Week Commencing 9th November 2015

Dear Parents and Carers

 

Dates for the diary:

Christmas Parties - Friday 4^th December 3.30-5pm

Babies and Bluebells Carol Service - Monday 7^th December 4.15pm

Pre-Schools Nativity - Tuesday 8^th December 9.45pm or 4.15pm

There will be signup sheets for these in the rooms.

 

Illness

There has been no further cases of vomiting or diarrhoea however, we are still having children with high temperatures.

We have had one case of impetigo and one case of Hand, Foot and Mouth.

We have also had a couple of children who have had eye infections.

If your child gets Hand, Foot and Mouth they can return to nursery once the spots/blisters have scabbed over and they meet our well child policy (below).

If your child gets Impetigo they will need to be off nursery for 48 hours after they have started antibiotics.

I know it can be hard to arrange for your child to be away from nursery and we don’t do it to make your lives difficult!

We ask children to stay away from nursery so we can minimise the spread to other children and we hate making those phone calls, but we have to do what we think is right. All rooms are ensuring all the toys and equipment being used each day are sterilized afterwards.

 

Parking

We have had a complaint from a resident about people blocking the pavement outside the front of the nursery and the double gates. I understand that parking is very difficult at times but when parking if you could please leave enough pavement space for others to continue to use the pavements, to avoid people having to step into the road.

We all know the parking can be a real pain but unfortunately the council will not give us permits or short waiting times as they say they don’t give these to schools either.

I know it is frustrating for both parents and staff and I do apologise for this.

 

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 of the week is: Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) 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 – Shula’s group are investigating bubbles and shaving foam while filling and emptying containers

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group is looking at the ‘Tickle, Tickle’ and ‘Clap Hands’ book encouraging an interest in books

Wednesday– Mel’s group will be listing to Diwali music while playing musical instruments

Thursday – Shula’s group is making art garlands for Diwali supporting fine motor skills

Friday – Mel’s group will be encouraged to make faces in the mirrors supporting self-awareness.

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Mel is off Tuesday, Shula is in all week, Hannah’s last day is Thursday and Nilem is on holiday all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are talking about likes and dislikes while selecting their favourite toys

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be moving to Bhangra music for Diwali promoting physical skills

Wednesday – Donnas’ group is signing the Diwali songs while making Diwali cards building their understanding of cultures

Thursday – Almu’s group will be exploring media while painting with foams and shapes

Friday – Megan’s group are reading a story the children will choose, they will be encouraged to respond to simple questions about the story

Donna is off Friday, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu is on training on Tuesday and Megan is 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: Operating ICT equipment

 

The children will be using their imagination to play a role as a ‘Photographer’. They will be using and operating the toy cameras to take photos. The children will be asked to find a selection of toys that are a variety of colours, sizes and shapes. The activity will be extended by encouraging the children to count and categorize the objects they find.

 

The letter of the week is: Z

The children will be:

Telling each other what animals you can find in the Zoo

Can you find the number zero

Linking words to the letter Z

Making the letter Z using playdough

Talking about zebra crossings

Can you make a zigzag outside

Setting the easel up with Z stencils

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

 

Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Policy

 

Aim of Policy

To clarify how we support children with SEND and their families. This policy works together with the Inclusion Policy – Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities, the special needs procedure for previously unidentified needs and the confidentiality policy.

 

Points to Consider

When the Children and Families Bill became enacted in 2014 local authorities were required to publish information about services available for Children and Young People with SEND aged 0-25. This is called the Local Offer and Castle Daycare and Preschool is on the local offer register informing families how we support children with SEND.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

• All our nurseries will have an appointed Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator who has knowledge of the SEND Code of Practice (2014) and the Equality Act 2010 in relation to special needs.
• Using individual plans to support the child’s individual needs. The plans are created with the parents and other professionals who may be involved with the child and reviewed regularly.
• Attending training to support the needs of the child such as sign language training.
• Using the 2 year check, regular observations and Early Help Assessments to identify and record child’s needs. Paper copies of the two year checks will be given to parents and Health Visitors, via the parents.
• Having a SENCO who has attending training and regular SENCO forums to keep updated. The SENCO may also attend more specific training depending on the needs of the children.
• Working with other agencies to support the children and their families. This may mean we need to contact other professionals on behalf of the family, with their permission.
• Depending on the needs of the child we may be able to offer more staff support by having staff work 1:1 with the child. This will depend on the needs of the child and funding available.
• The nursery will also consult with the child about their wishes with regards to their support, this may be through observations or discussions depending on the child’s age and ability.
• Providing further information to the family about services they can use or contact for additional support.
• The SENCO at this Nursery: _ Jess Smith__________
• The Deputy SENCO at this Nursery: _ Becci Stone_________

SEND Things you need to know:

 

Level of need:

To help each child reach their full potential there are different levels of support:

 

EY Local Offer: this is the level that most children will be at and requires no other services/support that the setting already offers the child and family

 

EY Enhanced Local Offer: this is where a child or family may need a little extra support. That support may come in the form of Individual support plans, advice from the Improvement Officer or inclusion funding.

 

EY Band 1: This is for children who have ongoing issues. They may require pathway plans or discretionary funding

 

EHCP: Education Health and Care plans

 

Individual Support plans

These are six weekly action plans to support children with every level of SEND.

They set out small targets that the children will work to with their key person or SENCO. At the end of the six weeks the plan will be reviewed. If the child has progressed well they may not need another plan. For the children who have not yet closed their gap or met their targets another six week plan will be created.

The parents will be asked for their feedback on the plan and should always be consulted before writing an Individual support plan, they should also receive a copy.

 

Inclusion grants

This grant may be awarded by the council if the nursery can show the need for it. The grant is available to ensure the inclusion of children with additional needs. This grant may be able to fund additional equipment to help children take part in all areas of the setting. You can discuss this with your improvement advisor.

 

Discretionary funding

This may be given to children with greater SEND and can be used to employ additional staff or give 1:1

 

Pathway plans

A pathway plan is a way of supporting children with SEND holistically. You would complete this before an Education Care plan.

 

 

Early Help Assessments

See Early Help Assessment policy

 

Education Health and Care plan

These are for children with the highest level of need and have replaced Statements. The Surrey EHCP coordinator will lead this process and send the EHCP to the assessment panel if they feel the child is eligible.

 

E- Help

This is a safe and secure web based tool which will enable us to securely send and store personal information such as Early Help Assessments. This is being launched in 2015 by Surrey County Council.

 

Team Around the Family TAF

See the Early Help Assessment policy

 

Special Educational Needs Acronyms

ASD – Autistic Spectrum Disorder

CAF – Common Assessment Framework (been replaced by EHA)

CAS – Child Assessment Services

CC – Children Centres

CDT – Child Development Team

CO – Case Officer (allocated to children with SEND when notified)

COP – Code of Practice

CWD – Children with Disabilities

DF – Discretionary Funding

EHA – Early Help Assessment (new CAF)

EHCP – Education Health and Care Plan (replaced statements)

EP – Educational Psychologist

EYCS – Early Years and Childcare Service

FEET – Free Entitlement for Two Year olds

FIS – Family Information Service

HV- Health Visitor

IA – Improvement Advisor

SENCO – Special Educational Needs Coordinator

SEND – Special Educational Needs and Disability

SLT – Speech and Language Therapist

TAF –Team Around the Family

 

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

Jess Smith

Manager, SENCO

Week Commencing 2nd November

Dear Parents and Carers

 

 

Staff news

Sadly Hannah and Alison will be leaving us during November. Hannah will be leaving us on the 12^th November. She has worked in childcare since she was 16 and has decided to have a career change, she is becoming a receptionist at a Doctors Surgery.

Alison has been with us since 2007 and a job opportunity has arisen in a local school, where she is off to be a TA. I am sure you will join us in wishing them both all the best.

Shula has been a floating member of staff since last November and she will be stepping into babies to become a full time baby member of staff.

We are currently recruiting for a new floating member of staff but until we find the right person we will be having staff cover from our Markenfield Road nursery.

We will also be using our own bank staff, Alba; most of you will have met her over the summer period. Alba has previously worked both here and at our Markenfield Road nursery.

I will keep you updated on our recruitment process.

 

Peppa Pig at G Live

A reminder that the Sunflower’s will be going to see the 1pm performance of Peppa Pig at G Live this Thursday! 

 

Illness

There has been no further cases of vomiting or diarrhoea however,  we are still having children with high temperatures.

 

 

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: Supporting children and families with English as an additional language (EAL)

 

 

 

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 simple language while creating playdough shapes

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group are making poppy shaped biscuits alongside friends

Wednesday– Mel’s group will be investigating colour while splatter painting.

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is playing peek a boo games with the soft toy animals and blankets

Friday – Mel’s group will be colouring in firework themed pictures supporting fine motor skills

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

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are making poppy biscuits for Remembrance Day encouraging language throughout

Tuesday – Megan’s group will be practicing their counting skills while counting petals on poppies

Wednesday – Megan’s group is looking at their family board seeing who they can recognise

Thursday – Almu’s group will be encouraged to put their coats on by themselves supporting independence

 

Friday – Chloe’s group are investigating different materials and colours while creating firework pictures

Donna is off Friday, 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: Discussing Remembrance Day and creating pictures of poppies.

 

The children will be talking about Remembrance Day to encourage their knowledge. The children will create a picture of a poppy and be encouraged to hold the pencil correctly. The activity will be extended by supporting the children to write their name at the top.

 

The letter of the week is: Y

The children will be:

Using yellow paint

Linking words to the letter Y

Making the letter Y using playdough

Setting the easel up with Y stencils

Drawing Yo Yo’s

Junk modelling with yoghurt pots

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

 

 

Supporting children and families with English as an additional language (EAL)

 

Aim of policy

 

At Castle we welcome everyone into our settings. This includes children who speak languages other than English. To speak a language other than English will be celebrated and not seen as a disadvantage or deficit for the children or family. Our strategy to support these children will be implemented by all staff members. Staff members will be given support and information to enable them to promote these strategies. It is the responsibility of the staff to be flexible and creative to ensure that effective communication takes place.

 

Points to consider

 

It is important to identify the child’s first language before they start at the setting, and to establish whether the parents are able to converse in English or if they will need alternative support to understand the routines and learning environment their child will experience.

 

Children from different cultures may find our setting unfamiliar, it is important that we include pictures, in the environment, with which the children can identify. They may include a variety of houses, landscapes, families or children playing.

 

See the Inclusion policies.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aims to achieve this by:

 

The nursery environment strives to be multicultural with a variety of multi cultural books and resources. The displays around the settings also reflect multiculturalism.

 

Steps to support children with EAL

 

• On the settling in sessions, we ask parents for key words in the child’s first language to enable us to use these to communicate with the child.
• We will keep language simple and literal initially so the child has the best opportunity to understand.
• We will give instructions to the child individually and with eye contact as we understand generalised instructions may be hard to follow.
• We will give the child time to respond as we recognise it takes time to translate.
• We will have key words relevant to the child on display with pictures around the room, to help staff communicate with the child and for the child to tell us what they want.
• We will encourage the child and their family to teach children and staff the names of objects in their own language.
• We will model correct sentences, without correcting the child, when they have tried to communicate.

 

Working with parents

 

Parents from other countries may have no personal experience of nursery as we know it. It is important that sufficient time is given to explain to them the key principles of our system and the routines their child will experience.

 

When completing the registration form we will take down the details of the country of origin, the religion, the language and key cultural needs of the child, these may include dietary restrictions which will be shared with all staff and our chef to ensure no misunderstandings.

 

All parents are encouraged to contribute to the learning of their child by visiting, sharing significant events/festivals and doing activities.

 

Race and Ethnic Minority Achievement

 

REMA offers a Consultation Service to any non-maintained (private, voluntary and independent) EYFS Preschool Provider.  This service is currently funded on an annual basis as part of Surrey’s Early Years Development and Childcare Plan.

 

The purpose of these visits is to help providers develop strategies to meet an individual child, or group of children whose first language is not English and may have additional language needs.  If a consultation is required for an individual child, parental permission will need to be gained.  General strategies can also be given that will help support a group of children whose first language is not English.  It is expected that staff will have already tried to support the child’s/children’s additional language needs in collaboration with the parents and Early Years and Childcare Service.

 

All Surrey preschool providers are circulated with the information about this service (through the Early Years and Childcare Service).  The visits take place on a first come, first served basis.

 

 

 

Consultation involves the following:

-        at least 30 minutes to one hour to observe the child/children in a preschool setting

-        discussion with the key person for 45 minutes to one hour

-        parents may need to be consulted and invited to take part in the consultation

-        the key person needs to be prepared to spend some time in the following weeks working with the child/children on agreed strategies

-        a follow up meeting with the key person and parents, (where appropriate) usually within three months, to review the child’s/children’s progress.

 

 

 

Kind regards,

 

 

Jess Smith

Manager, SENCO

Week commencing 26th October

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

Nativity and Carol Service

It has reached that time of the year again where we are starting to organise the Christmas productions!  Buttercups and Bluebells will be holding a carol service on Monday 7^th December at 4.15 and Sunflowers will be performing their nativity on Tuesday 8^th December at 9.45 and 4.15.  We thought we’d give you plenty of notice so you can make arrangements with work. 

 

Illness

There  have been several cases of vomiting and diarrhoea throughout the nursery L If your child catches the stomach bug, please can you keep them off of nursery until 48 hours after their last episode of being ill.  This is to try to prevent other children catching it. 

 

Halloween

On Friday 30^th we will be celebrating Halloween, if your child would like to dress up on this day they are very welcome to wear a Halloween costume to nursery!

 

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: 

Inclusion policy – talented and gifted children

 

 

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

 

Emily (our cook) is on holiday next week, see attached menu for the changes.

 

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 will be dancing to music and moving to the beat.

 

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group are developing awareness of parts of their bodies by playing naming games.

 

Wednesday – Mel’s group will be making Halloween biscuits together, and talking about what they are doing to encourage understanding of words and sentences.

 

Thursday – Charlotte’s group will be developing their interest in books through looking at the ‘That’s That Not My Bear’ and ‘Where’s Spot?’ books. 

 

Friday – Hannah’s group are practising rolling over and reaching out for musical toys and balls.

 

Charlotte is off Monday and Tuesday, Hannah is in on annual leave all week, Mel is off Tuesday and Nilem is off Friday.

 

 

Bluebells

 

Monday – Megan’s group are drawing pictures and talking about the marks they have made in their pictures.    

 

Tuesday – Chloe’s group will be developing their ICT skills by using the cameras to take pictures of their friends and objects around the room.

 

Wednesday – Almu’s group are reading the story ‘How Do You Feel Today?’ to support their understanding of feelings and empathy.   

 

Thursday – Almu’s group will be developing their vocabulary as they talk about Autumn whilst playing in the garden.

 

Friday – Donna’s group are practising their self-care skills through using the toilet and washing their hands independently.

 

Donna is off Wednesday, Chloe is off Friday, 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: Creating Halloween pictures

 

The children are going to be making their own Halloween collages and pictures using a variety of media and materials.  They will be talking about the textures of the materials they are using and exploring  the colours they can make by mixing different coloured paints together.  The children will also be learning about Halloween. 

 

The letter of the week is: X

 

 

The children will be:

 

 

Using the letter X stencils at the easel

 

Playing with the xylophone

 

Thinking of objects that begin with the letter X

 

Playing ‘Alphabet Soup’ with the letter X

 

Exploring the X letter bottles.

 

 

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

 

 

Inclusion policy – talented and gifted children

 

Aim of policy

Castle Daycare and Preschool is committed to providing all children in our care every opportunity to achieve to the highest standards of their ability. This policy helps to ensure that this happens for all the children at our setting including children who may be talented or gifted.

 

Points to consider

In order to be able to confidently identify talented or gifted children it is important to have a shared idea of what that means. Below is a definition of gifted, talented and more able children:

 

Gifted – The top 5% of age related intellectual or academic ability within the

setting.

 

Talented – The top 5% of age related practical or creative power or other

natural ability or tendency within the setting.

 

More able – children who have the potential to or who are working above age

related expectations in academic or practical subject areas within the setting.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aims to achieve this by:

 

• Having regular, well thought out observations so that all children’s needs can be identified
• Having a talented and gifted coordinator who will attend training and support the child, family and key person.

 

The talented and gifted coordinator in this setting is:

________________________________________________________________________________

 

• Where the attainment of a child significantly exceeds the expected level of attainment, practitioners may use materials designed for use with older children, or extend the opportunities for work within the area or areas for which the child shows particular aptitude.
• Individual Support Plans (ISP’s) may be used to identify areas to support and develop and well thought time scales put into place.
• Adopting a differentiated approach to ensure appropriate stretch and challenge for all children within group activities.
• Balance must be found between stretching and challenging the child to develop them and ensuring they are still allowed to be a child.

 

 

Kind Regards

 

Charlotte Hampshire

Deputy Manager