NEWSLETTER TO PARENTS AND CARERS

Spring Term 2012

Hello everyone,

Although we are still in the middle of Winter, there are signs that Spring is just around the corner.

Achievements

We are pleased to report that during the Autumn Term we gained our third Eco Green Flag. We also gained the Basic Skills award for the third time.

We would also like to remind parents that our Eco Group meet once or twice a term. We would be delighted if any of you are interested in joining us. If you are interested we meet at the Lamb and Flag in Wick. Speak to Ceri, or a member of staff for destails.

New member of staff

Our newest member of staff - Sally Bevan joined the playgroup in January and is settling in well. Sally lives in Wick and two of her children attend Wick and Marcross Church in Wales School. Her youngest child – Georgia, is a member of the playgroup and will be moving on to Wick school in September.

Small Committee and Volunteers

As you are all aware by now that we are completely indebted to our volunteer helpers who continue to give their time to us so freely. Just to remind you all, Margaret helps on Mondays and Thursday's, Val works on a Wednesday and Ruthie works every day without fail. Our grateful thanks to you all.

We must also thank our current committee for organising the many fund raising events throughout the year. We must stress that we would not be able to function without these events so thanks to all of you parents who also help to make these occasions successful.

The Foundation Phase

Just as a reminder that all young children are now part of Wales' Learning in the Foundation Phase. The Foundation Phase incorporates seven areas of learning where stimulating, structured play activities are woven into the children's learning experiences. The curriculum is built around these seven areas to support and encourage each child's personal, social, emotional, physical and intellectual and well being development. If you have any queries about this please speak to Chrys.

Monitoring the children's progress

Staff monitor the children's progress on a regular basis and examples of their work is kept in their own individual files, namely, 'My I Can Do' File, which they take with them when they leave us. If you would like to view any of these records or discuss your child's progress please speak to Chrys to arrange a sutable date for this and to ensure there will be adequate staff cover. If you would like to telephone Chrys at home you are very welcome to do so.

Parents are reminded that general feedback as to how your child is progressing is usually informal, ie. Verbally at the end of the playgroup session. A written report is given to parents at the end of each school year detailing your child's progress to date.

Planning for learning

Our plans for the first half of the Spring term are progressing well. They revolve around the topic- Day and Night We are pleased to say that the children have proved to be particularly interested in this subject. For example, one of the things they have been learning about are nocturnal and daytime animals.

We feel it is important that we encourage our children to think of ways of finding out about something they may not know about. We have told them there are ways of finding out, such as: they could ask somebody who might know, find a factual book on the subject, visit a library or even go on the internet (with adult of course). The point is we want the children to be confident and encourage their independent thinking.

Second Year Children:

At this point we must thank you for helping your child take part in the home task of researching information about a specific nocturnal animal of their choice. It really has been fun for us all and each one of us has found out something we didn't already know.

First Year Children.

We are making a display of all the information we have gathered so far. It would be very helpful if you could talk about night time animals with your child to reinforce their understanding. Any pictures, photos etc you may have would help to go with our display.

During the second half of the Spring Term we will continue to cover the topic: Day and Night but will focus more on Daytime. We will then move on to the Topic: It's Spring Again!.

How you can help:

• Draw attention to the time between Daytime and Nightime – Dusk, and the time between Night time and Day time – Dawn. If possible try to use the words in your conversation with your child. This will encourage the use of language and help build vocabulary).

• What can they see in the night sky? Can the children see those things in the day time?

• Some people work at night, others' in the daytime. Some do both. Can they think of people who help us who work during these times. Why not list some of the people and let your child bring it in to discuss at circle time.

• Draw attention to the season – Winter. Is it the cold season? Is there any iced up ponds they could visit. What's happened to the water?

• Put some water in the freezer and let them see what happens to it.

• Draw attention to the changes you may see in the garden, park etc. For example, in the Winter the trees are bare, then in Spring we see leaves sprouting and see shoots peeping through the soil.

• Remind them of animals that hibernate in the Winter. Will they be waking up soon? Why? Is the weather getting warmer?

• Do we still need the heating on? Why? What other signs of Spring can they see.

• Encourage self-help skills such as taking off / putting on coat and shoes. This encourages a child to become independent and confident while promoting self esteem.

Snack Boxes.

A little reminder that we encourage the children to take turns to be the monitor and lay out the snack boxes each day. This means they have to match the name on the box to the chair of the same name. It is helpful if you could ensure there is a name on your child's snack box to help the children with this little task.

Festivals and Celebrations

• Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day)

• Fairtrade Fortnight

• Mother's Day

• St. David's Day

• Easter

 

What's on in Wick? (Wick News) If you would like to find out what is happening in Wick over the next few months there is a website you can access. This is: wicknews@gmail.com

Thank you, all of you for taking the time to read through this letter. Remember if you have any queries regarding anything, please speak with Chrys or a member of the committee. If you have any concerns please let us know and we will try and resolve them together.

Here's hoping you have an enjoyable half term break; we look forward to seeing you all when we get back.

Playgroup Staff.