February Newsletter 2024
Dear Parents & Carers,
I hope this newsletter finds you well and that you’re enjoying February as much as we are. As always, I have some exciting information to share from our nursery and before I delve into the details, I do apologise in advance that it’s quite lengthy. I assure you that every word is important as we share lots of news and updates so here goes…
RSPB Bird Watch Week
In January, we had an exciting week celebrating RSPB Bird Watch week, engaging our little ones into the world of birds, feathers, nature and bird song. We were also very grateful to a member of the RSPB for kindly lending us some binoculars, bird feeders and lots of other learning resources for the nursery to use for the week. Each age group delved into various bird-themed activities, sparking curiosity and creativity in our children. Here's a glimpse of what they all got up to.
Babies
Our youngest adventurers had a blast by being introduced to the world of birds through feather painting, bird themed sensory play and bird stories. It was heartwarming to witness their wonder and delight as they interacted with these adorable activities. Through feather painting and bird themed sensory play, they explored different colours and textures whilst enhancing their creativity and fine motor skills development. They also listened to bird stories where they absorbed new sounds, words and rhythm.
Toddlers
Our little toddlers were busy explorers as they delved into the fascinating world of our bird friends. Through hands-on activities like using magnifying glasses to find mini birds and insects in tuff tray setups, they've honed their observation skills and developed an appreciation for nature. They were also engaging in sensory play opportunities with natural items, role play eggs and small world birds which provided tactile experiences. During our circle times, toddlers eagerly participated in learning about different bird species and enjoyed bird related stories, expanding their vocabulary and understanding of the world around them. During garden time, they adored exploring the binoculars, attempting to spot birds in their natural habitat.
Rising 3’s and Pre-School
Our biggest adventurers embarked on a learning journey that dived deep into the world of birds and nature. Through hands-on activities like crafting their own birds and nests with clay, play dough and natural objects, they explored and exercised their fine motor skills and creativity. Artistic opportunities such as feather collages and bird painting allowed them to express their imagination and explore colours. The children also had the opportunity to make their own bird feeders and learnt about the importance of providing food for birds. Through focused learning times, they embarked on a fascinating journey about different bird species with activities such as bird bingo, flashcards and stories which expanded their knowledge of bird identification. As part of our outdoor play, our children also carried out a ‘We’re going on a Bird Hunt Adventure’ armed with binoculars to spot our feathered friends.
Children’s Mental Health Week & National Story Telling Week
In January, we also celebrated Children's Mental Health Week, which coincided with National Storytelling Week. Our nursery embraced this opportunity to focus on the well-being of our little ones, combining it with the joy of storytelling. Our reception area transformed into a cozy corner filled with masses of beloved books, inviting children of all ages to immerse themselves into a story or two. Alongside captivating tales, we offered well-being breakfasts, soothing yoga activities, enriching local trips and lots of other activities all aimed at promoting the well-being of our children.
As always, we are immensely grateful to our dedicated team for facilitating these fantastic opportunities for our children.
Upcoming Events
World Book Day 2024
World Book Day falls on Thursday 7th March and it’s one of our favourite events of the year. This is a nationwide celebration of authors, illustrators and books. We invite your children to come dressed up as a book character of their choice for the day, whether it’s animals, classical fairy tale favourites, superheroes or princesses. We invite you and your child to be as imaginative as you like. This event promises to deliver a day of fun and literary adventures.
British Science Week
In March, we will spend an exciting week of exploration and discovery during British Science Week. And this is where we would like to reach out to our community for a little assistance. If any of our families work in schools or have connections to educational settings and would be willing to donate any child-friendly science-related items, we would be incredibly grateful. Whether it’s empty bottles, petri dishes, food colouring, pipettes, foil, science materials, beakers, weighing scales, magnifying glasses, goggles or even old science books. Every contribution helps to enrich our children's learning experiences.
Staffing Updates
Amy, our Administrator is sadly departing Team Horfield. She has found a new role that better suits her family routine. We’re so grateful for the warmth and dedication she has bought into our community, and we wish her all the best. Amy’s last day will be Wednesday 20th March.
Assessments
I wanted to take a moment to shed light on our assessment procedures and how they play a crucial role in your child's developmental journey.
It's essential to note that our Practitioners can only assess children based on what they observe during your child’s time at our nursery. It's quite common for Practitioners to make judgments regarding a child's development based on what they see during nursery life. However, it's also common for parents to sometimes disagree with certain statements made in the assessments. This discrepancy often arises because children are unique individuals who may behave differently in various environments. Please don't worry if you find yourself in this situation. As your child becomes more settled into the routine of nursery, Practitioners typically witness significant growth and progress in their development as your child becomes more comfortable.
When children initially join us, we conduct something called a baseline assessment to understand their current developmental stage. This is usually conducted once the child is settled and Practitioners have built up lots of knowledge about them. It's important to remember that children behave and learn differently in a nursery environment compared to their home. Therefore, if a practitioner mentions observations that differ from what you see at home, it's natural to have concerns. Rest assured, as your child adapts to the nursery environment and routine, their development will become more evident.
Around the age of two and a half to three years, we conduct a mandatory assessment known as the 2-year check, as required by the Early Years Foundation Stage. This assessment is a legal requirement and allows us to effectively monitor your child's progress.
Furthermore, please know that we only conduct assessments three times a year and we typically only assess children who we believe may benefit from one. This could be due to various factors such as learning English as an additional language, having additional needs or perhaps they may require support in a specific area of development. There are many factors considered for a Practitioner to carry out an assessment and rest assured we will only do one if we feel it’s necessary and beneficial for your child.
Assessments are an excellent way of monitoring a child's development and can help Practitioners implement interventions if necessary. We want to assure you that our goal is to work in partnership with you to ensure we are collectively supporting your child's growth and development. And please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s assessment or development. We are always committed to providing support to your child’s journey with us.
Date Reminders
Parent’s Evening
This year’s parent’s evenings will be on Tuesday 23rd April and Thursday 24th October. This will give you the opportunity for a 10 minute chat with your child’s Key Person to discuss their progress, development and any questions you may have. Please note that we don’t offer parent’s evening slots for children who have been with us less than two months.
Deer Room Pre-school Graduation
It may be a while away but you know it’s going to come fast. This year’s Pre-school graduation will take place on the afternoon of Saturday 20th July where we will celebrate the accomplishments of our Pre-school children as they take their next big step to primary school.
Friendly Reminders
Nappy Creams
Please provide nappy cream with your child’s name on it. This ensures we can attend to their needs effectively.
No mobile phones
We have noticed an increase in parents using mobile phones inside the nursery. Please be reminded that the use of mobiles is prohibited onsite. This policy is in place to safeguard our children. Please do not be offended if a staff member reminds you of this rule.
Pre-existing Injuries
If your child arrives with an injury such as a cut, bruise, bump or any other wounds, it's crucial that you fill out a pre-existing injury form the moment you drop them into the nursery. This helps us ensure proper care and documentation for your child's well-being.
End Of The Day Pick Up
Please ensure punctuality when picking up your child at the end of the day as late arrivals can disrupt our closing routine. Handovers will not be given to families who arrive after 6 p.m. as our staff need to finish promptly to return to their own families. If you wish to have time to chat with our practitioners, we encourage you to arrive early.
Thank you for your attention on this lengthy newsletter. If you have any questions or anything you’d like to discuss, feel free to reach out. We continue to look forward to providing the best care and education for your little ones.
See you around the nursery.
Jojo, Jenny and Team Horfield