Only 24 sleeps till Santa.

Wow the time has definately flown by, it doesn’t seem like yesterday we started back at pre-school in September. Over the last few weeks the children have been busy rehearsing for our nativity performance and making some lovely Christmas gifts that will be on sale after the nativity performance.

Our last day of term is Thursday 15^th December, and we will be having a Christmas party where the children will meet Santa and they will receive a small gift. The week leading up to the party there will be a list of food in the foyer as we are asking for donations of food for the children to enjoy at the party.

I am sorry to ask for so many donations of food and money lately but Pre-school are in financial difficulty and without your support we won’t be able to offer the children activities, like the party and various other things we do with the children. Also if you have any spare time on your hands then please help us cover staff absences, as money doesn’t allow us to employ cover for these and it will be a shame if we have to close.

Nativity

Our nativity this year is on Saturday 3^rd December. Please arrive with your child/children at 9.30am for a 10 o’clock start. Please no photos (Taken with either a camera or mobile phone). We will be taking photos of the children and putting them on a disc for you to purchase at cost value.

If Chris or Tamsin see any photos being taken they will ask for you to delete the photo and you camera be taken from you until you leave the building.

Be Prepared for the Weather

Please make sure your child has a coat, wellies, gloves and hat when they come into Pre-School. We will still be going outside come rain, shine or snow.

Please make sure all clothing and shoes have the child’s name in them, as its very difficult matching clothing to 24 children that don’t have names in them.

Health and Safety

Please make sure your child comes into pre-school wearing sensible shoes. Crocs, wellies or slippers don’t give any grip when the children are climbing and running around in the hall. Wellies are great for outdoor play but inside they need shoes. Preferably with velcro fastenings as this will enable them to become independent in taking them off and putting back on their shoes.

Who's Here Today

When you come into school in the morning please encourage your child to find their name on the board and put it on their group picture. This helps them to recognise their name, and they become familiar to the group they are in.

Feel Free to Browse

When you drop your child off in the morning why not stay for a minute and see what exciting activities we have planned for your child’s day with us. Also please look at the snack board to see what snack has been available to your child that day. The snack board is placed in the entrance hall once snack has finished. We run the digital photo frame in the entrance too so you can see what the children have been doing that week, please have a look. 

Parent & Staff Christmas Meal

If you are coming to our parents and staff Christmas meal, don’t forget it is on the 9^th December at the Dog and Badger. We are meeting there at 6.45pm as the table has been booked for 7pm. There will be a disco but unfortunately we won’t be joining it as that was arranged by another booking so we are eating in the bar area.

Parent Consultations

I hope everyone who wanted to make an appointment to see their child’s key worker was able to do so during consultation week. We feel these meetings are important between pre-school and parents. Firstly I’m sure you enjoy seeing and finding out about what your child has been doing at Pre-school but also it’s an opportunity to discuss any issues you have as a parent or we have as professionals.

Please contact us if:

Your child is unwell and is unable to attend their session; this will help us if people are after extra sessions we will then be able to let them know a place is available.

If your child is not feeling 100% please think before sending your child in to pre-school. If you do send your child into pre-school, but they have had Calpol in the last 12 hours, please let a member of staff know so we are able to monitor the child in the session.

If your child has had sickness and/or diarrhoea they MUST stay off for 48 hours from the last ‘bout’.

Are your details up to date?

Please check with Tamsin or Chris that your registration details are up to date. You may have a new phone number or moved house recently. Please also check your childs medication form as it may need updating
too. Those children who have an inhaler need to bring it in every session they are in or you need to sign a form saying your child no longer requires it.

Fees and extra sessions

Fees need paying every half term. Invoices will be issued at the beginning of each half term. If you have any outstanding fees they MUST be paid by Monday 12^th December! Please see Tamsin with any problems. If you require extra sessions for January please speak to Tamsin. Priority will be given to children who are eligible for NEF (Nursery education funding)

Chicken Pox

We have had a case of chicken pox at Pre-School this week, please be aware of the signs. Before spots appear your child may have one or more of these symptoms;

•  feeling sick
• a high temperature (fever) of 38ºC (100.4ºF) or over
• aching, painful muscles
• headache
• generally feeling unwell
• loss of appetite

Soon after the flu like symptoms an itchy rash appears ; The spots normally appear in clusters and tend to be:

• behind the ears
• on the face
• over the scalp
• under the arms
• on the chest and stomach
• on the arms and legs

Head Lice

We have had a few cases of head lice recently. Please check your child’s hair and use conditioner and a head lice comb to go comb the hair until it comes out clear of lice. Please do this every few days as that will remove any new lice that have just hatched.

Goodbye Ashleigh

It is with much regret that we have to say good-bye to Ashleigh at the end of this term. She will be leaving us to spend more time with her little girl. We will miss her at Zig Zag but wish her all the very best for the future.

Key Groups

We may have to re-structure the key groups in January, as staffing is changing. We will of course let you know if your child will be moving groups, and who their key person will be!!

Please see Tamsin if you have any concerns at all.

Diary Dates 

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!