Parent News

Dear Parents and Carers

This Friday heralds our nativity play and the start of our festive celebrations.  The nativity begins at 10am however please can all parents of those children taking part, please be at nursery for 9.30am.   Also can all parents see a member of the preschool team whereby we will allow photographs and video footage (terms and conditions apply).  I would also like to remind parents that unfortunately, due to limited space, a maximum of two people per child are allowed to attend.  Thank you.

We have arranged for new flooring to be installed in our pre school class from 4pm on Thursday December 18^th  and all day Friday Dec 19^th. This means that the class will be out of use.  We are arranging to use other rooms within the nursery and will inform parents very shortly of the plans.  In preparation for this and also in preparation for the pre school Nativity play we shall be moving furniture out of the pre school.  It may begin to look a little bare however thought has gone into ensuring planned activities take place whilst allowing the children to make use of the additional space created by the removal of the storage.  An exciting few weeks ensue!!!

Many thanks in advance for your co operation and patience.

 

If you have not returned your T towels or payment, please can I ask you to do so by Wednesday December 10^th.  Any outstanding returns after this date shall be charged to the parent.  Many thanks.

 

This week is our charity week whereby on Wednesday we shall be supporting the NSPCC on ‘Bobble Hat’ Day (please see the poster on the door of your child’s room) and the Save the children charity with ‘Christmas jumper’ day on Friday.  So don your children in their festive best, make a donation and join in the fun!!  Tara and our cooking club shall be making gingerbread men to sell to contribute to the charities. Please look out for these delectable delights and other activities that shall be going on during the week.

 

We would like to welcome Emma to joins our Bumblebee team in the New Year.  Emma comes to us with ample of experience, having her own children and being deputy manager of a pre school in the past.

Please can I remind parents to take the children’s bags home with you at the end of every session.  Space to hang coats and bags, especially during the cold weather when we have hats and scarves, is limited.  Thank you.

On Saturday January 17^th we shall be holding a Robert Burns dinner (Burns night is on Sunday January 25^th ) at the setting for parents.  Invitations shall be sent out shortly.  This is an excellent opportunity for parents to meet and get to know one another.  All are welcome, bring your friends!! Further details shall shortly follow.   

Policies

Please find attached our carbon monoxide evacuation procedure.

Snails

The focus in the snails this week continues to be Christmas. The children will experiment with mark making this week, making snowflakes for a Christmas display. In the garden our older babies will be supported whilst promoting gross motor skills through walking supported by equipment, whilst the younger babies will be encouraged to roll and crawl and to reach out to grasp objects.  This week the children will also enjoy the sensory experiences of treasure basket play.

Planned activities within the Snails 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.

Christmas party – Thursday 18^th December.

 

Amy – Day off Monday. 

 

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars team will be supporting the children’s interest in the role play area by following their lead in how the equipment in their play.  In addition to this the children will have the opportunity to explore playdough and experience sponge painting whilst the team support some of the children’s schema’s through encouraging them to fill and empty containers during sand play. The Caterpillars will also be focusing on carrying out Christmas activities ready for the festive season.  The children will also be encouraged to look at their family books.

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 – Wednesday

Alisha – Monday

 

Christmas party – Thursday 18^th December.

 

Ladybirds

The current interest in the Ladybirds this week is role play. The role play area will be created into a shop and the children will be encouraged, with adult support to use the area as such. Other activities include bathing babies, building with large blocks and completing two piece puzzles.  Creative activities include making party hats, gluing and sticking ‘Christmas baubles’ and table painting.  The story of the week is ‘The Perfect Christmas Tree’.

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.

Christmas party – Thursday 18^th December

Days off  

Abi – Annual Leave all week

Naomi – Wednesday

 

Bumblebees

This week the children will be focusing on Christmas activities. The children will be making Christmas stockings, singing Christmas songs and gluing and sticking, using cotton wool.   The children will make a sleigh out of boxes, with adult support and construct and decorate a post box for Christmas cards. Activities to support creative development include cornflour play, decorating Christmas stockings, painting with stamps and using stencils to draw shapes. Literacy development shall be supported, this week by reading the story of the week ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ and talking about photographs on the I pad. This week the children will be making Christmas biscuits.

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 which is now displayed on the large notice board outside the Bumblebees room.

Christmas party – Tuesday 16^th December.

 

Days off     

Jani – Friday

Jenni – Thursday

 

Butterflies     

This week the butterflies will be focusing on their Christmas crafts. The activities will include making paper chains, writing Christmas stories, making Christmas hats and making hanging angels.  The children will also be discussing American customs and will make stuffed potato skins in cooking club.  The children will be focusing on the letter of the week, which is, ‘0’ and the number of the week, which is number 4.

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.

Christmas party – Wednesday 17^th December.

 

Days off   

Stani – Friday                 

Lee – Thursday Afternoon                 

Tara – Tuesday

Juan - Wednesday

 

Michelle is day off Monday

 

 

 

Carbon monoxide evacuation procedure

 

Aim of policy

To give guidance to staff on what to do if the carbon monoxide alarms indicate a leak.

 

Points to consider

It is important that all staff familiarise themselves with the Carbon Monoxide detector in their setting as there are a wide range of detectors available.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

In the event that the detector shows Carbon Monoxide to be present staff should:

1. Turn off appliances or other sources of combustion at once.
2. Immediately get fresh air into the premises by opening doors and windows.
3. Call the gas emergency services

The number is__________0800 111 999_

           

A member of staff will

 

·         Alert all staff and children by sounding the alarm.

·         Evacuate the building with the children in their care in accordance with the local setting evacuation procedure.

·         Take out any registers for which they are responsible.

 

The Manager (where the Manager is not present the most senior member of staff present) will:

 

·         Check toilets, utility room and kitchen. 

·         Ensure that registers of children are complete.

·         Ensure every child, member of staff and others are fully accounted for through taking registers and enquiry of staff.

·         Contact the fire service and other emergency services if required.

·         Act as the main point of contact for the Gas service and other appropriate services.

·         Take responsibility for contacting parents/guardians/ carers.

Do not reenter the premises until told to do so by an approved Gas Safe Engineer.