Firstly, we would like to take this opportunity to welcome all our new parents and carers to the Windmill Nursery and for all our returning families. We would like to thank all parents and carers, at this difficult time, on following the new guidelines and waiting patiently when dropping off and picking up their children.
During these difficult times, we do understand that you know your child best, all we ask is that if you believe that your child is unwell, could you please air on caution when deciding to bring your child into nursery and follow the Government guidelines of:
- a high temperature,
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours,
- a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
We would ask you to remember that younger children can display other symptoms.
Each term you will receive a newsletter to help keep you informed of all the relevant news, events and themes that are coming up. For more information, please take a look at our website.
AUTUMN TERM
For the first few weeks of this term we will be learning about ourselves and concentrating on settling all children into nursery. We will then plan activities daily in line with the children’s interests. Remember, if your child is new to nursery or returning, being at nursery with the routine and all the lovely toys can be distracting, there is so much to do so children will often have toileting accidents just while they settle into nursery life. Please try not to worry. Please put your child in warm clothes as the weather is changing.
The colour for this half term will be red. The colour for next half term will be yellow.
We are doing a display board “All about me”, so if you can let us have a family picture that we can use to pin up on our board, helping us to get to know your child and their family, pet, grandparents, etc., we would be grateful.
TERM DATES
Term 1: 1st September – 22nd October 2021
Half term: Monday – Friday, 25 – 29th October 2021
Term 2: 1st November – 10th December 2021
Please note, there will be no regular sessions on Thursday, 9th and Friday, 10th December 2021, as these are the dates for our nursery Christmas Concert and Parties. All children are able to attend on these special days. (More information regarding these dates will follow nearer the time. This could be subject to change due to COVID).
APPLICATION FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL IN KENT
Primary school applications for Kent residents will be open from Friday, 5th November 2021 to Monday, 17th January 2022.
EYFS
This is the statutory framework that sets standards for early year settings to follow, for children’s learning development and care from birth to 5 year olds. These standards follow your child through the first year of school too. For more information about the EYFS and any Government publications, please go to www.foundationyears.org.uk.
GENTLE REMINDERS
Please ensure all bags, coats, children’s clothing and shoes are labeled.
WANTED
Newspapers to cover our craft table. We try to use a wide variety of materials for our craft activity and would be grateful if you have any spare, wool, boxes, tubes, food colouring, buttons, pasta, rice lentils and any drawing paper which you no longer need.
KEY PERSON
Your child’s key person has already been allocated. They will be completing a Leaning Journey Profile throughout the year and they will be sending out a “My Unique story” document, some parents have already received these and we are looking forward to seeing them returned as soon as possible. The Unique Story is a valuable document that supports our partnership with you, enabling you to share information about your child’s likes and dislikes and also will be completed by your child’s key person every term.
POLICIES
If you would like to see any of the nursery policies, they are available on the Windmill Nursery’s website.
VOLUNTEERS
We are a charity with a Board of Trustees whose support is vital to the setting. The Nursery is also supported by any person wishing to volunteer, gardening, wrapping Christmas presents or other jobs that may be needed at that time.
COLLECTION OF CHILDREN
We are unable to allow children to leave the nursery premises without an authorized adult.
We strive to not only make your child’s time at nursery a successful and enjoyable period, but we also strive to work in partnership with you so that your time as parents of the Windmill Nursery is also a positive experience. If you have any question at any time please do not hesitate to ask.
CHILDREN’S BIRTHDAY
We love celebrating your child’s birthday, but could we ask you to just bring in cake rather than sweets, as we have many allergies this year.
THANK YOU