April Newsletter 2024
Dear Families,
We hope this newsletter finds you well. The recent weather has certainly kept us on our toes. At Snapdragons, we love every season, and we can’t wait to see what spring has to offer.
We would like to take a moment to reflect on a couple of exciting learning events that took place at Horfield recently, as well as share some exciting news and important information.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year was a week filled with a vibrant time for our children as they delved into the rich tapestry of Chinese culture and tradition. From exploring authentic objects on our learning table to engaging circle times about the Chinese zodiac and captivating stories about dragons and dumplings. Every age group had the opportunity to participate in an array of exciting activities.
Out in the garden, our little adventurers embarked on dragon hunt games and performed an adorable parade with a magnificent dragon that they crafted themselves. There were also culinary adventures such as making spring rolls and dragon cookie baking.
However, what truly stood out was the sheer delight that filled the room when our children were given the opportunity to use chopsticks to eat their delicious noodles with (even our little babies joined in). It was very charming to see our children’s determination and witness their appreciation for other cultures.
British Science Week
British Science week was a week full of fun and exploration as the children participated in an array of activities that lead to discovery and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
Our little scientists had a blast creating their own volcanos, lava lamps and magic potions. It was a delight to see their excitement as they explored basic chemical reactions.
The children also got involved with creative activities, such as creating their own fossils with clay, string and cup telephones and exploring the world of colour and temperature.
Our science learning table proved to be a treasure trove of exploration, where the children got the chance to look at real fossils closely, as well as peer through a microscope to observe specimens.
We are so proud of our children for their hands-on learning and enthusiasm during this week of curiosity.
Exciting News
Author Visit
We have some exciting news! Local author, Will Hamilton-Davies will be visiting our older children on Friday 10th May. He will be sharing a reading of his book, 'The Shrew With The Flu' in addition to running some fun and engaging activities with the children. You can find out more about Will and also purchase a signed copy of his book on his website
https://willhdofficial.co.uk/
Chloe & Jess’s Charity Run
Our very own Head of Rooms, Chloe and Jess are embarking on a charity run for Cancer Research UK. They are dedicating their time and effort to raise funds for a good cause. We encourage you all to support them in reaching their target by digging deep and contributing whatever you can. Every donation, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference.
https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/team/jess-and-chloes-team-1
Dates To Remember
Concept Photography
This year, Concept Photography will be onsite for the following days to capture some beautiful portraits of our children. If your child does not attend nursery on the noted days, you are welcome to email our office to book a slot for you and your child to pop in so they can have their photo taken. (horfield@snapdragonsnursery.com)
Tuesday 14th May
Wednesday 15th May
Wednesday 16th October
Thursday 17th October
Pre-School Celebration (Deer Room)
This is for the attention of Deer room families only. This year’s Pre-school celebration ceremony will take place on Saturday at 2pm on 20th July. You will receive an email closer to the time with all details. Please make a note that we kindly request that each child can be accompanied by 2 adults only. Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate any siblings at this event. We thank you in advance for your understanding on this.
Spooky S’mores
This year’s Spooky S’mores event falls on the evening of Monday 28th October. A fantastic opportunity to bond with fellow families and soak up the Halloween spirit.
Polite Reminders
Below are some important reminders to contribute to the smooth running of our children’s days.
Pre-existing Injury Forms
I would like to emphasise the importance of informing us about any injuries your child may have incurred prior to their arrival at the nursery. It is imperative that you fill out a pre-existing injury form when you drop them off at nursery, even if the injury seems minor. This ensures that we are aware of any conditions and can provide appropriate care and attention as needed.
Nursery Spare Clothing
If your child has borrowed any clothes from the nursery, we kindly request that you return them at your earliest convenience. This helps us to ensure that all items are available for all children to use when needed.
Personal Toys
We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing toys from home. This helps prevent sharing difficulties among the children and reduces the risk of items being misplaced or damaged. However, we do encourage the use of comforters if your child requires one to feel safe and secure during their time at the nursery.
Water Bottles
Please remember to provide a named water bottle for your child, which should be taken home regularly for washing. This helps us maintain hygiene standards and ensures that your child stays hydrated throughout the day. Please note that we do provide additional drinking cups for each child during every mealtime.
Weather Appropriate Clothing & Labelling Items
As we enjoy outdoor activities regardless of the weather, please ensure that your child is appropriately dressed with true waterproof clothing and footwear. This ensures that they can fully participate in our outdoor adventures without any discomfort. When the weather becomes hotter in the not-too-distant future, we would also like you to provide your little one with a sun hat.
Additionally, I kindly request that you label all clothing, shoes and personal belongings. This simple act greatly assists us in maintaining order and preventing items from being misplaced or confused with others.
Sun Cream & Nappy Creams
As the sun becomes stronger, it is crucial to protect our children from harmful UV rays so please do go ahead and provide a labelled sun cream that can stay at nursery. In line with this, we also advise you to provide a labelled nappy cream for your child just in case they might need it.
Messy Play
As you may already know, messy play is an intergral part of our curriculum where we encourage our children to self express and explore the world around them in a hands-on way. In order to fully engage in messy play, we kindly ask that you do not send your child into nursery in their Sunday best clothes. Instead, we encourage comfortable attire that you don’t mind getting messy so they can fully immerse themselves into activities. Aprons are always available for use, however sometimes the act of putting on an apron can interrupt the flow of play. I want to reassure you that our staff will do their best to keep our children clean, however there will be times where they will prioritise the joy of learning over keeping clothes pristine.
Thank you for your attention on this newsletter. Your cooperation in these matters is greatly appreciated. Please remember, we are always here if you would like to discuss anything. We look forward to enjoying the sunny days ahead with your little ones. See you around the nursery.
Jojo, Jenny and Team Horfield