together

Tuesday – Leanne’s group will be talking and reading about feelings

Wednesday – Donna’s group are building muscles as they run and kick balls to each other

Thursday – Sophie’s group is exploring puzzles together

Friday – Rose is leading an exploring activity as the children feel objects in the jelly

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

                                                                                                  

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight are:

16^th -23^rd September Charlie and the Cheese Monster – Justin C H Birch

30^th September – 7^th October  The Lion’s Share – Matthew McElligott

14^th – 23^rd October Are the Trees Alive? – Debbie S Miller

Monday – Alison is leading a letter writing activity using cornflour!

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be getting creative as they paint with spaghetti

Wednesday – Jess’s group are reading the book of the fortnight

Thursday – Jess’s group is matching shapes

Friday – Chloe’s group will be making their own fossils!

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

 

Hope your Friday 13^th is lucky!!!!

Using images policy

Using images policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on the use of mobile phones in the Nursery as well as how images will be used and stored.

 

Points to consider

 

This policy is part of the centre’s wider commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

 

One of the key ways that practitioners support children's development and engage parents in children's learning is through photographs that record their activities and achievements.

 

We will get parents’ permission to take photographs of their child at the setting in sessions. Parents can withdraw this permission at any time.

 

Only nursery cameras will be used to take pictures of children, except in circumstances such as the local paper taking pictures or other parents taking pictures during a party, in these cases additional parental permission will be required.

 

The nursery cameras will stay onsite except when on nursery outings.

 

All digital images of the children will be stored on computers with passwords. If these images are stored on memory sticks these sticks will be stored in a lockable cabinet.

 

Permission for photographs to be used on the nursery website will be gained separately as will permission for videos.

 

For further guidance on using images of children see Surrey Safeguarding children board’s guidance at:

 

http://www.surreycc.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/254669/Safeguarding-children,-child-protection-policy-2012.pdf

Week commencing 9th September

Dear Parents

 

Nursery News

 

From December nursery payments can be made by direct debt. We will be sending out information to you about this next week!

 

We had an unannounced inspection by Environmental Health and for the second time have received 5 stars.

 

We have a child in the Nursery who is allergic to nuts. Please can you make sure that no food containing nuts is brought into the nursery at any time. Thank you for your cooperation.

 

Charity Events

 

The Sunflowers are going on a toddle waddle on Thursday 26^th September at 10 am to raise money for Meningitis trust. If your child is in on this day they will be given a sponsor form, If your child is not in on this day and you would like to take part please see Chloe.

 

The Bluebells are collecting empty wet wipe packets to raise money for charity. Please can you help by donating any empty wet wipe packets.

 

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 – Emma’s group will be developing turn taking skills as they play games with the hoops.

Tuesday – Charlotte ‘s group are getting vocal as they sing songs using puppets and props.

Wednesday – Nilem’s group will be developing their understanding of missing objects as they play hide and seek.

Thursday – Emma’s group are building gross motor skills as they roll, throw and kick balls.

Friday – Magda’s group is understanding pouring and filling as they explore rice.

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

 

Bluebells

Monday – Rose is supporting independence skills as the children cut up their own fruits.

Tuesday – Sophie’s group is exploring natural objects and patterns as they make in paint.

Wednesday – Donna’s group are singing counting songs to develop number skills.

Thursday – Leanne’s group will be working together to find hidden objects in the garden.

Friday – Sophie’s group is exploring the sensory box.

Donna is off 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 September Going to Nursery – Catherine and Laurence Anholt

16^th -23^rd September Charlie and the Cheese monster – Justin C H Birch

30^th September – 7^th October  The Lion’s share – Matthew McElligott

14^th – 23^rd October Are the trees alive? – Debbie S Miller

Monday- Chloe’s group is developing speaking and listening skills as they talk to their friends using puppets.

Tuesday – Chloe’s group are making collages with natural objects.

Wednesday – Alison is supporting physical skills as the children use the magnetic fishing rods.

Thursday – Jess’s group are recognising their letters as they play Alphabet fishing.

Friday – Alison will be working with the children to sort and categorise toy cars.

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

 

Have a great weekend.

Non attendance policy

Non attendance policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidelines on what to do if a child expected at nursery does not arrive.

 

Points to consider

 

This policy needs to be made aware to all parents upon starting at the setting so they understand it is to protect children rather than intrude into personal lives.

 

Under the Early Years Foundation Stage providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. By understanding why the child has not attended helps us to form a picture of their life outside of the setting.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

• Asking all parents to inform the nursery if their child is going to be absent and the reason why.

 

• Recording on the registers when and child is off and why, using the following code:

S = sickness

H= Holiday

A = unknown absence

 

• If a child is due in and has not arrived, the nursery will wait a reasonable time, depending on the child’s session and usual pattern of attendance, before contacting the parent to find out a reason for the child’s absence.

 

• This reason will then be recorded on the registers.

 

• Patterns of non attendance can be monitored through the registers.

 

• Where possible the nursery would encourage parents to contact the setting rather than the setting contacting the parent.

 

• When contacting the parents the staff will do so in a sensitive manner whilst explaining the need for the phone call.

 

• If a child claiming EYFE is off for more than two consecutive weeks or is regularly absent the manager will need to contact the EYFE team.