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FEBRUARY – NEWSLETTER

This newsletter is published every half term and issued to all our children.

This Nursery is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Ofsted Inspection. 

On the 14th December 2006 Ofsted inspected the Nursery.  I have attached a copy of the full report for you to read.  The setting was given 'GOOD' and we are highly delighted with this.  Since September 2006 the staff have taken on board many changes, they have had to deal with a tremendous amount of increased paperwork as well as new practices in the rooms.  Their loyalty and dedication goes without saying and it was rewarding for them to hear how highly the inspector spoke of them whilst giving her feedback.

Staff - Elspeth Kershaw has joined us and will be working in the Nursery Room. Elspeth if a qualified teacher in Early Years.

Session Availability - 2007

Pre-school Room – This is now full until July 2007

Nursery Room      – This is now full until July 2007

September 2007 – We are currently over subscribed for the older children on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning.  We have a few spaces left for younger children attending on a Tuesday and Thursday morning.  Older children will have to be given a mix of am and pm sessions to accommodate all those wishing to attend.

Children Information

Labels - Please would you clearly label bags on the outside and label all clothing with your children’s name.

Wellington Boots - following on from our Ofsted Inspection we have asked if every parent would bring in a pair of children's wellington boots.  This will enable the children to make full use of the outdoor facilities whilst extending their learning outdoors.  Please place in a clearly named plastic bag with their name on the inside of each wellington boot.

Snack Time - In line with the recommendations of our Ofsted Inspection and to improve the quality and standards of care further  we have introduced a new cafe style system.  The new system will develop the children's independence and social skills.

Lunch Club -Please will parents make sure that foods containing nuts are not included in your child’s lunch box.

Nursery Education Grant  from April 2007 - The 'Consultation of the Draft Code of Practice on the Provision of Free Nursery Education Places for Three and Four Year Olds' launched in June 2005 stated that from April 2007 the minimum free entitlement will be extended to 15 hours per week for 38 weeks for the first cohort of children, and that this entitlement can be used flexibly across a minimum of three days.   Cheshire County Council is not included within the first cohort, and hence the entitlement will remain at 12.5 hours per week for the period April 2007 to March 2008.  The Government are still working towards the target of 2010 when all three and four year olds will receive an entitlement of 15 hours per week.  We will know after March 2008 how the entitlement will be rolled out in Cheshire and will advise accordingly.

Uniform - we now have a stock of poloshirts and sweatshirts for 3-4 an 5-6 year olds in stock.  Poloshirts cost £5.50 and Sweatshirts £7.50.

 Dates for your diary.

May Day – Monday 7^th May (Nursery will be closed)

COMMITTEE DETAILS

Cake Sale Dates

2007

Wednesday                   7^th March

Wednesday                   16^th May

Wednesday                   27^th June

CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES - This term our topic before half term is GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS in both the nursery room and the pre-school room, and after half term it will be BABIES AND GROWING.

BIRTH TO THREE MATTERS FRAMEWORK and FOUNDATION STAGE CURRICULUM

A Strong Child.

Personal, Social & Emotional Development – children, old and new , have been settling in very well at the Nursery during the last few weeks,  getting used to their new surroundings, and taking part in lots of different activities. The children have been very good at saying goodbye to parents/carers at the beginning of the sessions.

A Competent Learner 

Knowledge & Understanding – we are talking about a familiar story, looking at feelings and how to behave and breakfasts.

Later on, we will be looking at growing, babies, plants, animals and what makes us grow.

Creative – .The children will be drawing on their knowledge of the story and will be able to enact the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  We will be enjoying songs and rhymes to support these topics.

Mathematical Development  - Through the story there will be lost of opportunities to count and play with numbers and match numbers, as well as the many opportunities to count names on registers, people on the snack table and the amount of cups needed etc.  We will be using numbers in our songs and rhymes this term.

Skilful Communicator 

Communication, Language & Literacy – the children will have lots of news to share with us after the Christmas holidays. We will be listening and re-telling stories and we have some lovely stories to read to the children – you may find they will share these with you when they get home. In the pre-school room, the children are recognising their names and finding them again at snack time.

A Healthy Child

Physical Development – We will be hoping that the weather will be good enough to be outside as much as possible.  The children will be climbing and riding around on trikes/bikes, learning how to steer and avoid others.

We will continue to develop cutting and mark making skills. 

There will be mini projects including Chinese New Year, Valentines Day, Easter and Mothers Day for us all to celebrate.