Autumn Term 2021 – Newsletter

Firstly, a belated welcome to the start of this academic year.

Secondly, all the staff would like to thank the children and their families who were with us last term for our lovely gifts and messages of appreciation which we received before the summer holidays began.

The nursery is pleased to welcome many new families this term. Children who have joined us at the beginning of term include: Alessandro, Tabitha, Heidi, Viva, Arabella, Henry, Maisie, Ned, Audrey, Erin, Lola, Maggie, Fergus and Olivia.   We are confident our older children will introduce them to the delights of the nursery and forest school

This newsletter, being the first of an academic year, is traditionally the longest as we have lots of information to share with our new families, so apologies for the length but please struggle through to the end as it may answer queries you might have.

For those of you who are new, our current staff are:

Lara Butler (Forest School leader);

Kate Dean (Nursery Manager and Designated Safeguarding Lead – DSL);

Richard Dean (Forest School leader and Early Years practitioner);

Natasha Hayes (SENCO and Deputy Manager and DSL);

Tamsin Madone (Early Years practitioner);

Anna Mitchell (Early Years practitioner);

Yvonka Wilkinson (Forest School leader);

Jess Hounslow (Administrator);

Steph Peat (Lunchtime supervisor).

In addition, Miss Maureen visits on Mondays for music and movement, and Bollie runs the Playball sessions on Tuesdays.

After half term we will revert to operating both at the hall and in the woodland.  A rota for the drop off points has been circulated and please let us know if you haven’t received it.

‘Waterproof Reds’ have all been issued.

 

Starting the Day
Drop off is at 9:05am with registration at 9.10am. We appreciate your
efforts to get your children to nursery promptly as it helps them settle when they are all together, particularly when we are at the hall.

If you are going to be late, or your child is not going to be coming in on their allotted day, please either email info@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk or telephone the nursery mobile (07789 987280 or 07493 246935) before 9.30am.

To comply with current legislation we have a duty to know your child’s whereabouts if they are due to be with us and do not attend.  If we have not heard from you by 9.30am a member of staff will telephone you.

 

GDPR Update
To comply with GDPR, we are not able to discuss any issues or concerns regarding your child via email. If you have something that you wish to discuss, please email Kate – info@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk and request an appointment. Kate will confirm a date and time for a meeting as soon as possible.

If you have an urgent issue to discuss, we would appreciate you waiting until all the children have arrived to avoid congestion at a very busy time of the day. Any meetings will take place out of sight of the children.

 

Child Collection Sheet
If someone, other than yourself, is coming to collect your child, even if it is another nursery parent, please make a note in the folder at drop off and ensure that you put the name and telephone number of the person collecting. We are unable to release a child from our care without prior written notification of a change to normal collection procedures. If you are unable to write into the book at drop off then please email the nursery on info@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk or telephone during the morning on 07789 987280/07493 246935.

 

Nursery clothing
A little reminder that children need to have appropriate clothing at nursery to make everyone’s life as comfortable as possible. Everything that your child brings in MUST BE NAMED including their nursery polo-shirts and jumpers, leggings or jogging bottoms, coats, their full change of clothing, water bottles, soft indoor shoes, home shoes, wellies and bag (including lunch bag where applicable).

Lots to name but it does save upset to children when things go missing as well as  time for staff and parents searching. If we find items unnamed we will use permanent marker pens to write names in as required.

We currently have a box of second-hand uniform donated by our recent leavers. Items are available to purchase at £2.00 each on a first come, first served basis. So have a rummage and pop your contribution into the envelope provided.

When we return to the hall, children should wear soft shoes indoors which are left at nursery in our blue nursery plimsoll bags – black slip-on pumps/plimsoles are best – Crocs, heavy trainers, buckled shoes, open-toed sandals or flip-flops are not appropriate.

We encourage children to be as self-sufficient as possible, and they swap from indoor to outdoor shoes frequently, so the easier the change the better.

Those heading to the woods should wear trousers or leggings – not skirts as they don’t wear well with the red trousers over the top! Wellington boots need to be available at nursery each day.

If your child is still in nappies, or recently potty-trained, please do ensure you provide a supply of nappies, wipes and nappy bags and spare pants, socks and trousers/leggings (named!). As the temperature reduces, or if rain is forecast later in the day, coats are essential, and hats/gloves during the colder months.

On various occasions during the year we hold special dress up days, and these are the times when children are able to come in wearing special outfits not usually worn at nursery, i.e. on World Book Day etc.

 

Safeguarding
As part of our policies we are unable to allow the use of mobile phones by either staff, volunteers, visitors or parents when with the children. We ask for everyone to leave their phones in the kitchen when in the hall, or in the log cabin when in the woodland and take calls away from the children when needed.

Staff are also not allowed to be ‘friends’ with parents on social media. Please don’t be offended if we cannot accept your ‘friends request’!

 

Car Park
Please drive slowly into and out of the car park and take care when parking – keeping an eye out for little people! Please also note the yellow hatch markings and our neighbour’s driveway and ensure you keep both these areas clear at all times. Thanks.

 

Artwork
The children will have many opportunities to join in with art and craft activities, with lots of work being available to take home on a daily basis which you will find laid out in the reception area. However, at certain times of the year, we involve the children in special projects which will be sent home at the end of the term, so you may, therefore, hear that your child has done a piece of artwork but cannot bring it home straight away.

 

Library Books
Over the coming weeks the children will be invited to look through our library to select a book to take home and read with family or friends at leisure. These will be in a named, nursery book bag and are to be returned once read to be replaced with a new one when your child is ready.

There’s no rush and we only issue replacements on the return of the last one taken. The book bag is to be returned when your child leaves nursery but is yours to keep and cherish whilst they remain with us. Any lost books or bags will incur a fee which will be deducted from your deposit when you leave – so it’s worth keeping tabs on them!! As a rule of thumb, a weekly change-over is best to keep both your child, and you, interested in the book. Our vast collection of books are rotated in line with our focus of interest and the seasons.

 

Lunches
If your child is staying for afternoon sessions, please consider the type and quantity of food you send them in with. A small sandwich, some fruit and possibly a little treat.  Please may we ask you to avoid yoghurts.  The type with screw caps can be dangerous if children try to open them with their teeth and the squeezy yoghurts go everywhere.  This is obviously a problem for children with milk allergies.

Also, most importantly, as a precaution against choking, please can you ensure foods are cut into small pieces. It may seem a fiddly job, but it is essential for the safety of the children. Items such as cocktail sausages, cherry tomatoes, grapes, olives etc must be cut in half lengthways (or smaller), to make it easier for your children to bite into. Please also note we adhere to a strict no nut policy, so do not provide your child with anything containing nuts or sesame (which includes hummus).

Staff sit with children during all meal times, but your help with this will assist staff, and children alike. Thanks.

 

Policies and Procedures
These are important documents and should be read at your earliest opportunity. The folder is generally available every day for you to review.Also, a quick reminder that if you take photos of your child at nursery, e.g.at one of our events, these are for your personal use only. If you post on your Facebook, or other social media sites, please do not include images of other children. We know all this seems formal, but we must abide by rules which are put in place to protect us all.

 

Fabulous Me vouchers, special family events etc.
Fabulous Me vouchers are available on the table by the gate – do fill one in for your child to celebrate something they have done at home, however big or small, and these will be included in their profiles which are given to the children when they leave us. Also, if you have a special, or family event, please bring in some photos for us to share at circle time.

 

Advance notice of Events

Sunday 7th November: – Bonfire Party
More information to follow but do book this date for our annual afternoon of woodland activities and bonfire party

 

Sunday 28^th November: – Christmas Wreath Making Workshop

The event is designed for adults and is held in the woodland.  All materials are provided and you will be able to make your own wreath to take home and enjoy. There will be guidance and support on hand from our session leaders. Festive drinks and snacks are served.   The cost is £30.

 

Thursday 9^th December – Christmas Jumper Day

This is a morning of Christmas fun and all children are invited to join us even if it isn’t their normal session.  We all wear Christmas finery and everyone is asked to make a donation of £2 – £1 to pay for the resources for the day and £1 donation to charity. Those children who don’t usually attend nursery on Thursdays should be collected after our festive lunch at 12.35.

Wednesday 15th December 10.30am: Nativity Play

We know that this does seem a long way off, but it is a highlight of your child’s time with us and we believe you would like to put this into your diary now to avoid missing out! Family, friends and carers are all welcome to attend this lovely event in the church followed by a gathering back in the village hall.

A full dress rehearsal is planned for Monday 13th for all children and further details will be distributed nearer the time.

 

Dates for the Diary
Thursday 2nd September: First day of autumn term
Monday 25th Oct – Friday 29^th October: Half term
Sunday 7th November @ 3.00pm: Bonfire Party

Thursday 9^th December:  Christmas Jumper Day 9.05-12.35
Monday 13th December: Nativity Dress Rehearsal at 9.30am
Wednesday 15th December: Nativity Play at 10.30am and end of term

Tuesday 4th January 2022: First day of spring term
Monday 14th to Friday 18th February: Half term
Friday 1^st April: End of term

 

General Information
Session Times
Monday 9.05am – 2.45pm (Pre-School children only)
(Autumn term option to finish at 1pm)
Tuesday – Friday 9.05am – 12.35pm
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons sessions end at 2.45pm

 

Contact Details
Village Hall telephone number: 01428 658931
Nursery mobile number: 07789 987280
Nursery e-mail: info@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk
Nursery admin: admin@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk
Nursery website: www.grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk

 

Staff at the Nursery
There are currently eight members of staff at the nursery. Miss Maureen visits on Mondays for music and movement and Bollie visits on Tuesdays for Playball sessions, with Steph Peat as our lunchtime supervisor.

 

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
	Kate Dean	Kate Dean	Lara Butler	Lara Butler
Kate Dean	Richard Dean	Richard Dean	Kate Dean
Richard Dean	Natasha Hayes Tamsin Madone Yvonka Wilkinson Anna Mitchell	Tamsin Madone Anna Mitchell Yvonka Wilkinson	Richard Dean Tamsin Madone	Richard Dean
Natasha Hayes Tamsin Madone	Steph Peat (pm)		Natasha Hayes	Natasha Hayes
Steph Peat (pm)				Steph Peat
			Yvonka Wilkinson

 

Committee Members
This year’s committee members are currently:
Chair – Philippa Hawkins Secretary – currently vacant Treasurer – currently vacant
The committee work very hard to run events and fundraising activities on behalf of the nursery so please do help them out with this valuable task.

 

Finally, a few reminders:

PLEASE CLEARLY NAME EVERYTHING YOUR CHILD WEARS FOR NURSERY – with your own child’s name (not as strange as it sounds if children are using a previous nursery child’s hand-ons).

The Nursery is not the place for poorly children. If your child has been sick or had an upset tummy they must remain away from nursery for a minimum of 48 hours and not return until they have had a normal (for them) stool.

As a general rule, children taking antibiotics should not be at nursery. Please ask us if you are unsure when your child should return to nursery after an illness.

Please keep us informed of your current contact details, particularly mobile numbers. It is essential that whilst your child is at nursery someone is available to collect them in the event of an emergency. Please ensure if you are unavailable someone else is able to be contacted and collect your child.

The children are not able to play with their own toys at nursery. Soothers/comforters ie soft toys and muslins may be kept in the basket by the door, or preferably in their bags. Dummies are not allowed in nursery under any circumstances. Please do not let your children wear jewellery to nursery or bring small toys etc. As a guide, children should not bring to nursery items which could fit inside a traditional 35mm film container.

As we said at the start of this newsletter, it was very long, but we do appreciate you having taken the time to digest the contents. If you still have queries about any aspect of nursery life that we haven’t covered, please drop us an email.

 

Thanks for reading!!