Welcome to this months newsletter where we look back on the month of August.

Babies

August has been great fun in the babies. We’ve been exploring indoors and out. Our main focus indoors has been to reestablish our sunshine circles which the babies have loved and grown in confidence over the month. Outdoors we’ve been testing out of motor skills… in particular our climbing skills. Babies have loved using the new peekaboo tower to play and climb. I wonder what next month will bring…

Toddlers

This month Toddlers have been promoting their healthy eating by making fruit kebabs, we spoke about the different fruits we like and what they taste like, we had a variety of fruit to choose from and we used our hand eye coordination to put the fruit onto our kebabs. We then got to eat them, and they were so yummy! Toddlers have explored the outdoors, we collected blackberries, mud and grass and mixed and mashed them with water to create some organic paints, we then used these paints to mark make outside!

Preschool

This month we have seen our school leavers head off to school but before they headed off on their new adventure we practised lots of shape recognition and allowed the children to learn new shapes and patterns.

We have also been speaking about care and hygiene routine and why these are important.

Sign of the Month

The sign of the month for September is “Finished”

News, Reminders and Dates for the Diary

Dates for the Diary

Parents Evening - These will be held on 30th September (Babies and Toddlers) and 1st October (Preschool). In the coming weeks we will be putting up our lists for you to book an appointment with your keyworker.

PAD’s - Postive about down syndrome month October. PADs is our chosen charity at Snapdragons Keysham and we would like to raise money as well as awareness; to promote empowerment and inclusion throughout the month of October.
Pyjamas days Wednesday 2nd and Friday 4th.

Learn a new sign each day (you will find print outs in the entrance) 7th-11th.

Colourful Bake Sale any cake donations throughout the week would be greatly apprechiated (with a list of ingredients for dietaries please) 14th-18th.

Dress up days (any fancy dress, or dress bright) Tuesday 22nd and Thursday 25th.

Any donations would be greatly appreciated and we will be keeping a pot in the office for you to donate throughout the week.

Concept Photography - Concept Photography will be on site on 23rd October and 24th October (AM) - All children who attend these sessions will automatically have their photos taken however if you wish for your child’s photo to be taken and they do not attend these sessions then please email the office to book in a time to come along. Feel free to bring a change of clothes if you wish.

Spooks and Smores - Our annual Halloween event will be held on Monday 4th November from 4pm - 5:30pm - This will be opportunity for you to attend with activities within your room before heading out to toast marshmallows on the fire. If you do not attend this session you are more than welcome to join however we just ask that you drop us an email to confirm your attendance.

Christmas Parties - Children’s Christmas Parties will be held on Friday 20th December - 4pm-5.30pm - More information on this event will follow closer to the time.

Preschool Nativity - Preschool Nativity will be held on Tuesday 10th December - We normally hold two shows across the day so more information will follow in the upcoming months.

Nominate a star - Is there a staff member that you would like to be acknowledged for all their hard work this year or someone who you would just like to thank? At Snapdragons we run a reward scheme for our employees, nominations from parents mean stars for the staff that can go towards a range of different rewards and prizes which can include sweet treats, hampers, meal vouchers and even a trip to the spa, so if you would like to reward the staff remember to fill in the online form sharing your lovely words.

Snappies Superstar — Snapdragons Nursery

Staffing Updates.

We have been sucessful in recruiting for a new Head of Baby Cottage after Kezia left Snapdragons at the end of August. Emily Wilton who has worked for Snapdragons Keynsham before has been successful and will be joining the team in October - In the meantime Kira (Deputy Manager) will be supporting with the running on the room until Emily joins us.

Preschool Celebration

At the start of the month we celebrated our School Leavers at our annual Preschool Celebration. It was a beautiful morning filled with smiles and a few happy tears as the children celebrated their final days at Snapdragons. We held a ceremony where the children were able to come and collect their certificate before activites and picnic in the garden.