A new Snapdragons for Keynsham

We are very excited to announce that we have recently exchanged contracts on a property near Keynsham and are beginning a refurbishment programme that will turn it into a new Snapdragons Nursery.

The property, Ellsbridge House, was previously the vetinerary teaching centre for Norton Radstock College and sits in 2.2 acres of grounds beside the A4 just outside Keynsham between Bristol and Bath. The nursery is due to open in September 2012.

As with all our other nurseries, Snapdragons Keynsham will provide fun and stimulating learning supported by qualified and caring staff. The gardens and additional buildings at the site also offer an exciting opportunity to expand our Forest School sessions and outdoor learning, including growing our own resources and caring for nursery pets.

The nursery will create around 40 jobs and we have already begun actively seeking the high calibre staff that will allow us to maintain our existing exemplary standards. The new team will be supported by a team of Snapdragons colleagues who will share the expertise we have built up over the past 14 years. Additionally an on-site training centre will be established where professional development and training courses will be run by outside professionals and qualified Snapdragons Teachers for the staff from all of our nurseries.

We have some truly exciting plans that we know will benefit all the children, families and staff in Snapdragons and we really want you to be a part of it. Take a look at the plans and watch this space for more news 

Cakes, hearts and building snowmen!

Wow, we have all been busy this week!

Pre-school have been looking at Chinese writingand looking at China and various places on their new giant map. They have been making and decorating special valentines biscuits for their loved ones and talking about their feelings. Pre-school were also very busy this morning having fun in the snow, making a snowman and having a cheeky snowball fight which was enjoyed by all.

Toddlers also made the most of exploring in the snow today, feeling the cold ice on their hands and watching it melt. They too, added, to the lovely smells that have been wafting through the nursery this week by making some very yummy chocolate brownies. Toddlers have also enjoyed creating some lovely glue and paint pictures which they loved- the messier the better!

Babies have not been left out this week, as they too have been busy making some cakes to take home. Many got messy with the flour and they all enjoyed having a good stir of the mixture. They have been collecting and looking at books in the quiet area and also enjoyed getting messy with glittery pictures.

Don't forget our annual Valentines day ball on Tuesday 14th February! Feel free to dress in your fancy clothes and get ready to dance, play games and join in with the fun.

Management contact times

Week commencing 13th February 2012

Lizzy Stubbs (Manager): Monday- Friday 9am- 6pm

Katie Adams (Management support): Monday and Tuesday 8:30- 5pm

Jo Arlow (Management support): Wednesday and Thursday 8:45- 5:15

Monthly invoicing and e-billing.

As many of you are aware, our invoicing system has now been upgraded and starting from this month (1/2/12) all invoicing responsibilities have been passed over to our new Finance and Administration team.

This will allow all of our Managers to concentrate their efforts on the day to day running of the nurseries and most importantly the children.

We do appreciate that this is a big change for many parents that have been with Snapdragons for a number of years but we are keen to delegate this growing responsibility to a team of professionals who are trained in this area.

For those of you who have signed up for our new e-billing service you will now have received your electronic bill which for the first time has been sent to you from our dedicated invoicing email address. Any invoicing queries or questions should be directed to this address where a team of accounts wizards will be waiting and happy to assist you.

The contact details for the Finance and Administration team is: accounts@snapdragonsnursery.com. At the present time we do not have a dedicated phone number for this team but this is currently being organised and in the mean time we are happy to call you back so that you can speak to someone directly if you provide a contact number at the time of enquiry.

Please ensure that all invoicing queries are sent via this method however your Nursery Manager will still be able to assist you with basic questions or account balances.

Any families that have not yet signed up for e-billing can do so by emailing the above address stating the name of their child and the nursery that they attend or by advising the Nursery Manager.

Thank you for your understanding and co-operation throughout this period of change.

Brrrr it's cold outside!

As you know, Jack Frost has been hanging around this week and most days it has been very cold.

Please could we remind you, on days like these, could you please provide your child with warm clothes such as a coat, hat, scarf and gloves etc so we can continue to play outside.

Many thanks.