PORTLAND HOUSE PARENT CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER 2024

As we are fast approaching the festive period I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our lovely families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New year with the very best of wishes and good health for 2025 year ahead from myself and the Portland Team. Also a big thank you for attending this year’s fundraising events in support of our chosen charity, Candlelighters. We hope to see you at our upcoming events in 2025.

We are currently still wrapped up warm and cosy enjoying the wintery weather. Over the last couple of weeks we have been taking full advantage of the varying weather participating in exciting activities in the nursery garden. Can I please remind parents to bring a fleece for your child to keep at nursery to wear under their nursery outdoor clothing and ensure all items of clothing are labelled clearly with their name.

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. We'd like to say a big thank you to all the parents who joined us for these events during 2024 and a special ‘thank you’ to those who led valuable group sessions with the children.

I look forward to meeting all the new families that have joined us and seeing the children engage in the experiences this winter wonderland season offers.

Learning focus at the moment

We will be exploring the magic that a Winter Wonderland has to offer and using our curiosity to look at the different changes in the outdoors. We will be looking at temperature changes, climate change, the Arctic and different nocturnal animals.

If you have any questions about the activities we are doing or would like any additional information please do not hesitate to contact your key person via the parents zone app who will be more than happy to assist with information regarding the activities your child has been doing.

Preschool

This term, Preschool will be carrying on the magic from Christmas time to look at the magic in fairy tales. From looking at people who help us, to superheroes who help us in stories. The children will be looking at different traditional tales such as: Snow White, The Three Little Pigs and Cinderella. Preschool will be able to create their own fairytale stories and characters using their own mythical magic! We would love to tell our children about the preschool parents favourite fairytales and if some parents could even come in to read it to our children!

Toddlers

Over the Autumn term in the toddler room we have been learning all about special events and celebrations including Diwali the festival of light, bonfire night and we also celebrated Children in Need day. The children joined in making their own sparklers using coloured sparkly materials and firework pictures with glitter to make them super bright. The children joined in with discussion sharing their own ideas and thoughts on celebrations they have been involved in at home. We have had some little chefs helping to make biscuits, we have been focusing on turn taking, weighing out the ingredients and discussing how we mix it together to cook. Next term we hope to do lots more baking getting the children involved each week. We will be sharing what lovely bakes we make including the recipe so maybe you could have a go at making them at home too.

Babies 1

This week marks the countdown to Christmas and both baby rooms have been getting in the Christmas spirit.

We have been planting our own little Christmas in the garden, we had lots of fun scooping the soil. We are also decorating it with handmade baubles that the children have been making at home and bring in. Please continue to bring in our contributions they are beautiful.

Babies 2

Our children have been super helpers helping to decorate the Christmas tree with shiny baubles and have also enjoyed reading lots of exciting Christmas stories. The child have also been learning some classic Christmas songs such as 'Jingle Bells' and 'Rudolph' and some festive arts and crafts.

Outdoors

Our ‘nurturing nature group’ lead by Alannah will resume when the evenings start to get lighter. Dates will be confirmed near the time . If anybody would like to borrow some Nurturing Nature Learnings Bags, please see Alannah in the baby room.

If there are any parents or family members that are green fingered and would be interested in helping us with the gardening club for the children or coming along to learn new skills please can you contact the office or speak to your child’s key worker.

Staff Training Day

In October the whole company staff team came together for our Annual Autumn Training Day, to enhance and develop their childcare practice for the future and reflect on the year past.

This year we focused on 2 key areas:

1. Boosting Staff Morale and Wellbeing to promote vibrant play, learning and positive behaviour. led by Jenny Mosley – Director and Founder of QCT, The Quality Circle Time (QCT) Model
2. STEAM Approaches with Everyday Materials led by Debi Keyte-Hartland, Early Childhood Pedagogical Consultant, Artist-Educator & Trainer

Our staff team thoroughly enjoyed the day and learnt lots of new activities i.e. modelling activities, circle time, light activities to name a few along with golden moments for wellbeing. An excellent and informative day with lots to take back to our nurseries!

Portland Nurseries Annual Staff Training Day | Portland Nurseries

Internal Audits

You may have noticed senior managers visiting our nursery recently. They have been conducting internal audits to ensure we maintain the highest standards of care and education. Our commitment to being an Outstanding nursery involves continuous reflection and improvement. Action points from these audits then form part of our Quality Improvement Plans, which help us identify areas for enhancement and celebrate our successes. By constantly evaluating and refining our practices, we aim to provide the best possible environment for your children to learn and grow.

Annual Award

We are thrilled to share that we recently held our annual awards party, a cherished tradition where we come together to celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of our staff. Recognising and appreciating our team's efforts is essential, as their passion and commitment directly impact the nurturing and enriching environment we provide for your children. By celebrating our staff, we not only acknowledge their outstanding contributions but also inspire continuous growth and excellence within our nursery community. Their unwavering care helps to ensure that your little ones receive the best possible start in their educational journey. This year our Educator of the Year was awarded to Clara.

Staff News

Congratulations to Rebecca and Louise who have both successfully attained their level 3 Early Years Educator qualifications after starting their journey as an apprentice and are now employed as Early Years Educators.

We welcome Molly who has moved from the Head Office and will now be working at Portland House as Nursery Administrator. Molly is looking forward to meeting you and helping with any support and advice you may need.

Sadly we say goodbye to Shabnam from the preschool team whom has transitioned back to Bradley House. You may see her from time to time.

Diary Dates

School Applications for Sept 2025 - You can apply online for a school place in September 2025, between 1 September 2024 and 15 January 2025. If you apply after this date it can severely reduce your chances of obtaining a place at your preferred school. To complete this form you will need; A valid email address.

Christmas Jumper Week – Monday 16^th to 20^th December. £2.00 donations for dressing in your festive knitwear. Everyone is welcome to wear something Christmassy, bright or sparkly and join in the fun! Come to nursery in your Christmas jumper. A charitable donation of £2.00 in aid of Candlelighters would be most welcome.

Children’s Festive Lunch - Friday 20^th December. (Menu to follow)

Stay and Play events

We look forward to you seeing you at our monthly Stay and Play's which give you an opportunity to join in with your child's activities, talk to staff and meet other parents.

I look forward to meeting all the new families that have joined us.

January Stay and Play

Thursday 19^th – Preschool (9.30-11.00am)

Tuesday 21^st – Toddlers (4.15-5.15pm)

Tuesday 21^st – Babies (10.00-11.00am)

February Stay and Play

Wednesday 30^th – Preschool (4.00-5.30pm)

Thursday 13^th – Toddlers (2.15-3.15pm)

TO FOLLOW – Babies

Nursery Closure Dates

Thursday 25th December– 1st January 2025 - Christmas Holiday

(Nurseries reopens on 2nd January 2025)

Upcoming Events

Thursday 2^nd January – Friday 10^th January – Recycle your Christmas cards

We are asking if parents could bring in a few old Christmas cards so the children can make bookmarks, tree decorations for 2025 etc.

Friday 17^th January – Thursday 23^rd January – Big Energy Savings Week

The children will be learning about electricity and how it is made and exploring different ways we can save water.

Friday 24^th January – Friday 26^th January – Big Garden Birdwatch

The children will be exploring the similarities and differences between different birds as well as learning some bird fun facts.

Friday 24^th January – Burns Night

The children will take part in some Scottish themed activities as well as doing some food tasting.

Wednesday 29^th January – Lunar New Year and National Puzzle Day

2025 is the ‘Year of the Snake’ in the Lunar Calendar. The children will also be using their teamwork skills to put together some puzzles

Further information

Mobile Phones

Please can I remind parents that the use of mobile phones on nursery premises is strictly prohibited, you must not take any photographs or videos at nursery or at any nursery events. Using your mobile phone breaks the statutory welfare requirements and is also a breach of safeguarding policies to which we must adhere.

Lost and Found Property

We kindly request your cooperation in labelling your child's belongings, including shoes, clothes, hats and other personal items. Clear labelling with your child's name will help ensure that everything is returned to its rightful owner. This simple step will save time and minimise any potential mix-ups. Please check the Lost and Found property boxes periodically to retrieve any misplaced items.

Winter Outdoor Clothing

During the colder months, please ensure your child has suitable clothing to participate comfortably in all aspects of outdoor play that are all clearly labelled with their name and that can be kept at nursery.

We would kindly request that you bring a warm fleece to wear under the outdoor coats and a pair wellingtons for participating in outdoor play. Scarves hats and gloves will be advisable once the weather becomes milder.

Nursery Fee Payment Reminder

Quite a few payments are coming in after 1^st of the month. Just a reminder that all payments must reach our bank account before the 1^st of each month this includes all childcare vouchers, Tax Free Childcare Payments and Bank Transfers. Any parents paying by SLC with need to pay their monthly top up amount by 1^st also. Please note that payments usually take 3-4 business days to reach our account.

Any payments received after 1^st of the month will incur a £20 late payment charge and continued failure to pay will be charged at a daily rate of 8% of the outstanding balance.