August 2020
Update for September
What a year it has been so far and September is here already. I thought I would send you all an update to let you know the plan as we are entering the new academic year, there are not many changes to what we are currently doing but just to refresh for all the children returning / starting in September.
First off, I would like to thank you all for your cooperation and patience over the last couple of months while we have had to adjust to a ‘new normal’. It has been a really successful reopening, and we hope this will continue throughout the rest of 2020.
With this is mind there will not be any changes to how we are currently operating, and this will be the case until January 2021, unless there are any significant changes in the government guidelines.
The reason for this is that Snapdragons as a company feel that we have done incredibly well at making sure our families and staff are safe, and so we do not wish to change this now with the risk of a second wave and local lockdowns; it is better to remain as we are until we know the risk is sustainably minimised.
Key point to remember are as follows:
• Pre-school parents will drop off / collect through the side gate of our garden.
• Drop off and collections for Babies/Toddlers will still be at the main door. Remembering to follow social distancing while waiting.
• Make sure if it is a hot day that your child comes in wearing sun cream and brings some with them to be reapplied later in the day.
• Bring a labelled water bottle for your child – we have found this is working really well and the children are drinking much more which is great! Please make sure this is water only.
• If your child has had Calpol/fever relief medication then they will not be allowed to attend nursery. Also, if your child appears to be unwell then you should consider keeping them at home (especially moving into the autumn/winter months)
• If your child has a temperature and/or a new continuous cough, they will have to have a COVID-19 test before returning to nursery. Evidence of the negative test is required before they can attend.
• As we will be busier, bags may need to be taken home at the end of each day.
• Please avoid your child bringing toys into nursery and only bring with them a comforter if they require one.
I hope all of the above makes sense and once again thank you for your continued support with this. Together we will get through it and one day hopefully it will be a distant memory!
Our Safer Operating procedures are available on our website -
https://www.snapdragonsnursery.com/covid-sop
Goodbye and Good Luck
We want to say an extra special GOOD LUCK to all our lovely school leavers heading off onto their next adventure! It has been an absolute pleasure watching you grow into wonderful little people! We will miss you all so much but know you will have the best time at big school!!
Early Drop Offs
Pre-Booked Early Drop Off’s will commence from w/c 7th September (unless prearranged already). If you previously had these early drop offs booked pre lockdown you will need to rebook them with us as all the sessions were removed during lockdown. We have a limited space available for them due to our bubble system so they will be booked on a first come first served basis.
Return of the team
From September all of our staff will return from furlough leave so I’m sure you will be pleased to see some familiar faces. We have also had some lovely new staff start with us which I hope you have had the chance to meet - I am currently updating the website with their photos so you know who is who - but in the meantime just for your information so you can talk about names we have:
The Baby Team
Jess - Head of Room
Ellie - Deputy Head of Room
Elise
Charlee
Rosie
Tiffany (on a Thursday)
The Toddler Team
Lucy - Head of Room (due to start end of September)
Chloe
Nicole
Macy
Lorraine
Brandon
Gina (Monday,Tuesday&Thursday)
Gemma (Wednesday&Friday)
The Preschool Team
Eloise - Head of Preschool TTO/OOSC
Kirsty - Head of Preschool AYR
Michell
Tristan
Kaitlin
Jo
Tiffany (On a Monday)
What Babies have been up to…….
What Toddlers have been up to…..
What Preschool have been up to…..
Are we doing a good job?
We would really value your feedback about how you feel we have been doing lately - we know that the world is very different right now so it would be good to hear your feedback! If you have time please drop us a review at:
https://www.daynurseries.co.uk/daynursery.cfm/searchazref/50002035SNAC
Norland Nannies
In previous years we have hosted trainee Norland nannies on placements in some of our nurseries to help them gain the practical experience they need to enhance their academic study. This year, of course, things have been a little different, but we hope that we may be able to welcome back another cohort of future Norland nannies to work with us as soon as it is appropriate and within our Covid19 safe operating procedures.
Norland students are primarily training to become nannies within the home and the Placement Manager at Norland is looking for families who would be able to offer a four-week placement. This could be a great opportunity if you have recently had a baby (or two or three!) and would appreciate some help and support with your new arrival. You would need to be at home at all times to supervise, so if you are on maternity or paternity leave it could work well for you. If you are interested in finding out more, please contact placements@norland.ac.uk
Donations
We are introducing more of a natural feel across the nursery influenced by the Curiosity Approach. If you have any of the following unwanted items at home, we would love to take them off your hands!
Wall Clocks
Pots, pans and utensils (wooden or metal)
Photo frames
Artificial plants and flower pots
Small rugs and fabric
Old electrical items
Baskets
Figurines and trinkets
Old costume jewellery
Buttons, cotton reels, shells etc
It doesn’t have to be exactly what is listed but this is a general idea of what we are looking for!