Dear parents,

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a relaxing Christmas and are ready for the term ahead.

Here are a few reminders as we start the new term:

• You will find the key dates for your diary attached; please refer to the website and notice board for any additions or changes.

• Please clearly name items of clothing, especially wellington boots, slippers, coats, scarves and hats.

• There is a list in the cloakroom to notify the staff if your child is to be collected by someone other than yourself. Please remember to complete this if necessary and mention the arrangement to a member of staff. We cannot allow an older sibling to collect a child from Nursery.

• Early Bird Sessions run from 7.45am until 8.45am which include a light breakfast.

We would like to bring your attention to the workshop ‘How Does Your Child Learn In Nursery?’ which is to be held on Tuesday 9^th February at 7.30pm. This will provide an informal overview of our curriculum. There will be an opportunity for you to have a go at a selection of activities available in different areas of the nursery! We would appreciate your ideas on anything you would be interested in us covering in future workshops.

This term in our small group talk time we are encouraging the children to bring in items of interest rather than toys. Such items could, for example, be a photo, ticket, cooking utensil or acorn. We hope the children will be able to talk about an experience/activity which they have done with friends or family outside the nursery. We will not be providing the in and out ‘boxes’ and labels. Your child should give their item directly to the welcoming teacher. Please prepare your child for the possibility that the item may not be discussed on the actual day it is brought in.

The topic this term is ‘Story time’ allowing us to explore children’s literature. There will be detailed plans posted on the notice board on a weekly basis as will the planned trips. If you have any favourite children’s stories, in particular, linked to a different country or culture please share them with us.

Alongside this, we will incorporate various seasonal festivals such as Chinese New Year, spring changes, Saint days and so on. If you feel you can, and would like to contribute here – through resources, gardening, cooking, sewing…please let us know.

Your help and support will be greatly appreciated!

The Nursery Team