Autumn term newsletter

Dear Parents/carers
After such a busy summer, we move into the autumn term and are already into October!
We have an action packed term ahead with plenty of things going on so let me begin with……

Dates for your diary
Wakefield Schools will be closed for half term w/c 23rd October; anyone requiring holiday care for their child should inform a member of staff.
The same will apply during the two weeks that schools will be closed for the Christmas holidays. (25/12/17 – 5/01/18)
A separate memo will be sent to all parents/carers of applicable early years free entitlement with full details of non-attendance dates etc.
The nursery will be closed on:
Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th December 2017
Monday 1st January 2018

Harvest Festival
After the success of last year’s collection, and to continue to promote British Values – the children have been discussing and learning about Harvest Festival during September. Once again, we asked for donations to support a local foodbank service – provided at Christ Church, South Ossett.
www.christchurchsouthossett.co.uk/parish-centre/resource-aid-centre-food-bank
This has been extended for a further week, so please donate all you can. We hope to take some of the children to Christ Church to give the donations on behalf of Rainbow Childcare and all our parents/carers.
Thank you in advance for your support in helping with this very worthy cause.

Zoolab visit
After the success of the past couple of years – on the morning of Wednesday 11th October – a ranger from ZooLab will once again be visiting the nursery for a workshop all about mini-beasts. The children (2 to 5) will have the opportunity to meet and be introduced to the creatures in a ‘hands on’, fun & educational way. Once again, there will also be a baby sensory experience for the under 2’s. To find out more about the workshops you can take a look at their website – www.zoolabuk.com

Photography Day
A Photographer will be visiting the nursery on Wednesday 1st November. All ages will be photographed.
When they arrive for us to display, please see the relevant poster in reception regarding arrival times for children who will be coming in especially for their photo taking – please note that you will have to remain on the premises until your child has been photographed. Likewise, if you prefer your child not to have their photograph taken then please let us know.

Children’s Christmas parties
The children’s Christmas parties will be held on:
Tuesday 12th December for the Rainbow Room and Thursday 14th December for the Annex, both from 2.15pm until 4.30pm.
Wednesday 20th December for the baby suite – 2pm till 4pm.
If your child does not usually attend on those days, don’t worry, they will still be able to come in and party. We will however, have to make a small charge of £10.00 to cover extra staffing costs.
In previous years, parents have enjoyed donating food for the party. If anyone would like to give something this year, please see a member of staff nearer the time.

Christmas Jumper Week
We will once again be having a Christmas jumper week, where all children can take part in wearing a fun Christmas jumper/t-shirt/outfit. This will take place throughout w/c 11th December. Whilst having fun – we would also like to take the opportunity to raise funds for RCC International and Save the Children and a donation of £2 minimum would be greatly appreciated.

Staffing & Baby news
Further to our previous letter, we would like to update you on our current staffing in nursery. Both Casey and Catt are enjoying time with Lily and Frankie respectively and we hope to welcome them back in 2018. Meanwhile, we would like to introduce and welcome the newest members to our team – Stacy, & Maria in the Rainbow Room and Hayley in the baby suite. A full list of staff is displayed in each reception area, along with individual profiles.

Lunchtime supervisor role
You may have seen our recent post on Facebook regarding the position of a lunchtime supervisor. Perhaps you may know someone who might be interested – if so please ask that they send their CV to our email address. Full details can be found on our Facebook page.

Clothing
We go out in ALL weathers. Therefore, could you please ensure that your child/children have appropriate clothing and footwear for outdoor play? It is now ‘big’ coat & ‘welly’ weather and if your child does not have appropriate attire they will not be able to go outdoors!

Session times
Just a polite reminder of our session times – as recently we have had several early arrivals and late collections! The morning session is 7.30am until 1.00pm and the afternoon is 1.00pm until 6.00pm.
Children who are funded through the Early Years Free Entitlement funding must adhere to their pre-arranged hours. Children cannot arrive 15-20 minutes early and assume that if they are collected early that this is acceptable. Staffing is organised around these hours and any change could potentially mean the nursery is not staffed correctly. Please note that a charge will be made for any early arrivals or late collections.

Contacting nursery
If your child will not be attending nursery, could you please contact us by 9.00am wherever possible in any of the following ways.

Main nursery 01924 277260
Rainbow room and Pre-school annex 07908259519
Email [email protected]
Like us on Facebook @ Rainbow Childcare, Ossett.

Many thanks & regards
Julie, Catherine and all the Rainbow team.