Newsletter No.1
September 2016
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome back to everyone we know, and a big welcome to all our new children and families.
This is a very full newsletter so get ready!
NURSERY HOURS
Please make sure that you arrive promptly at the correct time for your child’s Nursery session. This
is really important to ensure children can be greeted and settled properly.
On arrival, please take your child to their teacher so that they can be registered.
For children that are with us from 9.00am – 3.00pm, please DO NOT collect before 3.00pm unless
you have made specific arrangements with us. Early collection means that your child misses out on
going home routines and this is an important part of their day.
If you are late collecting there is a charge of £10.00 per 15 minutes that you are late.
For your information our Nursery is divided into 3 smaller ‘Nurseries’ – Tiny, Little and Big. Please
ask if you are unsure which Nursery your child is in.
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE BUILDING/COLLECTING CHILDREN
Between the hours of 8.00am and 3.30pm, please drop off and collect children from THE NURSERY
ENTRANCE (by the Primary School). After 3.30pm, please use THE MAIN RECEPTION ENTRANCE
(by Waldrons Moor).
ATTENDANCE
We have to monitor children’s attendance at Nursery particularly those in Big Nursery (pre-school
year). Please attend every session or day unless your child is ill.
SICKNESS
If your child is ill can you please ring the Centre on 0121 675 0362 to tell us what is wrong. We need
to keep a check on child illness to make sure we are following the correct guidelines. If your child has
sickness/ diarrhoea they MUST NOT COME BACK TO NURSERY until this has cleared. Your child
needs to remain at home 48 hours after the last episode of sickness/diarrhoea.
COLLECTING CHILDREN
Please make sure that any changes to the people that can collect your child are given to the Nursery
Office. Only people on the contact card can collect (All persons MUST be over 16 years of age).
For your child’s safety when leaving the building, DO NOT ALLOW your child to press the green
button, this is for adult use only.
NURSERY PLACES 2017
If you know a child who will be 3 between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017, Parents/ Carers
will need to apply for a Nursery School place for September 2017. This could be either a full time or
part time place. Please fill in a waiting list form from the Nursery Office.
EARLY EDUCATION ENTITLEMENT
If you know a child who will be aged 2 between 1st September 2016 and 31st December 2016 and is
looking for Nursery provision for January 2017, they may be eligible for a 2 year funded place. Please
contact the Family Support Team at Allenscroft Childrens Centre for funding criteria.
RECEPTION PLACES FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL
If your child is due to go to Primary School in September 2017 you will now need to apply online at
www.birmingham.gov.uk/admissions.
If you do not have access to the internet please ask us to help.
Apply online - Use the Local Authority preference form which must be completed by 16th January
2017.
HEAD LICE
Young children can often catch head lice! Do not worry we are used to it! We ask that you regularly
check your child’s hair and treat appropriately. Your child can still come to Nursery. Please ask for
further information if needed.
CLOTHES
Please put your child’s name in ALL items of clothing, including shoes, coats and lunch boxes.
Children in Little Nursery should bring spare clothes with them in a labelled bag. For children in Big
Nursery, we have a limited supply of spare clothing, please return these as quickly as possible or
bring your own spare clothes if you prefer – Thank You.
CURRICULUM NEWS
The main focus of our curriculum at the moment is children’s personal, social and emotional
development. In order for the children to learn to the best of their ability, they must feel happy.
The children are building relationships that will lay the foundations for their later learning.
Our ‘Nursery Experts’ are doing a great job in helping our new to Centre children to learn the
routines and self-care skills that they have been taught previously. These children are showing a high
level of empathy and kindness towards their new friends. We are very proud of them!
There is a huge interest in messy play. This is a valuable learning experience, which helps the children
to develop their communication skills, social skills and the fine motor skills they will need for writing.
Thank you to everyone that has brought a donation of mixing ingredients into nursery. If you haven’t
already, you will have a letter from your child’s teacher soon, which will ask you to do so.
PARENT SURVEY RESULTS AND TAPESTRY
Every year we ask for your opinions about our nursery and services. Your replies tell us how happy
you are with our provision but you would like more information on what your child is learning. To aid
this we have decided to introduce ‘TAPESTRY’ an online learning journal for each child and their
family. Over the next few weeks we will be asking you to sign up to this online system via an email
address, but don’t worry we can help if you are not certain how to do this!!
Tapestry means that you can be a ‘fly on the wall’ and see snapshots of your child’s play and learning
whilst they are at Nursery. Once your account is set up you will get an email alert everytime there is
a new photo or video that you can see. Please come along to our workshops to find out more
Wednesday 19th October. 9.30am, 12.30pm or 4pm.
Things to note!!!
No child has to have an online journal we can still do paper copies.
Only you will be able to see your child’s page.
We will be taking full account of your choices regarding the use of photographs for your child.
Any concerns or worries please talk to Lianne Rooker Teacher in Big Nursery leading on this project.
We really hope these journals will help you see what your children are learning at nursery!!
FRUIT STALL
Our fruit stall opens at the end of every Nursery session. For 30p you can buy a piece of fruit, so
instead of bringing sweets or crisps for your child please buy some fruit and add to their five a day.
Fruit is available after 3.00pm from the main reception.
MONEY
Any monies due to be paid to Nursery must be paid through School Money a secure online payment
system. All parents will have an account set up for them and you will receive a text message
notification when any fees, snack or dinner monies are due.
Please note that the Nursery Office is unable to receive cash, all payments must be made through
School Money. If you have any questions regarding this system please speak to Lorraine or Sarah in
the Nursery Office who will be able to help.
Snacks – We ask for £1.00 per week towards providing all children with a healthy snack.
Dinner – Lunches are £2.10 per day or £10.50 per week. This must be paid one week in advance by
Wednesday 10am for the following week. If you have not paid for lunches on time your child will have
to bring in a packed lunch the following week. If you think that you may be entitled to Free School
Meals then please ask at Nursery Office.
A copy of the lunch menu is at the main Nursery entrance.
EXTENDED CARE
Do you require Before or After School care for your child? All sessions are staffed by your
children’s familiar teachers, a mixture of Tiny Nursery, Little Nursery and Big Nursery staff.
Breakfast Club - 8am – 9am takes place in the Nursery Dining space. Cereal, Toast and Juice
provided. £4.50 per day.
Afterschool Club – 3pm – 5pm takes place in Little Nursery. A snack tea is provided at 4.30pm each
day. £4.50 per hour.
Playscheme is running during October half term for any child who isn’t already booked in for Day
Care. 10am – 2pm only and is charged at £12 per day. You will need to provide your child with a packed
lunch.
Day Care is running during the October half term if you require a longer day. 9am- 3pm is charged at
£27.00 and 8am – 5pm is charged at £40.50.
If you require any of the above sessions, or require any further information please see Amanda
Smith or pick up a ‘change of provision’ form from the Office.
PARKING
We know that this is a difficult issue, but for your child’s safety please use the Children’s Centre car
park (by Waldrons Moor) to drop off and collect.
Please do not park across the entrance of the Primary school car park or in it.
We appreciate your understanding and if you can walk or cycle that would be great.
DOGS
Dogs are not allowed on site (except for assistance dogs) please make sure that they are tied up well
away from the gates, preferably with a responsible person with them.
If you have any issues regarding problems with dogs i.e dog fouling, people encouraging aggressive
behaviour in dogs etc, please let us know or call the Dog Warden – on 0121 303 9900.
HEALTHY CENTRE POLICY
As a Healthy Centre we encourage children and families to follow a healthy lifestyle. Children have
regular or constant access to fresh drinking water and milk throughout the day. Food and snacks are
based on recommended guidelines for under 5’s.
For Birthday’s, if you want to bring something in to share, we ask for shop bought cakes which will be
sent home. PLEASE DO NOT BRING IN SWEETS/ LOLLIPOPS ETC as we are not allowed to give
them out.
During celebration times, food will still be healthy with maybe cakes or biscuits on offer. Any child
with allergies will obviously be catered for.
Children are taught about healthy foods and lifestyles in a variety of ways such as cooking activities
and having open access to our garden. We also have various Parent/Carer courses such as ideas for
healthy lunch boxes. Menus for hot meals are on display on the notice board and on our website. We
ask that lunch boxes do not contain chocolate bars, sweets or fizzy drinks.
NURSERY COMMUNICATION BOARDS
Each child has their own communication board in either the Nursery hallway, Piazza or their Nursery
room. These can be identified by your child’s photo and name of their teacher. Staff will use these
boards to put anything they wish you to read or take home. Please try to look at your child’s board
regularly. Thank You.
PARENT CONSULTATION AND SETTLING IN INTERVIEWS
Big Nursery staff will be inviting parents of all the children in to discuss their child and how they are
settling in. Week beginning 17th October 2016.
Little Nursery Parent consultations will be week beginning 31st October 2016.
WORKSHOP/ COURSES/ GROUPS
We have a wide variety of courses and groups running throughout the year to which parents and
carers are welcome. These groups give you a chance to meet other parents , learn something new and
relax and have fun! Please ask to speak to Ann McNutt or a Family Support Worker for more
information.
This terms Courses and Events include –
Let’s Get Physical group @ Manningford Hall – Tuesday 10am – 11am.
Messy Play @ St Bedes- Tuesday 1.30pm – 2.30pm.
Stay and Play @ Allenscroft Childrens Centre – Friday 9am – 11am.
Childminder group@Allenscroft Childrens Centre – Tuesday 9am – 10.45am.
Play and Language course @ Allenscroft Childrens Centre starts Thursday 29th September 9.30am –
11.30am-please see Annette.
Cook and Eat group@ Allenscroft Childrens Centre starts Wednesday 28th September 1.30pm – 3pm
–please see Annette.
Toileting Workshop @ Allenscroft Childrens Centre– Monday 31st October 1.30pm and Wednesday 2nd
November 1.30pm.
Tapestry Workshop @ Allenscroft Childrens Centre -Wednesday 19th October. 9.30am, 12.30pm or
4pm
Fancy Dress Day in Nursery – Wednesday 19th October to celebrate the end of term.
Local Councillor Surgeries take place every 2nd Thursday of the month from 2pm till 4pm. Please
contact the Centre to book an appointment with Local Councillors Mike Leddy, Barry Henley and Eva
Philips. They can offer support on issues such as benefits, housing, litter, nuisance neighbours etc.
Please see a Family Support Worker for an appointment. The next date is 13th October 2016.
The next Incredible Years Parenting Programme will start January 2017 - please speak to Family
Support if you are interested.
CHILDRENS CENTRE COMMITTEE
We need your help! Would you like to be part of our Children’s Centre Committee? You will be part of
a group helping to make decisions on behalf of children and families and acting as a critical friend to
the Centre.
If you are interested in being on our Children’s Centre Committee please ask to speak to Ann McNutt.
We also have a Parents Forum the next date is 19th October at 1.30pm.
GOVERNING BODY
Information about our Governing Body including the current members can be found on our Website.
Please also see attached information.
POLICIES AND SAFEGUARDING
If you see anything that concerns you regarding children’s well being, please let us know.
Safeguarding is of the utmost importance to us. We also have a full set of the necessary policies
including Safeguarding, please ask to see them if you wish or you can read them on our website
www.allenscn.bham.sch.uk.
E safety is constantly in the news you may find these websites helpful in supporting your child when
using the internet!
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/online-safety
www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
www.internet.safety.yoursphere.com
MOBILE PHONES
Part of policy means that mobile phones are not allowed in Nursery, this includes staff, visitors and
parents. We ask you not to use your phone in the building. Thank you.
FACEBOOK and keeping in touch!
Please ‘like’ and ‘share’ our Facebook page. Allens Croft Childrens Centre
Follow us on twitter @AllensCroftCCen
Our website address is: - www.allenscn.bham.sch.uk
Other notices can be found on our screens in both entrances and on regular newsletters on your
child’s communication board. If you use text we will also send you reminders or urgent information by
text.
We hope that this letter has been useful, please ask if you are unsure about anything or need more
information.