September Newsletter 2023

Dear Parents and carers, 

We hope this newsletter finds you all well. As always, we have lots of exciting news and updates to share from our nursery. 

Art Week Celebrations

Art week was a creative blast in each of our rooms. The children were so enthusiastic to discover their inner artists as they explored the work of some world-famous artists and engaged in a whole variety of creative and artistic experiences. Here's a glimpse of what each room has been up to… 

Babies:

Our babies worked together and practiced their fine motor skills by using paint brushes to paint giant canvases that fostered their creativity and dexterity. They also had fun experimenting with colours and foam by using kitchen utensils as well as their little hands which enhanced their sensory experience. 

Toddlers & Younger Toddlers:  

Toddlers dived into the world of art by channelling their inner Picasso. They created masterpieces through face painting and moulded their imaginations with clay. There was lots of fun had and plentiful smiles as they let their creativity flow with spray bottle art. 

Preschool:  

Our new preschoolers embarked on an artistic journey through the works of Vincent van Gogh as well as other artists. They delved into the world of sunflowers, creating their own interpretations through drawing and painting. They also produced large scale drawings which sparked conversations about colours and artistic expressions. 

We are incredibly proud of our little artists and the fantastic staff who facilitated these enriching experiences. 

Chef of the Year

We are immensely proud to announce that our very own Chef, George has been nominated for the prestigious "Nursery Chef” award at this year’s NMT Nursery Awards. George has been a culinary wizard in our nursery kitchen, creating delicious and nutritious meals that our little ones adore. (Fun fact about George, he is also a professional Irish dancer!) Join us in cheering for him and wishing him the best of luck at the upcoming awards ceremony this November. 

Upcoming Events

Charity Cake Sale

On Wednesday 20th September, we will be hosting a delightful cake sale to raise money for Bristol Children’s Charity. On this day, please head to the reception area and pick up a delicious treat and help us raise funds for this wonderful charity.  

World Space Week

On Wednesday 4th to 10th October, we will be celebrating World Space Week. Our children will embark on a cosmic journey for the week to learn all about the mysteries of space. As part of the celebrations, on Wednesday 4th we would like to invite the children to dress up as astronauts, stars, planets, aliens or any space themed fancy dress. To complement this, our talented chef, George will prepare a space themed menu that will transport our children to the far reaches of the galaxy. 

Halloween Party

More fancy-dress fun! (Fun fact about Jojo, Halloween is her favorite time of year!). Calling all little ghouls and goblins. Our spooktacular Halloween party will be held on Tuesday 31st October at 3pm. If your child doesn’t attend nursery on a Tuesday, they are welcome to come in and join in with the fun, providing they have an adult to accompany them for the event. Parents are also welcome to join in so if you would like to attend, please drop an email to our office to reserve a space: horfield@snapdragonsnusery.com 

Reminders

Toys:

We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing personal toys into the nursery. Bringing toys from home can sometimes lead to misplacement and sharing difficulties. However, we do encourage the use of comforters or familiar items that provide comfort to your child during unsettled periods and sleep times.  

Weather Appropriate Clothing:

As we transition into cooler and wet weather, please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately for the changing seasons. Labelling your child's clothing and belongings is essential to prevent mix-ups. Please note that we prefer true waterproof clothing for rainy days rather than shower-proof items to keep your child dry and comfortable during outdoor play. 

 Named Water Bottle:

Each child should have a water bottle with their name clearly visible. Hydration is essential, especially during active playtime, and having a personal water bottle helps us ensure that your child stays refreshed throughout the day. For mealtimes, your child will be provided with an additional cup/sippy cup for drinking. 

Teething Gel/ Nappy Creams:

For our younger children who may be teething, please provide a labelled teething gel if needed and let the team know that it is in your child’s bag if needed. Additionally, if your child requires nappy cream, we do provide Sudocrem but you are welcome to provide your own with your child’s name clearly visible. Your child's comfort is our priority, and these items help us provide personalized care. 

Staff Changes

Our beloved Baby Room Head, Cassie will be sadly departing our setting and her last day with us will be Thursday 19th October. Cassie has been an integral part of our Snapdragons family and we are sad to see her go, but we also celebrate as she embarks on a new journey in her life.  

We're thrilled to introduce a couple of new faces to our nursery team. Paige and Kiane who is based in our Squirrel Toddler room and Ceren who is based in our Hedgehog Baby room. Please join us in giving them a warm welcome as they both settle into our nursery community.  

That’s all for now. Stay tuned and we look forward to sharing more updates in our next newsletter. Thank you for being a part of our wonderful nursery community. Your support and involvement make all the difference. See you around the nursery!

Jojo, Jenny and Team Horfield