HOLLY BANK NURSERY NEWSLETTER SPRING TERM 2023

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter, the days seem to be getting warmer and the sun has been shining! We do however love the rain.....and mud....and snow! The weather gives our children different experiences and is fantastic for working on skills such as resilience and perseverance.

The children are going to be busy over the next few weeks planting our vegetable beds. If any of you or a Grandparent would like to help with the children's vegetable plots please let a member of staff know and we can arrange a time for you to come in and have some green fingered fun with us.

The children have also been having a wonderful time practising their physical skills and balance and we are all looking forward to spending time investigating the seasonal changes and exploring the outdoor environment and its inhabitants. Don't forget our regular Stay and Play's which give you an opportunity to join in with your child's activities, talk to staff and meet other parents.

Daisies

The Daisies have enjoyed exploring the outdoors and building lovely bonds with each other.

Whilst playing outside, some of the children have taken an interest in looking for bugs whilst others have been interested in physical activities such as rolling and kicking balls and practicing to walk.

The children in Daisies have also taken an interest in sensory play, exploring different textures and materials and sounds.

Poppies

We have been exploring our outdoors in the changing weather this month from snow to sunshine! We built our own snowman then made a bug house to take care of the insects we found in the garden. We have been practicing taking care of living things by helping to feed the fish and holding ladybirds, woodlice and even slugs!

We have also been practicing our exercises – running really fast, high knees, jumping jacks and star jumps which is keeping us all really fit and healthy!

Bluebells

This month the Bluebells are learning about Spring. We have been looking at growth and changes in our environment, going on bug hunts and enjoying the milder weather. We have been reading the stick man story with puppets, masks and sticks the children have collected from the garden, recreating the story at circle time.

Diary dates

Closure dates

1^st, 8^th and 29^th May - May Bank Holidays

28th August - August Bank Holiday

Staff training day- Thursday 6^th April

Stay and Plays/Events

Monday 30^th January – Monday 6^th February - National Literacy Week.

*If you would like to come and read a story to the children please speak to your key person.

Tuesday 31^st January – Bobble Hat sing along – (All rooms) 4.30-5.30pm

Monday 6^th February- Friday 10^th February Children’s wellbeing week

• Wellbeing Wednesday 8^th February

9.30-10.30am Babies

10.30-11.30 Toddlers

2.00-3.00pm Preschool

Thursday 2nd March – World Book Day (children to come to nursery dressed as a character from a book)

Monday 13^th – Friday 17^th March – Science Week

Monday 13^th March - Daisies 4.30-5.30pm

Tuesday 14^th March - Poppies 4.30-5.30pm

Friday 17^th March - Preschool 4.30-5.30pm

Friday 17^th March – Red nose day Charity event

Nursery Education Funding - 30 hours

All 3 and 4 year olds are already entitled to 15 hours of free early education for 38 weeks of the year. There is now an additional 15 hours of free childcare available for families that meet the Government's eligibility criteria, this will also be for 38 weeks of the year.

More detail information can be found on the GOV.UK website:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/482517/Childcare_Bill_Policy_Statement_12.03.2015.pdf

Application and funding process - You will need to apply online via HMRC they have a dedicated helpdesk to support parents apply if you are unable to apply online. The link to the website is below.

https://childcare-support.tax.service.gov.uk/par/app/applynow

Eligible parents will be given a code which will be valid for 3 months, you will be asked to re-confirm your eligibility towards the end of the 3 month period. HMRC will send reminders to parents.

Staff News

Congratulations to Natalie who has given birth to Daisy on 13^th December and Chloe has also given birth to a baby girl named Nellie on 2^nd January.

Finance

Please note that our childcare software ‘Connect’ have terminated their contract with Worldpay, so we can no longer accept payment by this method. Our preferred payment method is by bank transfer (please use your child’s name as reference), TFC and Voucher. Please be reminded that fees are due on or before the 1^st of the month and payment can take 3-4 days to clear, particularly TFC and Voucher payments.

Further Information

Learning Packs

Each room has a selection of home learning packs which you are welcome to take home and complete with your child. These learning packs are a great way for you to enjoy some activities at home. Please ask your child’s keyworker for more information.

Website

Please check the ‘News’ section on our website for the full stories on all the latest news, information and updates from Portland Nurseries. http://www.portlandnurseries.co.uk/news

Working Together/ Parentzone

Please don’t forget about Parentzone which allows you to upload photos comments and videos to your child’s timeline. We always welcome contributions that will strengthen the link between home and nursery. If anyone has any problems accessing Parentzone please just let us know.

Holiday postcards and snaps

If you are going on holiday don’t forget you can upload all the exciting adventures onto your child's timeline in Parentzone!

Tax Credits

Please can we remind parents that you will need keep your invoices for tax credits. We email these to you each month.

Spare Clothes

Please can we ask parents to label all your child’s clothes clearly and to return any borrowed from the nursery.

Polite Reminder

Please would parents refrain from allowing other parents entry into the nursery premises particularly as they are exiting the nursery? All visitors, parents and carers must be authorised entry by a staff member to ensure safeguarding policies are maintained.

We have a strict No Mobile Phone policy, all visitors, parents and carers are not permitted to use their mobiles within the nursery areas indoors nor in the garden. This is a safeguarding legal requirement that we must implement.