Your weekly blog

Dear Parents and Carers

Many thanks to all of the staff and parents for your tremendous efforts during our ‘Big Read Week’. A Surrey County Council initiative to inspire the love of reading to children aged under five years.  The children and staff had so much fun dressing up as their favourite story character.  This week we shall be doing it all over again on Thursday March 6^th to celebrate ‘World Book Day’.   Please see a staff member in your child’s room to find out activities they have planned.  Also there is a £1 book token for each child which should be distributed from your child’s room.  Again, please ask a member of staff for details.

 We would like to welcome Tracy Cox to the Pre school team. Tracy has 20 years experience working within childcare and has ample experience working with pre school children.  I am sure that you will join me in welcoming her to the team.

Policies

Please see the attached the procedure for accidents and incidents. 

Snails

The current interest in the Snails is stories and animal picture books.  This week Alisha and Leanne will encourage the babies to use the mirrors to look at their own reflection and the babies shall also use crayons for mark making, developing their fine manipulative skills.

Alisha – Tuesday

Caterpillars

The current interest in the Caterpillars is the outdoor environment and enjoyable sounds.  This week the children will be encouraged to sing songs and dance to music, whilst the book of the week will be ‘Muffin – Hide and Seek, which will form the basis for a display to celebrate World Book Day. 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 – Monday         

Ladybirds

The current interests in the ladybirds are Books, small world play and role play.   The story of the week is ‘Calm down Boris’.  This week the children will make sensory bottles using pulses, play with happyland to extend their imagination and practice mark making with pens. 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       

Bumblebees

This week the children’s current interests continue with ‘The Gruffalo’. This also continues to be the book of the week.  This week the children will be making puzzles in small groups.  They will also be encouraged to blow bubbles in water and use boxes to create models.  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 – Monday

Butterflies                       

This week the children’s current interests continue with occupations and the pre school shall also be celebrating shrove Tuesday. The book of the week is ‘What do people do all day’.   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   

Procedure for accidents and incidents

Aim of policy

Castle Daycare & Preschool have in place a rigorous procedure to deal with accidents and incidents. See the current nursery risk assessments.

Points to consider

At all times staff dealing with accidents must wear the appropriate protective clothing – disposable gloves and aprons wherever it is required or reasonably practical.

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

Minor accidents/incidents

·         Staff member present assesses the injury.

·         The injury is treated by qualified first aider.

·         The child is resettled and observed.

·         The accident/incident is recorded on the accident form.

·         The Manager should be informed at the earliest opportunity.

·         At the end of the child’s session the parent/carer is advised of the accident/incident and what action was taken.  The parent must sign the form to verify they have been advised of the accident.

·         If the parent/carer is not willing to sign the form the Manager must be alerted immediately.

Major accidents/incidents

·         Never move the child - unless their life is in imminent danger by not moving them.

·         Call an ambulance.

·         Appropriate treatment should be administered by a trained first aider

·         The parent/carer must be contacted.

·         If the ambulance crew take the child to hospital a senior member of staff will accompany the child to hospital, if the parents are not available, and the parent/carers should be kept informed.

·         The accident form or serious incident form must be completed with the parent/carers signature.

In the case of a major accident the details must be reported to the Health and Safety representative, Ofsted and RIDDOR (if applicable)

ALL accidents and incidents must be monitored.  A risk assessment may need to be completed and/or reviewed in the event of an accident or incident.

Attention should be given to the following:

·         Was normal practice being followed?

·         Were there any unusual circumstances/conditions?

·         Were safety rules/advice being followed?

·         Has a similar incident occurred previously?

·         What conclusions can be made from this?

·         How can the incident be prevented from re-occurring

Accident forms should be checked every month by the manager to assess if any patterns are occurring, or if any action is needed to be taken to ensure accidents do not occur again. The manager will use this information to take appropriate steps to manage risks.

 

Incident report procedure

Aim of policy

To give guidance on when and how to complete an incident report.

Points to consider

An incident report is a report giving all of the details of an important incident that has taken place in the nursery (or elsewhere too). For example; a child arriving with an odd bruise, or a team member acting inappropriately, or a parent makes a complaint, or a child telling a story of how they had been left home alone. See the children protection policies and risk assessment policy.

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

If something happens in the nursery that has staff alarmed or needing to question something, we always write an incident report. An incident report will get all of the facts out and will keep important information at hand for reference. It may even be the difference between saving a child’s life or future.

The manager may ask staff to write an incident report and they will need to know what to write. Below is a set of guidelines on how to write an incident report.

How to write an incident report

1. All incident reports are to be clearly printed or typed.

2. Complete the report thoroughly and accurately, including all relevant important information about the incident and persons involved (time, place, date, names, and address).

3. Be concise and to the point, while still being thorough and complete.

4. DO NOT write from emotions – facts only, remember that anything written is considered an official document).

5. DO NOT speculate – we are reporting facts, not opinions or predictions.

6. Complete the report IMMEDIATELY after the incident – details fade fast.

7. Take notes if necessary and flesh out the details later.

8. Remember all reports are official legal documents and could be used in judicial hearings and a court of law.

9. If your report is not satisfactory, management will require that you rewrite it.

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