week commencing 20th October

Dear Parents

 

Photographs

Please can we have all photographs returned by the end of the week (Friday 17^th) at the latest, thank you.

 

School parents

We are currently updating our getting ready for school pack and would like to include advice from parents who have been there, done that.

If you already have a child at school and have some words of wisdom about any part of the moving to school process, from a practical or an emotional point of view, please could you let me know. Many thanks

 

Events

We have lots of exciting events coming up so get your diaries at the ready. Sorry it’s early to be talking about Christmas in October!

 

Nativity plays

There will be three nativity plays this year.

Monday 8^th December at 4.00

Tuesday 9^th December at 9.30

Tuesday 9^th December at 4.00

There is no cost to see the nativity play but we are limiting seats to 2 per family. Please sign up which performance you would like to see in Sunflowers. This is a first come first served booking system!

All of the children will be able to take part in the nativity and if your child is not in you can bring them in for the performance you would like to see.  We will be letting you know asap what role your child has so you have plenty of time to sort out a costume.

Please don’t panic about costumes, it’s not the west end! Tea towels on heads are exactly the sort of standard we are aiming for. For any more information please see the Sunflowers team.

Please be aware that we allow parents to photograph/film the production so if you would rather your child not take part please let us know.

 

Christmas party

The Christmas parties are on Friday 5^th December from 3.30 -5pm. If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult.

We will be having party games, a party tea and a visit from Father Christmas.

 

Pantomime

The sunflowers will be going to the pantomime on Friday 12^th December at 1.30. Again if your child is not in on this day they are very welcome to come along with an adult.

Tickets are £11.00 per person.

 

Forest school

Forest school starts on Wednesday 5^th November. The Sunflowers will be letting parents know who is in the first group. Please can you make sure if your child is taking part in Forest school that they wear long sleeves and long trousers and weather appropriate clothing on the day.

They will also need to be here before 9 am as we set off promptly!!!

 

Christmas closure

We are closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve this year and will be open again on Monday 5^th January.

 

Changing days

Just a quick reminder that any changes to days require a months’ notice in writing. We also are unable to swap sessions.

We can offer ad hoc sessions at an additional charge so if you ever need extra childcare as a one off, let us know.

 

Menus

The new autumn and winter menus have now started.  There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

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, please visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/ 

 

Buttercups

Monday – Nilem’s group will be threading cardboard tubes with ribbon to build motor skills

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group is mark making with felt pens as they explore colours and marks

Wednesday – Julia’s group are listening to Bhangra music to celebrate Diwali

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is experimenting with space and shape as they build towers with wooden blocks

Friday – Magda’s group will be celebrating Diwali by making biscuits

Charlotte is off Monday, Julia is off Thursday, Magda is off Tuesday and Nilem is off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are celebrating Diwali by reading the story of Diwali and dressing in saris

Tuesday – Leanne’s group is developing their independence skills as they cut up their own fruit for snack

Wednesday – Rose’s group will be running their own shops as they build their language skills through role play

Thursday – Donna’s group is making biscuits for Diwali

Friday - Chloe’s group are reading the story “Turn it up Doris” and talking about what they have read.

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

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

20-27^th October  - Lulu Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn

3-10^th November – The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring

17-24^th November – Victoria’s Day by Maria de Fatima Campos

 

The Sunflowers have one detailed weekly focused activity to ensure all the children have the opportunity to take part in it.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room.

 

This week’s activity is:

Using brightly coloured paints and straws the children will create firework pictures for Diwali

 

The learning intentions are:

·         To be able to use different media

·         To gain an understanding of different cultures

·         To gain new vocabulary

·         To continue to develop creativity

 

The letter of the week is : X

This week’s activities are:

·         Playing Doctors and making X-rays

·         Playing Xylophones

·         Looking at words with X in, such as Fox and Box

·         Using the X letter stencils and writing pads

 

Jess is off all week, Sophie is off Monday and Becci is in all week.