Newsletter – November 2008

New Topic – Celebrations

This is the new topic at both nurseries. We will be looking at all the different things that we celebrate and the ways that we have celebrations.

We will look at how the change in season or weather can be cause for celebration and how the change from autumn to winter is marked by different seasonal activities. We will collect autumnal items – leaves and pine cones, acorns and conkers – and as we move towards December we will start to make our festive decorations for the nurseries! Our seasonal displays will also be supported by trips into the local community, including visits to the library, to witness first hand some of the changes that happen at this type of year.

Parents’ Evenings

Braunton: Tuesday 18th November, 5.30pm – 7.30pm

Fremington: Tuesday 25th November, 5pm – 7pm

As usual these are child-free events please! Parents can make appointments with their keyworker for the evening at their branch.

Nativities

Braunton: Tuesday 16th December, 3.30pm (at the nursery)

Fremington: Thursday 18th December, 3.30pm (at the Methodist church hall, just next door to Fremington church)

Please keep an eye on the notice board for news updates.

Christmas Parties - Change in times!

These will take place on Friday 19th December at both nurseries – which is also our last day of term.

Please note the change in times - half an hour earlier than previously advertised!
Under 3’s: 10.00am – 12.00am
Over 3’s: 1.00pm – 3.00pm.

Please let staff know whether or not your child will be attending.
If your child is normally in the nursery for the party session you can still drop off and pick up at your normal session times. Otherwise, please keep to the party times above.

If your child is normally in for the other age group's party we will offer you a replacement session that week. If this is likely to cause any difficulties please let us know as soon as possible.

Goodbyes

At Braunton we will be saying goodbye, temporarily, to Danielle and Anna as they begin their maternity leave over the next couple of months. Danielle's last working day will be Friday 28th November and Anna will be finishing on Friday 19th December.

We will be sad to lose them for the duration of their leave but are very pleased for them during this exciting time and look forward to them both returning towards the end of next year!

In the meantime, from January Miranda is pleased to be taking on Anna's role as day to day manager of the branch and Zoe will be taking more of a specific role with the Babies allowing Miranda the time to take on the additional responsibilities. Zoe is extremely enthusiastic and capable and already has a very good relationship with the under 1's in particular.

We are currently conducting interviews to provide a suitable replacement for Danielle as Lisa's assistant in the pre-school however Sophie, who works in pre-school much of the time, will be extending her hours up until Christmas to provide this cover.

Much training has been undertaken over the past few months to ease this transition for the staff who are taking on new and extra responsibilities, in order to ensure that the children have the minimum of disruption. We do not anticipate any problems however, we do hope that as many parents as possible will be able to attend the Parents Evening in order that we can explain the changes further and discuss changes of keyworkers if relevant.

Christmas Holiday Dates

Our last day of term is Friday 19th December 2008 and we will re-open again on Monday 5th January.

Wishing everyone an enjoyable and restful festive season!