Latest Pre-School Newsletter
BILLERICAY CATHOLIC PRE-SCHOOL NEWSLETTER –JANUARY/FEBRUARY2020
Happy New Year to everyone. All the staff would like to thank you for all our lovely Christmas cards, presents and very generous contributions towards our Christmas lunch on the last of day term. They were all very much appreciated.
FUNDRAISING
Thank you for all for your support and generosity with the Christmas Hamper raffle. The amout raised will go towards purchasing some more new indoor equipment and further developing our nature area in the garden.
HALF TERM
We will be closed for one week from Monday 17h – Friday 21st February and we come back on Monday 24th February.
PRE-SCHOOL FEES
If your child is not eligible for Free Early Education Entitlement Funding of fees, i.e. they have not reached their third birthday before the 31st December 2019, fees are now due for the six week period 6th January – 14th February at £12.25 a session. Fees for lunch club are £2.50 per session.
We ask for a voluntary contribution towards children's snacks pf 50p per session
An invoice for your fees will be ready for you to collect in the foyer during the first week of term.
This will show the total amount of your fees.
The amount of the voluntary contribution for snacks will be shown separately
CHILDREN IN RECEIPT OF FREE EARLY YEARS ENTITLEMENT FOR 3-4 YEAR OLDS AND 30 HOUR ENTITLEMENT
You will be given an invoice detailing the number of funded hours you are claiming with this setting and the amount of any unfunded hours you have agreed to pay for
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION FOR CHILDREN'S SNACKS
We ask for a voluntary contribution of 50p a session towards children's snacks
This cannot be shown on invoices for children in receipt of funding
As an example: If your child attends 2 sessions a week this would amoun to £1 a week x 6 weeks = £6
If your child attends 3 sessions a week this would amount to £1.50 a week x 6 = £9
FUNDING FOR TWO YEAR OLDS
The Pre-school is eligible to offer funding the term after your child’s second birthday if you meet certain financial criteria. Details of this were provided in your information pack when your child started Pre-school. If you have any queries please ask the Supervisor.
30 HOURS EXTENDED ENTITLEMENT OFFER
We are only able to offer 21.5 hours because of the availaility of the hall.
Please visit www.essex.gov.uk/earlyyears , speak to your local Family Hub or call 0800 055 6874 to find out more about this. There is also a poster displayed and leaflets available in the foyer.
EXTRA SESSIONS IN SEPTEMBER
We will be completing our intake of children for September 2019/January 2020 during the next few weeks. If you would like extra sessions for your child in September, please let us know as soon as possible.
PRE-SCHOOL WAITING LIST
Please remember to complete a registration form for any younger siblings not yet on our waiting list. It is never too early to put your child’s name down.
CLOSURE DUE TO SNOW
In the event of snow please check our face book page
You will also be sent an email if we are unable to open
CHILDREN’S SHOE BAGS
We have several children attending Pre-school who have severe food allergies and we must insist that you do not put food of any kind, medicines, creams or other inappropriate items in your child’s shoe bag as these are accessible to other children when they are getting ready to go home
MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB - CONTENTS OF CHILDREN’S LUNCH BOXES
We have been strongly advised, to avoid choking hazards in children, to insist that grapes are cut into four lenghways, cherry tomatoes are cut into small pieces, cocktail sausages are cut lengthways and cucumber is cut into batons. We must also ask that you do not put in any food containing nuts or traces of nuts.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Please leave a warm coat and a pair of suitable shoes in your child’s bag to change into for outdoor play. Please remember that we now have a mud kitchen in the outside area. It would be a great help if you could put your child’s name in their indoor and outdoor shoes and coats and on their bags.
CHILDREN'S ABSENCE FROM PRE-SCHOOL
We now require that you let us know when your child is going to be absent from Pre-school and provide an explanation for their absence.
You can do this by telephone or text on 07980411925 or email billericaycatholicpreschool@gmail.com
Page 1 of 2
DISPOSAL OF CHILDREN'S NAPPIES
We have been asked by the Hall Committee to remind parents that any soiled nappies and baby wipes must be disposed of in the bin provided in the disabled toilet.
LINKS WITH HOME BOARD
If your child has any special outings, experiences or achievements that you would like to share with us, e.g. photos, leaflets on places they have been etc. please send them in and we will display them on our board.
PAPER FOR DRAWING AND PAINTING We are running low on paper for the children to draw and paint on and would be grateful for any unwanted A4 or larger size paper or rolls of paper. It doesn’t matter if there is printing on the reverse
Please continue to send in suitable items for the children to use for collage, e.g. cereal boxes, kitchen roll tubes, unwanted pasta and rice, ribbon, wool, old birthday cards, Christmas cards and unwanted decorations, yoghurt pots, etc. Please note that we are unable to accept toilet roll tubes or egg boxes
This term the children will be learning about season of winter and how the festival of Chinese New Year is celebrated. As well as opportunities for lots of child- initiated activities and fun, we have adult-led activities and experiences planned for each week as follows:
6th Jan - We will be talking about winter weather and what we wear to keep warm. The children will be making
snow scene pictures and a collage of winter clothes
13th Jan. - We will be explaining to the children about the way of life of the Inuit people and they will be learning
about igloos, penguins and seals and polar bears.
20th Jan - We will be explaining to the children, through pictures and posters, how people in China will be
celebrating their New Year. This year is the year of the rat and we will be making Chinese lanterns.
We will be displaying Chinese writing and encouraging the children to make an attempt at this.
We will also be making Chinese food, using a wok and learning to eat with chopsticks.
27th Jan - We would like the children to bring in some winter vegetables this week and we will be making
vegetable soup. The children will have the opportunity to compare peeled and unpeeled vegetables and
operate an electric blender. We will also be printing with vegetables.
3rd Feb - We will be talking about how animals and birds have to find food and shelter during the winter. We
will be making food for the birds in small pots to take home, hang in the garden and observe the birds
feeding. PLEASE START COLLECTING AND SENDING IN SMALL YOGHURT POTS
10th Jan We will be explaining about the tradition of Valentine's Day and the children will be printing
with heart shape sponges. We will also be making valentine cards.
LETTER TABLE
We will be starting the first week of this half term with the letter “P” and working our way through the alphabet each week. We would like the children to bring in suitable items beginning with the letter of the week to encourage them to practise linking sounds to letters. Please put your child’s name on any items they bring in.
Please look at the display board in the foyer for each week’s letter.
Term Dates for 2020
Spring Term
Open Monday 6th January
Last day of term: Friday 14th February
Half Term: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February
Open: Monday 24th February
Last day of term: Friday 3rd April
Summer Term
Open: Monday 20th April
Last day of term: Friday 22nd May (Friday 8th May is a Bank Holiday)
Half Term: Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
Open: Monday 1st June
Last day of term: Wednesday 22nd July
Happy New Year to everyone. All the staff would like to thank you for all our lovely Christmas cards, presents and very generous contributions towards our Christmas lunch on the last of day term. They were all very much appreciated.
FUNDRAISING
Thank you for all for your support and generosity with the Christmas Hamper raffle. The amout raised will go towards purchasing some more new indoor equipment and further developing our nature area in the garden.
HALF TERM
We will be closed for one week from Monday 17h – Friday 21st February and we come back on Monday 24th February.
PRE-SCHOOL FEES
If your child is not eligible for Free Early Education Entitlement Funding of fees, i.e. they have not reached their third birthday before the 31st December 2019, fees are now due for the six week period 6th January – 14th February at £12.25 a session. Fees for lunch club are £2.50 per session.
We ask for a voluntary contribution towards children's snacks pf 50p per session
An invoice for your fees will be ready for you to collect in the foyer during the first week of term.
This will show the total amount of your fees.
The amount of the voluntary contribution for snacks will be shown separately
CHILDREN IN RECEIPT OF FREE EARLY YEARS ENTITLEMENT FOR 3-4 YEAR OLDS AND 30 HOUR ENTITLEMENT
You will be given an invoice detailing the number of funded hours you are claiming with this setting and the amount of any unfunded hours you have agreed to pay for
VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION FOR CHILDREN'S SNACKS
We ask for a voluntary contribution of 50p a session towards children's snacks
This cannot be shown on invoices for children in receipt of funding
As an example: If your child attends 2 sessions a week this would amoun to £1 a week x 6 weeks = £6
If your child attends 3 sessions a week this would amount to £1.50 a week x 6 = £9
FUNDING FOR TWO YEAR OLDS
The Pre-school is eligible to offer funding the term after your child’s second birthday if you meet certain financial criteria. Details of this were provided in your information pack when your child started Pre-school. If you have any queries please ask the Supervisor.
30 HOURS EXTENDED ENTITLEMENT OFFER
We are only able to offer 21.5 hours because of the availaility of the hall.
Please visit www.essex.gov.uk/earlyyears , speak to your local Family Hub or call 0800 055 6874 to find out more about this. There is also a poster displayed and leaflets available in the foyer.
EXTRA SESSIONS IN SEPTEMBER
We will be completing our intake of children for September 2019/January 2020 during the next few weeks. If you would like extra sessions for your child in September, please let us know as soon as possible.
PRE-SCHOOL WAITING LIST
Please remember to complete a registration form for any younger siblings not yet on our waiting list. It is never too early to put your child’s name down.
CLOSURE DUE TO SNOW
In the event of snow please check our face book page
You will also be sent an email if we are unable to open
CHILDREN’S SHOE BAGS
We have several children attending Pre-school who have severe food allergies and we must insist that you do not put food of any kind, medicines, creams or other inappropriate items in your child’s shoe bag as these are accessible to other children when they are getting ready to go home
MONDAY AND TUESDAY AND THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB - CONTENTS OF CHILDREN’S LUNCH BOXES
We have been strongly advised, to avoid choking hazards in children, to insist that grapes are cut into four lenghways, cherry tomatoes are cut into small pieces, cocktail sausages are cut lengthways and cucumber is cut into batons. We must also ask that you do not put in any food containing nuts or traces of nuts.
OUTDOOR PLAY
Please leave a warm coat and a pair of suitable shoes in your child’s bag to change into for outdoor play. Please remember that we now have a mud kitchen in the outside area. It would be a great help if you could put your child’s name in their indoor and outdoor shoes and coats and on their bags.
CHILDREN'S ABSENCE FROM PRE-SCHOOL
We now require that you let us know when your child is going to be absent from Pre-school and provide an explanation for their absence.
You can do this by telephone or text on 07980411925 or email billericaycatholicpreschool@gmail.com
Page 1 of 2
DISPOSAL OF CHILDREN'S NAPPIES
We have been asked by the Hall Committee to remind parents that any soiled nappies and baby wipes must be disposed of in the bin provided in the disabled toilet.
LINKS WITH HOME BOARD
If your child has any special outings, experiences or achievements that you would like to share with us, e.g. photos, leaflets on places they have been etc. please send them in and we will display them on our board.
PAPER FOR DRAWING AND PAINTING We are running low on paper for the children to draw and paint on and would be grateful for any unwanted A4 or larger size paper or rolls of paper. It doesn’t matter if there is printing on the reverse
Please continue to send in suitable items for the children to use for collage, e.g. cereal boxes, kitchen roll tubes, unwanted pasta and rice, ribbon, wool, old birthday cards, Christmas cards and unwanted decorations, yoghurt pots, etc. Please note that we are unable to accept toilet roll tubes or egg boxes
This term the children will be learning about season of winter and how the festival of Chinese New Year is celebrated. As well as opportunities for lots of child- initiated activities and fun, we have adult-led activities and experiences planned for each week as follows:
6th Jan - We will be talking about winter weather and what we wear to keep warm. The children will be making
snow scene pictures and a collage of winter clothes
13th Jan. - We will be explaining to the children about the way of life of the Inuit people and they will be learning
about igloos, penguins and seals and polar bears.
20th Jan - We will be explaining to the children, through pictures and posters, how people in China will be
celebrating their New Year. This year is the year of the rat and we will be making Chinese lanterns.
We will be displaying Chinese writing and encouraging the children to make an attempt at this.
We will also be making Chinese food, using a wok and learning to eat with chopsticks.
27th Jan - We would like the children to bring in some winter vegetables this week and we will be making
vegetable soup. The children will have the opportunity to compare peeled and unpeeled vegetables and
operate an electric blender. We will also be printing with vegetables.
3rd Feb - We will be talking about how animals and birds have to find food and shelter during the winter. We
will be making food for the birds in small pots to take home, hang in the garden and observe the birds
feeding. PLEASE START COLLECTING AND SENDING IN SMALL YOGHURT POTS
10th Jan We will be explaining about the tradition of Valentine's Day and the children will be printing
with heart shape sponges. We will also be making valentine cards.
LETTER TABLE
We will be starting the first week of this half term with the letter “P” and working our way through the alphabet each week. We would like the children to bring in suitable items beginning with the letter of the week to encourage them to practise linking sounds to letters. Please put your child’s name on any items they bring in.
Please look at the display board in the foyer for each week’s letter.
Term Dates for 2020
Spring Term
Open Monday 6th January
Last day of term: Friday 14th February
Half Term: Monday 17th February – Friday 21st February
Open: Monday 24th February
Last day of term: Friday 3rd April
Summer Term
Open: Monday 20th April
Last day of term: Friday 22nd May (Friday 8th May is a Bank Holiday)
Half Term: Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
Open: Monday 1st June
Last day of term: Wednesday 22nd July
-
Weather
Pre-School is open today
CLOSURE DUE TO SNOW
In the event of heavy snow, please check our face book page to see if Pre-school is open. You will also be sent an email.
Pre-School is open today
CLOSURE DUE TO SNOW
In the event of heavy snow, please check our face book page to see if Pre-school is open. You will also be sent an email.
Fundraising
Our last fundraising event was the Christmas Hamper Raffle. We raising an amazing amount of £208 which will go towards purchasing a new shed and some more outdoor equipment for the Pre-School. Also a big "thank you" to all hte members of the Pre-school committee who worked so hard in obtaining prizes and selling tickets for the raffle.
Our last fundraising event was the Christmas Hamper Raffle. We raising an amazing amount of £208 which will go towards purchasing a new shed and some more outdoor equipment for the Pre-School. Also a big "thank you" to all hte members of the Pre-school committee who worked so hard in obtaining prizes and selling tickets for the raffle.
