Friday 27 October 2017

Week commencing 30th October


Dear Parents and Carers,
 
This week’s events:
 
In 2 Sports – This week at sports we have been playing football with our friends. We balanced the ball on different body parts, such as our feet, hands and tummies. We then had to aim and kick our footballs at cones to knock them down.
 
Up Coming Events
Thursday 2nd November – Zoo Lab
Friday 3rd November – Preschool and Baby Bonfire party
Monday 6th November – Bluebells Bonfire party
w/c 13th November – Nursery Rhyme week
Friday 8th December – Christmas party
Monday 11th December – Carol service
Tuesday 12th December – Nativity play
 
Halloween/Bonfire night
Please join us to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire night next week J
On Friday (3rd) from 4.00 – 5.00pm the Sunflowers and Baby room will be having bonfire treats, a tea party and will be discovering glow sticks.
The Bluebell room will be having their Bonfire party on Monday 6th from 4.00 – 5.00, they will be dancing with glow sticks and having pizza for tea.
All parents and children are welcome to join J
 
Facebook
Castle Nursery and Preschool Facebook page to promotes the company, engages with parents and team members across our nurseries. If you would be interested in following this page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Nursery-and-Preschool-790319011138020/. We will be regularly adding events and photos to the page.
 
Image result for children foodMenus
There are no planned changes to this week’s menu.
Our new menu’s will go live the week of the 13th November.
See attached document for the weekly menu. 
If you would like to see a copy of our allergens menu at any time please ask!
 
Useful websites
Here are the links for the Surrey Family Information Service, Free Early Education (the 15 hours funding), Free Early Education for Two year olds and Early Years Pupil Premium (EYPP).
 
 
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 on the ILD’S.
 
Buttercups
 
Topic of the month: Autumn
 
Monday – Charlotte’s group is exploring the light projector supporting an interest in early ICT equipment
Tuesday –  Montse’s group is developing their creative imagination while creating their own tree using leaves from the garden
Wednesday – Sammy’s group are playing ‘Simon Says’ building an awareness of names and positions
Thursday – Nilem’s group will be singing songs encouraging listening and attention skills
Friday – Leanne’s group is building independence skills while putting on their own shoes and coats
Charlotte is in the office all week, Leanne is off Monday and Nilem is off Monday and Tuesday, Montse and Sammy are in all week.
 
Bluebells
 
Topic of the month: Autumn
 
Monday – Donna’s group is discovering the shape puzzle and flash cards playing matching games encouraging shape recognition
Tuesday – Ruby’s group are making marks with paint and plastic spiders
Wednesday – Megan’s group will be developing their motor movement while creating their own fire work picture with paint
Thursday –  Donna’s group are building a knowledge of the world around them while exploring the dolls and house
Friday – Ruby’s group will be reading ‘The Snail and the Whale’ and will create their own ocean picture developing their imagination and creativity
Donna is off Friday, Megan is off Thursday, Ruby is on holiday on Wednesday and Maria is in all week.
 
Sunflowers
 
In the Sunflower room each Key Person plans and implements their own Key Group activity, but the room works on the same area and aspect to ensure the activity is individual to each Key Group and therefore meets the specific Key Group’s individual needs.
This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room and on the ILD’S.
 
Becci’s activity: Becci’s group are baking their own treats. They will be building their understanding of using tools and equipment safely while using character cutters to cut out their own biscuits.
 
Ines’s activity: This week Ines is promoting health and self-care while the children work together to carve their own pumpkin.
 
Almu’s activity: Almu’s group will be building their independence while practicing brushing teeth (they will be using a card mouth and paint for toothpaste).
 
Topic of the month: Autumn
 
The letter of the week is: W
 
The children will be:
Talking about words beginning with W
Setting up the easel with letter W stencils
Making wizard hats
Writing the letter W
Talking about the weather each day
 
The Number of the week is: 9
 
The children will be:
Counting to 9
Jumping 9 times
Writing the number 9
Finding the number 9 from around the room
 
The shape of the week is: Circle
 
The children will be:
Counting how many sides a circle has
Spotting circles around the room
Creating a circle with our hands
Drawing big and little circles
Becci is off Tuesday, Almu is off Wednesday and Ines is in all week
 
I am on holiday next week. If you have any queries in this time Charlotte will be here to ask J
 
Interactive Learning Diary
Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.
We aim to put at least one observation up per week.
Follow the link below: www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk
 
Our Policy of the Week
 
Emergency closure policy – illness/ flu pandemic
 
Aim of policy
 
To give clear guidance if a flu pandemic or similar occurs at the setting. A list of communicable diseases and minimum periods of exclusion is given on the Guidance on infection control in schools and other childcare settings available in appendix 2.
 
Points to consider
In the event of flu pandemic (or similar) the manager will keep the Operations Manager updated of children’s health and staffing levels.
 
Childcare and Learning Group aims to achieve this by:
In case of limited staffing levels, Childcare and Learning Group settings will join together at the most suitable location and open on a limited basis.
 
If the shortage of staff limits the number of places available the following priorities will take place:
1.      Children of Emergency Services and medical staff
2.      Children of teachers or school workers/ children of bank workers/ children of staff at utilities companies and children of public transport workers
3.      All other working parents
4.      Children of non-working parents
 
In the event of staff shortages, parents with current DBS forms may be asked to support the setting team in order to maintain smooth operations.
 
In case of closure or limited opening parents will be contacted by phone by the most senior person available. The setting software systems can be accessed from private computers if needed.
 
The answer phone message will be changed and then regularly updated so parents can be kept informed.
 
Notices will be put out in the setting blogs, direct email and on our website to inform parents.
 
In exceptional circumstances children of emergency services workers or other essential workers will be given childcare even if they do not usually attend the settings.
 
Ofsted will be kept informed at all times of changes in circumstances.
                                                0300 123 1231
 
For up to date information on Flu Pandemic issues by the government, visit:
 
Financial decisions will be made by the Director or the Finance Director.
 
Kind Regards,
 
Jess, Charlotte and the South Hill Team

Friday 20 October 2017

Week commencing 23rd October


Dear Parents and Carers,

 

This week’s events:

 

In 2 Sports – This week we took part in colour matching games. We used a variety of Coach Pasha’s resources and manoeuvred around the garden safely matching objects. We then practiced our balancing skills while balancing bean bags on different parts of our body.

 

Forest School –  This week at Forest School we’ve been building our knowledge and understanding of the world around us by identifying different leaves and trees. We then melted some marshmallows over the fire. We finished off practicing our balance while climbing on the rope.

Theatrebugs -

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2bebd899029d7aa899845fa02/_compresseds/ac712717-b898-441c-8fd2-799c4c5f8a2a.jpg

 

 

 

Up Coming Events

Thursday 2nd November – Zoo Lab

Friday 3rd November – Preschool and Baby Bonfire party

Monday 6th November – Bluebells Bonfire party

w/c 13th November – Nursery Rhyme week

Friday 8th December – Christmas party

Monday 11th December – Carol service

Tuesday 12th December – Nativity play

 

Halloween/Bonfire night

Please join us to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire night this year J

On Friday (3rd) from 4.00 – 5.00pm the Sunflowers and Baby room will be having bonfire treats, a tea party and will be discovering glow sticks.

The Bluebell room will be having their Bonfire party on Monday 6th from 4.00 – 5.00, they will be dancing with glow sticks and having pizza for tea.

All parents and children are welcome to join J

 

Autumn/Winter Menus

The Winter menu’s will be starting during November, please have a look through the attached menu’s and let us knows what you think.

 

Facebook

As a group we have decided to create a Castle Nursery and Preschool Facebook page to promote the company, engage with parents and team members across our nurseries. If you would be interested in following this page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Nursery-and-Preschool-790319011138020/. We will be regularly adding events and photos to the page.

 

Image result for children foodMenus

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

See attached document for the weekly menu. 

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

 

Useful websites

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

 



 

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 on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

Monday – Charlotte’s group is creating an Autumn collage investigating different textures

Tuesday –  Montse’s group will be painting a Halloween picture promoting experiences from the world around us

Wednesday – Sammy’s group is discovering the sensory bottles distinguishing between the sounds they hear

Thursday – Nilem’s group are exploring the wooden blocks building fine motor skills

Friday – Leanne’s group is having a teddy bear picnic supporting relationships with others

Charlotte is off Wednesday and on holiday on Friday, Leanne is off Monday and Nilem is off Monday and Tuesday, Montse and Sammy are in all week.

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

Monday – Donna’s group is building their listening and attention skills during a physical activity in the garden

Tuesday – Ruby’s group are developing their understanding while playing role play games with others 

Wednesday – Ruby’s group is experimenting with paint and 3D shapes supporting an awareness of new shapes

Thursday –  Donna’s group will be playing the ‘Dice of Feeling’ with their peers building their knowledge about feelings

Friday – Ruby’s group are reading the big stories encouraging an interest in re telling stories

Donna is on holiday Wednesday - Friday, Megan is on holiday on Tuesday and off on Thursday, Ruby and Maria are in all week.

 

Sunflowers

 

In the Sunflower room each Key Person plans and implements their own Key Group activity, but the room works on the same area and aspect to ensure the activity is individual to each Key Group and therefore meets the specific Key Group’s individual needs.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room and on the ILD’S.

 

Becci’s activity: Becci’s group is building their self-confidence while selecting their own resources to create a picture of their choice

 

Ines’s activity: This week Ines’s group are developing their knowledge and understanding of emotions while reading the ‘How Do You Feel’ book

 

Almu’s activity: Almu’s group is matching emotion cards to the emotions in the ‘How Do You Feel’ book encouraging an awareness of different emotions

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

The letter of the week is: V

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with V

Setting up the easel with letter V stencils

Writing the letter V

Talking about different vegetables

 

The Number of the week is: 8

 

The children will be:

Counting to 8

Jumping 8 times

Writing the number 8

Finding the number 8 from around the room

 

The shape of the week is: Pyramid

 

The children will be:

Counting how many sides and corners a pyramid has

Finding pyramids around the room

Counting its corners

Making pyramid prints with the 3d shapes

Becci is off Tuesday, Almu is off Wednesday and Ines is on holiday on Monday

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk

 

Our Policy of the Week

 

Procedure in event of carbon monoxide leak

 

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. Not all settings will need a carbon monoxide detector, it will depend on if gas appliances are used in the setting.

 

Childcare and Learning Group 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: 0800 111 999.

 

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 re-enter the premises until told to do so by an approved Gas Safe Engineer.

The evacuation of the setting is a significant event and therefore Ofsted must be informed within 14 days of the evacuation 

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Charlotte and the South Hill Team

Friday 13 October 2017

Week commencing 16th October 2017



Dear Parents and Carers,

 

This week’s events:

 

In 2 Sports – This week we played traffic lights to warm up. We then practiced our balancing skills while balancing bean bags on our heads and manoeuvring around the garden. Our last game was hide and seek with Hello Kitty!

 

Forest School –  This week at Forest School the children enjoyed taking part in collecting water for their small fire they had made. They then had to warm the water up and made their own hot chocolate for snack. Lastly they had a fun game of tug of war with a strong rope, it was lots of fun!

 

Theatrebugs -

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/2bebd899029d7aa899845fa02/images/a4e71690-8482-46f8-b675-8172ab150266.jpg

 

 

 

Up Coming Events

Thursday 2nd November – Zoo Lab

Friday 3rd November – Preschool Bonfire party

Monday 6th November – Bluebells Bonfire party

w/c 13th November – Nursery Rhyme week

Friday 8th December – Christmas party

Monday 11th December – Carol service

Tuesday 12th December – Nativity play

 

Halloween/Bonfire night

Please join us to celebrate Halloween and Bonfire night this year J

On Friday (3rd) from 4.00 – 5.00pm the Sunflowers will be having bonfire treats, a tea party and will bediscovering glow sticks.

The Bluebell room will be having their Bonfire party on Monday 6th from 4.00 – 5.00, they will be dancing with glow sticks and having pizza for tea.

All parents and children are welcome to join J

 

Facebook

As a group we have decided to create a Castle Nursery and Preschool Facebook page to promote the company, engage with parents and team members across our nurseries. If you would be interested in following this page, here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/Castle-Nursery-and-Preschool-790319011138020/. We will be regularly adding events and photos to the page.

 

Image result for children foodMenus

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

See attached document for the weekly menu. 

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

 

Useful websites

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

 



 

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 on the ILD’S.

 

Buttercups

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

Monday – Charlotte’s group is developing an interest in stories while exploring their favourite books

Tuesday –  Leanne’s group will be building their understanding while playing hiding games with toys

Wednesday – Montse’s group is having a tea party in the garden encouraging an interest in others and feelings

Thursday – Nilem’s group are exploring the soft play resources supporting gross motor movements

Friday – Sammy’s group is celebrating ‘Diwali’ while reading the story of light and colouring in pictures of light

Charlotte is off Wednesday, Leanne is off Monday and Nilem is on a/l all week, Montse and Sammy are in all week.

 

Bluebells

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

Monday – Megan’s group will be building their language skills while discovering a magic box of Autumn items

Tuesday – Donna’s group is discovering the garden and collecting Autumn leaves and encouraging counting skills throughout

Wednesday – Megan’s group will be celebrating Diwali by making their own Roti

Thursday –  Donna’s group will be discovering media and materials while creating their own pictures using paint

Friday – Ruby’s group are reading the ‘Tyrannosaurus Drip’ developing an early interest in reading  

Donna is off Friday, Megan is off Thursday, Ruby and Maria are in all week.

 

Sunflowers

 

In the Sunflower room each Key Person plans and implements their own Key Group activity, but the room works on the same area and aspect to ensure the activity is individual to each Key Group and therefore meets the specific Key Group’s individual needs.

This will work alongside their weekly planned activity list which you can see in the room and on the ILD’S.

 

Becci’s activity: Becci’s group is exploring media and texture while creating their own autumn picture.

 

Ines’s activity: This week Ines’s group will be celebrating ‘Diwali’. The children will take part in reading the ‘Festival of Light’ story and will then create their own festival of light picture using a variety of media and resources.

 

Almu’s activity: Almu’s group are collecting leaves from around the garden and creating their own Autumn landscape.

 

Topic of the month: Autumn

 

The letter of the week is: U

 

The children will be:

Talking about words beginning with U

Setting up the easel with letter U stencils

Writing the letter U

Talking about when we would use umbrellas!

Drawing the letter U in the air!

 

The Number of the week is: 7

 

The children will be:

Counting to 7

Jumping 7 times

Writing the number 7

Making the number 7 using playdough

Singing number songs

 

The shape of the week is: Sphere

 

The children will be:

Counting how many sides and corners a sphere has

Finding spheres around the room

Rolling balls to and from friends

Rolling a ball in paint

Becci is off Tuesday, Almu is off Wednesday and Ines is in all week

 

Interactive Learning Diary

Don’t forget to check out all the exciting things your child has done this week, on their ILD profile.

We aim to put at least one observation up per week.

Follow the link below: www.interactivelearningdiary.co.uk

 

Our Policy of the Week

 

Procedure in the event of fire

 

In the event of fire

 

Any 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 senior team member or team leader in each area will:

·        Leave the area last

·        Ensure all children are safely evacuated from all areas

·        Check toilets and other areas where frightened children could hide

 

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

·        Make a final check of toilets and areas where frightened children could hide, where safe to do so.

·        Ensure that registers of children and staff have been collected, where safe to do so.

·        Contact the fire service and other emergency services.

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

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

·        Take responsibility for contacting parents/guardians/carers

 

Evacuation and assembly:

o   The evacuation points in this setting are located: Front door and Back door (displayed below)

o   The assembly point in this setting is located: Double gate in front garden (displayed below)

o   Fire evacuation posters for this setting are located: Displayed within all rooms and areas and also referenced in Appendix 2.

 

Mains supply locations:

o   Electricity mains for power to be cut off in this the setting are located: Staff toilet

o   Gas mains for gas to be cut off in this the setting are located: Wall by staff room

o   Water mains for water to be cut off in this the setting are located: outside the double gates

 

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IN THE EVENT OF FIRE NO ONE MUST GO BACK INSIDE FOR ANY REASON UNTIL THE FIRE SERVICE STATES IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Jess, Charlotte and the South Hill Team