Thursday 23 April 2015

Week commencing 27th April


Dear Parents

 

Parent Questionnaires

Today is the last day for questionnaires as these will close on Friday evening! Please, could you complete it if you haven’t already as we really use your answers to shape the setting!

We use the information from these questionnaires and the staff questionnaires to create action plans of ways we can continue to improve.

Please can you take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire as your opinions are very important to us.

 

Follow the link to get to the survey:


 

Forest school, Parents Session

If you haven’t already confirmed your place for the forest school session this Sunday (26th) please can you do so asap!

 

Living Eggs

The chicks are hatching!

For the next fortnight we will watch them hatch and grow and get the chance to hold and feed them!

Pop into Sunflowers to say hello!

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week our blog:  http://castlenursery-southhill.blogspot.co.uk  (you may have to cut and paste this link).

If you would like to see this or any of our policies please ask Caroline.

Our Policy this week is:  Action to be taken when making a referral

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 


 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu. The Summer menus will be launching soon, I will post them as soon as they are ready!

See attached document for the weekly menu. If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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:


 

This week’s planned activities are also are now on the ILD’S

 

Forest school

At this week’s forest school session the children looked at the bluebells and other spring flowers.

They used the saw and drills to make necklaces after talking about the safe way to use tools.

 

Buttercups

Monday – Leanne’s group are exploring the shape sorters

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group will be listening to different sounds they can hear in the garden

Wednesday – Leanne’s group are learning how to operate the electronic toys

Thursday – Mel’s’ group will be looking at the ‘lift-the-flap’ books together and talking about the pictures

Friday – Mel’s group are singing nursery rhymes with the puppets

Charlotte is off Monday, Mel is off Tuesday, Leanne and Nilem are off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Rose’s group are investigating shapes and spaces as they use the puzzles and shape sorters

Tuesday – Hannah’s group are exploring textures and colours through painting with their hands and feet

Wednesday – Donna’s group will be sharing the dolls together and caring for them

Thursday – Almu’s group will be looking at photos of themselves and their friends

Friday –  Chloe’s group are developing their throwing skills as they throw rings they have made onto paper plates

Donna is off Thursday and Friday, Chloe is off Wednesday, Almu, Hannah and Rose are in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

27th April -4th May – My Brother is Autistic by Jennifer Moore- Mallinos

 

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 and on the ILD’S.

 

This week’s activity is: Leaning about the chicks

We will be reading the ‘Living Eggs’ book, talking about the process of the chicks hatching, holding the chicks and creating a picture of the chicks using different craft materials. 

 

The letter of the week is: X

 

We will be:

Setting up the easel with X stencils

Playing the xylophone

Drawing around our hands with white chalk on black card (making x-rays)

Playing noughts and crosses in the garden

Practising writing /tracing the letter X on the whiteboards

 

Jess is off Friday, Becci and Megan are in all week and Alison works 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday.

 

Action to be taken when making a referral




 
TEAM MEMBER WHO FIRST NOTICED ABUSE
 
CPLO & MANAGER­: Caroline Laidlaw Ph: 07503 114489
 
 
Natalie Chrystie
07789 268241
 
 
DEPENDING ON SERIOUSNESS OF ABUSE
 
 
                                                        
 
Police                                  Surrey Safeguarding Hub
999 or 101                           0300 200 1006 (office hours)
                                              01483 517898 (out of hours)
 
If you are concerned that the Manager or CPLO is involved in the abuse go straight to the director
 
 
 
 

Action to be taken when making a referral

 

Any member of staff who is concerned for a child’s welfare or where a child discloses or attempts to disclose should take the following action:

 

a.    Listen to the child.  If the child is distressed then comfort and reassurance should be given.

b.    Don’t make false promises like “everything will be fine” but make sure they know you are taking them seriously

c.    Seek immediate medical attention if injuries are severe

d.    Record any conversations that the child has made with adults or children.  These should be accurate and objective. 

e.    Do not interrogate the child; simply repeat the child’s words to confirm that they have been heard correctly.

f.      Discuss the situation with your DCPO

g.    Inform and involve the parents/main carers UNLESS there is evidence to suggest the child will be at serious risk if they are informed

h.    Follow the concern flow chart.

 

When a referral is made, specific information will be requested: -

·       Child’s name, age, address

·       Parents’ contact address and telephone number

·       It would be useful to have the child’s documentation record at hand for any other information

·       The cause of concern (during discussions with the DCPO any previous relevant observations or concerns should be noted and passed on during the referral)

·       Any record of conversations that the child has made with adults or children. 

·       Reasons why the referral went ahead without parental permission, if applicable.

 

The DCPO must immediately inform the Operations Manager of their actions and forward a written report copied to OFSTED within 24 hours.

 

Once a referral is made, the external agencies will advise on what happens next. If further action is required, the Child Protection Officer will initiate it.

Friday 17 April 2015

week commencing 20th April


Dear Parents

 

Happy St George’s day for Thursday!

 

Parent Questionnaires

This is the last week the questionnaire will be open. Please, could you complete it if you haven’t already as we really use your answers to shape the setting!

We use the information from these questionnaires and the staff questionnaires to create action plans of ways we can continue to improve.

Please can you take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire as your opinions are very important to us.

 

Follow the link to get to the survey:


 

Forest school, Parents Session

Lee, our Forest school leader, is leading a Forest school session for parents on 26th April.

You will be able to go along and see what the children get out of these exciting sessions.

If you want to sign up please go to Sunflowers room.

Please note that children will be unable to attend these sessions.

 

Sun cream and sun hats

Hopefully the lovely weather will continue so please can you make sure your child has labelled sun cream and a labelled hat that we can keep at nursery.

 

Living Eggs

The chicks are back!

On Monday 10 eggs will be brought to nursery for us to care for.

For the next fortnight we will watch them hatch and grow and get the chance to hold and feed them!

Pop into Sunflowers to say hello!

 

Policy of the week

We will be displaying a different policy every week our blog:  http://castlenursery-southhill.blogspot.co.uk  (you may have to cut and paste this link).

If you would like to see this or any of our policies please ask Caroline.

Our Policy this week is:  What to do if you are worried about a child?

 

Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 


 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu. The Summer menus will be launching soon, I will post them as soon as they are ready!
If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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:


 

This week’s planned activities are also are now on the ILD’S

 

Buttercups

Monday – Leanne’s group are reading together and talking about the stories

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group will be developing relationships as they play together in the hideaway cube.

Wednesday – Leanne’s group is painting big pictures

Thursday – Mel’s’ group will be exploring play dough using a range of tools

Friday – Charlotte’s group are playing with the small world vehicles

Charlotte is off Monday, Mel is off Tuesday, Leanne and Nilem are off Friday.

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group are celebrating St George’s Day with a variety of activities

Tuesday –Rose’s group is playing Simon Says as they develop listening and play together as a group

Wednesday –Donna’s group will be creating collages

Thursday – Almu’s group is developing number skills as they count the tea set for a tea party

Friday –  Chloe’s group will be talking about the chicks

Donna is off Monday, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu, Hannah and Rose are in all week

 

Forest school

This week at forest school the group talked about the rules of forest school.

They used the rope to walk in lines together and went on a hunt to find signs of spring.

They collected objects and showed each other what they had found.

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

13th – 20th April – Giraffes Big Night by Carrie and David Grant

27th April -4th May – My Brother is Autistic by Jennifer Moore- Mallinos

 

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 and on the ILD’S.

 

This week’s activity is: Leaning about textures

We will be mixing paint with materials the children have chosen to see what it feels like and what pattern it makes.

 

The letter of the week is: W

 

We will be:

Talking about words beginning with W

Using W stencils

Making watches

Shaping the letter W with play dough

Jess is off Friday, Becci and Megan are in all week and Alison works 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday.

 

Kind Regards

Caroline

Thursday 16 April 2015

What to do if you are worried about a child policy


What to do if you are worried about a child?

 

1)     Talk to your DCPO or go to the Area Manager if you have concerns about the DCPO or Manager

 

2)     The DCPO will contact the Surrey Safeguarding Children Board team by on 0300 200 1006 or, in an emergency, you should report the matter to Surrey Police on 999. The Surrey Safeguarding Children Board team can offer advice on the issues raised.

 

3)     Outside of office hours and at weekends and public holidays, the Emergency Duty Team should be contacted by telephoning 01483 517898. However, if you are seriously concerned about a child's immediate safety, always dial 999.

 

4)     You should also confirm your referral in writing as quickly as possible. You can read the guidance on making a referral and download the multi-agency referral form at:

 

 


 

5)     If a member of staff has been accused of abuse, they must be suspended and a full investigation undertaken. See suspected abuse by an Early Years worker policy.

 

6)      If there is an allegation against a staff member the Manager or DCPO must inform the Surrey County Council Local Authority Child Protection Designated Officer (LADO) on 0300 2001006, whatever the outcome of the investigation.

 

7)     Ofsted need to be informed of any suspected abuse by a member of staff or person living or working on the premises. Ofsted will also need to be informed of the outcome of the investigation.

Friday 10 April 2015

week commencing 13th April


Dear Parents

 

Parent Questionnaires

It’s that time of year when we ask you to complete the annual parent questionnaire!

We use the information from these questionnaires and the staff questionnaires to create action plans of ways we can continue to improve.

Please can you take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire as your opinions are very important to us.

 

Follow the link to get to the survey:


 

ILD’S

Don’t forget to add all of your Easter fun photos onto your child’s ILD.

It’s great for the staff to see how the children are developing outside of nursery and the older children like to share their photos at circle times.

Most of the end of term reports are now on the ILD’S so don’t forget to have a look at these.

At the end of each term, each key person writes a small summary on each child’s progress and sets next steps for the following term.

As always you can add your comments, observations and photos to your child’s ILD.

 

Forest school, Parents Session

Lee, our Forest school leader, is leading a Forest school session for parents on 26th April.

You will be able to go along and see what the children get out of these exciting sessions.

If you want to sign up please go to Sunflowers room.

Please note that children will be unable to attend these sessions.

 


Useful websites:

Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding) and Free Early Education for Two year olds.

 


 

Menus

There are no planned changes to this week’s menu. The Summer menus will be launching soon, I will post them as soon as they are ready!

If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!

 

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:


 

This week’s planned activities are also are now on the ILD’S

 

Buttercups

Monday – Leanne’s key group are using the mirrors to explore their faces

Tuesday – Charlotte’s group is exploring the treasure baskets

Wednesday – Mel’s group will be singing action songs together

Thursday – Charlotte’s group are rolling objects to each other to build physical skills

Friday – Mel’s group is dancing to our favourite tunes!

Charlotte is off Monday, Mel is off Tuesday, Leanne and Nilem are off Friday.

From this week Mel is taking over Nilem’s key group and Nilem will become the room’s key buddy.

This means Nilem will take over doing the observations if your child’s key person is on holiday or away sick. If you have any questions please ask!

 

Bluebells

Monday – Donna’s group will be reading Goldilocks and the three bears together

Tuesday – Donna’s group is caring for the dollies as they feed and dress them

Wednesday – Rose’s group are developing independence skills as they practice putting on shoes and socks

Thursday – Almu’s group will be practicing their colour recognition using the coloured footprints

Friday – Chloe’s group is counting using compare bears

Donna is off Friday, Chloe is off Thursday, Almu, Hannah and Rose are in all week

 

Sunflowers

Books of the fortnight

30th March – 6th April  - How Plants Grow by Franklin Watts

13th – 20th April – Giraffes Big Night by Carrie and David Grant

27th April -4th May – My Brother is Autistic by Jennifer Moore- Mallinos

 

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 and on the ILD’S.

 

This week’s activity is: Talking about people who help us

We will be using books, puzzles and small world toys to talk about who looks after us and what to do  in an emergency.

 

The letter of the week is: V

 

We will be:

Talking about words beginning with V

Using V stencils

Playing Vets

Drawing a volcano

Talking about healthy eating and Vegetables.

Jess is off Friday, Becci is in all week, Megan is off Thursday and Friday and Alison works 9.30-2.30 Monday to Thursday.

 

We are out celebrating our Outstanding report tonight so be warned if you are out in Guildford!

Have a great weekend.

 

Kind Regards

Caroline