May 19th 2010

Thinking about benefits, studying or work?

Are you interested in thinking about training or returning to work? Or maybe you want to be sure that you are getting your full entitlement to benefits or find out if you can afford childcare? There is a new local organisation to help families think through their choices called Islington Working for Parents. Marius from IWP is at Kate Greenaway every Thursday morning between 10 and 12 to meet parents and offer free support and advice about benefits, training and employment. If you’d like to know more please do come and meet him on Thursdays or ask Liz, Kara, Jan or Michele to find out more.

This Friday is the end of Adult Learners Week and City and Islington College are holding Fun Day Friday for parents and children, 3.30-6pm at the Centre for lifelong learning, 28-42 Blackstock Road. There will be loads for children to do, family entertainment and lots of information and for adults thinking about studying or returning to work. Pick up a leaflet from reception or simply go along.

Get Ready for Sunny Days

If you have a child in nursery please do make sure that they bring a sunhat and come with some covering on their shoulders (a t-shirt rather than a vest when possible). We will provide sun cream but many parents prefer to bring their own, if this is you please do bring it asap so we’re all ready when the sun finally shines….

Here We Grow Again!

Venti, our extra special gardening teacher has been helping the children plant out lots of plants for families to take home as part of our annual ‘Here We Grow’ project. Families have taken tomatoes, beans and pumpkins to grow on window ledges, balconies or in any corner with a little light. If you’d like to take part but haven’t got your plant yet let us know. We can offer some tips for getting the best out of your plants and we hope everyone will let us know how they get on.

KGE 11th May 2010

Tuesday 11th May 2010
Dear parents and carers,

Whole Centre Closure
Just a reminder for all families that the centre will be closed on Monday 17th May all day for staff training. We will re-open to all children on Tuesday 18th May at the usual time.

Fluoride Varnishing programme
Kate Greenaway is one of the first Children’s Centre’s in Islington to offer this free programme for children aged 3. An oral health professional is coming to the nursery and stay & play sessions on Thursday & Friday this week (13th & 14th) from 9am to tell parents more about the programme which we hope to offer to all interested families at the end of May. Please do ask Jan or Michele to find out more before then.

Late collection of Children
Children with core day places finish nursery at 3:30pm
Please remember that you need to be at nursery at 3:25 to give yourself time for a handover discussion with your key person and to collect your child’s things. After 3:30 is late and makes it very difficult for both the children and the staff team who are trying to organise the end of day session for the extended day children. If you would like any more information about this please speak to Michele or Jan.

Toys and other personal items in nursery
We are becoming over whelmed by the number of toys the children are bringing into nursery. Please try to limit items from home to special transitional items that have been agreed by your key person. It is impossible for the staff team to keep an eye on toys from home and very difficult for the children when they are lost or if the children do not want to share them.