Bensham Grove Newsletter
January 2016
Welcome back
We would like to wish you all a “Happy New Year” and we do hope you enjoyed the
Christmas break. A warm welcome to all our new starters and their families. Thank you
for all the kind Christmas cards and gifts. Thank you for all your support with our
Christmas Raffle by donating items and buying tickets. We raised a massive £330.00 –
well done to everyone.
We are sorry to inform you that a past member of staff, Rose Lindsay died just before
the Christmas holidays. Many parents will remember Rose for her natural loving warm
nature. Her funeral was held on the 5th January and was a beautiful service for a
wonderful lady. Rose worked in the 0-3 daycare firstly under Gateshead Council and
then with 4Children. Rose will be remembered fondly by many. In memory of Rose a
collection was taken for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation at her funeral. If any Parent
/ Carer, Staff member or Governor would like to donate, you can do so online
www.sirbobbyrobsonfoundation.org.uk.
Staffing
3-5 Nursery
We welcome Stephen Henderson as our new Caretaker to Nursery. Stephen is a highly
experienced caretaker working for Gateshead Council for many years within the
Community Centres and he has settled in very well.
Students
Ms Jane Peverley and Mrs Janet Deavin - trainee teachers will be working in our 3-5
Nursery School for a seven week placement. They have settled very well into our
School and will be mainly working in the Green and Yellow groups.
Events
Parent Partnership Links
National Breakfast week 25th – 29th January – we are celebrating this week in order
to promote with our children the importance of having a healthy breakfast. We will be
sending out questionnaires this week about breakfast at home. Next week you may like
to join us for breakfast any time from 8.30 – 10.00 a.m. or in the afternoon join us for a
snack from 2.15 p.m.
Beginning Monday 1st February – will be National Story Telling week
Wednesday 3rd February – as part of National Story Telling week we would like to
invite our Grandparents to a “Share a story with Grandparents Day” – All
Grandparents are welcome to pop in to play with their grandchild or share a story and
then of course there is a welcome cup of tea and homemade cake.
Friday 5th February – National Doodle Day - we would like to invite Parent / Carers
to a “Stay and Play session” with a focus on handwriting – have fun joining your child,
learning about the teaching of handwriting and even pick up some ideas for home. New
starter Parents / Carers will also be given their school Library folder and “Me, My
Family, My World” book to use at home and school.
Beginning 23rd February – Family Learning Play and Language for 5 weeks – more
information will be given later.
Reminders
Change of Address and Mobile numbers
Please can parents / carers make sure that their mobile telephone numbers are up to
date in Nursery – we may need to get in touch with you quickly about your child and also
if your address changes.
Cookery Money
Cookery money donation is due for the 3-5 Nursery children £3.00 for the full term – January to March. Please
complete the enclosed slip with money in an envelope and
place in the box next to the signing in sheets.
Absence and collecting of 3-5 Nursery children
If your child is absent from Nursery for any reason or is late, would Parents / Carers
please telephone the Nursery to let staff know. Also, please pick up your child promptly
at the end of their session by 12.00 noon or by 3.45 p.m. Thank you.
Children’s Clothes – 3-5 Nursery School
It is that time of year when the children need their hats, scarves and suitable coats on
to play outside. To ensure the children do not loose their hats, scarves and gloves,
please can you help your child put them into their drawer. Also, please can you make
sure all clothes are named.
4Children Nursery – please can Parents / Carers provide all children with suitable warm
outdoor clothes as they do access the outside area on a regular basis. Thank you.
Recycling
If you would like to donate your unwanted clothes for the Starlight charity, recycling
bags will be delivered shortly for you to fill. Please return by Monday 8th February as
they will collected early on that morning. Thank you for your support.
Dates
National Breakfast week 25th – 29th January
Beginning 1st February - National Storytelling week
Wednesday 3rd February - Share a story with Grandparents Day
Friday 5th February – National Doodle Day
Half term – Monday 15th – Friday 19th February inclusive return on Monday 22nd
February. Daycare open as usual.
Tuesday 23rd February – Family Learning Play and Language for five weeks
Thursday 3rd March – World Book Day – more details later
Easter holidays – the 3-5 Education Nursery will be closed from Thursday 24th March
– Friday 8th April inclusive and return on Monday 11th April as usual.
4Children Daycare will close on Friday 25th and Monday 28th March inclusive for Easter
Bank Holidays and return on Tuesday 29th March as usual.
May Day Bank Holiday – closed on Monday 2nd May for the whole Nursery and return
on Tuesday 3rd May as usual.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 10th 11th and 12th May - KidsKlub DVD – for all
Nursery children individually
Spring half-term – the 3-5 Education Nursery will be closed Monday 30th May –
Friday 3rd June inclusive and return on Monday 6th June as usual.
4Children Daycare will be closed on Monday 30th May for May Bank Holiday and return
on Tuesday 31st May as usual.
Please look out for notices in Nursery for up to date information.
Thank you for your continued support and if you have any further
questions, please do not hesitate to ask Denise Henry, Nursery Head Teacher
or Helen Bowlby, 4Children Daycare Manager
Nursery Telephone: 0191 4334090
4Children Daycare Telephone: 0191 4774323
3-5 Cookery money donation for
January to March 2016 - £3.00
Child’s Name ……………………………………………………………………………….
Date …………………………………………………………………………………………….
Amount enclosed ……………………………………………………………………..
Please place in box next to signing in sheets in 3-5 Nursery
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
“National Doodle Day” Coffee Morning/Afternoon
on Friday 5th February
Child’s name ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
I will not be able to attend
I can attend – please tick choice of session
Morning …………………………………………………………….
Afternoon ………………………………………………………..
Signed ………………………………………………… Date ………………………………………………………..
Please return slip to Reception
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………