Nursery News
Make a change today
15 Feb 13
The Minister Elizabeth Truss has recently published a highly controversial paper “More Great Childcare”. There are a number of proposed changes but a key issue is her proposal to change the staffing ratios in order to force nurseries to reduce fees to parents. While we agree with the principle of making childcare affordable we do not agree that forcing staff to care for larger groups is
Snow time
29 Jan 13
The children have had a wonderful time playing in the snow over the last couple of weeks. They have been sledging, throwing snow balls, making snow angels, snowmen, snow dogs and even a snow woolly mammoth.
Here are some of the benefits that snow play can bring to your child
There are many benefits to children’s development through the provision of snow
Star performance for the residents at Lindley Grange
29 Jan 13
A group of pre-school children from Portland House spent a lovely morning at Lindley Grange Care Home for a special story telling session. They performed one of their favourite fairy tales 'Goldilocks and the 3 Bears' and sang songs. They even did this twice for the residents downstairs and upstairs.
One of our nursery children Isla who doesn't’t usually come to nursery on
Children helping children
18 Dec 12
The children, parents and staff at Portland Nurseries have been donating toys to our local charity the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice to help raise funds this Christmas.
The Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice has been raising awareness around their toy appeal over recent weeks, and we have shown our support with many kind donations from our families.
Children at
Pyjama party for Children in Need
27 Nov 12
Well done to all the children, staff and parents at Portland House who raised £193 for Children in Need. The children came to nursery dressed in their favourite pyjama's. There was a bun and cake sale and the nursery raffled a Pudsey bear sponge cake which was won by Lachlan in Pre-school. We also auctioned a signed 'Huddersfield Town Football' which was won by Amanda in Poppies.
Jan White renowned expert in Outdoor Play leads company training day
06 Nov 12
We were very lucky to have Jan White, the world renowned expert on Outdoor play lead our staff training day this month. Jan posed the question “How can our outdoor space become an ‘enabling environment’ with the potential to support each child to be a unique, competent learner and to make progress at their own pace in a challenging and enjoyable way?”
Nursery Staff applaud Outstanding Contribution to Special Needs and their Rising Stars
06 Nov 12
All 80 staff from Harlequin, Holly Bank, Oakwood House and Portland House Nurseries gathered at the Textile Centre for Excellence on Friday November 2nd 2012 for their training day followed by the Portland Nurseries Annual review and Awards presentation.
Pam Burrell, who has worked at Portland House for over 15 years, received an Outstanding Contribution Award for her work across all four nurseries for Special Needs. Rosemary Murphy OBE
Outstanding Achievement
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05 Oct 12
A big thank you to all the parents, family and friends who have helped us raise an outstanding £4752 for our chosen charity the Forget Me Not Children's Hospice.
Fundraising highlights have included a Den Making Festival, where the children, staff and parents came together to build their own dens out of the nurseries natural woodland resource’s, Sponsored Olympics, Tandem Sky Diving, Travelling
A bug’s life
11 Sep 12
We are expecting a number of new guests to check into Portland House this Autumn at our very own Bug Hotel! Over the summer the children have been helping to create a bug hotel at the bottom of the garden which will provide a rich habitat to encourage a range of mini beasts to visit our garden. The nursery families and staff have all joined in collecting materials
Transition to school
18 Jul 12
Starting school is a big step for both the child and their family. We work in partnership with parents and the local schools to fully prepare your child for the new challenge.
We invite our parents to a presentation on the transition process into school and the practices we have in place at nursery to ensure a smooth transition for all children and parents.
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