Important Dates Spring Term 2015 First day Monday 24th February World book Day Thursday 5th March Trip to Offley Farm To be confirmed (help needed with transport) Easter Performance Friday 27th March Egg hunt, ALL INVITED Friday 27th March Last day of Term Thursday 2nd April Summer Term starts Monday 20th April Parents evening (5-7pm) Tuesday 19th May Half Term 25th – 29th May Fun Day (Sponsored walk) Saturday **** June Gullivers Theme Park Thursday 18th June ** National Move up day Thursday 09th July Party Day ALL INVITED Wednesday 22nd July End of Term Wednesday 22nd July Committee : If you are interested about joining our committee please speak to either Paula Metcalfe or any of the team. Spring 2-2015 c/o Offley Endowed School School Lane Gt Offley Herts SG5 3AT Tel: 01462 768606 offleypreschool@hotmail.co.uk www.offley-preschool.org Page 1 of 2 So February is nearly over, this year is passing quickly. We have much to cover this next half term ending with our annual Easter Performance. We will continue to update our face book page weekly as well as reminder emails. Please look out for our questionnaires, we appreciate your honestly as this is what improves our service enhancing opportunities for your children and those of the future. I am always available if you would like to discuss any issues or concerns regarding your child and am usually at Preschool by 8.20am. Regards Paula Metcalfe. Website Please use our website and sign up for our closed group facebook page. We send weekly reminders via facebook and email,keeping the website updated with photos of our many activities as well as key dates throughout the year. If you have any suggestions as to improve what we display please speak to a member of staff. World Book Day It is World Book Day on Thursday 5th March. We would like the children to come to school in Fancy dress or role play costumes. We will be spending the day working through some favourite books, trying food from the Hungry Caterpillar and every child will be receiving a voucher issued by the government (as long as they arrive) Please allow your child to wear a costume (not compulsory) and bring in a favourite book. We will try to read them all. Activities/Themes This half term we will be looking at the Theme Spring and focusing on The Hungry Caterpillar book. Alongside this we will be completing a variety of craft activities including Rabbits, Chicks, Lambs, Eggs and Caterpillars. This will include a trip to Offley Hoo farm (we will need help with transport please) We would love you to be part of this by looking at changes when you are out and about, snowdrops, blossom, buds sprouting through the mud. We are working hard preparing the children who will be moving on, starting the transition process. The children will be learning a couple of themed songs to perform at our Easter Performance. Group work The children will have time allocated every session to move into groups and focus on a particular piece of work linked to the seven areas. They will move into groups based on “Leavers” “Stayers” and then those who aren't quite ready for group work just yet. The groups will be called “Triangle” “Square” “circle” Please be assured we will work at every Childs individual level. February 2015

IMPORTANT INFORMATION Getting out and about PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE IN FREQUENCY We plan to take the children out into the community at least once a fortnight, this will happen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All children will be involved. We will need permission slips and appropriate clothing for your child. (We will go in the cold, light rain and snow, just not in torrential rain). Facebook and email will keep you informed. We have changed this to fortnightly as we felt the children are young, presently limiting where we can walk safely to, also allowing variety. Music Train Music Train seemed successful, we will book another session and feed back again. Please continue to ask your children their opinion. We will be looking at other agencies we can invite in. If you have any suggestions please get in touch. Parents evening and Two Year checks We will be offering an opportunity for you to speak to your child’s key person about their progress and any concerns, although our door is always open this allows a dedicated time. For those parents whose children have recently started, please speak to your Childs key person (in the next week or two) as their two year check paperwork is ready Offley Farm Once again we plan to visit Offley Hoo farm to see the animals (Farmer Alan is confirming a date, main school are going March 31st. So it will be around the same time, we are lucky as the farm isn't open to the public). I am awaiting confirmation of dates and as soon as I have these I will let you know. We will need assistance transporting the children to and from the farm. This really ties in with our theme and enhances the children's knowledge of farming on their doorstep. Collection of children If for any reason you cannot collect your child, we need to know who is coming in your place, for everyone's protection we will ask for a password. Understanding that many children go to play at friends houses, you may feel it unnecessary that we ask when your child goes home with another Childs parent. Again this is just good practice, making all staff aware. As emergencies happen, last minute changes, we are asking that every child at pre-school has a password, this will resolve safeguarding issues. Additional Sessions – Space permitted Our opening hours are Mon, Fri 8.50-1pm and Tue, Wed, Thur 8.50-3pm. We offer one off additional sessions when required – Payment must be made on the day. Policy on Sickness reminder: Children must remain off of school until they have been 24HOURS clear of all symptoms. We will be firm on this. Coughs and colds are fine if your child feels well enough for school. Mobile Phones Just a reminder that in line with our Safeguarding policy, mobile phones are not to be used on the premises. Your child will not be handed over to you until you have hung up your conversation, Please refrain from having your phone out on site. Thank you. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please notify us as soon as possible to any information changes. To become more environmentally friendly we would like to send as much information out as possible via email. PLEASE MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS. Website www.offley-preschool.org Please take a look when you get a chance. The website is updated frequently. We welcome any comments or suggestions. Offley Pre-school Staff: Paula Metcalfe, Sara Page, Elaine Wood and Claire Pin February 2015 Page 2 of 2