Your weekly blog

Dear Parents and Carers

The first aid course for parents has now been booked for Saturday February 22^nd (10am - 12pm).  Places are filling up fast.  If you would like to book a slot, or would like more information, please email Michelle.  The cost is £30 per person.  

Please can we ask parents to complete ‘WOW’ vouchers for your child’s developmental file.  As parents you are the most important educators and your input is valued and welcomed with regards to the achievements your child makes whilst with you.  If you require more information, please do not hesitate to see your child’s keyperson.

Policies

Please see the attached safeguarding policy and well child policy. 

Snails & Caterpillars

The current interests in the Caterpillars are clothes and dressing up. Planned activities within the Caterpillars surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Days off Jamie – Monday          Alisha – Friday

Ladybirds

The current interests in the Caterpillars are animals and the sounds they make.. Planned activities within the Caterpillars surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Days off   Abi – Monday       

Bumblebees

This week the children’s current interests are; Penguins and mark making, which continues from last week.   Planned activities within the bumblebees surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Days off    Jenni – Thursday (Annual leave Tues, Wed)     Jani – Monday 

Butterflies                       

This week the children’s current interests are; the Winter Olympics, dinosaurs and African animals.   Planned activities within the Butterflies surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Days off   Stani – Friday    Klara – Tuesday

Well child policy

Aim of policy

To give practitioners and parents guidance on how we judge a child to be well enough to attend nursery.

Points to consider

The health and wellbeing of the children in our care is of the utmost importance to us. However as every child is different we use the definition of a well child along with information from the Health Protection Agency to decide if a child is well enough to attend nursery.

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

The definition of a well child:

• A child who is not dependent on Calpol or similar.
• A child with normal bowel movements.
• A child who participates in activities as they normally would.
• A child who does not require a greater ratio.

Standard adult child ratios are:

1: 3 children under two years

1:4 children aged two to three years

1:8 children aged three to five

Child Protection Policy

Aim of policy

To protect the welfare of every child in our care.

We aim to comply with the local child protection procedures approved by the Surrey Safeguarding Children board and make sure that all adults working with, and looking after children are able to put these procedures into practice.

Points to consider

This policy covers the following points:

·         Child Protection/ Safeguarding

·         Current safeguarding training

·         Suitable people

·         Whistle Blowing

·         Social Networking

·         Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

Use of mobile phone is covered in the separate Mobile phone and using images policy.

The following policies should be used alongside the Child protection policy to form a full safeguarding procedure,

·         The Mobile phone and using images policy

·         Anti bullying policy

·         Lost/missing child policy

·         Late/non collection of child

·         Arrival and departure procedure

·         Non attendance policy

·         Intoxicated persons policy

·         Multi agency working and information sharing policy

·         Confidentiality policy

If we have a concern about a child we will share these concerns with parents/carers. However, if sharing these concerns puts the child at risk of significant or further harm we will seek advice from the duty manager at Surrey County Councils Contact Centre first.

The first weekly blog for 2014

Your weekly blog

Dear Parents and Carers

We are endeavouring to ensure the return of your weekly blog and therefore may I first welcome you to the first for 2014 and apologise for the missing blog for the last two weeks.

For the coming year we have planned some exciting events, a copy of which is displayed in the foyer and which is also attached to this blog.  Also, each week there shall be a copy of our safeguarding policy along with a copy of an additional policy for your perusal.  If you have any questions or opinions regarding these, please do not hesitate to ask.

Dates for your diary    

Please see the attached calendar dates, the list of which is not exhaustive.  Throughout the year your child’s room may hold events which will be displayed on their room door.

Policies

Please see the attached safeguarding policy and transition policy. 

Snails & Caterpillars

This week the children will be enjoying activities surrounding their current interest of colours

Communication & Language: (CL) “have a strong exploratory impulse”

Extending on water play, adding blue sequins to the water to encourage investigation.

Maths: “Notices changes in numbers of objects/images or sounds in groups of up to three”

Building with yellow sponges

Physical development: (PD) “Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.”

Heuristic play, exploring different coloured materials.

Understanding the world: (UTW) “Explores objects by linking together different approaches such as shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, toothing, mouthing, pulling”

Investigation circles:  One colour for each day (eg) yellow blocks or  blue gloves.

Expressive arts and design: (EAD) notices and is interested in the effects of making movements which leave marks.

Creating rainbow pictures using different coloured paint.

Days off Jamie – Monday          Alisha – Tuesday

Ladybirds

Current Interest: Winter

Communication & Language: (CL) Understands simple sentences (e.g: throw the ball)

Colour sorting with connecting bunnies.

Literacy: Reading; Interested in books and rhymes & may have favourites

Encourage parents to bring in their favourite books.

Physical development: (PD) Moving & handling; Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower.

Building towers using large blocks

Days off   Abi – Monday       

Bumblebees

This week the children’s current interests are; Trains, babies and mark making.   Planned activities within the bumblebees surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Sadly we have to say goodbye to Nikki, who has been given the opportunity to go travelling to New Zealand.  We wish her all the best for her travels.  Nikki’s last day with us will be on Friday February 14^th.

Days off    Jenni – Thursday      Jani – Monday

Butterflies                       

This week the children’s current interests are; restaurants, Role play and winter weather.   Planned activities within the Butterflies surround each child’s current interest in conjunction with supporting and extending their development.  To find out what activities are planned for your child for this week, please see your child’s keyworker who will be happy to take you through the planning.

Days off   Stani – Friday    Klara – Tuesday

Transition policy

Aim of policy

Moving rooms or going to school can be an exciting and stimulating time; however change can cause some anxieties and upset. At Castle Nursery we want to ensure every child’s transition is as smooth as possible.

Points to consider

The parents may be as anxious as the children regarding transitions but through our strong work with parents we aim to alleviate any worries and support the whole family. See the Parents as Partners policy.

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to do this by:

·         6-8 weeks before the child is due to move rooms the parents will be sent a letter discussing the expected date of the move. This will be discussed by the child’s current key person with the parents.

·         The parents will be given the opportunity to visit the child’s next room at a convenient time. They will be introduced to their child’s next key person who will show them around the room, discussing routines and activities. They will also answer any other questions the parents have.

·         The child will start having visits into the next room prior to them moving up.

·         For the first few visits they will be accompanied by their key person, this key person will support the child and introduce the new key person and other staff.

·         Both key people will work together to ensure the child is confident and happy in the new room.

·         The parents will be kept informed of how the visits are progressing by both key people.

·         The child’s visits will be gradually increased so they can experience meals and rest times in their new rooms.

·         If the child is not settling as well as we would like, the current key person may spend longer helping the child to settle in or the settling in period may be extended.

·         Pegs, drawer names and other details will be already displayed before the child starts visits in order to help them feel a sense of belonging.

Child Protection Policy

Aim of policy

To protect the welfare of every child in our care.

We aim to comply with the local child protection procedures approved by the Surrey Safeguarding Children board and make sure that all adults working with, and looking after children are able to put these procedures into practice.

Points to consider

This policy covers the following points:

·         Child Protection/ Safeguarding

·         Current safeguarding training

·         Suitable people

·         Whistle Blowing

·         Social Networking

·         Common Assessment Framework (CAF)

Use of mobile phone is covered in the separate Mobile phone and using images policy.

The following policies should be used alongside the Child protection policy to form a full safeguarding procedure,

·         The Mobile phone and using images policy

·         Anti bullying policy

·         Lost/missing child policy

·         Late/non collection of child

·         Arrival and departure procedure

·         Non attendance policy

·         Intoxicated persons policy

·         Multi agency working and information sharing policy

·         Confidentiality policy

If we have a concern about a child we will share these concerns with parents/carers. However, if sharing these concerns puts the child at risk of significant or further harm we will seek advice from the duty manager at Surrey County Councils Contact Centre first.

Event Dates 2014

Please note that this list is not exhaustive.  For further event dates please watch out for notices on the door of your child’s room and read the weekly blog, available on our website at: www.castledaycare.co.uk

Event	Date	Comments
Sports Day in aid of sports relief	Friday March 21st	Pls see posters in your child’s room for details nearer the time
Mothers Day Breakfast	Friday March 28th	Mummies are invited in for breakfast with their children (8am – 9am).  *
Parents Evening	Thursday April 10th	An appointment system will be in place for parents to see their child’s keyperson.
Easter egg hunt & bonnet parade	Thursday April 17th	Parents will be asked to make a bonnet for their child, at home to bring in on the day.  A prize shall be given for first place in each age group. *
Summer BBQ	Saturday July 12th	All staff to attend TOIL will be given
Parents Evening	Thursday  October 23rd	An appointment system will be in place for parents to see their child’s keyperson.
Bonfire night celebrations	Wednesday Nov 5th 6pm – 7pm	Firepits, sparklers (glowsticks for the younger children) and hot food. A chance to catch up with each other!! *
Christmas party 0-18 mths	Tbc	Party games, tea and a visit from a certain person carrying gifts!!*
Christmas party  18 – 24 mths	Tbc	Party games, tea and a visit from a certain person carrying gifts!! *
Christmas party  2-3’s	Tbc	Party games, tea and a visit from a certain person carrying gifts!! *
Christmas party 3-5’s	Tbc	Party games, tea and a visit from a certain person carrying gifts!! *

*All children are welcome, however for those children who do not attend we ask that they are accompanied by an adult and that parents let the office know that they will be attending to enable us to cater for numbers.  Many thanks.

Dear Parents and Carers

This week we welcome back Michelle from her maternity leave, she will continue to work a 5 day week from 7:30am-4:30pm. 

Snails & Caterpillars

This week the children will be enjoying activities surrounding their current interest of Colours.

Communication & Language: (CL) “Understand simple sentances”

Exploring sensory green sensory bottlles, rolling touching throwing and passing to key people and sharing.

Physical development: (PD) enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand paste or paint.

Exploring red playdough

Personal emotional and social(PSED) Has a strong exploratory impulse.

Blue water play with blue objects.

Expressive arts and design: (EAD) Explores and experiments with a range of media through sensory exploration.

Table painting with black paint

Days off Jamie – Monday         Alisha – Tuesday

Ladybirds

Weather shall be the focus of activities for the next week.  Please see below the range of activities the staffs have planned under each different area of learning:

Communication & Language: (CL) Has a strong exploratory impulse.

Children to explore the items in whats in the box.

Literacy: Interested i books and rhymes and may have favorites.

Reading our favourite books with our friends

Physical development: (PD) Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.

Coloured spaghetti play with pots.

Personal, Social & emotional development; (PSED) Interacts with others and explores new situations when supported by a familiar person.

Animal flashcards.

Understanding of the World:  (UOW) Learn that they have similarities and differences that connect them to and distinguish them from others.

Mirror play, looking at ourselves. 

Mathematics: Says some counting words randomly. 

Counting Bears

Expressive Arts & Design (EAD) Explores and experiments with a range of media trough sensory exploration and using whole body.

Cornflour play.

Focus of the week - Literacy

Word of the week - thank you

Story of the week - Jolly Olly Octopus

Days off   Abi – Monday       

Bumblebees

Winter shall continue to be the focus of activities for the next week.  Please see below the range of activities the staffs have planned under each different area of learning:

Communication & Language: (CL) Show interest in play with sounds, songs and rhymes.

Singing the ABC song.

Literacy: Repeats words ad phrases from familiar stories.

Reading biggest muddy puddle.

Physical development: (PD) walking upstairs and downstairs holding onto the rail two feet to a step.

Walking up and down the stairs to the garden.

Personal, Social & emotional development; (PSED) Can select and use activity and resources with help. 

Choosing our own activities after circle time.

Mathematics: Enjoy filling and emptying containers.

Filling buckets of water and watching what happens when you pour it out.

Expressive Arts & Design (EAD) Creates movement in response to music.

Pretending to be different types of weather in the garden.

Focus of the week - Literacy

Word of the week - Cold

Book of the week - Biggest Muddy Puddle

Days off    Jenni – Thursday      Jani – Friday

Butterflies                       

This week’s sound and letter of the week is ‘F’ and the story of the week is ‘a tall tall cliff’.  Their activities will be centered around Winter sports/Winter Olympics. 

Personal Social and Emotional - Demonstrates friendly behavior, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and adults.

Circle times, talk about the importance of playing together nicely

Communication & Language - Responds to simple instructions eg: o get or put away an object.

Learn a new game or sport from the winter olympics

Mathematics - Realises not only onjects, but anything can be counted, including steps, claps and jumps.

When learning new sports games asking the children to count out how many times they have completed the tasks.

Physical development - Shows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking. 

Extending the childrens understanding of basic skills such as rolling and kicking a ball.

Understanding of the World - Comments and asks questions about aspects of their familiar world such as the place they live or natural world.

Talk about winter olympics and where they are taking place.

FOCUS OF THE WEEk - Literacy 

Days off   Stani – Friday    Klara - Tuesday