Coumes Spring Newsletter - Spring 2017
We have all been very busy at Coumes Spring since the start of term in January and have enjoyed
activities around Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, and World Book Day to name just a few. We
have posted news and photos about the things that we have been doing on our facebook page
www.facebook.com/CoumesSpring along with reminders and news items for parents. If you haven’t
already signed up to the facebook page you might consider doing so as it is quite a helpful way to
stay in touch.
Free Early Learning and the 30 hours free childcare - From September 2017 families where both
parents (one parent in single parent families) earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours at minimum
wage will be entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children age 3 and 4 instead of the current 15
hours. Parents do not have to actually be working for 16 hours a week. The criteria is that they are
earning the same pay as someone working for 16 hours at minimum wage and this would include
those who only work for 5 or 10 hours per week but at a higher pay rate. There is more information
about the entitlement and how it works at https://childcaresupport.tax.service.gov.uk/moreinfopar/2 . This explains that parents will be able to apply for a
reference number through the same system that is used for child tax credits and will then be able to
take the reference number to the childcare setting of their choice. The guidance is based on the
draft Government document which will be formally adopted in May. We can confirm that, subject
to this, our setting will be operating the free 30 hours.
An information sheet is attached but please speak with Julia or Anna if you would like further
guidance.
Reminder - Please could we remind parents that we are not able to refund fees when children are
absent due to sickness or holidays (see our terms and conditions). Also, PLEASE remember to let us
know if your child will not be attending after-school club e.g. because they have been invited home
with a friend. We often spend a long time searching for children at the end of the day when
messages have not been received. If your child will be attending an activity at school e.g. football or
choir, PLEASE fill in a form to let us know the arrangements for them coming down to Coumes Spring
afterwards and how long they will be attending. The forms are in the lobby or parents can email a
request to be sent one.
PEPPA PIG! Save the Children Fund are holding a Peppa Pig Muddy Puddle Week from the 8th to 14th
May
.
On Saturday 13th May we will be holding a Peppa Pig Muddy Walk and Treasure Hunt!
All Coumes Spring families , friends and relatives are invited and entry will be £5.00
per family which will go to Save the Children Fund . The short treasure hunt route will
include the path through Sensecal Park off Church Street and families are invited back
to Coumes Spring at the end for a play session and refreshments. More details to
follow.
Farewells - During this term we have said goodbye to breakfast club co-ordinator, Rachel Sleney,
who has taken up a post at Oughtibridge School. Our new Co-ordinator is Sue Ward who has
extended her previous role to take on the post. Sue has lots of activity ideas and is looking forward
to more involvement with the Breakfast Club. Sadly, at the end of this term we will also be saying
goodbye to Sue Adams, one of our after-school club assistants. Sue has been with us for two years
and we will all miss her. Also, Chloe Winter finishes her short term contract with us at the end of
April. Chloe has been working whilst Fiona has been on Maternity Leave and has now taken a job as
a Childcare Holiday Rep. She does not yet know which country she will be posted to but is looking
forward to seeing more of the world!
…. and welcome back!
Next term both Fiona Shaw and Siobhan Robinson will be coming back after maternity leave. Fiona
starts back at the end of April and Siobhan a few weeks later. We are looking forward to seeing them
both.
Squash Free Zone! - You may have seen the notice on the main room door declaring a “Squash Free
Zone”. Children’s water bottles should only contain water – as will be the case when they start
school. Sugary drinks are harmful to children’s teeth and although it is possible to buy sugar free
squash this tends to encourage a sweet tooth rather than helping children to choose water and
unsweetened drinks as they grow up. If you want to send squash or juice with your child’s packed
lunch please ensure that it is separate to the water bottle that they use throughout the day. Can we
also remind parents to label the water bottles – we have order forms for dishwasher proof labels if
this would be helpful. Thank you.
Lost Property - We are now going through all the lost property on a half-termly basis. Items with no
name labels are being disposed off (mostly to charity shops) and all named items are being put into
children’s drawers or a labelled box in the outer lobby.
Contact Details - Please remember to let us know when your address, phone number or email
address changes as it is very important that we are able to contact you in an emergency.
Next….
We are looking forward to Mothers Day and then Easter. Out-of-School Club are planning an Easter
Egg display in the lobby (not real ones!) and our Nursery children will be exploring lots of new
activities around these topics and others.
STOP PRESS!
We have just heard that we have funding to build an extension to Coumes Spring! Subject to
planning permission we hope to have a brand new 2 year olds unit in place by August or December
2017.