Here is our current newsletter:
The Athelstan Nursery Newsletter
July 2011 - Term 6
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to the last newsletter for this Nursery year. We have been happy to invite and welcome all reception class teachers from our feeder schools to visit the nursery, with most teacher's taking up this offer, they have been able to see the children busily interacting with each other and actively engaged in play. All schools have invited children in to spend some time with them prior to starting school in September. A Summative Assessment Record will be completed for each child leaving to go to school, this record will be shared with you at the parent/carer consultation in July and then sent on to the reception class that your child will attend in September. This record will help to ensure that your child continues to achieve.
Staff
We say goodbye to Janet at the end of this term. Janet has worked at the Nursery for over 20 years and for the past 3 years been a very supportive deputy, she has seen the nursery grow from a small Play group to the successful Nursery that it is today, her input has been invaluable. Janet has always shown commitment, respect, care and loyalty to the families in the nursery, she has skilfully handmade many resources for the children and in particular beautiful 'story sacks'. Janet has helped lay firm and positive foundations for hundreds of families during her time at the nursery, she will be sadly missed by all. We will be celebrating Janet's journey with the children in the afternoon of Wednesday 20th July from 2pm until 4pm with a garden party. All families both past and present are welcome to join us at this time. We will have a memory book for you to sign and write a message in and have begun a collection for a fitting gift. Please speak to a member of staff if you would like to contribute. Please also pass this message on to any past parents who have been involved with the nursery in previous years as they too might like to join us for the afternoon garden party.
We have all attended the first two sessions of Makaton and have already introduced new signs. A small number of parents have joined us and this been very successful. We will be looking to accredit our Nursery as a Makaton friendly setting in the new Nursery Year.
Learning and Development
We began the Term with a visit to Fairlight Hall, this engaged many of the children's interest in castles, knights horses, kings and queens. The children have been busy transforming the home corner into a castle, making jam tarts and using junk modelling to make hobby horse's. The garden has bloomed with the change in weather conditions and all children have been involved in weeding, watering and observing changes. The children have used the spare Wellington boots as planters and will all take one home at the end of term. We have continued our focus on shapes, sorting and problem solving. The children have been actively engaged with identifying shapes through table top games and finding shapes in and around the nursery, in the garden and at the snack bar. Transitions to school and discussions around this very important time have been the focus for group discussions, making new friends and saying goodbye are the foundations for new and exciting beginnings. We have been welcoming new friends to the nursery who will join us in September.
Snack Bar
The Snack bar continues to be a very popular area of the nursery and much learning has naturally occurred here. The children have all developed social skills, hand eye co-ordination, colour and shape recognition, experienced a wide range different foods and learnt many makaton signs. I would like to thank all parents who have regularly and generously donated to this area of learning.
Parents/Carers.
The children leaving to go to school have had a group and single photograph taken with Tempest photography. This was an enriching experience that reflects the positive image in which the children are portrayed. As soon as the photographs have been received by nursery they will be available to purchase, photographs will need to be paid for before Tuesday 19th July.
Parents/carers consultations have again been very positive, and it is clear that strong relationships have been developed between staff and parent/carers. This has been beneficial to your child's learning and development here at the nursery. We very much value your contribution and views. Please take time to add your views to the parent/carer comment book or you might like to add a suggestion in the suggestion box. Both are now available daily and are located on the green writing table in the main hall.
Date for your diary:
Wednesday 20th July Normal Nursery Day 9.30 - 10.00 Nursery leavers show 10.15 - 12.15 End of term party 2.00pm - 4.00pm Garden Celebration Party
All children are welcome to attend the last day of term. If your child is not normally in on this day you will need to stay with them.
Monday 5th September First day of term
We wish children entering school in September a happy and settled start to school life. We feel privileged to have shared this last year with them.
Thank you for your continued support.
Lisa
Staff only: edit newsletter.