1. Newsletter April 2016 Contacts During sessions: - 01604 785123 Out of hours : - 07941 182487 Email: - info@bizzy-bears.com Newsletter www.bizzy-bears.com Summer Term This half term we will be following the children’s interests in our weekly themes, beginning with our Favourite stories. Please also see our ‘Today we......’ board in the corridor for details of daily activities that have taken place. Children are welcome to bring in items relating to our themes. Three and four Year old Early Education Entitlement and EYPP If your child’s third birthday is before March 31 st 2016 they will be eligible for 15 hours/six sessions (depending on spaces) of free funding(not including lunch club) Parents/carers will need to complete a Parent/carer contract which will be issued week beginning 18 th April and will need to be completed by 21 st April. You will need to provide your child’s birth certificate (if applying for the first time) and a current utility bill (no older than 3 months) displaying your postcode. If you are eligible to certain benefits your child may qualify for EYPP a supplement which is paid directly to Bizzy Bears to improve outcomes for all children. To find out if you are eligible please visit the on line eligibility checker at: www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/EYPP If you are found to be eligible you will be given a reference number which you will need to include on your Parent carer contract. Staffing Rachel our Deputy Supervisor will be leaving on the 20 th April after 8 years at Bizzy Bears. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Rachel for her commitment to Bizzy Bears, she will be missed by children and staff and we wish her all the best for the future. Rachel’s key children will be looked after by Kelly who will be moving from yellow group as Catherine takes on a full time role and becomes the yellow group key person. Laura will be continuing in her role as Deputy supervisor. Suzanne who is a familiar face at Bizzy Bears will be returning to provide cover as we look to recruit a new member to our team. Grand Opening of Our new outdoor area! We are very pleased to be able to invite all children, parents and carers to the opening of our outdoor area on Friday 29 th April at 11.45am. (no lunch club session) Please come along and join us when we cut the ribbon and celebrate the official opening with fizz and cake! There will be an opportunity for the children to show you around their new play area (11.45am-12.30pm) and for parents to sample some of the fun we have been having already in our new outdoor area!

2. Dates for your diary Monday 2 nd May – Bank holiday Pre school closed Friday 27 th May – Pre school closes for half term Monday 6 th June – New term starts Thursday 16 th June – Summer trip- Woburn safari park Policies We have reviewed our Safeguarding children, No smoking and Sickness policies this month. Please be aware that we amended our exclusion period for sickness and diarrhoea to 48hrs. Our policies and procedures are available to parents and carers and are located in the changing rooms and on our website. Summer Trip Thursday June 16 th 2016 This year following our recent parents questionnaire the majority of parents indicated they would like to visit Woburn safari park as this years venue for our summer trip. Please see attached trip letter for more details. If any parent/carer would like to set up a payment plan for the trip, please let us know. We will have payment plans available from April 11 th. Collection of children Please may we remind parents that if they are unable to collect their child as planned, they must inform us. This can be by informing a member of staff at the beginning of the session, this information will be recorded on the whiteboard in the hall so all staff are aware or if parents become aware during a session that someone else is required to pick up their child please telephone us. Parents will be asked to confirm their password if speaking to a member of staff over the phone. Parents will be asked to supply the name and a description of the person who will be picking up their child. We agree with parents how the identification of the person who is to collect their child will be verified. (password). Staff will record this information on the white board in the hall. Staff will not release any child to an adult without being prior informed by the child’s parent and this information has been recorded. (even if they are named on the consent form) If this situation does occur the adults identity will be obtained they will be asked to wait outside the main Pre school room. The child’s parent, carer will be contacted to inform them and the adults identity will need to be confirmed by them to give their consent. Two year old Early learning funding If you are a parent/carer of a 2 year old and receive certain benefits you could be entitled to 15 hours/six sessions of free early learning (not including lunch club) from April 2016 a maximum of 570 hours per year(depending on spaces). To find out if you are eligible please go to www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/2yearfunding. If you are eligible you will be given a reference number which you will need to give to us to apply for the funding. Parents/carers will need to complete a Parent/carer contract which will be issued week beginning 18 th April and will need to be completed by 21 st April.www.northamptonshire.gov.uk/2yearfunding Children’s Progress Your child’s key person will sharing information on your child’s progress in the form of a development summary which will be sent home with your child w/b 18 th April. Please feel free to comment and share information from home. Your child’s keyperson will be available should you to wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s development. Please speak to them to arrange this.