Dear Parent/Carer, Nov 2011
Newsletter
Apologies for the slight delay in distributing this newsletter, we have had to agree our proposed dates are in line with the funding that we receive from Essex County Council.
We can now confirm the term dates for the remainder of the school year are set out below:
Last day of Autumn term - Monday 19th December 2011
Christmas Parties a.m. & p.m. on - Tuesday 20th December 2011
Return in January (Spring term) - Monday 9th January 2012
February half-term holiday - 13th – 17th February (inclusive)
Pre-school closed/non pupil day - 20th February (in line with Stanway School closure)
Easter Holiday - 2nd – 13th April (inclusive)
Closed for Bank Holiday - 7th May 2012
Half term holiday - 4th – 8th June (inclusive)
Last day of Summer Term - 19th July 2012
Our topics for the remainder of this term are as follows
7th – 11th November FIREWORKS Letter of the week v
14th – 25th November WINTER VEGETABLES Letter of the weeks t then d
28th Nov – 2nd Dec CONSTRUCTION/BUILDERS Letter of the week b
5th – 16th December GETTING READY FOR CHRISTMAS Letter of the weeks a then u
Snack
Thank you to all of you for providing a snack for your child whilst we trial this way of running snack time. We are experiencing a few teething problems as we all get used to the new way of doing things, not least remembering to return you snack boxes to you at the end of the session!
Acceptable snack foods are listed below:
All fruits (peeled or sliced where possible, grapes must be halved as they present a choking hazard)
Dried fruit
Low sugar/low salt plain cracker or biscuit (egg free).
Salad items (cucumber, tomatoes etc).
We have two children in pre-school with severe food allergies so it is very important that you provide snacks from the list above.
Obviously snack foods must be clearly named so that they are given to the right child and they should be placed in the basket provided at the beginning of the session. Baskets are labelled for morning and afternoon snacks – so if your child is staying all day you will need to place one snack item (clearly named) in each basket.
Children’s Bags
We have a number of bags of the same design being brought in to pre-school (Thomas the tank engine is always popular and Peppa Pig!). To avoid confusion could we please request that bags are clearly named. It is useful if you could provide a full change of clothes for your child and nappies, wipes and nappy sacks if your child still uses nappies. Snack foods should not be left in your child’s bag – Thank you.
Learning Journey Meetings
This is the time of year that we traditionally hold our Learning Journey Meetings. This year if you
would like to meet with you child’s key person to discuss your child’s progress, please speak directly to your child’s key person to arrange a mutually convenient appointment.
A Note from the Committee
The committee AGM took place on the 13th October, copies of the report including the financial report are on the notice board and if you require an individual copy please let us know, you are very welcome.
This coming year we shall be trying to work together with the Scouts to make improvements to the appearance of the building, we shall be investigating different ways of raising funds, making applications to various organizations along with our usual methods which include raffles and sponsored events. Currently we have applied to the Ford Motor Company for a small grant and it would help our case if we could provide a link to company. If you or a member of your family works for Ford or is a retired employee please let us know. Additionally if you have any access to corporate funding through a company you know or work for and would like to help us it would be good to hear from you. We will keep you posted with any news of improvements.
Other Information
Please don’t forget ‘Bag’s to School’ on the 16th November (by donating your old clothes, shoes, soft toys and bags we can raise significant funds for the pre-school). We have lots more blue bags if you require them and donations can be dropped off at pre-school from the 14th November onwards.
The arrangements for our Christmas parties will sent out to you shortly.
GROVE PRE-SCHOOL.
Registered Charity number 1043546
