February 2nd 2009

News from the nursery

Dear parents and carers,

Firstly, an apology for the missed issues of KGe. We have been really badly affected by staff sickness over the last fortnight, but we hope we have come through the worst of the winter bug now.

Despite all that, we have made a good start to our “Science Fortnight”. Most of the key groups have now visited the Science Museum, with one more trip on Tuesday, and we have really appreciated parent support for these visits. It’s sometimes hard to know which is the best part of the trip – the tube, the museum or the packed lunch! We have heard children asking fascinating questions, watched them making sense of Tube Maps and Oyster cards, and seen how they excited they have been by the water, light and sound play at the museum. Don’t forget that if you want to go back with your child, the Science Museum is absolutely free and tube travel is free for young children too.
Julian and Michele

News from the Community Services

Calling first-time parents

Do you know anyone who has recently had their first child?

We are running a short course for first time parents at Killick Street Health Centre at 10.30am on Fridays (January 30-February 27th).

We plan to offer a wide range of information to families including development in the first year, feeding and weaning, sleep, dental health, play and information about local services for families with young children. We offer all this information through our stay and play sessions too, so families who can’t make Fridays or who have older children can pick up what they need there. Please ask any member of the community team if you’d like to know more or come along on Friday!

Jan

12th January 2009

WELCOME back to Kate Greenaway, and a warm welcome also to all new parents and carers. KG Express comes out every Monday, and you can also read it on our blog www.kategreenaway.blogspot.com. On the back of this sheet are the key dates for the rest of the school year. This term, we also welcome Kara to the Community Services team. Sarah and Maggi are now working in Baby Nest, with Stacey on maternity leave.

 Science Fortnight 26^th Jan- 6^th Feb   

The children learn about science and the natural world through meaningful and exciting experiences. We are having a Science fortnight to extend the children’s interests in water play, the weather, materials, how things work, and what happens when I do this……?

As part of our focus we are also going to visit the Science Museum. There are three visits booked so children can go in small groups with their key person. We will need about 4 parents per visit to help us although we are very happy to take more parents along. Please look out for information and speak to your key person if you would like to come with us.  Michele

News from the Community Services

We have started the year with a new programme of ‘stay and play’ groups which run every morning from 10-12 and are open to everyone with a child aged 0-5. On Thursdays our theme is ‘being a parent’. Drop in (with or without your child!) to find our more about common issues that face parents such as tantrums, sleep and eating problems, toilet training  and much more. We also have all sorts of information about child development and ideas for activities to try at home.

News from the nursery

We listen and talk to children throughout the whole nursery session, and at key group time we put a special focus on communication. Please don’t come through to collect your child until 11.45am or 3.30pm – if you collect your child early or go into nursery, the children get distracted. If you need to pick an older child up from school, then please could you come at 3pm before the group starts? 

Dates for 2009

First day of spring term (all children)
Monday January 5th

Development morning*
Monday 19th January

Closure for training and development
Friday February 13th

Half term for children with termtime places
16th-20th February (inclusive)

Review Day*
Thursday 12th March

Development morning*
Monday 23rd March

Last day of spring term for children with termtime places
Friday April 3rd

First day of summer term for children with termtime places
Monday 20th April

Development morning*
Monday May 11th

Closure for training and development
21st-22nd May

Half term for children with termtime places
25th-29th May (inclusive)

Development morning*
Monday June 15th

Last day of term for children with termtime places
Monday 20th July

Last day of extended nursery
Friday 14th August


*On Development Mornings and Review Days we are closed for children with core day places for the morning. Children with extended day places attend a crèche provision in the morning.