May 2014
Well, term 5 is nearly over and summer is upon us. Please could you make sure your child has sun
cream applied before they come to Playgroup? Also please could you provide a sun hat, preferably
one that covers the back of their necks? Children will not be allowed outside without some sun
protection. Shade is available in the garden.
We would like to welcome our new children and families who are starting with us this term; we look
forward to getting to know you and your child.
Website!!
One of the comments we commonly get is that our website is not up to date. This has been an
ongoing problem and is obviously a great resource of information for you, our parents, and also
families looking at joining the Playgroup in the future. We have upgraded the website, thanks to
Richard, Ciara Lowe’s dad! He has redone the site and made it easier for us to update things.
Check out the webpage at www.playgroupstmarys.org.uk and let us know what you think!
PARENT HELPERS
Although we don’t have a set parent rota, parents are always welcome to join in on a session, and
especially if you have a special skill you could bring to the group! Do you sing or play an instrument,
speak another language, creative with the glue and scissors or just want to chop the fruit and play in
the garden? If you would like to help at a particular session, please speak to a member of staff.
Helping at a session enables you to see what the day-to-day life of the Playgroup is like and to join in
helping the children to get the best out of their activities.
Spare Clothes
Sometimes whilst your children are with us they need a change of clothing. Unfortunately clothing
isn’t always returned to us and for this reason we are in need of spare clothes. If your child has
outgrown their clothes or you are having a sort out we will be very grateful if you could donate them
to us.
St Mary’s Playgroup
Registered Charity Number: 1097701
Playgroup key workers:
Our key worker system gives each member of staff particular responsibility for a number of children.
Each child in the group has one special adult to relate to, which can make settling into the group
much easier. In addition, the key worker is in a position to tailor the group's curriculum to the
unique needs of each individual child. The key worker maintains links with the child's home setting,
working with parents through shared record keeping to ensure that all children are supported in
reaching their full potential. Should you or your child have any problems or queries please do not
hesitate to speak to your child's key worker, we are very approachable.
Speech and Language
If you have any concerns or questions regarding your child’s speech and language, Belinda or your
child’s key-worker, are available for you to talk to before and after every session.
Bumps and Bruises
Please could you let the staff know if your child has had any bumps or bruises at home, especially
bumps to the head? We do get quite a lot of minor accidents here at Playgroup and further bumps
to an already bumped head could cause extra problems.
SAINSBURY VOUCHERS
Active Kids vouchers are no longer available when you shop at Sainsbury’s. We are collecting these
so please bring in all your remaining vouchers and pop them in the box. In previous years we have
been able to get some nice equipment with them, so let’s get collecting!
Term 5 and 6 Planning
The Playgroupers have been looking at Spring this term and also investigating insects. Next term, we
will be concentrating on getting the pre-school children ready for school. This will involve a more
structured morning, getting changed into PE clothes and visits to the school for story time with the
Reception teachers.
St Mary’s Playgroup
Registered Charity Number: 1097701
Sickness
Please do not send your child if they are unwell. If a child needs Calpol, they should not come to
playgroup.
If your child is poorly, please ring into the playgroup and leave us a message to let us know what is
wrong with your child. If your child has been unwell in the night and required medicine, please keep
them at home. Diarrhoea and vomiting means stay away for 48 hours, even if it was only one
episode. One sick child means several sick children and also sick staff!!
FEE PAYMENTS
Several fees were very late being paid last term. Some are still outstanding.
Please could you ensure you are up to date and pay immediately if you are
not? Invoices have now been issued for this term until half term. Term 6
invoices will be issued during the first week of next term. If fees continue to be
outstanding, 10% will be added as late payment charge and consideration will
be given to suspending your child until payment is made. Please see Unpaid
Fees policy for more details.
If you wish to pay your fees directly into our bank account, please speak to Sharon
for our details. Please remember to send us an e-mail once you have made the
payment.
Questionnaires
Many thanks to the 5 parents who replied to the questionnaire sent out in April. The
responses were mainly positive. From these, it has been decided that the children’s
Learning Journey books will be left out on a Friday for you to take home for the
weekend. Please feel free to add your photos and comments on your child’s
progress. It is very important that these are returned on Mondays. We have also
discussed holding sessions for the pre-school children who have started school on a
part-time basis. These have been held informally in the past. If enough parents
would be interested in their child attending an extra session or two until full time
school begins, we could possibly hold open an afternoon or two a week. Please
speak to the staff if you would be interested in this. Remember, you would be
charged for these sessions as funding is now allocated to the school.
St Mary’s Playgroup
Registered Charity Number: 1097701
Fundraising
Following the very successful Spring Fayre, we are going to purchase a tablet
for the Playgroup. This is in line with the Reception classes at the school. They
would be used with an app that follows the children’s progress which would
then be transferred to the school for continuation of their schooling.
Next term’s fundraising event will be the ever popular Car Boot Sale. As usual
the staff and committee will be selling drinks and snacks. Look out for more
details later.
Playgroup Trip
The trip to Cotswold Wildlife Park has now been finalised and is on Thursday 6th
June. Speak to staff for more details.
Diary Dates
Term Five Ends
-
Friday 23rd May 2014
Term Six Begins
-
Monday 2nd June 2014
Term Six Ends
-
Friday 18th July 2014
Inset Day
-
Monday 1st September 2014
Term One Begins
2nd September 2014
-
Tuesday
Contact details
St Mary’s Playgroup
Cheltenham Road East
Churchdown, Gloucester
GL3 1HU
Tel: 07749 713742
Website:
www.playgroupstmarys.org.uk
Email address:
St Mary’s Playgroup
[email protected]
Registered Charity Number: 1097701