Latest from Newport
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Biometric Entry System
If you have not had your fingerprint scanned for the door entry system, call into the office as soon as possible, to enable you to have unaided access into the foyer of the nursery and pre-school.
Ballet Lessons
As some of you know our ballet teacher retired following a foot operation earlier this year, however, we have managed to find a very good local teacher who can come in on a Monday, mid-morning, and the cost of a lesson would be £2.50. If you would like your child to join in this group please let us know and we will start the class in September.
Daily Activities
As you will read, in the updates from each of our room leaders, we are continuing to take the children on daily outings, to the park, to the library and to feed the ducks, and can we remind you, if you have not already done so, to send in (named) sun block and hats. We conduct rigorous risk assessments for all our outings and trips to ensure the safety of your child (ren) at all times. If your child comes to nursery in a pushchair, a sun protector or parasol is also useful for outings. Other items still required by some children are a small toilet bag with a toothbrush and toothpaste for cleaning teeth after meals (please make sure it is properly named and has a hanging strap or cord.) and a pair of indoor shoes or slippers to change into after our outdoor activities. Remember, children who are toilet training need lots of spare pants and clothes, please leave these in their bags and ensure names are written or sewn into their clothes. Also if you have borrowed nursery clothes, please can you return them as we are very short of pants and trousers! If you have any spare clothes that you wish to donate we would be very grateful as we get through a great deal every day!
Can I remind all parents that fees are payable in advance either weekly or monthly. Fees should not be paid at the end of the month. Remember for your convenience we accept payment by card for nursery fees.
Caterpillar music classes are going very well, with a large number of new children taking this class on a Wednesday morning. Remember, even if your child comes to nursery on days other than a Wednesday they can still come in at11.15 am for the music class.
For your convenience we have a post box inside the office door for parents to deposit suggestions, nursery fees (if the office is unattended), or any other office communications.
If you would like to extend the activities, topics and themes we will be concentrating on this term you could visit the following websites:
www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies (type 'summer’ into the search box for all sorts of summer songs and topics)
www.crayola.co.uk for activities & creative tips for all age groups.
www.enchantedlearning.com (click on crafts and again search for the word'summer')
www.dltk-kids.com (search for 'summer'for all types of songs and rhymes as well as colouring activities you can print off)
We hope that the good weather continues, so that the children can enjoy the sunshine in our new outside play area and participate in the summer topics we have planned for them. If you could also let us know if you have any summer holidays booked then we can ensure that your invoice includes the holiday discount.
Thank You,
Roseleen, Richard & Roz
Little Stars (0 – 2 years)
This term our Little Stars are seeing room displays with summer themes. Elmer the elephant dominates the room for the older children and concentrates on the sea-side with lots of bright colours. We also have a ‘busy’ board showing what activities the children have been doing throughout the last few weeks. We encourage all our parents to keep their eye this board to spot your own children.
During the summer we are planning a Teddy Bears picnic and will bring the beach to the nursery with sand, water and buckets and spades to understand and play with. Terri, Nicky and Natalie will give updates to parents as this theme progresses
Terri, Nicky & Natalie
Rising Stars/ Super Stars (2 years old)
This term, we too will be looking at the topic of summer.
To aid the children’s creative development we will be making a fish collage, painting shells, cutting seaweed and colouring octopuses. This will encourage the children to explore different media. Other activities for creative development will be to have seaweed and fish to make an ocean in the water tray and to make a beach in the sand tray using shells, buckets and spades.
We will also be making fruit ice lollies and this will cover problem solving, reasoning and numeracy (PS,R & N) as the children will be investigating the change from liquid to solid. To cover personal, social and emotional as well as communication, language and literacy we will be setting up a beach shop for the children to role play in. This will encourage conversation between the children and it will also help the children’s development by letting them to act out things they have seen at home. We will also be making a summer themed maths board which will include lollies, sandcastles and sunshine – this will enhance their PS, R & N development
The team of Heather, Laura and Mary thank those parents who have heeded our cry for hats and sun cream. Now that the weather is getting warmer can we ask all parents to do the same?
Heather, Mary, Laura & Helen
Shooting Stars (3 & 4 year olds)
This term, just like the other three groups, our focus in pre-school relates to summer. We will be going out and about looking at mini beasts and other wild life. We will talk about nature and the changing weather. During our field trips and walks we expect to give the children opportunities to use their own digital camera to take their own photographs to display. So please look out for them. We will also be discussing the beach and exploring sand and shells. We will look at water and the creatures we may see at the beach, such as crabs, fish, starfish, and octopus. We will collect seaweed and look at the different types of colours and smells. In this theme we will also be incorporate Cowes week and look at the different boats we see on the water and how we travel on and in the sea.
We will also be looking at Africa and talking about its countries and comparing it with our own. We have a story to read about a girl collecting different fruit in Kenya with lots of masks and props to bring the story to life. We will also talk about animals that live there in the deserts, jungles and plains with discussions on how they are specially adapted to help them survive.
When you take your children to the beach and zoos it would be very helpful to our team if you can incorporate these things too…. that way the children will have real experiences to contribute for those that have not been so fortunate. If you have any resources at home that you think may tie into these topics please bring them as they would be gratefully received.
The new Early Years Foundation Stage makes many references to the incorporation of IT into nursery and pre-school activity planning. Sarah is now looking at ways that we can use the early years software applications we have to enrich the planning themes. If any parent considers they can help her with this process, such as evaluation and staff guidance notes, please talk to her.
As the weather is getting warmer we would appreciate it if all parents could provide (named) sun cream, hats and a rain coat (we are still getting showers – unfortunately!) for your children.
We have a few children who will be moving to school in September and we will be talking about big school between now and their leaving dates. It would help their transition to school if we had some school uniform in the role play corner and we would be very grateful for items of uniform from the following schools to allow the children to dress up : Carisbrooke Primary,
Barton Primary, Newport CE Primary, Nine Acres Primary, Sandown CE Primary, Summerfields Primary and Northwood Primary. It would also be helpful for our planning if parents could let the staff in the office know the dates that their children will sadly be leaving us.
Shar, Jo, Sarah & Lucy
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Swine Flu
The spread of the Swine Flu virus has caused the Isle of Wight Council Local Authority’s pandemic action planning to be escalated to another stage. The Assistant Director of Children’s Services (Keith Simmonds) has briefed all Nursery and Pre-School providers on the course of action that must be taken in the event of any child attending any Isle of Wight setting developing flu like symptoms.
We are required to report cases to the Local Authority and we have also been asked to ensure that parents understand the need to report either probable or confirmed cases to our respective nursery setting managers immediately. This way, we will be able to comply with the Local Authority’s directive. Each of our Nursery/Pre-schools now has a nominated key contact person with the Local Authority.
In any probable case of Swine Flu it is essential that the child is not sent to the setting and we request that all parents adhere to this rule please. At this stage the virus is apparently spreading more rapidly amongst those of school age. If a child comes to us with a high temperature and/or vomiting, then we have been directed to tell that child’s parents to take the child home and seek a doctor’s advice. Similarly, if a child presents these symptoms during the day, they will immediately be isolated and their parents will be telephoned and asked to collect them and seek their doctor’s advice.
We have also been told that in the event of cases being confirmed in children attending any of our settings that no action must be taken in respect of closure of the setting without guidance and permission from the Assistant Director of the Local Authority.
We are continuing with our Health and Hygiene policy and practice and have briefed our staff separately on the need for added precautions, during the coming months, in order to minimise the spread of this virus.
Richard Cullen
Health and Safety Director
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Tel: 01983 533334
email :
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