Newsletter
June 2021
PLEASE REMEMBER:
● Sun protection cream and sunhat in the warmer months
● Warm waterproof coat (that can get muddy), hat, 2 pairs gloves, thick socks (colder months)
● Spare nappies and wipes (if needed)
● Small plastic or metal lunchbox (no soft lunch bags) for wiping and easy storage;
● No nuts or nut products in lunchboxes;
● Names on coats, bags, wellies, lunchboxes, hats, sweatshirts etc.
● Tell us if your child has had any medicine at home before coming to pre-school, including paracetamol or ibuprofen.
● Children should stay at home for the first 48 hours after starting antibiotics and their return to pre-school should be agreed with the pre-school leader.
● Children cannot return to pre-school until 48 hours after the last bout of sickness or diarrhoea.
Covid-19 & Lockdown - please read
COVID-19 and LOCKDOWN: England is now in lockdown and everyone must adhere to the lockdown restrictions to ensure that all our children, siblings, parents, carers and staff (and their families) are protected as far as we are able. Pre-schools have been instructed to remain open and we are working out what we will do if funding is withdrawn for non-attending children. Please refresh your memory by reading the reminders about procedures below. Staff will be discreetly reminding anyone who is not complying with the rules and guidelines. Staff are wearing masks when indoors. The verandah door and windows are kept open and as much time as possible is spent outdoors. There were problems with the garden in December as it became very muddy and slippery but we are working on solutions to this. There will be some extra forest school sessions in January and February - please see the diary dates at the end of this newsletter.
COVID REMINDERS:
● Everyone must adhere to Lockdown restrictions and any further changes as and when they are announced;
● All members of your household must follow current regulations and guidance regarding self-isolation and engage with Test and Trace;
● Children must not attend pre-school if they are unwell, this includes coughs, colds, raised temperatures and runny noses as the virus can present differently in children;
● Notify pre-school immediately if your child is displaying any coronavirus symptoms (high temperature, new continuous cough or loss/change in sense of smell or taste) and/or they are having a test. Let us know the result.
● If someone in your household displays symptoms and/or tests positive, your child cannot attend pre-school;
● Children's temperatures will be taken on arrival;
● Only one parent/carer when dropping off or collecting to minimise the number of people congregating outside the pre-school;
● Parents/carers must wear a mask or face covering on school premises;
● Wait 2 metres apart outside the pre-school;
● Leave lunch boxes on the trolley outside and collect from there later;
● Notes/payments can be left with staff on the door or posted in the black letterbox (sanitise hands before and after).
● Go to the NHS website for further information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
TWICE WEEKLY TESTING: On 5 April, the Prime Minister announced that from 9 April all people in England will be able to access twice weekly rapid tests for coronavirus.
WARMER WEATHER: Your child must arrive wearing 8 hour SUN PROTECTION CREAM. If your child cannot wear 8 hour cream and is staying all day, please speak to staff so we can make sure sun cream is re-applied, either using our sun cream or cream supplied by you. Your child will also need to bring a sunhat. PLEASE PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME INSIDE THE HAT
forest school
Forest School is now on TUESDAY and THURSDAY mornings. Whatever the weather, children must be wearing long trousers, socks and long sleeved tops to all forest school sessions and bring a waterproof coat. They will wear our waterproof dungarees over the top of their clothes as these provide extra protection from grazes, stings, ticks and mud. If needed, they can change into warm weather clothing when we get back to pre-school.
Coopers Circle
The next visits will be on Monday 5 July and Tuesday 13 July. Please return consent forms as soon as possible. If your child stays all day, they will be collected at the normal time (3.10 pm) from the pre-school.
footie4dorset
Sessions will now run on Wednesday mornings (5 sessions). Children need to wear suitable clothing and footwear, as well as sun protection cream
LEAVERS’ PICNIC: Our leavers and their families are invited to our LEAVERS’ PICNIC on Saturday 24 July on the school field. The proceedings get off to an early start at 8.50 am with singing and presentations to leavers. The children usually sit under the canopy at the front entrance and families sit opposite so they can watch.
Afterwards everyone can spread out on the school field. You are welcome to bring a blanket and your own picnic brunch to enjoy while watching entertainment provided by Bubbleman and his assistant. We will have the school field to ourselves so there will be plenty of space.
LEAVERS’ QUESTIONNAIRE: If your child is leaving pre-school this year, you will be e-mailed a link for an online survey. It will only take a few minutes, and is completely confidential. Your feedback is important to us, and helps us to identify areas we could improve upon.
DORSET FAMILY INFORMATION SERVICE provides free impartial , advice and assistance to parents and carers of children and young people aged up to 19, or up to 25 years for those with special educational needs or disability (SEND).
Families can:
Sign up to receive the FIS newsletter
EASYFUNDRAISING: Did you know that we are registered with easyfundraising? This means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself! Retailers include Amazon, Argos, Ebay, John Lewis, Tesco and many more.
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE and only takes a moment.
You can find our easyfundraising page at ‘St Catherines Preschool Dorset’.
AmazonSmile: AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support our charity every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.co.uk on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping App for iOS and Android phones. When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience with the added bonus that AmazonSmile will donate a portion of the purchase price to us!
1) Open the Amazon app on your phone
2) Select the main menu (=) & tap on 'Amazon Smile' within Programmes & Features
3) Select St Catherines Pre School as your charity
4) Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app
PLANT SOME SUN FOR ‘21: Remember to let us know how well your sunflowers grow over the summer. The deadline for entries is 16 August and full details are in your pack. Here’s a reminder of the categories:
Sunflower challenge competition categories
Tallest sunflower (in centimetres)
Sunflower head with the largest diameter (in centimetres)
Three age groups for each category
Under 5s (pre-schoolers)
School age children (5-17)
Adults (18+)
There is also a prize for the best overall display (open to all age groups).
Remember you can support the pre-school by collecting sponsorship using the form provided. If you raise more than £20 you can deduct the cost of your kit from the sponsorship raised.
The May Lolly Stall raised £52.80. Thank you everyone for your support
DIARY DATES
BEACH SESSIONS and BAKE & SHARE LUNCHES are on hold for the time being
FOREST SCHOOL sessions will be held on the school grounds, subject to weather conditions at the time, e.g., wind speed, extreme cold, torrential rain.
Tues 8 June Forest School: 1st of 6 sessions on Tues mornings
Wednesday 9 June Football with Lee Cuff (5 mornings)
Thursday 10 June Forest School: 1st of 6 sessions on Thurs mornings
Mon 5 July Cooper’s Circle (including lunch)
Tues 13 July Cooper’s Circle (including lunch)
Friday 23 July Last day of Summer Term
Saturday 24 July, 8.50 am LEAVERS’ PICNIC (subject to current Covid-19 guidance)
Monday 26 July First Stay & Play sessions for new intake (Sept 2021)
Thursday 2 September Second Stay & Play sessions for new intake (Sept 2021)
Monday 6 September First day of Autumn Term 2021
10 LIFE SKILLS for pre-schoolers to practise at home
Find the right clothes you need and get yourself dressed
Put on your own shoes and do them up
Put on your own coat and do up zip/buttons
Use the toilet without help (for children starting school this year) and wash hands
Use a knife and fork
Make your own sandwich and chop fruit for lunch
Wipe your own nose and put the tissue in the bin, then wash your hands
Learn about time: is it the morning, afternoon or evening?
Help with laundry: strip bed, pair up socks, put clothes away in drawers
Clean: tidy away toys, wash up, dust, sweep