Greatstone Primary School

The Nursery's Latest Newsletter - Winter 2011

WINTER NEWSLETTER

Dear Parent/Carer

This is the busiest term of the Nursery year! We are about to start our Christmas preparations which include making festive keepsakes and practising for our Christmas performance. As this is such a busy time could you please check your child's tray at the end of every session as any information we need to pass on will be placed in there.

Children In Need - Friday 18th November
We are having a Fancy Dress Friday, where the children will be able to wear fancy dress to nursery for a small donation of £1. The staff will be wearing school uniform so we hope you will join us in making this as much fun as possible.

Dates for your diary
Toddler Room - Festive Fun Afternoon, Monday 12th December 1.30-3pm
The Toddler room will be holding a Festive Fun Afternoon where parents will be able to spend the afternoon in Nursery with their child. There will be a short sing-along, some fun activities and the chance to chat with other parents. You will receive your official invite shortly.

Dress Rehersal - To Be Arranged. Details will follow shortly.

Christmas Performance - Wednesday 14th December, 10.30am
This year we have decided that only the children in the Pre-school room will be taking part in the Christmas performance, as many of the younger children find taking part in the performance quite distressing. If your child normally attends nursery for this session, please bring them in at the usual time. However, if your child does not attend nursery on this day could you please note the following:
Pre-schoolers - Could you please bring your child to nursery at 10am, this will enable us to get all the children in their costumes and over to the school hall in plenty of time.

Christmas Dinner - CANCELLED
Due to booking issues with an entertainer for the Christmas party we have had to cancel the Christmas dinner this year.

Christmas Party - Thursday 15th December, 11am-1pm Toddlers
11am-1.30pm Pre-School
There are no nursery sessions on this day and your fees have been adjusted accordingly. Please note we are unable to accept children into Nursery before 11am.
At the end of the party Father Christmas will be in his Grotto in the Nursery entrance and he will have a gift for all children. The children in the toddler room need to be collected at 1pm. The children in the Pre-school room will follow at 1.30pm. You will have the opportunity to take photos if you wish.

We will not be charging for the Christmas party again this year but we will be "bucket shaking" after the Christmas performance and there will be a jar on Lisa's desk for any generous contributions you would like to make. All money raised will go toward the cost of the Christmas Party.

We will also be holding a Christmas raffle and would appreciate any suitable donations. These can be unwanted gifts, chocolates, wine or bath products. Please give any donations to Lisa.

Stay & Play
Unfortunately we are cancelling the Stay & Play afternoons due to poor attendance. We would like to thank the few parents that did attend and hope you enjoyed the time you spent with your child in the nursery.

Primary School Registration - September 2012
If your child is due to start primary school in September 2012 you will shortly be receiving details of how to register your child for your chosen primary school. Greatstone Primary school will not be holding an open day this year due to the poor turn out last year. However, if you would like to view the school and meet the Headteacher you are more than welcome to make an appointment. This should be done through the school office.

Winter Information
If we experience severe weather during the winter months, for which the school and nursery are forced to close, an announcement will be made on BBC Radio Kent and Invicta Radio before 9am. Alternatively check either of the radio websites which give details of snow closures.

If your child is to be absent from nursery to accompany you on your holiday could you please complete a holiday form. These are available from the nursery office.

REMINDER
Please ensure that your child's coat is clearly marked with their name: we have several identical coats in nursery and it is extremely hard for staff to identify whose is whose.
As the weather is getting colder please ensure your child is sent to nursery with a warm winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf as it is an OFSTED requirement to offer children outside play even in cold or wet weather. These items can be left in your child's tray.
Lunch boxes should be named on the outside.
Please check your child's tray at the end of each session. All correspondence and useful information will be placed there.
Please supply your child with a complete change of clothes, including socks and underwear, in a bag marked with their name that can be left at nursery in case of messy play/ wet play/toilet accidents.
Please send your child to nursery in "play clothes" that will not be ruined by messy activities.
Please remember, if your child has had sickness or diarrhoea they must have 48 hours clear of illness before returning to nursery.
If you have any concerns or queries regarding your child please do not hesitate to speak to their Key Person.

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Roberts
Head of Early Years.