Nursery, Willow and Rowan Class Spring Term Letter 2014

Dear Parent, As we embark on the start of the Spring Term, I would like to wish you a Happy New Year, and extend a very warm welcome to all of our new children and their parents who are joining us. We look forward to getting to know you and hope that you enjoy your time with us! This term the children will be focussing their activities around the theme of Whatever the Weather as well as considering the seasonal changes from winter through to spring and experiencing a variety of cultural celebrations (Chinese New Year, Shrove Tuesday, Holi and Easter). Please find attached some suggestions for activities that you might like to try at home to support your child in these areas, but remember, they are only a starting point and we would love to hear about any other ideas that you may have and would like to share with other parents. Towards the end of the term we will be inviting the children to design and make an Easter bonnet at home that they can then wear for a parade that will be held during our Eggstravaganza - details of which will follow nearer the time so start getting your thinking caps on - or your bonnets! Throughout the term we are hoping to make the most of our wonderful outdoor environment and it is therefore important to ensure that children have adequate protection against the elements on a daily basis (i.e. a warm, waterproof coat, wellingtons and gloves etc.) As with school uniform, please ensure that all items of clothing and footwear are clearly labelled with your childs name, and please support them at home with regard to being able to dress and undress themselves independently. We frequently try to heighten the childrens awareness with regard to staying safe when out and about, and remind them about the potential dangers of traffic on the roads. Please help us to re-enforce this important message by ensuring that your child remains with you during their approach to and from the school gates as there continues to be a lot of vehicles using Hemsworth Way throughout the school day. Can we also remind parents that the car park is not to be used by parents and/or carers, as again this poses a potential danger to pedestrians. Please also remind any friends/relatives that are meeting your child for you as obviously they may not be aware of school policy. Thank you. Last term, we were delighted with the way in which the children in Willow and Rowan class settled and adjusted to new routines and expectations. It is now important for them to organise themselves independently in the morning. We would ask parents to support us by getting their children to come into the locker area and classrooms by themselves. Members of staff will be there to support them if necessary. Can we please remind all parents that the doors open at 8:50am for the morning session and that children should be in school and seated with the doors closed ready for the register to be taken at 9:00am. For children attending the afternoon session in Nursery, the gate will be opened at 12:45pm, all children then finish at 3:15pm. Thank you. We appreciate that from time to time, you may need to make changes to the usual collection arrangements for your child. If this is the case, please remember to write a message in the class book as well as informing a member of staff and please ensure that your child is collected promptly to avoid any un-necessary anxiety for them. If a change to plan occurs during the day, please ensure that you phone the school and let the office know so that a message can be given to the class teacher before home time. And for all three classes, if for any reason you need to speak to a member of staff, please bear with us and wait until we have seen all the children safely out before coming back in, when we can then give you our full attention. Thank you for your patience!

Also, a little reminder that if your child is poorly, whilst we are delighted to hear that they still want to come to school, they should remain at home until well again, and if they have experienced sickness or diarrhoea, should not return to school until 48 hours after their last bout of illness. Likewise, if your child is experiencing any flu like symptoms, then please also keep them at home. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. I have a few dates for your diary, but please also keep a look out in The Bell and on the notice boards (located next to the Nursery gate and on the Reception demountable) and of course your childs class blog. Parent meetings will take place on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February (more details to follow nearer the time). Half-term begins on Monday 17th February for one week and School closes on Thursday 10th April for the two week Easter holiday (Staff will be in school on the Friday for a PD Day). For our new parents, included with this letter is a copy of the letter formation that we use in school, and a list of the actions that the children will be learning to help them remember the letter sounds it would be great if you could encourage your child to teach you the short songs that we sing as well! (These are the Jolly Songs from the Jolly Phonics series). Please also read the copy of the Play Area safety rules - we hope that you find these useful. Can we please remind parents of the importance of sharing a book regularly with your child, and for the parents of the children in Willow and Rowan class, please try to write in your childs planner after reading with them at least three times a week, children are able to change their books when they come into school each day. As always, we would be delighted to hear of any developing interests that your child has at home and any personal achievements etc. that they experience over the coming weeks and months, so remember to keep us informed! Enjoy the term ahead, and please dont hesitate to contact either myself or a member of the team if you have any queries or concerns, we will always do our best to help. Yours sincerely,

Mrs S. L. Wilson Nursery Manager

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT WHATEVER THE WEATHER AT HOME Talk about different clothing to wear for different weather conditions ~ compare the different materials and their properties Support children in being able to do up their own zips and buttons etc. Look at the effects of different weather conditions ~ i.e. strong winds, heavy rain

Explore different weather conditions ~ i.e. splashing in puddles, building snowmen, flying kites Watch the weather reports on the news Share weather related stories and rhymes

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT SEASONAL CHANGES Look at the changes taking place in the garden i.e. leaves falling off trees, new shoots and blossom growing in the spring etc. Plant bulbs and seeds and care for them together watching for signs of growth Explore the garden / park identifying a range of colours, shapes and sounds etc. Provide food and water for the birds ~ how many different ones visit over a period of time? Share storybooks and rhymes etc. that have a seasonal / weather focus

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIVITIES TO SUPPORT CELEBRATIONS Talk about and look at photographs of family celebrations that have been enjoyed in the past Visit the library and look at books relating to festivals and celebrations from around the world ~ discuss the costumes worn, food eaten and activities engaged in etc. Look out for news reports of celebrations, i.e. Chinese New Year Enjoy some celebratory food together e.g. pancakes, hot cross buns, and look at the recipes and ingredients used Help your child to make cards to send to friends and loved ones Have an Easter Egg hunt in the house / garden

Remember, these are only a few starting points, feel free to add your own ideas!