Summer 2017 Newsletter – Second half of term

Welcome back after the half term break and to the last half term of this year!  For some this will be their last few weeks with us and we aim to make them as fun and memorable as possible.

Before we go further our thanks go out to our hard-working committee for organising the fund-raising event and for everyone who attended Sports Day.  We ran it a little differently to previous years and believe the new format worked well – we hope you agree!

Just before half term began we were joined by three new children: Crofton, Emily and Matilda.  They settled in beautifully, and quickly made new friends.  We also welcomed back two children from Argentina, Bartolo and Fresia, whose father visits for the polo season, and this year they also brought two friends along with them – Vicente and Amalia – and they, too, settled in well and are thoroughly enjoying the whole nursery experience.

General Election – Nursery Closure

As explained in the email, due to the village hall being used as a polling station again, and the likelihood of it being particularly busy at the hall, the nursery will not be in operation on Thursday 8^th June.  This is in line with other schools which are used as Polling Stations. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Special Events

It’s nearly time for our trip to West Wittering on Thursday 15^th June.  Let’s hope for sunny weather to add to the fun!

Sunday 9 July from 2.30pm – picnic at Autumn Woods.  Bring your picnic and join us for an afternoon at Autumn Woods.  We hope to be able to begin to plant the trees in the orchard as well.

The Leaver’s celebration will be at Autumn Woods (weather permitting) on the last day of term, Friday 14^th July.  Our leavers have been learning the background to the story of Beowulf and will be practising for an end of term performance – which is well worth a watch, so friends and family are encouraged to come along!!  We aim to conclude by around midday on the 14th, but feel free to come along with a picnic if you would like to linger after.

Holidays

Thank you to everyone who noted our request to advise us, in writing, if you plan to take your child out of nursery during term time.  Please continue to do so, and include the dates and reason for absence, as we have a statutory duty to know your child’s whereabouts if they are not at nursery as expected.  It saves time following up with phone calls whilst helping us plan our timetable.

Library Books and bags, ‘Reds’ and Green drawstring bags

We will begin to collect all the books and bags over the coming weeks.  All library books and bags, ‘reds’ and green drawstring bags must be returned to the nursery by Friday 30^th June so that we can do a stock take.  As highlighted on your invoices, if those children who are leaving us this summer fail to return any, or all of these items, costs will be deducted from your deposit refund, as we will have to make a charge for the cost of replacements. So please, do ensure that you return everything in good time.  Many thanks.

Parent Rota

A new rota for this half term is available in reception for you to sign up – we hope as many of you as possible can join us for a day or two over the coming weeks, especially if it is your child’s last term with us.

Forest School

Thank you to everyone for getting the children kitted up in their red suits prior to arrival in the mornings – it has benefitted your children no-end!  They chat with their friends until everyone is ready to leave and hop into their transport full of energy for the fun ahead.

Sainsbury’s Vouchers

There is still time to find those last few vouchers.  We will be placing our order by the end of next week so all contributions will be gratefully received – and spent wisely.

Prêt a Portrait Photos

Please don’t forget to check your child’s photo, and hopefully place an order.  You should have received your logging on instructions, but if not, let us know and we’ll follow up for you.

Thanks

Finally, a huge thank you and best of luck to all our departing children.  They have been wonderful to teach and we all wish them well in their new adventures.  Our remaining children will miss them, but will be welcoming lots of new starters when they return on 4^th September.

Enjoy the summer!

DATES FOR THE DIARY

Thursday 8^th June:                  General Election –  nursery closed

Thursday 15^th June:                 Whole nursery trip to West Wittering

Sunday 9^th July:                         End of term picnic

Friday 14^th July:                         Last day of term

Monday 4^th September:          First day of autumn term Monday 23^rd – Friday 27^th October: Half term

Tuesday 12^th December:         Dress Rehearsal

Wednesday 13^th December:   Nativity Play Friday

Friday 15^th December:            Christmas Party and End of Term

 GENERAL INFORMATION

Session Times

Monday 9.05am – 2.45pm (Pre-School children only)

Tuesday – Friday 9.05am – 12.35pm

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons sessions end at 2.45pm

Contact Details

Village Hall telephone number: 01428 658931

Nursery mobile number: 07789 987280

Nursery e-mail address: info@grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk

Nursery web-site: www.grayswoodnurseryschool.co.uk

NB The e-mail address is not accessible to staff whilst the nursery is in progress.

 STAFF AT THE NURSERY

There are currently nine members of staff on the team each of whom works on different days as shown below.  We also have Miss Maureen on Mondays for music and movement and Bollie for Playball on Tuesdays.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
Sue Bartrum	Sue Bartrum	Sue Bartrum	Lara Butler	Lara Butler
Lara Butler	Kate Dean	Kate Dean	Kate Dean	Kate Dean
Kate Dean	Richard Dean	Richard Dean	Richard Dean	Richard Dean
Richard Dean	Natasha Hayes	Liz Juson	Natasha Hayes	Natasha Hayes
Natasha Hayes	Liz Juson	Jane Tims	Anna Mitchell
Jane Tims	Jane Tims	Yvonka Wilkinson	Yvonka Wilkinson
Yvonka Wilkinson

Committee Members

This year’s committee members are currently:

Chair – Philippa Hawkins   Secretary – Charlotte Brown         Treasurer – Sarah Canning

 Finally, a few reminders:

The Nursery is not a place for poorly children.  We are a learning environment and your child needs to be well in order to engage in their learning.  If your child has been sick or had an upset tummy they must remain away from nursery for a minimum of 48 hours and not return until they have had a normal (for them) stool.  As a general rule, children taking antibiotics should not be at nursery.  Please ask us if you are unsure when your child should return to nursery after an illness.

Please keep us informed of your current contact details particularly mobile numbers.  It is essential that whilst your child is at nursery someone is available to collect them in the event of an emergency.  Please ensure if you are unavailable someone else is able to be contacted and collect your child.

Please do not let your children wear jewellery to nursery or bring small toys etc. As a guide children should not bring to nursery items which could fit inside a traditional 35mm film container.