Spring is here!

Dear Parents and Carers

Spring is officially here and with all of the bad weather we have recently had, our garden is looking a little tired.  Therefore we are planning a garden revamp.  To help us with our plans we are asking parents to email ideas of what they would like to see in the garden for their children.  From this we will correlate your ideas along with our own and then invite you in to help us with the revamp.  If you are interested in joining us, please could you email Michelle with your ideas.  Thank you.

Friday March 21^st is Sport’s Relief. Each room will be planning activities to raise funds.  Please see a member of staff for more details.

On Saturday March 22^nd, Lee is holding a parent taster session for our parents (10am -12pm) at the Chantry woods.  Lee is planning on introducing the forest school sessions to children aged 2-3 years however all parents are welcome.  Lee will be explaining the benefits for children taking part in our forest school, whilst also asking parents to take part in some of the activities that are planned for the children.   Please see Lee in the pre school or the poster on the front door for more details.

We would like to welcome Tara Love to the Caterpillars team and Jade Holland to the Bumblebees team. Tara is a qualified practitioner with experience of working in a pre school setting and is looking forward to working with the under two year olds, whilst Jade is currently undertaking her level 3 qualification and also has experience of working within a day care setting.

I am also pleased to announce Stani’s promotion, in the pre school, to senior practitioner.

Policies

Please see the attached the outdoor policy. 

Snails

The current interest in the Snails is sensory exploration.  This week the babies will explore corn flour and play with musical instruments.  Alisha and Leanne will also encourage the babies interests in the exploration tent and activity mats.

Alisha – Monday

Caterpillars

The current interest in the Caterpillars is role play, shape, space and measure and Rhyme time.  The story of the week is the action book, ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes. This week the children will be encouraged to babble during play, learn the actions to songs and to fill and empty containers filled with different materials.  Creative activities, this week include, painting and mark making with chalk, amongst others.  Planned activities within the Snails and 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 – Wednesday   Tara - Thurs            

Ladybirds

The current interests in the ladybirds are ‘Stories, the sandpit and role play.   The story of the week is ‘Turn it up Doris’.  This week the children will have the opportunity to play in the sandpit, complete with ‘Creatures in the desert’, paint using string and explore playdough. Planned activities within the ladybirds 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 – Tuesday       

Bumblebees

This week the children’s current interests are climbing and mark making.  The children will have the opportunity to experience an obstacle course on the bikes, outside and use the parachute to play games.  Creative activities planned include, sponge painting and drawing using crayons.  The book of the week is ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’.  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     Jani – Tuesday

Butterflies                       

This week the children’s current interest is ‘Spring’. The book of the week is ‘The Lazy Ladybird’.   The children will be talking about how things grow and will get to prepare a ‘spring salad’.  The children will also be encouraged to watch and discuss how the weather changes over the following week.  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   Tracy – Tuesday   

Outdoor Policy

Aim of policy

Castle Nursery believes children should have the opportunity to explore the outdoor environment for long periods of time and children know they can play outside every day and when they choose too. This policy shows how we aim to do this. This policy links to Every Child Matters (2003) and The Early Years Foundation Stage (2012)

Points to consider

·         The outdoor environment will enable the children to enjoy a rich environment full of irresistible stimuli, real experiences, hands on experiences with nature and explore open ended play. Whilst doing so they will be covering all areas of Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

·         The outdoor environment will enable children to take risks and challenges in a safe and secure environment. Staff will ensure rules for outside are clear and consistent to manage behaviour and safety.

·         Staff must ensure children have adequate protection taking into account the weather, children’s age and stage of development to ensure play can continue. Children should have sun cream applied before coming to nursery and re applied frequently throughout the day. Sun cream should be supplied by the parents and a bottle kept at nursery along with a sunhat. Warm clothes and wellies should also be supplied in other weathers.

·         The outdoor provision supports inclusion and meets the children’s individual needs in which it offers a variety of experiences for the children to participate in.

·         The children have the opportunity to access the outdoor area every session.

·         The outdoor area will be risk assessed regularly.