| |
 |
News
for Parents & Carers
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The hotel update
As you are aware the hotel has gone up for sale and could remain in
its present state for some time yet. Unfortunately this does not
help us and it looks dreadful and makes life difficult with the
parking and entrance. We apologise for this and thank you for your
understanding.
|
|
| |
Help with childcare costs
We are now in a pilot scheme in the county offering 15 hours of
funding for two year olds. This operates during term times, and is
subject to certain criteria, but well worth getting if you qualify.
Other settings outside of this pilot scheme can only offer 10 hours
funding, so it is worth pointing friends in our direction as we will
all benefit.
Funding also continues for three and four year olds starting the
term after their 3rd birthday and many parents increase the number
of hours their child attends without increasing their costs.
|
|
| |
Parent and baby sessions continue
successfully
We will be continuing our baby sessions every other Friday afternoon
1-3pm as these have been very popular. Tea, coffee and cakes are
provided and any mother and baby is welcome to attend.
These sessions are run by Emily and Hannah our Early Learning
Professionals, both of whom are awarded our “Practitioner of the
month” for January for the hard work they have put in to planning
the sessions.
|
|
| |
Parents wanted!
We would like to give parents the opportunity to share
skills/interests with the children. This may be one of the sessions
or several visits over time. We would arrange CRB checks as required
to enable you to come in. Ideas might include cooking, music,
sports, crafts or any special skill you could share with the
children. Please see Jeff or Deirdre.
|
|
| |
Charity events
Last year we had a fund raising activity with “The Toddle”. This
year we will raise funds again for a charity. Both the charity and
the activity are to be decided, but we would like something
different this year – maybe you have some ideas?
|
|
| |
Tennis
With the lighter nights approaching we will look to restart the
tennis sessions for The Hideout children if there is sufficient
interest.
|
|
| |
Oh la la
We continue to run French lessons with our visiting teacher Abigail,
and parents whose children went to school last September have passed
on very favourable comments from the schools about the ability of
the children, not least being able to count to 10 in French! |
|
| |
Woodpeckers gaining more awards
We have been awarded a certificate from the county for “EVERY CHILD
A TALKER”. This involves encouraging communication between adults
and children both in nursery and at home. Our display in the
entrance shows some examples of what we do. Over the following
months you will see this develop throughout the nursery.
|
|
| |
Nursery development
Following the development of the outside area last year we now hope
to develop the baby area with a permanent shelter and astro turf. We
are also hoping to remove the metal shed and have an open shelter
for the pushchairs and prams.
|
|
| |
Planned events for all to enjoy
After a very busy December with the butterfly children performing
their Nativity play, and also decorating a Christmas tree in the
church (did you see the photos in the Free Press?) we now look
forward to several other events. We are planning an open evening for
parents to attend and see how your child is progressing. We will
also be booking our trip to Frinton for all the nursery and hope
that you will be able to attend. Throughout the year we also plan
several smaller trips for groups of children using our minibus to
visit places like Waitrose (healthy eating), Pets at home (caring
for animals) and the Church (to see the architecture). We will also
have several visitors in to speak to the children and this, we hope
will include a visit from the fire service, tractor, and a dental
nurse to enrich the children’s experiences.
|
|
| |
The Hideout children face the forest
life!
During February half term children in The Hideout went to Downs Hall
for a “Forest Schools” experience. They identified animal tracks in
the snow, went pond dipping in the stream, built dens in the woods
and enjoyed lunch around the camp fire, toasting marshmallows and
drinking hot chocolate. This follows staff training last year in the
“Forest Schools” and will continue with all age groups through this
year.
|
|
| |
Every Child a Talker (ECAT)
We have been awarded the
ECAT certificate for which all the staff have trained.
Every Child a Talker (ECAT)
is designed to help practitioners create a developmentally
appropriate, supportive and stimulating environment in which
children can enjoy experimenting with and learning language.
Through everyday, fun and
interesting experiences which reflect children’s interests, ECAT
encourages early language development right from the outset,
extending children’s vocabulary so that before they start school
children are confident and skilled communicators.
|
|
| |
Safe child award
We have now updated our Safe Child Award. All staff have child
protection training and the nursery holds the award. The staff will
all hold their award for three years and the nursery for one year.
|
|
| |
Free at three
Funded places for 3 and 4 year olds are available in the Bright
Butterflies. This starts in the term after your child’s 3rd
birthday, and you may want to take advantage of this to increase
your child’s hours at woodpeckers without increasing the cost to
you.
Remember – government funds are available for after school and
holiday care, visit
www.direct.gov.uk and search for “Help with childcare
costs”.
|
|
| |
Don’t be left
out in the rain
All parents who are not yet registered yet on the finger print
system please see Jeff to arrange this.
|
|
| |
Self-employed?
Don’t forget to take advantage of our parents and carers business
directory included on our website. Sign up during 2011 for
a reduced rate – just £15 for a whole year.
www.woodpeckers-nursery.co.uk/BusinessDirectory.htm
|
|
