Important DatesSpring Term 2015First day Monday 24th FebruaryWorld book Day Thursday 5th MarchTrip to Offley Farm To be confirmed(help needed with transport)Easter Performance Friday 27th MarchEgg hunt, ALL INVITED Friday 27th MarchLast day of Term Thursday 2nd AprilSummer Term starts Monday 20th AprilParents evening (5-7pm) Tuesday 19th MayHalf Term 25th – 29th MayFun Day (Sponsored walk) Saturday **** JuneGullivers Theme Park Thursday 18th June **National Move up day Thursday 09th JulyParty Day ALL INVITED Wednesday 22nd JulyEnd of Term Wednesday 22nd July

Committee :If you are interested about joining our committee please speak to either Paula Metcalfe or any of the team.

c/o Offley Endowed SchoolSchool LaneGt OffleyHertsSG5 3ATTel: 01462 768606offleypreschool@hotmail.co.uk www.offley-preschool.org

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February 2015

So February is nearly over, this year is passing quickly. We have much to cover this next half term ending with our annual Easter Performance. We will continue to update our face book page weekly as well as reminder emails. Please look out for our questionnaires, we appreciate your honestly as this is what improves our service enhancing opportunities for your children and those of the future.

Please use our website and sign up for our closed group facebook page. We send weekly reminders via facebook and email ,keeping the website updated with photos of our many activities as well as key dates throughout the year.If you have any suggestions as to improve what we display please speak to a member of staff.

I am always available if you would like to discuss any issues or concerns regarding your child and am usually at Preschool by 8.20am. Regards Paula Metcalfe.

Website

Spring 2-2015

World Book Day

It is World Book Day on Thursday 5th March. We would like the children to come to school in Fancy dress or role play costumes. We will be spending the day working through some favourite books, trying food from the Hungry Caterpillar and every child will be receiving a voucher issued by the government (as long as they arrive) Please allow your child to wear a costume (not compulsory) and bring in a favourite book. We will try to read them all.

This half term we will be looking at the Theme Spring and focusing on The Hungry Caterpillar book. Alongside this we will be completing a variety of craft activities including Rabbits, Chicks, Lambs, Eggs and Caterpillars. This will include a trip to Offley Hoo farm (we will need help with transport please) We would love you to be part of this by looking at changes when you are out and about, snowdrops, blossom, buds sprouting through the mud. We are working hard preparing the children who will be moving on, starting the transition process. The children will be learning a couple of themed songs to perform at our Easter Performance.

Activities/Themes

The children will have time allocated every session to move into groups and focus on a particular piece of work linked to the seven areas. They will move into groups based on “Leavers” “Stayers” and then those who aren't quite ready for group work just yet. The groups will be called “Triangle” “Square” “circle”Please be assured we will work at every Childs individual level.

Group work

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Offley Pre-school Staff: Paula Metcalfe, Sara Page, Elaine Wood and Claire Pin

IMPORTANT INFORMATIONPlease notify us as soon as possible to

any information changes. To become more environmentally

friendly we would like to send as much information out as possible via email.PLEASE MAKE SURE WE HAVE A

CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS.

Websitewww.offley-preschool.org Please take a look when you get a chance. The website is updated frequently. We welcome any comments or suggestions.

Just a reminder that in line with our Safeguarding policy, mobile phones are not to be used on the premises. Your child will not be handed over to you until you have hung up your conversation, Please refrain from having your phone out on site. Thank you.

Mobile Phones

Policy on Sickness reminder: Children must remain off of school until they have been 24HOURS clear of all symptoms. We will be firm on this.Coughs and colds are fine if your child feels well enough for school.

Offley Farm

Once again we plan to visit Offley Hoo farm to see the animals (Farmer Alan is confirming a date, main school are going March 31st. So it will be around the same time, we are lucky as the farm isn't open to the public). I am awaiting confirmation of dates and as soon as I have these I will let you know. We will need assistance transporting the children to and from the farm. This really ties in with our theme and enhances the children's knowledge of farming on their doorstep.

We will be offering an opportunity for you to speak to your child’s key person about their progress and any concerns, although our door is always open this allows a dedicated time. For those parents whose children have recently started, please speak to your Childs key person (in the next week or two) as their two year check paperwork is ready

Parents evening and Two Year checks

Collection of children

If for any reason you cannot collect your child, we need to know who is coming in your place, for everyone's protection we will ask for a password. Understanding that many children go to play at friends houses, you may feel it unnecessary that we ask when your child goes home with another Childs parent. Again this is just good practice, making all staff aware. As emergencies happen, last minute changes, we are asking that every child at pre-school has a password, this will resolve safeguarding issues.

PLEASE NOTE A CHANGE IN FREQUENCYWe plan to take the children out into the community at least once a fortnight, this will happen on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. All children will be involved. We will need permission slips and appropriate clothing for your child. (We will go in the cold, light rain and snow, just not in torrential rain). Facebook and email will keep you informed. We have changed this to fortnightly as we felt the children are young, presently limiting where we can walk safely to, also allowing variety.

Getting out and about

Music Train

Music Train seemed successful, we will book another session and feed back again. Please continue to ask your children their opinion. We will be looking at other agencies we can invite in. If you have any suggestions please get in touch.

Additional Sessions – Space permitted

Our opening hours are Mon, Fri 8.50-1pm and Tue, Wed, Thur 8.50-3pm.We offer one off additional sessions when required – Payment must be made on the day.

Key Person Allocation

All staff monitor your children on a daily basis, the Key Person has responsibility for their planning and

Journey book upkeep.

Owen Mcgeoghan DeaneJasmine AllenScarlett AllenOliver WhiteLillie HareDaisy Alexander QuinnJaiden SmithJack Richards Day-------

●Mrs Paula Metcalfe

Sam OakleyCourtney AldwinckleMacey AldwinckleKieran DelaneyAmy AnnessRiley Edwards Wells--------------

●Mrs Sara Page

Millie BrownKacey GillettHenry Day LewisHarry BrownRosie Dempsey---------------------------------

●Mrs Elaine Wood

Lauren RodfordNoah HarperVaughan ColeBeatrice AlbertiniOlivia BrockettHenry Jauncey----------------

●Mrs Claire Pin

Term Dates for 2014/2015

These dates have been set using the Hertfordshire school suggested dates

Monday 1st September 2014 to Friday 19th December 2014

Spring Term 2015

Half TermMonday 27th October to Friday 31st October 2014

Autumn Term 2014

Summer Term 2015

Tuesday 2nd September 2014 First day of term

Inset Day Monday 1st September 2014

Monday 5th January 2015 to Thursday 2nd April 2015

Half TermMonday 16th February to Friday 20th February 2015

Tuesday 6th January 2015 First day of term

Inset Day Monday 5th January 2015

Monday 20th April 2015 to Wednesday 22nd July 2015

Half TermMonday 25th May to Friday 29th May 2015

Inset Day

Inset Day Wednesday 22nd July 2015

Friday 28th November 2014

Friday 19th June 2015

First day of term Monday 20th April 2015

Inset Day