As you are by now aware Tamsin is leaving us at half term and we would like to wish her all the best for the future and thank her for all her committed hard work. We are also saying good bye to Beth and Alex who have also contributed so much and all three of them will be missed by the children, staff and parents who have come to know and love them! Good luck from everyone at ZigZag.

As a result of these staff changes a lot of work has been going on behind the scenes to ensure the pre-school maintains its high calibre of staff. You may have noticed a few new faces floating around and we hope to announce a new leader in the new term. In the meantime we have a very experienced temporary leader coming in this week (w/c 6^th Feb) to initiate a full handover from Tamsin so that she in turn can hand over once we have interviewed and appointed a permanent leader. Interviews have also been held for another level 2 member of staff to complete the team and the successful applicant will be announced in due course. We will keep you posted!

We would also like to thank the parent helpers who have been in recently to play. A huge THANK YOU to Mary, Heidi, Nicky, Julia, Hayley, Lyndsey, Abi and Donna. Without this support the pre-school would not be able to continue.

If you would like to come in and play or could offer some help in another way, please, please, please speak to a member of the staff or committee who are all friendly people and love talking pre-school!

Whilst on the subject of the committee, we would like to update you on a few changes here as well. Sarah Pickford who has had the very tough job of being chairperson is stepping down due to other commitments. We would like to thank her for her efforts and continued support and hard work! Taking Sarah’s place as chairperson is Julia Minott (Joshua and Sofia’s mum) who has been doing a brilliant job as secretary and so is in a great position to take over.

The committee is an ever evolving thing because we are doing it in our spare time and so if you feel that you have something to offer, please ask a member of staff or the committee who can tell you when the next meeting will be. You don’t need to take on any specific role and you don’t need to make any long-term commitment. We would just love to get to know you and maybe you could spare some time to help us at our next fundraising event?

Who’s here today?

Please can we ask that you continue to 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.

Quiz Night success!

Quiz Night took place on Saturday 28^th January, as advertised and from the feedback received so far, everyone had a brilliant time! Again we would like to thank all the volunteers and a special thank you to Julia and Robert Minott who arranged and hosted the evening. We are so pleased to announce that the total raised was in excess of £600! This is a new record for Zig-Zag pre-school! All in all an enjoyable evening and a fabulous total raised, we can’t ask for more than that so thank you everyone who came along to support us!

Be prepared for the weather !

So far the forecast for February has been pretty chilly with temperatures in Europe plummeting to minus 30 in some places though fortunately not here! Please ensure your child has a coat, wellies, scarf, 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 things sometimes get mixed up or misplaced.

Health and Safety

Please make sure your child comes into pre-school wearing sensible shoes. Crocs or wellies 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 with preferably Velcro fastenings as this will enable them to become independent in taking them off and putting their shoes back on.

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 their day with us.

When you pick up again, you can also 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.

Are your details up to date?

Please check with Chris that your registration details are up to date. Have you got a new phone number or moved house recently?

Please could you also check your child’s 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.

Also if you are not receiving our text alerts or wish to receive newsletters etc via email please see Chris so your details can be added or amended as necessary.

Fees, sessions & after Easter

Fees need paying every half term. Invoices will be issued at the beginning of each half term and some are outstanding. We need prompt payment please to avoid you being charged interest!

If you would like extra sessions after Easter please speak to a member of staff who will be glad to help!

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 them into pre-school. If you do send your child into pre-school, but they have had Calpol (or equivalent) in the last 12 hours, please let a member of staff know so we are able to monitor the child in the session.

The bugs are back in town!

We have been made aware that there have been cases of headlice and worms recently. Please ensure that you check your child’s hair regularly and that long hair is tied up to avoid spreading or catching headlice.

Please continue to get your child to make sure they are washing their hands thoroughly after visiting the toilet and before eating as this also helps to fight the worms and any other bugs that may be going around!

Jumble sale

We are still collecting for our first Zig-Zag jumble sale which is being held at Flitwick Scout Hut on Saturday 25^th February, from 2.30pm until 4.30pm so if you have got any unwanted items that you would like to donate please can you bring them up to pre-school as soon as possible? We are hoping to add a few more pennies to the Zig-Zag funds and the more jumble we get the better!

Thank you to those parents who have already offered to help at the event. We need a couple more to make the jumble sale a success. Please pass your name to a member of staff or Julia, if you can help on the day from 1.30pm.

Have a brilliant half term!

Last but not least we would like to wish you and your families a lovely half term and we look forward to seeing you back on w/c Monday 20^th February!



Diary Dates

FEBRUARY

Half Term, week beginning
13^th

Back to
School week beginning 20^th

Jumble Sale, Flitwick Scout Hut 25^th

MARCH

Mothers Day Coffee Morning 14^th

Spring Term ends 29^th

APRIL

Training Day 16^th

Summer Term starts 17^th

MAY

May Bank Holiday 7^th

JUNE

Half Term week beginning 4^th

Dad’s week 11^th

Sports Day 14^th

JULY

Summer Term ends 20^th