Hartfield Playschool Welcome Newsletter
September 2016
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4th September 2016
Dear Parents and Carers,
Myself and the team would like to welcome you all back to Hartfield Playschool after our long break, we offer an especially
warm welcome to our new children and their families.
We re-open on Tuesday 6th September, I would recommend that any new families arrive at around 9.15am to avoid the
apprehension of waiting for the gate to open.
We hope you have all had a lovely Summer holiday and are ready for all the fun we have planned at Playschool this term. We
will be creating a display of our summer holiday adventures and would really love each child to bring in a photo or keepsake of
something they have done or visited during the holidays, please bring them in as soon as possible.
We would be very grateful if you could all fill in the ‘Super Star’ form you will have found in your child’s tray which informs us of
your child’s current interests and activities. This information is vitally important to assist with the planning we do and to ensure
we engage children’s current interests as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guidance.
I hope you find the following information helpful.
ALL ABOUT US
I would like to introduce myself and the team:
I am Debbie and I am the Early Years Manager. I have an NNEB (Level 3 qualification) and I am studying for a Foundation
Degree in Early Years. I am the Lead Person for Safeguarding and I also have SENCO training.
Jeannette is my Deputy and holds a Diploma in Pre-school Practice (DPP) (Level 3 qualification). Jeannette is also our
Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO).
Natalie holds an NNEB (Level 3 qualification). Natalie is also our Lead Person for Health and Safety.
Lorna is continuing her studies for her Early Years Educator (EYE) (Level 3 qualification), we continue to wish her every
success with her studies
Jane is just beginning her studies for her Early Years Educator (EYE) (Level 3 qualification), we wish Jane every success with
her studies.
We all have Paediatric First Aid training which involves an intensive 12 hour course every 3 years and a Child Protection Level
1 training also updated every 3 years.
We are a very strong and enthusiastic team who work well and hard together to achieve what is best for your children. The
happiness and safety of all the children is our main priority. We strive to be good role models and we nurture each child as an
individual.
You will also see Sarah who is our Business Manager and she deals with all the official paperwork, financial issues, the
registration of new children and management of sessional places. Please speak to Sarah regarding any of these issues either
in person, by phone: 01892 770830 or via the email address: [email protected]
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Half term is: Monday 24th October 2016 - Friday 28th October 2016
OUR ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: this will be happening during our first half term but a date is yet to be confirmed please look out for more details soon
*Our AGM is an important date and we hope as many of you can attend as possible.
End of term: Friday 16th December 2015
OPEN GARDENS IN THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS
These proved to be very popular and we would like to thank all of the Poohs, (ParentsOrganisation of Hartfield Playschool),
who organised them and also all who attended them.
KEY PEOPLE
We have always run a very successful key person system and this will continue. Some existing children may now be
allocated a different key person who will see them more frequently. We consider parents as important partners and we
believe that working together enhances the children’s journey through their preschool years. This relationship has been
strengthened by the introduction of the Tapestry Learning Journeys which parents have online access too. We love to receive
your comments on observations and also the photos you add give us a fabulous connection to link together with your children.
HELPERS IN SESSIONS
We always welcome extra help in sessions. If you are able or would like to come in please see Debbie or Jeannette – even at
short notice. (We regret that siblings are unable to attend with helpers due to ages and ratios).
WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS AT PLAYSCHOOL (all named please)
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A COAT EVERYDAY – WATERPROOF FOR RAINY DAYS
GLOVES AND HAT IN COLD WEATHER
COMPLETE CHANGE OF CLOTHES IN A BAG ON COAT PEG
SUITABLE SHOES FOR INDOOR PLAY
WELLIES ON OUR OUTDOOR STAND (FOR WATER PLAY/RAINY PLAY)
A PIECE OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLE TO SHARE IN THE MORNINGS and AFTERNOONS (please put in the outside fruit
basket on the lunch trolley). If your child is at Playschool for a full day please send two pieces of fresh fruit or vegetables.
These do not need to be named as they will be shared out. To give children a variety of choice you can always add some
bread sticks, crackers, dried or tinned fruit etc to share at snack time too please. (We provide semi skimmed milk and water)
LUNCH BOX- if your child is staying for lunch please place it on the lunch box trolley and make sure it is clearly labelled. We
do provide water at lunch timeso there is no need for you to pack a drink. Could we also ask that NO sweets, including
chocolate bars are included.
Please do not send your children in their ‘best’ clothes as we cannot be sure they will come home again in ‘best’ condition.
Playschool offers a variety of activities including painting, waterplay, sand, digging in the garden, rolling down the hills,
playdough etc all of which can be messy and great fun for your children.
We also ask you to mindful of the suitability of clothing. We have had a few incidents where children have had ‘accidents’
because they have not been able to pull things down in time to use the toilet due to them being quite tight or long. Which can
lead to distress.
HOUSEKEEPING Please do check your child’s tray, which can be found on the right hand side of the cloakroom, at every
session as these are used for correspondence. When returning any paperwork please hand to myself on the gate or Sarah in
the office.
We also encourage your child to find their name at the start of the session and place it on our self-registration board (situated
on the platform beside the doors into the main room), this has been updated and we hope the children like the change.
ALLERGY ALERT
We have a no nuts and no sweets policy at all times- this includes any products that could contain nuts in any form
like peanut butter, cakes or ‘nuts & seeds’ bars.
Thank you for your understanding.
EARLY YEARS EDUCATION ENTITLEMENT
If your child is entitled to the EYEE grant for their places at Playschool (3 years plus) this term forms will be put in your trays as
soon as we receive them. Please note the deadline on the form as missing the deadline date will lead to you not receiving
the funding for this term.
COLLECTION TIMES
Our collection times are: 11.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm, the gate will be opened five minutes before these times to allow for a
smooth transition between sessions. Please be prompt as staff often miss some of their lunch time due to late arrivals, and
also some staff have to get to schools to pick their own children up at the end of the day.
Please do not arrive early for sessions as we are uninsured outside of session times and we have strict ratios to adhere to at
all other times.
Please be aware that we have a fine policy in place for late collections.
Please inform the Early Years Manager and always fill in the collection book if you wish another adult to collect your child. They
will need to know your password as well. Staff willnot allow children to leave with any unauthorised person and this will delay
your child being able to leave. If someone else will regularly be collecting your child please put their details in writing to me
and it will save them having to complete the collection book each time.
VISITORS
We are always looking for people who can come in and show or tell interesting things to our children. This of course includes
playing a bit of football in the garden, reading stories or digging in the garden too. Please come and share your time with our
children- just let Debbie or Jeannette know in advance.
MEDICATION AT PLAYSCHOOL
We are not able to administer medication such as calpol or nurofen. With other medication, such as inhalers or prescribed
medicines, please ensure you have filled out the medication form for your child and that all medication is in date and there is
sufficient medication in inhalers. If medication requirements have changed please inform us and fill out a new form.No
medicines must be left in trays or bags please. Medicines will be kept in a locked cabinet at Playschool. If your child is
prescribed antibiotics we ask that they have had at least a days worth before they return to playschool.
GERM CONTROL AT PLAYSCHOOL
We have strict policies on health issues at Playschool to ensure that germs are not spread around the group and the staff. If
you child is unwell, needs to have Calpol or other such medication, please keep them at home until they are well
enough to attend. If you send a child in to sessions who is obviously unwell, you will be politely asked to take them home until
well again. We have a 48 hour absence policy for sickness and diarrhoea from the last incident, which is vital to stop the
spread of these infections
Thank you for your co-operation.
UPDATING YOUR RECORDS
If you have recently moved, or have new home or mobile phone number, or have adults you wish to be added/deleted to your
collection list of authorised people, then please inform us in writing as soon as possible. We need to be able to contact a
parent or carer immediately in the case of an emergency or illness.
Please also inform us in writing of any new email addresses so we can send you the regular Newsletters and relevant
information from the staff, trustees or POOH’s.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries or comments. I can be contacted at
[email protected]
With best wishes
Debbie Arnett
Early Years Manager
Hartfield Playschool
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Our mailing address is:
Hartfield Playschool
The Old Station
Edenbridge Road
Hartfield, East Sussex TN7 4JG
United Kingdom