week commencing 3rd November

Dear Parents

 

Staff news

Sadly Julia has decided it is time for her to move on. She has got a new job as a Nanny and her last day will be Friday 21^st November.

Leanne will be taking over as Baby Room Senior, supporting Charlotte and the baby team.

Rose is our new Bluebells Room Senior.

We have also employed Maria who is a lovely lady with a level 3 childcare qualification and lots of experience working with young children both in Nurseries and as a Nanny.

We are still looking for one other staff member and I will keep you informed of this as we progress.

Also a belated congratulations to Donna on her 12 years at Nursery and congratulations to Charlotte on her 16 years at Castle in November!

 

Nursery news

The Bluebells room is now finished being decorated!!!!

Dennis is hopefully still with us over the next few weeks as he continues to paint the hallways and children’s bathroom. He will also be working weekends to do any bits he can’t do whilst the children are here.

If you want to see our risk assessments on decorating just ask!

 

Interactive Learning Diaries

Hopefully you have all received your letters to sign up for the ILD’S, please can you complete these and return them to us so you can start accessing all of the wonderful observations, photos and videos of your child.

 

Sorry if you have already read the information below but I don’t want anyone to miss out.

 

Nativity plays

There will be three nativity plays this year.

Monday 8^th December at 4.00

Tuesday 9^th December at 9.30

Tuesday 9^th December at 4.00

There is no cost to see the nativity play but we are limiting seats to 2 per family. Please sign up which performance you would like to see in Sunflowers. This is a first come first served booking system!

All of the children will be able to take part in the nativity and if your child is not in you can bring them in for the performance you would like to see.  We will be letting you know asap what role your child has so you have plenty of time to sort out a costume.

Please don’t panic about costumes, it’s not the west end! Tea towels on heads are exactly the sort of standard we are aiming for. For any more information please see the Sunflowers team.

Please be aware that we allow parents to photograph/film the production so if you would rather your child not take part please let us know.

 

Christmas party

The Christmas parties are on Friday 5^th December from 3.30 -5pm. If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult.

We will be having party games, a party tea and a visit from Father Christmas.

 

Pantomime

The sunflowers will be going to the pantomime on Friday 12^th December at 1.30. Again if your child is not in on this day they are very welcome to come along with an adult.

Tickets are £11.00 per person.

 

Forest school

Forest school starts on Wednesday 5^th November. The Sunflowers will be letting parents know who is in the first group. Please can you make sure if your child is taking part in Forest school that they wear long sleeves and long trousers and weather appropriate clothing on the day.

They will also need to be here before 9 am as we set off promptly!!!

 

Christmas Closure

We will be closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve then open as normal on Monday 5^th January.

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, please visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/ 

 

Buttercups

Monday -  Magda’s group is exploring the sand pit and finding the small world people hidden in it.

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be developing an awareness of objects even when they are out of sight by hiding toy animals

Wednesday – Magda’s group are reading stories together

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is singing action rhymes and joining in with the actions

Friday – Julia’s group will be building physical development by exploring the treasure basket

Charlotte is off Monday, Julia is off Thursday, Magda is off Tuesday and Nilem is off all week

 

Bluebells

Monday – Leanne’s group is using shape flash cards to name shapes and colours

Tuesday – Donna’s group are using the wind up torches as they explore different technology.

Wednesday – Chloe’s group will be developing independence skills as they practice putting on coats and shoes by themselves.

Thursday – Rose’s group are learning some sign language signs to develop communication skills

Friday – Chloe’s group is playing the listening game “Animal Sounds”

Donna is off Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Rose is off Friday.

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

20-27^th October  - Lulu Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn

3-10^th November – The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring

17-24^th November – Victoria’s Day by Maria de Fatima Campos

 

The Sunflowers have one detailed weekly focused activity to ensure all the children have the opportunity to take part in it.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room.

This week’s activity is: Making friendship pictures

The children will be painting their hands and their friends hands and creating pictures together as they talk about friendship and feelings.

The children will also be discussing how to be good friends to each other and what to do if people are not kind.

 

The learning intentions are:

Demonstrate friendly behaviour

Initiate and respond to questions

Work together with a peer or in a group

Express feelings appropriately

Talk about how actions can effect others.

 

Our letter of the week is: Z

 

The activities are:

Looking at shapes and patterns, talking about zig zags

Talking about zebras and drawing pictures of zebras

Using crayons and tracing paper with the letter Z stencils

Using the letter Z stencils on the whiteboard

Reading words with Z in such as Zoo.

Jess is off Friday, Sophie is off Monday and Becci is in all week

Sleeping children procedure

Sleeping children procedure

 

Aim of policy

 

To ensure all sleeping children are cared for to a high standard when sleeping.

 

Points to consider

 

All children who sleep at nursery must sleep in an appropriate bed or cot. It is inappropriate for children to sleep in rockers, bouncers, prams or any other equipment that is not for the purpose of sleeping.

 

Whilst a young child or baby is sleeping, there needs to be enough staff to ensure that sleep checks are thoroughly carried out in accordance with the supporting paperwork. 

 

Sleep checks must be at a minimum of 10 minute intervals and will include a temperature and breathing check with the minimum of disturbance to the child.

 

Clothing and covers must be checked and consideration given to the room temperature.

week commencing 27th October

Dear Parents

 

Decoration

Dennis, one of our maintenance team, is going to come next week to do some of our decorating. At the moment I don’t know when he will be with us but I will keep you posted.

My plan is to finish Bluebells before starting the other rooms but things may all change!

 

Door bell

We now have a door bell inside the hallway so that if you are waiting to be let out and there is no one around, you can use the door bell and someone will let you out.

 

Buggies

Please can all parents fold up their buggies before they go into the Buggy shed. Some parents are finding they are unable to find a space in the sheds and as it turns wetter and colder we don’t want to leave any buggies outside. Thank You.

Also if someone else is picking up your child you may want to label your child’s buggy, we have had several cases of Grandparents and relatives not knowing which buggy is theirs! Don’t forget there is a light in the buggy shed, so you don’t need to hunt in the dark when the clocks go back.

 

Baby room

After our room audits the Baby room has decided to phase out the day books so they can spend more time with the children. We will still write up on the parent notice board what your child has eaten/drunk/slept and will still continue to give verbal handovers at the end of each session.

The baby room team will be talking to parents who currently have day books and we will be phasing these out between now and Christmas. If your child is picked up by another person such as a nanny or carer we will still complete a book for you.

 

Nativity plays

There will be three nativity plays this year.

Monday 8^th December at 4.00

Tuesday 9^th December at 9.30

Tuesday 9^th December at 4.00

There is no cost to see the nativity play but we are limiting seats to 2 per family. Please sign up which performance you would like to see in Sunflowers. This is a first come first served booking system!

All of the children will be able to take part in the nativity and if your child is not in you can bring them in for the performance you would like to see.  We will be letting you know asap what role your child has so you have plenty of time to sort out a costume.

Please don’t panic about costumes, it’s not the west end! Tea towels on heads are exactly the sort of standard we are aiming for. For any more information please see the Sunflowers team.

Please be aware that we allow parents to photograph/film the production so if you would rather your child not take part please let us know.

 

Christmas party

The Christmas parties are on Friday 5^th December from 3.30 -5pm. If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult.

We will be having party games, a party tea and a visit from Father Christmas.

 

Pantomime

The sunflowers will be going to the pantomime on Friday 12^th December at 1.30. Again if your child is not in on this day they are very welcome to come along with an adult.

Tickets are £11.00 per person.

 

Forest school

Forest school starts on Wednesday 5^th November. The Sunflowers will be letting parents know who is in the first group. Please can you make sure if your child is taking part in Forest school that they wear long sleeves and long trousers and weather appropriate clothing on the day.

They will also need to be here before 9 am as we set off promptly!!!

 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

 

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, please visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/ 

 

Buttercups

Monday – Magda’s group is exploring the toddle boxes as they build gross motor skills

Tuesday – Nilem’s group will be exploring a range of objects in the treasure basket

Wednesday – Julia’s group are looking at their family photos using the family cubes

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is reading the story of the Hungry Caterpillar

Friday – Julia’s group will be playing peek-a-boo games as they build social interaction.

Charlotte is off Monday and Friday, Julia is off Thursday, Magda is off Tuesday and Friday and Nilem is off Friday

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are counting with the linking elephants

Tuesday – Donna’s group is playing together using the cars and garage as they build social skills

Wednesday – Chloe’s group will be making monster pictures as they talk about Halloween

Thursday – Rose’s group is getting creative as they make pictures by cutting out and sticking.

Friday- Leanne’s group will be reading the story Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Donna is in on Monday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

20-27^th October  - Lulu Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn

3-10^th November – The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring

17-24^th November – Victoria’s Day by Maria de Fatima Campos

 

The Sunflowers have one detailed weekly focused activity to ensure all the children have the opportunity to take part in it.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room.

 

This week’s activity is:

Balancing and jumping over blocks.

The children will be developing physical skills as they build their own obstacles and manage their own risk taking.

 

The learning intentions are:

To develop balance and movement

Refining gross motor movements

To allow children to manage their own risks

 

The letter of the week is: Y

Our activities are:

Talking about different words beginning with Y

Painting with yellow paint

Using the Y stencils

Creating junk models with yogurt pots

Jess is off Friday, Sophie is off Monday and Becci is in all week

Procedure for control of hazardous substances (COSHH)

 

Aim of policy

 

To give guidance on handling and storing hazardous substances.

See the current risk assessments and the risk assessment policy.

 

Points to consider

 

1.      All staff will receive information on COSHH regulations and be expected to adhere to the regulations.

 

2.      The number of hazardous substances will be kept to an absolute minimum and be provided with relevant COSHH sheets.

 

3.      Spillages must be swept up and disposed of in plastic bags or mopped up using plenty of cold water and diluted to a safe level before disposal.  Brushes, mops and disposable cloths should be well rinsed after use and contaminated paper products disposed of in closed plastic bags.  The Manager must be informed of any significant spillage.

 

4.      After handling a hazardous substance, staff must remove protective clothing and wash hands before resuming work, touching food or leaving the premises.

 

5.      Emergencies resulting from swallowing, inhaling, skin or eye contact must be dealt with in accordance with first aid provision and with instructions issued by the manufacturers of the substance.

 

6.      Medication for personal use must be treated as a hazardous substance whether or not excessive dosage is to be harmful. All medication brought onto the premises must be surrendered to the manager and stored in               _______________________________________________________________________

 

7.      It should be assumed that all forms of bodily discharge are potentially infectious and the appropriate precautions observed in disposing of contaminated materials and subsequent cleaning.

 

8.      Hazardous substances are to be kept in the containers in which they were supplied and are not to be transferred to and stored in other containers which are unidentified or which have incorrect markings.

 

9.      It is unlikely that radioactive substances or known carcinogens will be deliberately brought onto the premises.  However, if there are grounds to suspect that any such material is present, the nursery Health & Safety Co-ordinator must be notified immediately.

 

There are special regulations covering the control of substances, which are hazardous to health.

 

The regulations lay down what an Employer must do to protect people in the work place against health risks arising from swallowing, inhaling or having contact with toxic, irritant, carcinogenic, infectious or radio-active substances.

 

An employer must:

 

·         Identify those substances that are covered by COSHH.

·         Assess the risk of someone being harmed by them.

·         Try to reduce the risk by substituting another, less hazardous substance, or reducing the quantities used.

·         Monitor the procedures in the Nursery for controlling hazardous substances to ensure they are still appropriate and are being observed by all members of staff and contractors.

week commencing 20th October

Dear Parents

 

Photographs

Please can we have all photographs returned by the end of the week (Friday 17^th) at the latest, thank you.

 

School parents

We are currently updating our getting ready for school pack and would like to include advice from parents who have been there, done that.

If you already have a child at school and have some words of wisdom about any part of the moving to school process, from a practical or an emotional point of view, please could you let me know. Many thanks

 

Events

We have lots of exciting events coming up so get your diaries at the ready. Sorry it’s early to be talking about Christmas in October!

 

Nativity plays

There will be three nativity plays this year.

Monday 8^th December at 4.00

Tuesday 9^th December at 9.30

Tuesday 9^th December at 4.00

There is no cost to see the nativity play but we are limiting seats to 2 per family. Please sign up which performance you would like to see in Sunflowers. This is a first come first served booking system!

All of the children will be able to take part in the nativity and if your child is not in you can bring them in for the performance you would like to see.  We will be letting you know asap what role your child has so you have plenty of time to sort out a costume.

Please don’t panic about costumes, it’s not the west end! Tea towels on heads are exactly the sort of standard we are aiming for. For any more information please see the Sunflowers team.

Please be aware that we allow parents to photograph/film the production so if you would rather your child not take part please let us know.

 

Christmas party

The Christmas parties are on Friday 5^th December from 3.30 -5pm. If your child is not in on this day they are welcome to come along with an adult.

We will be having party games, a party tea and a visit from Father Christmas.

 

Pantomime

The sunflowers will be going to the pantomime on Friday 12^th December at 1.30. Again if your child is not in on this day they are very welcome to come along with an adult.

Tickets are £11.00 per person.

 

Forest school

Forest school starts on Wednesday 5^th November. The Sunflowers will be letting parents know who is in the first group. Please can you make sure if your child is taking part in Forest school that they wear long sleeves and long trousers and weather appropriate clothing on the day.

They will also need to be here before 9 am as we set off promptly!!!

 

Christmas closure

We are closing at 4pm on Christmas Eve this year and will be open again on Monday 5^th January.

 

Changing days

Just a quick reminder that any changes to days require a months’ notice in writing. We also are unable to swap sessions.

We can offer ad hoc sessions at an additional charge so if you ever need extra childcare as a one off, let us know.

 

Menus

The new autumn and winter menus have now started.  There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.

This week’s activities

Each key person will be responsible for designing an activity based on their key children’s needs; however, all children who are in on that day will have the opportunity to access the activity too.

If the key person is on holiday or off, another staff member will be able to lead the activity in their place so that the children do not miss out.

For more information on the Early Years Foundation stage, the guidance we use to support our planning and practice, please visit:

http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/ 

 

Buttercups

Monday – Nilem’s group will be threading cardboard tubes with ribbon to build motor skills

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group is mark making with felt pens as they explore colours and marks

Wednesday – Julia’s group are listening to Bhangra music to celebrate Diwali

Thursday – Charlotte’s group is experimenting with space and shape as they build towers with wooden blocks

Friday – Magda’s group will be celebrating Diwali by making biscuits

Charlotte is off Monday, Julia is off Thursday, Magda is off Tuesday and Nilem is off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are celebrating Diwali by reading the story of Diwali and dressing in saris

Tuesday – Leanne’s group is developing their independence skills as they cut up their own fruit for snack

Wednesday – Rose’s group will be running their own shops as they build their language skills through role play

Thursday – Donna’s group is making biscuits for Diwali

Friday - Chloe’s group are reading the story “Turn it up Doris” and talking about what they have read.

Donna is off Friday, Leanne is off Wednesday, Chloe is off Thursday and Rose is in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

20-27^th October  - Lulu Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn

3-10^th November – The Sunflower Sword by Mark Sperring

17-24^th November – Victoria’s Day by Maria de Fatima Campos

 

The Sunflowers have one detailed weekly focused activity to ensure all the children have the opportunity to take part in it.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room.

 

This week’s activity is:

Using brightly coloured paints and straws the children will create firework pictures for Diwali

 

The learning intentions are:

·         To be able to use different media

·         To gain an understanding of different cultures

·         To gain new vocabulary

·         To continue to develop creativity

 

The letter of the week is : X

This week’s activities are:

·         Playing Doctors and making X-rays

·         Playing Xylophones

·         Looking at words with X in, such as Fox and Box

·         Using the X letter stencils and writing pads

 

Jess is off all week, Sophie is off Monday and Becci is in all week.

Carbon monoxide evacuation procedure

Carbon monoxide evacuation procedure

 

Aim of policy

To give guidance to staff on what to do if the carbon monoxide alarms indicate a leak.

 

Points to consider

It is important that all staff familiarise themselves with the Carbon Monoxide detector in their setting as there are a wide range of detectors available.

 

Castle Daycare and Preschool aim to achieve this by:

 

In the event that the detector shows Carbon Monoxide to be present staff should:

1. Turn off appliances or other sources of combustion at once.
2. Immediately get fresh air into the premises by opening doors and windows.
3. Call the gas emergency services

The number is____________________________________

           

A member of staff will

 

·         Alert all staff and children by sounding the alarm.

·         Evacuate the building with the children in their care in accordance with the local setting evacuation procedure.

·         Take out any registers for which they are responsible.

 

The Manager (where the Manager is not present the most senior member of staff present) will:

 

·         Check toilets, utility room and kitchen. 

·         Ensure that registers of children are complete.

·         Ensure every child, member of staff and others are fully accounted for through taking registers and enquiry of staff.

·         Contact the fire service and other emergency services if required.

·         Act as the main point of contact for the Gas service and other appropriate services.

·         Take responsibility for contacting parents/guardians/ carers.

Do not reenter the premises until told to do so by an approved Gas Safe Engineer.