Newsletters
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
The topics for November will be ‘Autumn’ and ‘People who help us’. We will be looking closely at signs of autumn in the environment and observing seasonal changes in weather and colours, and growth outdoors.
We have an autumn table filled with items such as leaves, conkers, pine cones- please feel free to bring in anything you find in your gardens or whilst out walking.
This month we will be introducing our ‘EcoSchools’ classroom practice to the children. We will be encouraging re-cycling, awareness of litter/tidy environments and nominate an ‘Eco helper’ each day to take charge of the eco tasks.
We will be planting indoors and outdoors. We will be taking time to turn off lights. The children will be meeting our ‘Eco bear’
Ravenscroft has a compost bin and all our fruit peelings are now being recycled and will hopefully turn into compost.
We are collecting old clothes for this worthwhile charity. Please will you return to the nursery week of 7th November as last date for donations is the 11th J
The children will be beginning our ‘Time to Talk’ language programme. The children will enjoy meeting ‘Ginger Bear’ during the small group sessions and the programme will nurture social aspects of language development. We will keep you updated via the classroom notice boards.
Mrs Symington will be running a Time to Talk Parents Workshop in January. More details to follow.
Your child will have the opportunity to take home a Story Sack from Thursday 17th November. A letter is in your childs cubby hole with some further details. Please speak to Mrs Symington or Mrs McGowan if you wish to sign up for this.
We really rely on the help of Parent Volunteers for these trips. If you are available to help at Stormont walk or Walking tours, would you please let Mrs Symington or Mrs McGowan know? Thankyou !
Applications for Nursery and Primary School places will be available from 25th November at www.eani.org.uk Application forms must be returned to your 1st preference school no later than Wednesday 11th January 2017 at 12 noon.
Some Important Future Dates for your Diary
Monday 19th December- Childrens Christmas Concert
Tea/ Coffee for parents/grandparents at 11 followed by concert at 11.30
Friday 7th April- Easter Singalong
Tea/Coffee for parents/grandparents at 10.30 followed by singalong at 11.30
Wednesday 5th June- Family Fun Day
1.30-3.30pm
Monday 12th June- Trip to Carrickfergus Castle- Parent Volunteers most welcome
Don’t forget to check your children’s hair weekly for Head Lice. Why not make this part of your week-end routine?
This Newsletter can be viewed on our website, and is translatable in our ‘latest news’ section, using Google Translate www.ravenscroftnursery.co.uk
OCTOBER 2016 NEWSLETTER
The settling-in process is going well and all the children are now admitted. Settling in is a difficult disruptive time in families. We appreciate the time and effort you have all made, ensuring a good start to school for your child. The staff are looking forward to spending the year with the children, fostering and monitoring their development.
During the first half term we concentrate on getting to know each other, getting to know about our school and our routines and learning to be as independent as possible.
There are photographs of all the children in your child’s class in the entrance lobby. Why not use these to talk to your child about his/her friends?
Nursery Routines and independence
Already many children can:
· Find their own names and stick them onto paintings or registration board
· Choose and put up own page on painting easel
· Put finished artwork on drier
· Help themselves to snack and take care of any empties and leftovers.
· Help each other with aprons
· Put on/ help each other put on a coat at playground time.
· Manage independently at toilet and wash time
This month we begin the theme of ‘myself’, getting to know each other and family members.
We will focus on the colours red, orange and black.
At the end of the month we will be concentrating on Hallowe’en traditions and events.
Don’t forget: ‘Once a week, take a peek!’ – Keep a close eye out for head lice.
ECO SCHOOLS
There is a red recycling bin at entrance to school. Please use this to clear out any unwanted clothes, shoes, toys etc. All proceeds to British Heart Foundation.
We also recycle batteries.
The children will be planting bulbs this month as well as beginning to develop an awareness of recycling card, paper and plastics.
We collect empty cereal boxes, cardboard tubes etc for ‘junk art’. Please leave in trolley in entrance hall.
EARLY DROP OFF SERVICE
This will be non teaching supervised time only. We will offer this service from 8.30am each school morning starting Monday 10th October.
Please enter school building via the side gate leading into the playground, and drop your child into the Nursery 2 (Mrs McGowans) quiet room. Your child must be handed to a member of staff each morning.
PARENTS COFFEE
Every Tuesday after drop off. A schedule will be sent home next week for your information.
POSTBOXES IN HALL
We now have postboxes outside N1 and N2. These post boxes are to be used for snack and dinner money. Any reply notes can also be posted here.
CASH FOR CLOBBER
Please start gathering up your old unwanted clothing for this very worthwhile charity. We will be taking donations in November.
UNIFORM ORDERS
We will be taking orders for our school jumpers week of 10th October. This will be the last chance to order any items this school year. Forms to be returned no later than Friday 17th October. Please ask for a uniform order form to be completed, and returned with payment.
v NURSERY TIMES
Mon 3rd October to Fri 28th October 9.00am – 1.00pm
Mon 7th November onwards 9.00am – 1.30pm
v DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
v Wed 5th October- Makaton taster session for Parents 9.15-10.45
v 20th October- Mrs Symington will be running a Parent workshop session on sensory development and how you can help your child’s attention, concentration and emotional wellbeing by using sensory approaches. This will be a very worthwhile session, incorporating a presentation with a practical session. All parents are welcome, please wear something comfy.
v 24th, 25th & 26thOctober – Parent/Teacher interviews from 2-4 pm for Mrs Symingtons class.
v 26th October (1.15-2.30pm) & 27th October (10am onwards)– Parent/Teacher interviews for McGowans class.
You can choose the time that suits you best- sign- up sheets will soon be available outside each classroom.
v Thurs 27th October-Mrs McGowan will be running a Story Sacks workshop for parents- more details to follow
v Individual School photographs will be taken of each child. Details to follow this month
HOLIDAYS
We finish on Friday 28th October at for the half-term holiday. School will re-open on Monday 7th November.
Don’t forget to check our website for information on the school and photos of what your child has been up to- www.ravenscroftns.co.uk