November 2018
Whats happening at Atworth!
We would like to say a big welcome to all the new children we have had start with us over the last few months!
Theres a lot happening over the coming weeks here at Atworth so have a good read of this months newsletter and as always feel free to get in touch with the office if you have any queries or questions!
Upcoming events
Bonfire and Halloween party- will be taking place on Thursday 8th November from 4:00-5:00pm. Tim our Leader of Outdoor Learning is here to do some bonfire activities with the children and toast some yummy smores! Please feel free to come along to this, it is an event for all of our children and parents!
Concept photography will be with us on Friday 9th November from 8:30am - 12:00. If you would like to bring your little one along for photos please feel free to do so even if they aren’t booked in for a session there is a sign up sheet in the preschool room.
If you do not want your child’s photos taken on the day please let the room teams know.
The Pre-school nativity will be taking place on Wednesday 5th December at 2:30pm. This is for our pre-school children and parents and you will receive your invites shortly. Please respond as soon as you can.
This years Christmas party will be taking place on Wednesday 12th December from 4:00-5:30pm and is an event for all of our children and parents. The staff will be getting into the Christmas spirit and donning their best Christmas outfits and would love for the children to take part as well.
Learning focus
It’s November now and our learning focus is Communication and Language and the book of the month is ‘Peace At Last’. We have lots of resources here at nursery to help you encourage and support your little ones communication and language skills, and the learning together leaflets ‘Questions and Answers’ and ‘Babies- learning starts from the very first day’ can be found on site to take home with you.
You can use songs with Snapdragons at https://vimeopro.com/snapdragonsnursery/singing-with-snapdragons
Here you will find audio and lyrics to our favourite nursery rhymes https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/nursery-rhymes/
Stories with Snapdragons, fun audiobooks you can find here: https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/nursery-rhymes/
Risky play
At Snapdragons we like to challenge all our children in all areas of learning. The Government’s Health and Safety Executive has produced a new document called ‘Children’s play and Leisure – promoting a balanced approach.’ http://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/childrens-play-july-2012.pdf
The document has been produced to tackle myths and untruths that are around about ‘risky play for children’. It makes interesting reading and many points to consider.
The Key message from the document is:
‘Play is great for children’s well-being and development. When planning and providing play opportunities, the goal is not to eliminate risk, but to weigh up the risks and benefits. No child will learn about risk if they are wrapped in cotton wool’.
So, it’s not about letting children hurt themselves but allowing them to calculate the risk for themselves, they will need adult support, but instead of saying, ‘be careful’ we should be saying, ‘how can we complete the task safely?’
National Christmas Jumper Day
On Friday 14th December all the staff will be wearing their Christmas jumpers in aid of the Save the Children charity and raising money for a fantastic cause. We would love for your little ones to take part as well and wear their favourite Christmas jumpers or outfits on this day for a suggested donation of £1 per child, all proceeds to go to Save the Children.
christmasjumper@savethechildren.org.uk 0808 281 1031
Save the Children Fund is a registered company limited by guarantee (Company No. 178159)
Registered Charity No. 213890 (England & Wales) and SC039570 (Scotland)
Registered office: 1 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4AR
Babies
Babies have enjoyed baking activities with Charlotte this month!
Toddlers
This month toddlers have been spending lots of time outside in the garden exploring the resources and climbing around!
Preschool
This month preschool have been enjoying some time in the garden getting messy!
Staff nominations
Do you have a Snappy Superstar?
If you love the work we do at Snapdragons Atworth, please let us know about it!
You have the ability to nominate our amazing staff for the hard work they do daily by heading to our website and nominating your snappy superstar!
https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/superstar
Alternatively, you can send us an email if this is easier for you!
Reminders
Mobile phones
Please can we remind all parents that we are a mobile phone free site. If you are dropping off or collecting please keep your phones in your pockets and do not use them on site. A member of the team will ask you to pop your phone away or finish your conversation before being allowed on site.
Invoice reminder
Can we please remind all parents that payment of invoices is due by the 15th of every month and any invoices not cleared by this date may be subject to a late payment fee if the balance is not cleared.
Nursery opening hours
The Nursery is open from 8:00am - 6:00pm.
We would like to remind parents that unless you are on specific funded session or have pre-paid early drop off, you are asked to drop and collect your child/ren within the hours of your session.
If your child is on a specific funded session, please arrive within the the hours of your session or you will be charged an early/late fee.
Car park safety
Please can all parents ensure that they take care in our car park as it can get very busy. Also if you are driving please can you ensure that you are driving slowly to ensure that all children, parents, staff and visitors are safe when walking in the car park.