Newsletter Jan 2017

Hello to everyone,

and a warm welcome to the new families who have started with us in January. As you will have noticed, we have had some staff changes over the Christmas holidays. Unfortunately Sarah has had to leave us and we wish her all the best in her new job. We have been very fortunate to be able to recruit Clair who is working as a key person and she is already developing strong attachments with her key children. We are continuing to advertise for our deputy position, so if you know of anyone who has the appropriate experience and qualifications, let them know!

We would like to thank both Tim (Jack's dad) and Mark (Arran's dad) for continuing to do some DIY jobs for us, we are very grateful for their support.

Our storytelling project is progressing well. We have had lots of support and instruction from Michael, our storyteller, and the staff are working hard to extend their own skills. Staff have been working on using props, using 'open-ended props' (items which could be anything), children's drawings and the children's own ideas to support the creation of a story. There has been lots of learning and already we can see children adding their own detail to stories as they re-tell them.

As promised, we have arranged two parent workshops on storytelling. The first being on the 23 Feb, with a follow-up session on the 23 March 1.30 - 2.30 (you need to attend both sessions). You will be able to observe what the staff have been developing and also have a go yourself! We have also arranged a single session on Saturday 1 April, for parents/carers who are working during the week. Please let me know if you would like to attend either of these workshops Andrea and the staff team

In This Issue

Storytelling

Hello!

Sainsbury's vouchers

Amazing Imaginations

Magic Potions

Christmas Activity

Fundraising

Pancake Help

Dates for your diary

Bank staff

We are in need of extra people for our bank staff list. You will need to have a DBS check and also like working with children in a busy, but fun environment! Often cover is required at short notice (on the morning) where as other cover can be pre-arranged. Please see me if you are interested.

Tel: 07977808132

Sainsbury's Vouchers

Register

Please remember to sign your child in as you arrive, and out as you leave, in the register in the lobby.

No nuts please & icepacks!Just a reminder that the pre-school has a no nut policy. This means that items that contain nuts (or may contain nuts) are not allowed in lunchboxes (or Birthday cakes!). All lunch boxes MUST contain an icepack!

'Reading and Writing Float on a Sea of Talk'

Hello!

My name is Clair and I am a new key person at Stepping Stones Community Pre-School. I have a level 3 qualification in children’s play, learning and development which I completed last year. I have had plenty of experience with children and am excited to be a part of the team. I’m looking forward to getting know all of the children and yourselves, if we haven’t already met.

Amazing Imagination

A small group of children were invited to make a den in the home corner. Material, pegs and a table were provided to help construct our den. The children worked together securing the material to make a cosy space to play under. I suggested that our den was magical and that it could take us to India. All the children added their own ideas for our adventure, one child was flying our den and provided buttons and levers so that it could fly, another child thought of things that we may need and packed books, a note book and a pen, doctors equipment was packed and playdough food with crockery and cutlery. A book with a map was also packed which was very useful as we got lost on the way! We encountered a monster and a very bad storm but our pilot managed to steer us through it and a plate was used as a steering wheel to make extra sure we were safe. Someone then checked our heart beats and blood pressure making sure we were all feeling well after our journey. Whilst travelling one of our passengers received a phone call and told the caller that we were busy because we were flying! We didn't have much time in India because of our traumatic journey, but luckily we got back in time for lunch.

Louise

Magic Potions

We recently had an afternoon activity where the children were invited to experiment to make different textures under the guise of ‘making potions!’ There were plenty of resources available including herbs, flour, baking soda, vinegar and Ribena. The children showed plenty of curiosity by asking lots of questions like ‘What is that stuff?’ The children used lots of descriptive language with comments including: ‘It’s very sticky’ and ‘Mine looks like it’s exploding! There was lots of turn taking involved as everyone wanted some of the vinegar and Bicarbonate as this made the potions fizz and expand. We thought about where the bubbles went once the mixture subsided. One child guessed ‘They pop!’ Jackie

Feed your child a rich literacy diet and improve their future outcomes in reading and writing! Provide them with the ‘5 a day’ stories and rhymes challenge. Sing songs in the car or when walking along the road, make up stories, as well as re-telling well known stories and snuggle up with a favourite story at bedtime!

We are now collecting the Sainsbury's Active Kids vouchers. There are 3 ways to collect- Sainsbury's local, Supermarket and online so please ask friends, relatives and work colleagues as well and then pass them on to us! The voucher collection box is in the lobby. The more vouchers we get, the more cooking and sports equipment that our children get to use at Stepping Stones!

Christmas Activity

One of our Christmas activities was for the children to work collaboratively and build Santa's sleigh from our junk modelling resources.One child offered themselves as the project manager and helped and directed the children throughout the activity.They started by selecting a box for Santa to sit in, they then chose 2 long thin boxes which they agreed would make great sleighs. Some of the children began cutting pieces of sellotape to stick the boxes together while others worked together to decorate the inside of the sleigh using Christmas wrapping paper cut to size.The final touches included reins for the reindeer, an engine and a few carefully wrapped presents. Once finished, the children looked very proud of their sleigh.

Elaine

Phone Call

Please could you give us a ring if your child is not coming into pre-school, so that we know what has happened.

Tel: 07977 808132

Sickness or Diarrhoea

If your child has either of these, they MUST have 48 hours off, after their last bout.

So if that is 10.00 am on Sunday, they cannot come back until Wednesday.

Feed your child a rich literacy diet and improve their future outcomes in reading and writing! Provide them with the ‘5 a day’ stories and rhymes challenge. Sing songs in the car or when walking along the road, make up stories, as well as re-telling well known stories and snuggle up with a favourite story at bedtime!

Stepping Stones Fundraising NewsWelcome to our New Year Fundraising update. Happy New Year to all our families.Here’s an outline of our upcoming events and fundraising activities:

Table Top Sale 25 February 201710.00 am to 12.00 pm at Claverham Village Hall.

If you are in the mood for a new year clear out of nearly new items, why not book a table at our sale and sell them? Tables are £5.00 each in advance.

We’ll also be selling tea, coffee and cake so even if you don’t want to sell items, come along and have a mingle and chat over a drink and a slice of homemade cake. We look forward to seeing you there. If you’d like to book a table let Sarah or Miranda know at pre-school or contact us via steppingstonesfundraisers@outlook.com

Our ever popular Curry and Quiz Night 25 March 2017 7.30 pm Claverham Village Hall

Our biggest and most popular fundraising event of the year.Delicious food is supplied by Scoop and Spice in Yatton. Our quizteams range from the really keen and competitive to those lesscompetitive and just wanting an enjoyable evening.

As an added twist we’re replacing some parts of the quiz with more practical rounds. All will be revealed on the night but get ready to get in touch with your creative side and see if you can knock the winning team for thelast two years off the top spot.

We’ll have a raffle and games during the evening too. Tickets are £10.00 each, including food and will be available after February half term.

We’re always grateful for any help offered towards our events, if its helping on the day or donating cakes and raffle prizes. We’ll pop some volunteer signup sheets on the notice board ahead of our events. If you are able to offer any help at all, please sign up or contact us at the pre-school or via steppingstonesfundraisers@outlook.com

Many thanks

Sarah and Miranda (Committee Members)

Dates for your Diary

Pancake day Tuesday 28 FebruaryWe will need some extra parent help for the first part of this session, to cook pancakes for the children. All you will need is a frying pan, we will provide the ingredients and the cooks!!The children make their own batter, the adults cook them and then the children can eat them if they would like to. There will be pancake races as well!Please let us know if you can help

Thursday 2 February In-service day - Pre-school closed

Friday 10 February Last day of term 3

Saturday 11 February Pre-school cleaning

Monday 20 February First day of term 4

Thursday 23 February+ f/up session 23 March

Story telling workshop 1.30 - 2.30

Saturday 25 February Table top sale

Saturday 25 March Curry and quiz night

Saturday 1 April Story telling workshop 10.00 - 11.00

Friday 7 April Last day of term 4

Monday 24 April First day of term 5

Monday 1 May Bank holiday - closed

Friday 26 May Last day of term 5

Monday 5 June First day of term 6

Friday 21 July Last day of term 6

Keep up to date with the Children's Centre activities - see leaflet in lobby