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AUTUMN / WINTER NEWSLETTER
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October 2011
Dear Parents/Carers
Welcome to the Winter term at Busy Bees. I hope all of the children are settling in
well, making lots of new friends and enjoying their activities.
We are constantly taking photographs of the children for their development files, as
you can imagine we get through a lot of cameras and this can be very costly. If you
have any old digital cameras that you would be able to donate to your child’s class it
would be GREATLY appreciated.
We also get through a huge amount of stair gates (I’m sure some of you have noticed
they are always changing)! If you have any old ones which you no longer require, they
too would be GREATLY appreciated.
Each classroom has a sign up rota for parents volunteers. ANY extra help is always
greatly appreciated. Please sign up if you are able to come in and help with activities
such as:
- Reading stories
- Helping with snack
- Small group activities
- Helping with craft activities
- Outdoor play
- Wood work
- Help the children on the farm, digging, weeding etc
- Forest School
Or if you have a particular skill or interest that you would like to do as a group
activity with the children that would be great.
We would especially like to get more Dad’s involved with helping in their child’s
classroom as the children have lots of females around them and we feel that the
children really benefit from having positive male role models in the nursery.
All volunteers are supervised and not left alone with any child other than their own
at any time.
SNACK TIME
As you are aware, each child is required to bring in their own healthy snack. May we
please stress the emphasis on ‘HEALTHY’ as many children are bringing in items such
as chocolate and sweets!
Items for a healthy snack could include:
Fruit/vegetables (prepared please)
Raisins
Cereal bars
Yogurts
Crackers etc.
Please ensure that all items are clearly named.
LUNCHTIMES
If your child stays for lunch, could we please ask that you also provide a healthy lunch.
PLEASE REMEMEBR - DUE TO SEVERAL CHILDREN WHO HAVE NUT
ALLERGIES - WE ARE A ‘NUT FREE’ SCHOOL.
Extra curricular activities
Ballet - Sian Couture - 01638 510460 - Ballet is held on Monday mornings
between 9.15 - 10.15am - cost per lesson £3.50
Swimming lessons - £4.50 per lesson
Swimming lessons are held on a daily basis, if you would like to sign your child up
to swim please see your child’s teacher.
If you haven’t already purchased a Busy Bees swimming bag could we please ask you to
do so as this makes it a lot easier for the staff who are taking the children swimming -
cost per bag £2.00. Could we also please ask you to clearly name all of your children’s
items. Thank you
Jacqui has recently started an Adult and Baby/Child swimming group. If you would
be interested in attending these classes please contact Jacqui on: 07821827962
Spanish lessons
Spanish lessons are held on Wednesday mornings between 9.30 - 10.15am - For more information please either see me or contact Beverly Smith (tutor) on 01638 717683
French lessons
French lessons are held on Monday mornings between 10.45 am - 11.30am - Once again,
for more information please either see me or contact Beverly Smith (tutor) on
01638 717683
Beverley also teaches older children Spanish on Wednesday afternoons between
4.00 - 4.45pm. And French on Monday afternoons between 4.00 - 4.45pm.
Please contact her if you would be interested in an older child taking language lessons.
Forest School.
Forest School takes place each Tuesday and Thursday morning. The children are able to travel on the Busy Bees mini bus to a local woodland environment. Here the children can take part in a variety of exciting activities organised by a qualified Forest School leader. If you would like more information about our Forest School programme please ask your child’s class supervisor for a leaflet. You can also find out more about Forest Schools at http://www.forestschools.com/
Forest School sessions cost £3.00 each and last for approximately 2 and half hours.
Busy Bees items for sale
Children’s Busy Bees T-shirts £5.50 each
Children’s Busy Bees sweatshirts £7.50 each
Children’s baseball caps £3.00 each
Busy Bees nursery rhyme tapes £3.00 each
Busy Bees book bags £5.00 each
Swimming bags £2.00 each
Swimming hats £4.50 each
Could we please ask that you name your children’s clothes, especially items such as
coats, sweaters, hats, gloves etc. If you do lose any items there is a lost property
bin by the main reception door.
Non Grant period - Don’t forget, the week of 24th - 28th October is a non grant
week. If you haven’t handed your letter back stating whether or not your child will
be attending Busy Bees that week, it would be greatly appreciated if you could do
so. A.S.A.P.
For parents using the school grant
The grant runs until Friday 16th December and restarts on Tuesday 3rd January 2012
Normal fees apply from Monday 19th - Thursday 22nd December (non grant period).
PLEASE NOTE WE WILL BE CLOSING AT OUR USUAL TIME OF 6.00 PM ON THURSDAY 22ND DECEMBER AND WILL RE-OPEN ON TUESDAY 3RD JANUARY 2012
AMENDED DATE!! - We will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd January and re-open as usual on Tuesday 3rd January.
If your child is usually booked in for a grant session on a Monday, you can have a make up session day during the non-grant week of 13th - 17th February. Please see your child’s class supervisor for a check-in sheet.
Christmas parties
This year the children’s Christmas parties will be held at The Jubilee Centre in
Mildenhall for The Bumble Bees, The Robins, The Ladybird and The Butterfly
classes.
Dates
Wednesday 14h December 2011 for the Bumble Bee and Robin classes
Thursday 15h December 2011 for the Ladybird and Butterfly classes
The plan for the party will be: Children who are booked in to stay all day may use
the coach, it will arrive at Busy Bees at 12.15 to take the children to The Jubilee
Centre in Mildenhall. All other children, please meet us there at 12.30pm.
- Sit down and eat 12.30pm
- Children’s entertainer at 1.15 - 2.00pm
- Visit Santa at 2.00 - 2.30pm
Cost for the party £8.00 per child - This will include:
- The cost of the hire of the hall and coach
- The cost of the entertainer
- A present from Santa
If you would like your child to attend the Christmas party please fill in the form
at the back of the newsletter and hand it back to your child’s teacher NO LATER
THAN FRIDAY 25H NOVEMBER 2011. (with payment please).
PARENTS ARE WELCOME TO COME ALONG AND JOIN IN WITH THE PARTY Unfortunately due to a possible overcrowding situation occurring, neither older
or younger siblings will be able to attend the parties. (sorry)
Food sign up lists will be displayed in your child’s classroom closer to the time
of the party.
The Little Chicks Christmas party will be held at Busy Bees on Monday 19th
December 2011 between 2.00 - 3.30pm. Details will be announced closer to the time
School Photographs
Halloween pictures will be taken between 3rd and 7th October.
Christmas pictures will be taken between 31st October and 4th November.
Sign up sheets and permission slips will soon be available in your child’s classroom. Please ask a member of staff for more information if you are interested in your child having their picture taken..
Craft Workshops
If you are interested in learning about felting, natural dyes, peg loom weaving, herbal remedies, or would like one to one tuition in learning to spin yarn please email Jean at jean.beales@btinternet.com or call for more information on 07971457184
Beehive shop opening times
If you would like to browse in the Beehive shop the Winter hours from mid October will be:
Monday to Friday
11.00 am to 5.00 pm - closed for lunch 12.30 pm - 1.30 pm
Closed Wednesday
New web-site
Coming soon! Look out for our new extensive website which will detail everything which happens on the Busy Bees farm. You will find this at busybeesfarm.co.uk
Busy Bees car park
During peak periods 8.20am - 9.20 am, 11.20am - 12.20pm and 3.30 pm - 4.30 pm the Busy
Bees car park is STRICTLY only to be used for parents who have younger siblings to
bring into the nursery or for people whose vehicle carries a disability badge. For all
other parents, please use the large car park next to the church. Please do not leave valuables on view whilst your car is unattended.
Could we please ask that you do not throw your litter in the car park - please use the
Bins at the end of the car park or take it home with you. Thank you.
Please do not leave your car engines running in the car park either attended or
unattended as it is environmentally unfriendly and also against the UK law.
Busy Bees is a non smoking premises - please note, this also includes the car park
Our sickness policy
Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell as it puts other group
Members at risk of catching an infection. If your child is not well enough to
participate in their daily activities they should not attend school that day. If a child
has had diarrhoea or sickness please do not send them to school for 24 hours since
their last attack / symptom. If possible, a phone call is always appreciated if your
child is absent due to being unwell, so that we are aware of any illnesses going around.
SENco Information
Lorna Barker MA DIP SW is our SENco -
(Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator). If you have any concerns relating to
your child please speak to Lorna who will be happy to help you.
We would like to mention a few safety points to parents/carers
1) Please ensure that all contact numbers are updated regularly so that we have
good communication in an emergency situation.
2) Please ensure that all doors and gates are closed SECURELY behind you at ALL
times when entering and leaving the building/premises. Some parents are leaving
the nursery from time to time and actually leaving the doors open!!!
3) We have tried to make our entrance and exit gate as safe as possible, could we
please ask for your co-operation in not allowing your child to run ahead of you -
especially in the car park.
4) Still parents are coming in to see me upset that young children have been left
alone in the car whilst parents come into the nursery, please do not do this as it
goes without saying that the possible consequences could be serious.
5) Please do not leave siblings (of any age) in the play area or outside the building
whilst you come in to the nursery to collect your child.
6) May we please remind you, that if you wish for your child to go home with anyone
else they must be listed on your child’s ‘parental permission form’ and the nominated
person must have valid I.D.
_____________________________________________________________
We are always looking for ways to improve our service. If you have any suggestions
on ways in which we can do this, please write them down place them in the suggestion
box next to Sharon’s office.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the kind parents who have helped
us in various ways over the past year, it has been greatly appreciated.
Thanks again - Best wishes.
Lorna Barker
Acting Nursery Manager
Please see below for permission forms
Permission Form For Busy Bees
School Photographs
The dates for school photographs will take place on the following days:
Monday 1st November - The Little Chicks Class
Thursday 4th November - The Bumble Bee Class
Monday 8th November - The Robins Class
Thursday 11th November - The Ladybird Class
Monday 15th November - The Butterfly Class
Name of child: _______________________________________
Name of class: _______________________________________
The date your child will be having their picture taken on:
__________________________________________________
Please circle the session/s that your child will be attending on the
day of their classes photograph.
Morning session Afternoon session Both sessions
Signed:_______________________ Date: ________________
If your child does not attend school on the day of their class photograph and you would like them to have their picture taken,
please see your child’s classroom supervisor.
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM
NO LATER
THAN FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER
Permission Form For
The Busy Bees Christmas Party
I do / do not wish for my child to attend the
Busy Bees Christmas party at the Jubilee
Centre in Mildenhall on:
(please circle the day your child will attend
the party)
Wednesday 15th December 2010
(For Bumble Bee and Robin classes)
Thursday 16th December 2010
(For Ladybird and Butterfly classes)
Name of child: ______________________
I enclose £8.00 for the cost of the party
Signed: ______________ Date: ________
PLEASE RETURN NO LATER THAN
FRIDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 2010
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