Week Commencing 1st September 2015

Dear Parents and Carers

 

Our 20^th Birthday

As you all know it’s our 20^th anniversary year so next Saturday (5^th September) we are having a big party at Shalford Village Hall from 10am – 1pm.

There will be a hog roast, Eli our music teacher will be doing some sessions. There will be a bouncy castle and balloon modeller too! It will be great to see you all there!

 

Family Photos

The Pre-School team are creating a family tree and would like all Pre-School children to bring in a family photo! So Pre-School parents if you have any spare family photos you could bring in that would be great, you’re also welcome to e-mail a photo over to us and I can print them off for you.

 

Term

A reminder that the term starts back next Wednesday (2^nd September) although the Free Entitlement funding starts on the 7^th September.

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: http://www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk/

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week at the bottom of this newsletter.

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

 

Our Policy this week is: Using images policy

 

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
www.surreycc.gov.uk/fee
www.surreycc.gov.uk/feet

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

See attached document for the weekly menu. If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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/ 

 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

Tuesday – Hannah’s group are investigating different objects while playing hide and seek with toys

Wednesday– Hannah’s group will be grouping cars and trucks together encouraging simple mathematical skills

Thursday – Charlotte’s group are making choices about foods they like to eat at snack times

Friday – Mel’s group will be singing ‘Old McDonald had a Farm’ encouraging language skills

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Hannah is in all week, Nilem is off Tuesday and Mel is on holiday all week

 

Bluebells

Tuesday – Almu’s group will be practicing their independence skills while putting on their own shoes and coats

Wednesday – Donna’s group are developing their imaginative play while exploring the farm set

Thursday – Megan’s group will be exploring textures and colours while using different materials to create a collage

Friday – Chloe’s group are discovering animal sounds while playing the animal sound game encouraging listening skills

Donna is on a/l all week, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu and Megan are in all week

 

Sunflowers

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 and on the ILD’S.

This week’s activity is: Letter recognition while linking sounds to letters

 

The children will be completing a letter puzzle while thinking about words that begin with each letter in the alphabet. They will be practicing their letter pronunciation while matching letter sounds to each letter.

 

The letter of the week is: P

The children will be:

Popping bubbles

Linking words to the letter P

Thinking of names that begin with P

Moving like penguins, parrots and pigs

Using the P stencils

Singing ‘Miss Polly’

Leanne is off Tuesday, Hector is off Thursday and Becci is in all week

 

 

Using images policy

 

Aim of policy

 

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

 

Points to consider

 

This policy is part of the Nursery’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 taking photographs that record their activities and achievements.

 

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

 

Only nursery cameras/tablets 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/tablets will stay onsite except when on nursery outings.

 

All digital images of the children will be stored on computers/tablets with passwords. If these images are stored on memory sticks these sticks will be stored in a lockable cabinet. They must not leave the nursery premises.

 

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

 

Kind regards,

 

 

Jess Smith

Manager, SENCO

Week commencing 24th August

Dear Parents and Carers

 

Photographer

Thursday 1^st October 2015 – 1pm – 5pm

The nursery photographer will come in to take photos of the children. She can do family photos and siblings so if you want to bring the whole family you are more than welcome. They make great presents!

The open session will run from 3.45-4.45pm for children and families who aren’t in on Thursday, it will be a first come first served basis.

 

Nursery clothes

If anyone has any of the spare nursery clothes, we would appreciate if you could return them over the next few weeks. Our collection seems to be low.

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: http://www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk/

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week at the bottom of this newsletter.

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

 

Our Policy this week is: Mobile phone Policy

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
www.surreycc.gov.uk/fee
www.surreycc.gov.uk/feet

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

See attached document for the weekly menu. If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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/ 

 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

Monday – Hannah’s group are using blocks to build simple constructions supporting motor skills

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group will be playing the ‘What’s in the Box?’ game encouraging vocabulary

Wednesday – Mel’s group are playing ball games together promoting social skills

Thursday – Hannah’s group will be moving their body’s to music while singing ‘Head, shoulders, Knees and Toes’

Friday – Mel’s group will be discovering different textures while exploring shells in the sand pit

Charlotte is off Monday and Wednesday, Hannah is in all week, Nilem is off Monday and Mel is off Tuesday

 

Bluebells

Monday – Almu’s group are developing their speaking skills while investigating farm and jungle animals

Tuesday – Donna’s group will play a variety of ball games in the garden supporting motor skills and turn taking

Wednesday – Megan’s group are practising their counting skills while using the coloured bean bags

Thursday – Almu’s group will be encouraged to move to music during a game of musical bumps

Friday – Chloe’s group are discovering what animal sounds they can make while completing the giant jungle puzzle together

Donna is on a/l all week, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu and Megan are in all week

 

Sunflowers

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 and on the ILD’S.

This week’s activity is: Counting skills through the use of puzzles

 

The children will be matching the correct puzzle pieces up and will be encouraged to recite numbers. The activity will be extended by supporting the children to recognise numbers in and out of sequence.

 

The letter of the week is: O

The children will be:

Looking at objects around the room

Linking words to the letter O

Thinking of names that begin with O

Using the O stencils

Setting up the water tray with objects that are orange

Colouring pictures of objects that start with O

Leanne is off Wednesday, Hector is off Thursday and Becci is in all week

 

 

Mobile phone Policy

 

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on the use of mobile phones in the Nursery.

 

Points to consider

Castle Daycare and Preschool accept that mobile phones are a part of everyday life for parents, carers and for staff.

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

Ofsted inspectors are legally allowed to keep their business phones as they may be required to take photographs as evidence. No children are to be included in these photos.

If a tribal inspector arrives they must follow the mobile phone policy.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:  

Staff working directly with children must not use mobile phones as it is inappropriate and distracts them from paying full attention to the children in their care.

 

Staff are not permitted to take images of the children on their mobiles or personal cameras. Staff mobile phones must be stored in the office and kept away from the children at all times. Staff are only permitted to use mobile phones away from the children whilst they are on breaks.

 

Staff who do not follow this policy will face disciplinary action.

 

We ask all parents and visitors to not use mobile phones whilst on the premises.

 

Images taken on mobile phones are easily shared and could fall into undesirable hands, either through the person forwarding pictures or a mobile being stolen.

 

Under no circumstances are staff allowed to take photographs or videos of the children at nursery on their mobile phones or personal cameras.

 

If you see a member of staff using a mobile phone or personal camera around the children you must report it to the manager.

 

This mobile phone policy is open to scrutiny and the management can withdraw or restrict authorisation at any time.

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Jess Smith

Manager, SENCO

Week commencing 17th August

Dear Parents and Carers

 

Staff news

My first week in charge has gone very well. We have all settled into our new roles very nicely and quickly, but of course we miss Caroline!

I hope you have all now been introduced to Hector in the Pre-School room.

Jenni, our new apprentice started on Monday. The teams will be introducing her to you all over the next few weeks.

 

Term Dates

The Term starts again on Wednesday 2^nd September.

Please be aware that the funding does not start until the 7^th September.

 

Dates for your diary

Saturday 5^th September – Our 20^th Anniversary party!

Thursday 10^th September – Parents Evening

 

Illness

We have had three confirmed cases of Hand, Foot and Mouth.

If your child gets Hand, Foot and Mouth they are able to return to nursery once the spots/blisters have scabbed over.

I know it can be hard to arrange for your child to be away from nursery, however we ask you to keep your children at home so we can minimise the spread to other children.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the illness this is taken from the NHS website:

Hand, foot and mouth disease is a viral infection that can affect young children.

It doesn't usually pose a serious threat to a child's health, but it can be an unpleasant condition, particularly if it affects younger children.

Typical symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include:

• cold-like symptoms, such as loss of appetite, cough and a moderately high temperature of around 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F)
• a non-itchy red rash, made up of spots or small fluid-filled sacs (vesicles), which usually develops on the hands and feet, but may also occur on the knees, elbows, groin and buttocks; sometimes the rash can develop into painful blisters
• painful mouth ulcers

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: http://www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk/

 

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week at the bottom of this newsletter.

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

 

Our Policy this week is: Intoxicated persons policy

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
www.surreycc.gov.uk/fee
www.surreycc.gov.uk/feet

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

See attached document for the weekly menu. If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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/ 

 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

Monday – Charlotte’s group are exploring the Toddle Boxes, rolling balls down the ramp practicing hand eye-co-ordination

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group will be chalking on chalk boards in the garden experimenting with colours and marks

Wednesday – Mel’s group are exploring different shapes and features from a variety of creatures from under the sea

Thursday – Hannah’s group is making cakes together supporting their listening and attention

Friday – Mel’s group will be building towers with soft blocks encouraging counting skills

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Hannah is in all week, Nilem is off Monday and Mel is off Tuesday

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are looking at story books encouraging the children’s listening and talking skills

Tuesday – Donna’s group will be building sand castles in the sand pit together supporting turn taking

Wednesday – Almu’s group is playing ball games in the garden encouraging movement and gross motor skills

Thursday – Megan’s group is investigating ICT toys while using the child cameras

Friday – Chloe’s group is exploring different materials and textures while painting with puffy paint

Donna is off Friday, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu is in all week and Megan is on holiday all week

 

Sunflowers

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 and on the ILD’S.

This week’s activity is: Writing in paint use cotton buds

 

The children will use cotton buds in paint to create pictures. The children will dip the cotton buds into coloured paint and make different marks. The activity will be extended and the children will be encouraged to write familiar letters in the paint supporting fine motor skills and the pincer grip.

 

The letter of the week is: N

The children will be:

Recognising numbers

Linking words to the letter N

Thinking of things we do at night time

Using the N stencils

Using the fishing nets in the water tray

Talking about Now and Next

Leanne is off Monday, Hector is off Thursday and Becci is in all week

 

 

Intoxicated persons policy

 

Aim of policy

 

To give clear guidance on what to do if a member of staff or a person collecting a child is intoxicated.

 

Points to consider

 

No person who is affected by alcohol, medication or other such substances will be allowed onto the nursery premises at any time.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

 

• Ensuring no child will be permitted to leave the premises with any person who is intoxicated. This includes parents, guardians or care givers.

 

• In the situation where the person collecting a child is intoxicated, they will not be allowed onto the premises, or they will be asked to leave the premises.

 

• In this situation, another person authorized to collect the child will be contacted and asked to collect the child.

 

• In the situation where a staff member is intoxicated, they will be asked to leave the premises and will be informed that intoxication while on duty is a breach in their employment conditions and the regulations as set out by Ofsted. Disciplinary action will be taken.

 

• Staff members must inform the Manager of any medication they are taking that may affect their working ability.

 

• Social care team may need to be contacted, see the child protection policies and speak to your DSL

 

• It is vital that any incidents are recorded in a clear and unbiased manner.

 

 

week commencing 10th August

Dear Parents and Carers

 

So long, farewell, Auf Weidersehen, goodbye

After eight years this is my last email to you.

Thank you so much for all the cards, presents and kind words I really have been overwhelmed.

As I have said before this has been so much more than a job for me and I really will miss you all very much.

It’s great to end on such a high note following the Outstanding Ofsted rating.

I know I have left the nursery in the very best hands and I look forward to seeing you all again (very soon if you are coming to the 20^th party!)

All my love

Caroline x

 

Kiddibus trips

This week we have been taking the kiddibus out for the first time.

It caused quite a stir on Tuesday when the children went to the Farmers market.

If your child has been out in the bus, check out the photos on the ILD’S.

We hope to make the most of the bus by getting out most days. Whilst the bus is mainly for the babies I am sure the bluebells will also be hitching a ride as often as they can.

If you have any questions about our trips please ask your key person.

 

Garden structure

It’s been all go this week as the new garden shelter has been going up.

This new structure will keep part of the back garden covered from the rain and also has a UV filter in the roof to help keep the children safe in the sun.

It looks amazing and we are really happy with it. Pop out and take a look!

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: http://www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk/

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week on the newsletter.

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

 

Our Policy this week is: Non-attendance policy

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/fis
www.surreycc.gov.uk/fee
www.surreycc.gov.uk/feet

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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/ 

 

This week’s planned activities are also on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

Monday – Mel’s group will be exploring play dough and making models with it.

Tuesday – Hannah’s group is developing hand eye coordination as they use pencils and crayons to draw

Wednesday – Hannah’s group are looking at the ICT toys and seeing what happens when they press the buttons

Thursday – Mel’s group will be playing with the bead mazes as they begin to learn about shape and space

Friday  - Charlotte’s group are singing songs and playing with the instruments

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Hannah is in all week, Mel is off Tuesday and Nilem is on holiday

 

Bluebells

Monday – Almu’s group are playing a memory game to find the missing animal

Tuesday – Donna’s group is reading stories of their choice.

Wednesday – Donna’s group will be exploring instruments and talking about loud and quiet

Thursday – Almu’s group is printing with paint and different objects

Friday – Chloe’s group are making bowls with balloons and paper Mache

Donna is off Friday, Chloe is off Thursday, Megan and Almu are in all week

 

Sunflowers

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 and on the ILD’S.

This week’s activity is: Shell painting

The children will expore colour and pattern as they paint shells and add craft pieces to create models.

 

The letter of the week is: M

The children will be:

Making monkey sounds

Linking words to the letter M

Thinking of things we do in the mornings

Using the M stencils

Mixing coloured paints

 

Leanne is off Monday, Hector is off Thursday and Becci is in all week

 

From the South Hill team x