Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children's Centre

Hello, and welcome to our blog where you can find out current news about Kate Greenaway Nursery School and Children's Centre. We are one of Islington's Children's Centres. You might also want to visit our website to find more information, or email us if you have a query.

Wednesday 24 June 2009

June 24th 2009

Parent Survey 2009

During this week and next, your key person will give you a copy of Islington’s Annual Survey. We hope you will be able to spend a few minutes filling the form in.

The surveys are then sent to Islington, who collate the findings – no-one here at Kate Greenaway sees them.

It is helpful to everyone if you give your views as clearly and honestly as possible; then we will know from Islington’s feedback what we are doing well, and what we should do better. There is a handwritten number on your form and envelope but this does not link it to you – each block of forms we give out is numbered, so that if there are groups of parents and users who are not responding, we can give out more forms or encourage returns.

But it is optional, and entirely your decision.

Last year we got a very high response rate – so please, if you have a few minutes, fill in a survey and return it in the envelope provided.

If you want a form: drop into Kate Greenaway and ask for one at the office, or phone Family Information Service on 020 7527 5959.

You can have the document in large print, Braille, audiotape or in another language.

There is no option to complete the form online, but you can email Family Information Service who can send you a copy.

Reminder: Important Dates

Friday 3rd July
Summer Fun Day and Picnic

Monday 20th July
Last day of school summer term

17th August — 4th September (inclusive)
Nursery closed for all children

Monday 7th September
First day of the winter term

Monday 22nd September
Development Morning Closure *

Monday 26th-Friday 30th October
School half term

Thursday 12th November
Review Day **

Monday 30th November
Development Morning Closure *

Friday 18th December
Last day of winter term

24th December – 1st January (inclusive)
Nursery closed for all children

Monday 4th January 2010
First day of spring term

Monday 15 – Friday 19th February
School half term

Thursday 1st April
Last day of spring term

* On Development Mornings, the nursery is closed all morning and opens at 1pm. ** On Review Days the nursery is closed so that we can meet with every parent and carer to review each child’s development. The nursery stays open for children with extended day/year places.

Friday 19 June 2009

22nd June 2009

Summer Fun Day

On Friday 3rd July it’s our Summer Fun day and picnic at Kate Greenaway. We are looking to go better than last year’s event, which was a fantastic get-together of over a hundred people sharing food and enjoying the garden.

The event runs from 3.30pm-6pm. We are planning to offer:

  • Lots of food to enjoy from different cultures and cooking styles

  • Face painting

  • Henna

  • Lucky dip

  • Smoothie and barbecue stall

  • Plant sale


Have you got any good ideas for a stall or an event? You might be able to help provide music, dance or other entertainment, or have a good idea for a stall? If so, then please talk to or email Julian or Michele. We will also be looking for parents to bring food to share with others.


Staffing update


There are a few changes happening to our staffing over the next few months.


Jan will be interim acting head of the Golden Lane Children’s Centre next term. Although we’ll really miss Jan for the term, I know that all the staff are really thrilled for her that she has been asked to take this post on, in recognition of all her achievements at Kate Greenaway.


Karen will be taking over as the team leader for Baby Nest, and Debbie will be taking on Karen’s post of leading on the extended day/year provision.

Anontella will be moving to Baby Nest, too, with Vicky moving to the Nursery Team temporarily whilst we recruit for a permanent member of staff.

In January 2010, Stacey will be returning from her maternity leave to resume her post with the Baby Nest team. We are nearly all set to get the Community Kitchen up and running from September, when we plan to take on cooking meals here and a whole range of other things, too, including selling lunches and ready-prepared meals to families.


Julian

Thursday 11 June 2009

12th June 2009

Review Day: we’re sorry


We unfortunately had to reschedule the Review Day for most children because we had under-estimated how much time it would take to put together the reports for the leavers and make sure we had the right information ready about all the other children, too. We made every effort to tell each parent in person, but we’re sorry if anyone got missed out and also sorry if it has caused you inconvenience.

We are meeting with all the parents of children who are leaving this week, and we will meet everyone else on Monday 22nd June. This means that if your child has a core day place, there will not be the usual nursery day on the 22nd, just a "crèche place" so you can meet with your key person. Families with extended day/year places are not affected, and staff will make individual arrangements to meet that group of parents.

The new date: Review Day for children with Core Day places is Monday 22nd June.

Please remember that Monday 15th June (this Monday coming) is a staff development morning. This means that nursery opens at 1pm for children with Core Day places.


Parentline Plus

Financial pressures can put families under strain, and with the current economic times, some families will be affected. Parentline Plus (funded by the Departments for Children, Schools and Families) offers parents emotional support and signposting to specialist advice on any issue from difficult toddlers to challenging teens and family rows.

Many parents have found Parentline Plus' 24-hour, free and confidential helpline 0808 800 2222 invaluable.

Monday 1 June 2009

1st June 2009

Sunny weather

Although we have a well-shaded garden it’s still important to make sure that children do not get too much sun.

• Children must wear a T-shirt or other top which covers their shoulders (not vests, not strappy tops or dresses please).

• Children should also bring a hat to wear in the garden – you might want to label it with your child’s name.

• Please put plenty of sun cream on your child before the start of the day. We have some SP 15 sunscreen which we can put on children during the day, but we prefer it if your child has her or his own bottle of sunscreen.

For more information, go to NHS Direct

Dates

Important dates 2009-2010


Thursday 11th June
Review Day **


Monday 22nd June
Development Morning Closure *


Friday 3rd July
Summer Fun Day and Picnic


Monday 20th July
Last day of summer term


17th August — 4th September (inclusive)
Nursery closed for all children


Monday 7th September
First day of the winter term


Monday 22nd September
Development Morning Closure *


Monday 26th-Friday 30th October
School half term


Thursday 12th November
Review Day **


Monday 30th November
Development Morning Closure *


Friday 18th December
Last day of winter term


24th December – 1st January (inclusive)
Nursery closed for all children


Monday 4th January 2010
First day of spring term


Monday 15 – Friday 19th February
School half term


Thursday 1st April
Last day of spring term


* On Development Mornings, the nursery is closed all morning and opens at 1pm. ** On Review Days the nursery is closed so that we can meet with every parent and carer to review each child’s development. The nursery stays open for children with extended day/year places.

See Islington Term Dates 2009-2010