Welcome back to our weekly blog!

Dear Parents and Carers

Within the description of the planned activities for the week (below in black) we are also beginning to include the area of learning within the national curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage) and the learning outcome we are helping the children to strive towards. (In red)

Dates for your diary   

Friday 22^nd November – Stay and Play 2:30-4pm

Friday 6^th December – Health Visitor 10-11am

Tuesday 10^th December – Bumblebees Christmas party 3-5pm

Wednesday 11^th December – Ladybirds Christmas Party 3-5pm

Thursday 12^th December – Snails/Caterpillars Christmas Party 3-5pm

Thursday 19^th December – Butterflies Christmas Party 3-5pm

Christmas Closure

We will be open Christmas Eve but aim to close at 3pm, we do ask you kindly if at all possible the children could be picked up by 3pm as it is the one day of the year we try to get the staff home early.

Snails & Caterpillars

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

Communication & Language: (CL) Listens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.

Exploring books about weather.

Literacy: Interested in books and rhymes and may have favourites

Singing songs about weather

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

Ice cube play

Understanding the world: (UTW) Looks around the room or garden with interest, usually scans environment for novel interesting object and events.

To explore the garden, and weather outside. Is it raining, sunny or windy?

Expressive arts and design: (EAD) Babies explore media and materials as part of their exploration of the world and around them.

Wellie boot painting

Days off Jamie – Friday Alisha – Thursday

Ladybirds

Winter 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) Moves whole body to sound and enjoys music or a regular beat.

Exploring musical instruments.

Physical development: (PD) Holds pen or crayon using whole hand (palmer grasp) and makes random marks with different strokes.

Group collage using crayons.

Personal, Social & emotional development; (PSED) Explores new toys and environments, but checks in regularly with familiar adults when needed.

Ice cube play.

Understanding of the World:  (UOW) Closely observes what animals, people and vehicles do.

Arctic animals in ice and jungle animals on a grass mat for the children to explore.

Mathematics: (M) Knows that things exist even when out of sight.

Burying treasure in the sand.

Expressive Arts & Design (EAD) Begins to move to music, listens to and joins in rhymes or songs.

Dancing to music.

Days off   Abi – Monday       Julie –  Wednesday

Bumblebees

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

Focus of the week: Literacy

Sound of the week: W

Personal, Social and Emotional Development: (PSED) Seeks out others to share experiences.

Passing the ball game calling out our friends names.

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

Singing Christmas rhymes.

Mathematics: (M) Recites some number names by sequence.

Counting snowmen 1-10

Physical development: (PD) Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles and lines.

Children to trace around triangles and circles to make a Christmas tree.

Understanding of the World: (UTW) notices detailed features of objects in their environment.

Ice cube play

Days off    Jenni – Thursday      Jani – Monday

Butterflies                       

This week’s sound and letter of the week is ‘W.  Sometimes you will notice that the letter/story of the week may be repeated, the reason for this is to further enhance the children’s understanding of the letter and it’s sound or when the children and continuing to show interest in a particular story.

Focus of the week – Communication and Language

 Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) – Begins to accept the needs of others, takes turns and shares resources sometimes with support from others.

Taking turns with board games.

Communication & Language (CL) – Is able to follow directions.

Give a child a few simple directions and see if they can remember and follow them correctly.

Mathematics (M) – Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment.

Shape hunt in the garden, which shapes are similar.

Physical development (PD) – Mounts stairs, steps or climbing using alternative feet.

Making steps with the big blocks and walk up and down

Days off   Stani – Friday    Klara - Monday

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 Thank you to those parents who have returned their direct debit permissions to our head office. Sadly the take up has been minimal. If you require another form or have any questions, please do not hesitate to see Leanne. As the weather is changing please can all children have appropriate clothing such as coats, wellies, hats and gloves. Dates for your diary On Tuesday October 22nd (9am – 11.30am) we have our photographer here to take portrait pictures of the children. Again, these make lovely personal Christmas gifts. Once more, if you would like to bring your child in to have their photograph taken, please could you make an appointment with Leanne as this can be a very busy event for us. Thank you. Also on Tuesday 5th November we shall hold our annual Bon Fire evening. For those of you who have not previously joined us for this event we would like to invite all children and parents to nursery from 6-7pm where we will be offering jackets with chilli and hotdogs for dinner and sparklers and glow sticks in the garden for the children. We then all head up to stoke park for the real show!! Snails & Caterpillars The children will be enjoying activities centred around sensory development. Communication & Language: (CL) Has a strong exploratory impulse Ice play, exploring and using words such as Cold Slimy and Wet Physical development: (PD) Picks up small objects between thumb and finger. Play dough using cutters and rolling pins. Personal, Social & emotional development; (PSED) Enjoys finding own nose, eyes, tummy. Mirror play, finding parts of the body. Days off Jamie – Monday Alisha – Friday Ladybirds Autumn will be the focus of activities for the next week. Please see below the range of activities the staff have planned under each different area of learning: Communication & Language: (CL) Use pictures, books, real objects and signs alongside your words. What’s in the tray, placing a mixture of different natural objects such as leaves, twigs and conkers in a tray investigating using magnifying glasses and talking about the objects. Literacy: Provide cd’s of rhymes, songs, stories and spoken words Reading we are going on a bear hunt Understanding of the World: (UOW) Provide a collection of sets of items for children to explore how objects can be combined together. Exploring conkers, leaves, twigs and acorns. Mathematics: Notices simple shapes and patterns in pictures Looking at leaves and conkers and drawing them, asking the children which is heavier and which leaf is longest ect. Days off Abi – Monday Julie – Annual leave all week Bumblebees For the next 8 weeks practitioners shall concentrate on each child’ s individual learning to help them develop onto their ‘next steps’. A copy of this planning is displayed on the notice board outside the Bumblebees room and further information can be obtained from your child’s keyperson. Days off Jenni – Thursday Jani – Tuesday Butterflies This week’s sound and letter of the week is ‘B’ and the story of the week is ‘The three little pigs’, Goldilocks and Jack and the beanstalk. Sometimes you will notice that the letter/story of the week may be repeated, the reason for this is to further enhance the children’s understanding of the letter and it’s sound or when the children and continuing to show interest in a particular story. Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) – Self confidence and self awareness Show confidence in asking adults for help. New children to build relationships with carers. Mathematics: Numbers Say the number that is one more than a given number. Different objects –how many do you have? How many would you have if I give you one more? Physical development: Moving and Handling Moves freely and the pleasure and confidence in a range of ways such as: rolling walking running jumping. Circuit training in the garden Understanding of the World: People and communities Remember and talk about significant events in their own experience. Talk about your last Halloween Days off Stani – Friday Klara – Tuesday The preschool would like to remind parents to take home all coats cardigans and jumpers and we have a large amount of unclaimed clothes in our peg area. If not claimed these will be donated to charity in half term. Thank you Klara, Lee and Stani

Dear Parents and Carers Thank you to those parents who have returned their direct debit permissions to our head office. Sadly the take up has been minimal. If you require another form or have any questions, please do not hesitate to see Leanne. As the weather is changing please can all children have appropriate clothing such as coats, wellies, hats and gloves. Dates for your diary On Tuesday October 22nd (9am – 11.30am) we have our photographer here to take portrait pictures of the children. Again, these make lovely personal Christmas gifts. Once more, if you would like to bring your child in to have their photograph taken, please could you make an appointment with Leanne as this can be a very busy event for us. Thank you. Also on Tuesday 5th November we shall hold our annual Bon Fire evening. For those of you who have not previously joined us for this event we would like to invite all children and parents to nursery from 6-7pm where we will be offering jackets with chilli and hotdogs for dinner and sparklers and glow sticks in the garden for the children. We then all head up to stoke park for the real show!! Snails & Caterpillars The children will be enjoying activities centred around sensory development. Communication & Language: (CL) Has a strong exploratory impulse Ice play, exploring and using words such as Cold Slimy and Wet Physical development: (PD) Picks up small objects between thumb and finger. Play dough using cutters and rolling pins. Personal, Social & emotional development; (PSED) Enjoys finding own nose, eyes, tummy. Mirror play, finding parts of the body. Days off Jamie – Monday Alisha – Friday Ladybirds Autumn will be the focus of activities for the next week. Please see below the range of activities the staff have planned under each different area of learning: Communication & Language: (CL) Use pictures, books, real objects and signs alongside your words. What’s in the tray, placing a mixture of different natural objects such as leaves, twigs and conkers in a tray investigating using magnifying glasses and talking about the objects. Literacy: Provide cd’s of rhymes, songs, stories and spoken words Reading we are going on a bear hunt Understanding of the World: (UOW) Provide a collection of sets of items for children to explore how objects can be combined together. Exploring conkers, leaves, twigs and acorns. Mathematics: Notices simple shapes and patterns in pictures Looking at leaves and conkers and drawing them, asking the children which is heavier and which leaf is longest ect. Days off Abi – Monday Julie – Annual leave all week Bumblebees For the next 8 weeks practitioners shall concentrate on each child’ s individual learning to help them develop onto their ‘next steps’. A copy of this planning is displayed on the notice board outside the Bumblebees room and further information can be obtained from your child’s keyperson. Days off Jenni – Thursday Jani – Tuesday Butterflies This week’s sound and letter of the week is ‘B’ and the story of the week is ‘The three little pigs’, Goldilocks and Jack and the beanstalk. Sometimes you will notice that the letter/story of the week may be repeated, the reason for this is to further enhance the children’s understanding of the letter and it’s sound or when the children and continuing to show interest in a particular story. Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) – Self confidence and self awareness Show confidence in asking adults for help. New children to build relationships with carers. Mathematics: Numbers Say the number that is one more than a given number. Different objects –how many do you have? How many would you have if I give you one more? Physical development: Moving and Handling Moves freely and the pleasure and confidence in a range of ways such as: rolling walking running jumping. Circuit training in the garden Understanding of the World: People and communities Remember and talk about significant events in their own experience. Talk about your last Halloween Days off Stani – Friday Klara – Tuesday The preschool would like to remind parents to take home all coats cardigans and jumpers and we have a large amount of unclaimed clothes in our peg area. If not claimed these will be donated to charity in half term. Thank you Klara, Lee and Stani

Dear Parents and Carers

Over the next few months we shall be introducing electronic learning journeys which will replace the paper copies currently being completed.  Once established you will be able to access your child’s developmental record via a password and username at times which are convenient to yourselves.  This process has been piloted at a nursery associated with Markenfield with roaring reviews from both parents and practitioners alike.   Further information relating to the introduction of these shall be announced over the coming weeks along with an opportunity to ask any questions that may arise from the information given.  Thank you.

Snails

The babies will continue exploring different textures on their bodies. They will be enjoying puppets during rhyme time and will be looking at different textured story books.  The babies will also explore mark making using chalks in the garden.

Creative activities will include mark making with wax crayons and wet sand play.

Jenni – Day off Tuesday.             

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars will be concentrating on sensory play this is to encourage hand and eye co-ordination and to build on their physical development. The practitioners will be using various textures and will also be taking the children in small groups for their activities. The children will be experiencing paint through their fingers and toes during body painting and will explore corn flour play using their hands. They will also enjoy coloured water play in the garden to encourage splashing and movement of the water.

Jamie – Annual leave Monday and day off Friday, Alisha - Annual leave Monday

Ladybirds

Ladybirds will be looking at animals that live in water this week; they will take full advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy water play in the garden using sea creatures, they will extend this by looking at books about sea animals and using animal flash card so that the children learn the names. The ladybirds will enjoy dancing and exploring movement with songs from the Disney album “under the sea”. Creative activities will include using different materials to create sea pictures. 

Julie Day off  - Tuesday  and nursery cover Thursday  Abi day off – Monday

Bumblebees

 Continuing from last week the bumblebees will still be looking at the beach.

In the garden the children will play volley ball and they will also explore mark making in the sand. Throughout the week they will make their own fruit juices and participate in lots of imaginative play surrounding the beach and coastal habitats.

Please can the team request that parents name their children’s shoes.  Unfortunately we have ten children all with the same shoes and although some are different sizes there have been mix ups where the children are practising their self help skills by putting on their own shoes.  Thank you.

Krissi annual leave all week      Leonne annual leave Tuesday-Friday

Tash day off- Thursday  Nikki – Nursery cover Friday

Butterflies

This week as you may be aware we are visiting pizza express, to make pizzas and explore ingredients. To tie in with this trip we are creating our own menus for our role play restaurant. We will be trying various vegetables to investigate taste and texture we will also be making our own fruit and vegetable smoothies. Within these cooking activities the children will be considering different weight and ways of measuring quantity.

With Jo’s departure, all of her keyworker parents should have received a letter informing them of who their new keyworker will be.  If you are still unsure or have any queries, please see Amy, Lee or one of the office team.  Thank you.

Day Off: Stani – Friday

Dear Parents and Carers

I would like to start this weeks blog by thanking those parents who have volunteered to help in our forest school sessions.   It is wonderful that this experience can be shared with parents and the feedback we have had has been phenomenal.  We are planning another parent session for the forest school groups in September where parents are welcome to come along one Saturday morning (date tbc) to experience a taste of what the forest school entails, from a child’s perspective.

Snails

The babies shall be exploring different textures on their bodies over the next three weeks.  To take advantage of the warm weather, next week the practitioners shall encourage the babies to splash in the paddling pool, copying the body movements of one another. To extend this play, bubbles and seashells shall be added to the water.

Creative activities will include body painting and corn flour play.

Jenni – Annual leave all week.             

Caterpillars

This week the Caterpillars will continue with personal, social and emotional development of the children; evidence shows that this has helped the new starters adjust to the setting.  The focus this week shall be on social opportunities within the daily routine, such as mealtimes and nappy changing times whilst also building on social interaction through group activities, which this week will include, heuristic play, using the building blocks to encourage sharing and group time painting.

Jamie – Day off Wednesday, Alisha day off Monday

Ladybirds

Insects shall be the focus of activities during the following week, for the Ladybirds.  The children shall be encouraged to find insects out in the garden and also have the opportunity to create butterfly prints.  The children will also get to use the insect shape cutters in the playdough.

Days off   Julie – Thursday   Abi – Monday & time owing on Friday

Bumblebees

For the next two weeks the Bumblebees shall look at aspects of ‘The beach’ as they have really enjoyed playing in the sand and water during this hot weather.  To encourage the children’s learning the children shall mix sand and water together and discuss the consistencies of wet and dry sand.   To encourage mathematical skills the children shall be counting shells, which they will then decorate.

The children shall also have the opportunity to make their own ice lollies.

We would like to announce from the beginning of September we will be discontinuing the communication books for the bumblebees (toilet training books shall still continue) and the days activities, menu etc shall be displayed on the whiteboard outside the kitchen.  This is due to the increased number of books needed to be completed whereby the staff are under tremendous pressure to fulfil their tasks whilst also spending quality time with the children.  If you would like any further information, or have any queries concerning this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Also from the beginning of September, Krissi shall be stepping down from team leader for the Bumblebees to senior practitioner.  Krissi has worked extremely hard within her role however needs to concentrate more on her foundation degree studies. Krissi will remain working within the Bumblebees, and I am pleased to announce that Jani Skutek will be joining us as team leader of the Bumblebees.  Jani currently works in a nursery setting, within a pre school for children aged 2-4 years. Jani has a level 3 diploma for the Children and Young Peoples workforce and has attended a plethora of training to support her knowledge in this field.  If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tash – Day off Friday and covering at one of our other nurseries Mon, Tues and Wed                Krissi – Monday        Leonie off Tuesday and Nikki off Thursday

Butterflies

This week, still continuing with the ‘farm foods’ theme, the children will be looking at alternative uses to traditional food.  The activities planned to support this theme are potato printing, using dried foods to make musical shakers, baking beetroot chocolate cake and using celery dipped in food dye to explore why the celery seems to be changing colour.

The pre school team would like to remind the parents of those leaving for school, that they must return their child’s school summary to the staff with their comments in the box provided in order that we can forward them on to each child’s primary teacher.  Thank you.

Please can we remind those parents who are term time only/accessing funded only hours that today is the end of term until September. Also the last French lesson for this term shall be this Wednesday July 24^th. Letters regarding the next set of French lessons, with dates, shall be out shortly. Thank you.

Next week sees the departure of Jo who shall be leaving us on Friday to travel the world.  I am sure that you will join me in wishing her the best of luck and thanking her for all of her hard work and commitment over the last 4 years. 

I am pleased to announce that Jo’s successor is an early years professional with teacher status, who shall be starting with us in September.  Further information shall be available nearer the time. 

Days Off: Jo – Tuesday   Stani – Friday