Parent News

Dear Parents and Carers,

Many thanks to those of you who attended our parent forest school session on Sunday.  The event was a huge success and hopefully gave you a better insight into the types of activities and experiences your children are offered during their time at forest school.

 On Friday May 15^th we have our photographer here (9am – 11.30am approximately) to take graduation photographs of our school leavers.  If your child is leaving us for school this year, however does not normally attend on Fridays, please see Michelle to make arrangements for your child to have their photo taken.  After the individual photographs there will be a class photograph taken of each group within the nursery.  As we cannot judge how long the photos will take we estimate that the group photograph’s will begin at approximately 10.30 am.  If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle.  

Please note that we close at 18.00 on Friday May 1^st and re open on Tuesday May 5^th at 08.00am.

Letters of interest for our annual outing to Bocketts farm were distributed last week.  Please could I ask for all replies to be returned by this Friday, May 1^st.  Many thanks.

Date for your diary

On Saturday September 20^th (a long way ahead, I know) we are holding a hog roast at Shalford Community Centre to celebrate 20 years of Castle Nurseries.  We shall be inviting present and past parents and children from all 3 nurseries with lots of fun activities and entertainment.  Further details shall follow however if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Michelle.

 

Policies

Please find attached our non attendance policy.

Snails

The focus in the snails this week is movement. The children will be encouraged to crawl, roll, bottom shuffle and walk, using prompts and with support. 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.

Amy – Day off Monday, Annual leave:- Tuesday

 

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars team will continue to focus on mirror play and to explore their family books. Activities this week will include painting with rollers, heuristic play and small world play.

 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 – Thursday, Annual Leave - Friday

Alisha – Wednesday

 

Ladybirds

The current interest in the Ladybirds this week continues to be spring animals and also small world play. The children will have the opportunity to make spring animal masks, play with the ducks and boats during water play and paint using feathers.

 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 – Monday, training - Thursday    

Naomi – Friday

 

 

 

Bumblebees

This week the children will continue to focus on painting, cooking, stories and role play. Activities this week include making fridge cake, dressing dolls, colour mixing with paint, using puppets to talk about feelings and washing up in the water tray. The children will also be practising their self help skills by dressing and undressing themselves for routine tasks such as toileting, outdoor play and sleep time. Outdoor activities this week include chalk drawing and obstacle course and playing in the sand pit. The story of the week is ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ and the colour of the week is green.

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.

 

Days off     

Jani – Friday

Jenni – Monday

 

Butterflies     

This week the butterflies are continuing to focus on spring and growing. The activities include looking at the life cycle of a tree, using craft items to create a 3D apple tree and working together to complete the big farm puzzle . The children will also be making chocolate brownies, exploring mixing colours and playing balancing games outside.  The children will be focusing on the letter of the week, which is, ‘L’ and the number of the week, which is number 6.

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, training tuesday                                 

Tara – Thursday

Jade – Monday

 

Non-attendance policy

 

Aim of policy

To give clear guidelines on what to do if a child expected at nursery does not arrive.

 

Points to consider

This policy needs to be made aware to all parents upon starting at the setting so they understand it is to protect children rather than intrude into personal lives.

Under the Early Years Foundation Stage providers must be alert to any issues for concern in the child’s life at home or elsewhere. By understanding why the child has not attended helps us to form a picture of their life outside of the setting. This policy links to our Child Protection policies.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

• Asking all parents to inform the nursery if their child is going to be absent and the reason why.

 

• Recording on the registers when and child is absent and why, using the following code:

S = sickness

H= Holiday

A = unknown absence

 

• If a child is due in and has not arrived, the nursery will wait a reasonable time, depending on the child’s session and usual pattern of attendance, before contacting the parent to find out a reason for the child’s absence.

 

• This reason will then be recorded on the registers.

 

• Patterns of non-attendance can be monitored through the registers.

 

• Where possible the nursery would encourage parents to contact the setting rather than the setting contacting the parent.

 

• When contacting the parents the staff will do so in a sensitive manner whilst explaining the need for the phone call.

 

• If a child claiming EYFE is off for more than two consecutive weeks or is regularly absent the manager will need to contact the EYFE team.

 

• The social care team may need to be contacted. Please discuss this with your Manager and DCPO.

 

 

Parent News

Dear Parents and Carer,

We still have spaces on our parent forest school session this Sunday 10am – 12pm.  Please advise Lee, Jamie or Michelle if you would like to attend.

If you have no yet booked your termly meetings, please do so by seeing your child’s keyworker to book a time and day that is convenient with you.

Our annual trip, this year, is to Bocketts Farm on Friday June 12^th. We strongly rely on parental participation as the ratio’s are 2 children to one staff member.  Letters shall be distributed shortly with more information.

Our Summer BBQ shall be held on Saturday June 20^th, 2pm – 5pm. There shall be face painting, hook a duck, bouncy castle, name the teddy and a whole range of fun activities.  Everyone is welcome.

 

 

Policies

Please find attached our settling in policy.

Snails

The focus in the snails this week is physical development. The children will be encouraged to explore water play outside, using their feet and explore the texture of the stickle bricks. 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.

Amy – Day off Monday

 

 

 

 

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars team will focus on mirror play out in the garden, to explore facial expressions and features. Activities this week will include gluing and sticking, cornflour play, filling and emptying containers, identify their own body parts, when prompted, (eg) Where is your nose?  The children will also get to take part in heuristic play and dancing to music.

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 – Thursday

Alisha – Monday

 

Ladybirds

The current interest in the Ladybirds this week is water play and Spring animals. The children will have the opportunity to explore the sealife animals in the water tray, paint using the wheels of the toy cars to create spring pictures and explore the ball run, using water.  The story of the week is ‘Baa – Moo’.

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 – Monday        

Naomi – Friday

 

 

 

Bumblebees

This week the children will continue to focus on mark making, with the introduction of transport and stories. Activities this week include painting using stickle bricks, playdough and cutters, making rocket straws and talking about our favourite books. The children will also be practising their self help skills by serving their own lunch and tea and practice putting their own shoes on. Outdoor activities this week include exploring letters, reading the book of the week and painting pictures of our families. The story of the week is ‘Big Blue Train’ and the colour of the week is blue.

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.

 

Days off     

Jani – Friday

Jenni – Training Monday, day off Tuesday

 

 

Butterflies     

This week the butterflies are continuing to focus on spring and growing. The activities include discussing the names of baby animals, looking at plant life cycles and discussing the name of parts of a plant and creating sunflower pictures. The children will also be mixing colours, mark making using water and brushes outside and making fruit kebabs.  The children will be focusing on the letter of the week, which is, ‘E’ and the number of the week, which is number 3.

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, training Thursday                                 

Tara – Tuesday

Jade – Monday

 

 

Settling in policy

 

Aim of policy

 

At Castle Daycare and Preschool we want every child to thrive with us. Part of making this happen is having a high quality settling in procedure that supports the child and their family as they join us.

 

Points to consider

 

Through this policy and the appointment of professional staff, we aim to make parents/carers feel comfortable in the nursery and that the staff team are friendly, approachable and attentive to their needs and the needs of their children.

 

The key person has great responsibility in helping a family settle into the setting and has the lead role in working with the family to support the settling process.

If either the key person or the family feel that the child is not settling as expected, they need to discuss this with the manager so that an action plan can be put into place to further support the child and family. This may include changing key person if thought best.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to do this by:

·         From the point of booking, the family become members of the nursery and should be informed of any major events, social activities and general news regarding the nursery, even if they have not yet started.

·         Once a booking is confirmed the manager will contact the parent/carer 4-6 weeks prior to the start date to organise settling in visits for the child. 

·         We recommend an induction period of three settling in sessions, of one hour long, should take place prior to the start date.

·         We will hold an opportunity to welcome the family, address any issues or anxieties and take detailed information about the child.  The staff should be informed in advance of the settling visit to allow for the appropriate preparation and organisation.

·         The settling in sessions should be led by the child’s key person.

·         During the settling in sessions the key person will go through the registration form, terms and conditions and the “All about me pack” with the parents.

·         The key person will give the parents information about the nursery such as; activities, policies, events and newsletters.

·         The key person will answer any questions or concerns the parents have and will refer them to the manager if needed.

·         The key person will ensure that they know the child’s routine, care plans and needs during these sessions so that the child can be supported and cared for as best as possible from their first session with us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 13th

Parent News

Dear Parents and Carer,

Now that the warmer weather is upon us, please could we ask you to provide your child with sun cream and hat, both named please.  Thank you.

If you have no yet booked your termly meetings, please do so by seeing your child’s keyworker to book a time and day that is convenient with you.

 

Please see your child’s keyworker if you are interested in organising a playdate. Your child’s keyworker will be able to provide further information about this. Dates and times are arranged to be most convenient with you and are carried out during the working week.

 

Forest School sessions begin again today for our pre school and 2-3’s children.  Those attending should have been given a pack containing a front letter and permission slip.  Please could we ask those parents, who have not yet done so, to return the permission slip?  Unfortunately we are unable to take children for whom we do not hold a permission slip.

 

French begins again this week.  Again, please can we ask for the slips and payment to be submitted if you wish your child to continue attending French lessons?  Thank you.

 

Policies

Please find attached our transition policy.

Snails

The focus in the snails this week is physical activities. The children will be encouraged to use the walkers to promote gross motor skills and will have the opportunity to move to music, concentrating on different parts of their body.  Heuristic play will give the children opportunities to explore and experiment using fine motor skills and will take place outdoors.  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.

Amy – Day off Monday

 

 

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars team will focus on sand play. Activities this week will include filling and emptying containers and exploring wet and dry sand with animals. The children will also get to take part in activities such as gluing and sticking with sand, painting with rollers and role play. Outdoor activities this week include investigating the ICT equipment and practice moving on the push bikes.

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 – Friday

Alisha – Monday

 

Ladybirds

The current interest in the Ladybirds this week is messy play. The children will have the opportunity to paint using pom poms, vegetable printing, table painting and water painting.  Outdoor activities include kicking balls, an obstacle course and exploring the tents and tunnels. The story of the week is ‘Alien tea on planet Zum - Zee’.

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 – Monday        

Naomi – Friday

 

Bumblebees

This week the children will continue to focus on mark making. Activities this week include painting using stamps and sand, making a height chart, chalk drawing and making number bunting. The children will also have the opportunity to participate in games such as colour bingo and the letter factory. The golden rules will also be focused upon this week, where the team will talk to the children about emotions and practice making faces in mirrors depicting particular feelings. The children will also be practising their self help skills by serving their own lunch and tea and practice putting their own shoes on. Outdoor activities this week include chalk drawing, ball games, water play with sea animals and using the parachute and tunnels to make a den. The story of the week is ‘Dance of the dinosaurs’.

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.

 

Days off     

Jani – Friday

Jenni – Friday

 

 

Butterflies     

This week the butterflies are continuing to focus on spring. The activities include planting seeds in the garden, looking at plant life cycles and making seed head pots.  The children will also be looking at sounds and letters in the form of rhyming games, action words and naming shapes. The children will be focusing on the letter of the week, which is, ‘G’ and the number of the

week, which is number 8.

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                                 

Tara – Tuesday

Jade – Annual leave all week

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use of Tablets/ iPads in the Nursery

 

Aim of policy

To give staff clear guidance on how tablets/iPads are to be used.

 

Points to consider

Using tablets is now part of our role as practitioners. However they do need to be used responsibly and in the correct way, this policy highlights what is meant by “using the ipads responsibly”

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

As the children’s learning journey is now an online portal system: Interactive Learning Diary ILD, the use of iPads and tablets is now commonplace in the nursery.

 

Staff must use these tablets responsibly. It is important to make sure that Practitioners do not “hide behind” the iPads and not interact with the children in their care. The iPads are there to enhance the practice not impede it. Think about how long you are using the iPads for, when you are working with the children. Make sure that you are only using the iPad for short periods of time when working with the children. Observations/photos and videos can be saved so the work is not lost.

Each room will need to look at the best times that observations can be completed by staff. Each room will also need to work together to ensure that when a practitioner is using the iPad to record observations, the rest of the team are working with the children.

 

Only websites/apps that have been approved by the manager are allowed to be used by staff.

 

The tablets should be securely stored when the nursery is closed. To ensure the iPads are not abused by practitioners their user history should be checked every week.

 

The person responsible for checking the weekly iPad history in this nursery is:

 

___________________Michelle Smith_________________________________________

 

 

 

Readiness for School Information Session

This Friday April 17^th 4pm – 5pm

Session to include:

·       Strategies we use to prepare your child for school.

·       Expectations of child development when they start school

·       How you can help prepare your child for school

·       Characteristics of effective learning

·       Pre school reading and writing

·       Question and answer time

 

Please confirm if you would like to attend by emailing me: markenfield@castledaycare.co.uk

Many thanks

Michelle