SPRING 2014 Issue No. 2
Welcome back we hope that you all had an enjoyable half term; a week just seems to fly by! We hope you weren’t effected to badly by the recent flooding and we hope that the weather we take a change for the better and we can start opening the doors & using the balcony.
We would like to take the opportunity to say goodbye to those of you moving up to the pre-school we are sure you will have lots of fun and make lots of new friends.
To any new parents and children joining us we would like to offer a warm welcome to our groups. We are sure you will have lots of fun and make lots of new friends over the coming weeks, while your children play and make lots of mess!!
For the new parents and a reminder to those returning lets introduce you to the Hatch Warren Under Fives Staff running your groups:
Lisa Cato: is the Under 3's Co-ordinator and is in charge of the day to day running of all the Parent and Toddler groups as well as the under 3's group which is a group designed to familiarise younger children with the Pre-School environment prior to joining the main Pre-School. Lisa has been involved with Hatch Warren Under Fives for over 14 years. Both her children have been through the groups. Lisa is also the qualified Councillor for the Pre-School & First Aider for these groups.
Katie Childs: is Lisa's assistant in all our Parent & child groups. Katie served as a committee member for 3 years and both her son's attended all the groups from baby group through to Pre-School. Katie has worked at the Pre-School is a Senior Play Assistant for 4 years & completed her NVQ 3 diploma in Childcare last year.
Katie & Lisa
Our Parent & Child Groups
Parent & Toddler Group Monday 10.00am – 11.30am
This is a drop in session for those aged between 14 months – 2 years 9 months (walkers)
Cost is £2.50 per family
The room is split into 3 different areas for this session:
· Craft Area – each week there is a different craft activity
· The centre section contains various age appropriate toys which vary week on week & could include books, puzzles, Happy Street, Cars, Building blocks etc.
· The final section will have a more physical theme, big building blocks, slide, tents, dolls prams etc.
Tea/Coffee/ Squash & Biscuits are provided
The session ends with Tidy up time, followed by snack time and singing
Pre-Play 2 Sessions – Friday 9.15am – 10.30am / 10.45am -12pm
These sessions are pre-bookable and offer a slightly more structured session for children aged 18 months – 2 years 9 months, an introduction to Pre-school.
Cost: Billed termly current price £3.50 per session - a waiting list is in operation for these groups
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· Each session starts with our welcome song – The clap or wave song. All the children & Parent/careers are encouraged to sit in a circle and join in.
· The room is again split into 3 sections similar to parent & toddler Group. Offering a wide range of age appropriate toys to play with.
· The session end with Snack time & Song time with our final song being Ring a Ring of Roses using the bungee rope.
In addition each ½ term in this group we hold a theme day where the room is turned into a Farm, Seaside, Pirates Den to name a few we have done. We encourage everyone to get into the theme by dressing up. We have treasure hunts, play games and the children always go home with a little something to.
This session are lots of fun whilst introducing a little structure which helps the children as they move on up into the main Pre-School.
“Let’s Get Messy” Friday, 1.15pm – 2.15pm
This is a drop in session for those aged 5 months (sitting up) – 2 years 9 months
Cost £2.00 per family
Messy Play is MESSY – we again have 3 sections in the room.
· Top end is our Messy play area, this changes each week and could be paint, shaving foam, jelly & Custard, Water & Bubbles just to name a few. These are detailed at the back of our newsletter.
· Centre Section has a variety of age appropriate toys for those who do not want to be adventurous in our messy play
· The far end again will have more physical toys, slide, tents tunnels etc.
Tea/Coffee/Squash & Biscuits are provided – The session end with Nursery Rhymes
Let’s Get Messy also has Theme Days
“Coffee N Chat”
Unfortunately our Monday afternoon drop in session “Coffee N Chat” has been cancelled with immediate effect due to lack of numbers attending.
We would however like to take this opportunity to thank you all for continuing to support our other Parent & Toddler Groups.
Registered Charity No. 1132908
Disabled Parking Space
The Community Centre staff have asked us to remind you not to use either of the 2 disabled parking spaces unless you are a badge holder. They have received complaints from people who were unable to access these bays, as they were being used by parents attending groups in the centre.
“IMPORTANT” Baby Changing
Please can we ask that you do not change your baby/child in the group due to health and safety reasons. A baby change facility is available within the disabled toilet located to the left of the main entrance.
There is a pull down baby changing table and a sanitised bin to dispose of your nappies. All nappies should be placed in a nappy bag before placing in the bin.
Please ensure you use the correct bin.
Birthdays
Please let us know when it is your child's birthday, as we would like to celebrate it. We will sing “Happy Birthday” at song time and we have a pretend cake so they can blow out the candles.
Toys
Please can we remind you that our toys are for everyone to play with and we would ask you to encourage your children to share and respect our toys. We know that from time to time toys get damaged or broken and we would appreciate if you could inform us during a session if your child has accidentally damaged a toy or you find a damaged toy, so that we can remove it for the health and safety of all attending the groups. Thank you for your co-operation with this.
Food in the Groups
Please can we remind you not to bring in any food for your child to eat during the session unless it is necessary due to dietary requirements.
If you do want to bring in food to share with everyone, for example to celebrate a birthday, please let a member of staff know at the beginning of the session. This is so that all the parents can be informed.
The main reason for this is due to parental choice of what they allow their toddlers to eat and also allergies and food intolerances.
Visitors to the Groups
From time to time we like to invite visitors into the various groups. This gives you the opportunity to see what is available to you and your child in the local area. Whether it be a free taster session of a local group or a local business selling books, cards etc. If you know of anyone who would be interested in coming along, then please let a member of staff know and we can contact them to arrange a mutually convenient date.
Clothing
Please ensure that your child does not attend the groups (Especially LETS GET MESSY) wearing their best clothes. We do provide protective coverings/aprons but it is amazing where they can get paint, glue, flour, pasta play dough etc.!
‘IMPORTANT’ Supervision
Although we do have staff present in all the groups we would remind you that your children remain YOUR RESPONSIBILTY whilst in the group. Therefore we would ask you to supervise them at all times, especially when the physical equipment is out.
Feedback
We hope that your time at our groups is of benefit to you and especially your child/children. Should you have any comments or suggestions, please do not hesitate to speak to one of the team. We like
to hear what part of the groups you and your children enjoy or don't enjoy. There may be times when you think “why are we doing this” or “what benefit is this to my child” - there is always method behind our madness and we are happy to explain why.
Pre-school Places
Pre-school places within Hatch warren are at a premium and it is recommended that you put your child's name on the waiting list even if you know what you may be doing by the time your child is due to start.
Lisa or Katie will be able to get you a registration form and answer any questions you may have and Caroline Butler (Deputy Head of Pre-School) is always about for a chat to.
Registered Charity No. 1132908
Dates for your Diary –
Monday 17th March St Patricks Day
Friday 4th April Staff Training Day – All Groups Closed
Monday 7th April – Friday 18th April EASTER HOLIDAYS – All Groups Closed
Monday 21st April BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY – All Groups Closed
Monday 5th May BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY – All Groups Closed
Messy Items for Messy Play
Friday 28th February Paint
Friday 7th March Shaving Foam
Friday 14th March Compost
Friday 21st March Pasta & Cereal’s
Friday 28th March Hay & Straw
Friday 4th April STAFF TRAINING DAY – Groups Closed
Friday 11th & 18th April EASTER HOLIDAYS – Groups Closed
For more information:-
Our website can be found herehttp://www.hatchwarrenunderfives.co.uk/
MichelleTejevo- Head of Pre-School
Lisa Cato - Under 3s Co-ordinator
Tele: 01256 322788
Registered Charity No. 1132908