chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-January-2021

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester Jan 2023

by Dorchester

Chipmunks Chatter

Happy New Year to you all!

4th January 2023

I hope you are all well. This is a quick note with a few messages.

Illnesses – We were hoping that the week off would have made all of the bugs and illnesses go away, but I’m afraid we have had a few cases of chicken pox reported within the nursery so pleased keep an eye out for any signs or symptoms.

Nursery Updates – Please make sure that you all keep an eye out for emails, posters within our gatehouse and our Facebook page for any updates.

Address & Numbers – please make sure that you update us with any new addresses and telephone numbers to enable us to get hold of you in an emergency.

Bookings – please make sure that you let us know when you child is not attending whether it’s a holiday (give us 4 weeks notice for the retainer rate) or illness. We do worry when children do not arrive when they have been booked in! For those of you that give us dates on an as and when basis please make sure that you give us as much notice as possible we are getting much busier.

Outdoor clothing – please make sure that your child has appropriate clothing and foot wear to be able to play outside in all weathers.

Menu – apologies the weeks have gone by so quickly we haven’t as yet updated our menu. We will be carrying on with a few adaptions to the menu at present and see how well the children eat Dani’s wonderful food. As soon as we have the updated version we will pop it out on the gatehouse

Suggestions or concerns – as always, please do not hesitate to let us know of any worries, concerns or suggestions for the nursery to improve.

Many thanks for all of your support

Take care, Carolyn

chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-June-2022

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester

by Dorchester

Dear Parents / Carers

I just thought I’d email with a few updates:

Chicken Pox – we have had a case within our baby room and now two cases within our preschool please look out for the signs!

Sun cream – Please make sure that all children have sun cream on arrival – its getting very hot during the day! There have been occasions where the in morning it seems like the sunshine isn’t there but actually it soon makes an appearance!  We would like to get outside for short bursts throughout the day with all children J

For those children here for a long day and have given permission we will top their sun cream up throughout the day.

Headlice – we have had a few parents notify us of their children having headlice. Please make sure that you check your child hair regularly. Should you find any eggs or lice, please ensure that you take immediate action and keep your child at home until treatment has started to prevent it spreading!

I am aware that there is some controversy surrounding the effectiveness and safety of the various treatments for headlice, so it is up to individuals to seek appropriate advice about how to deal with what is a persistent problem nationwide. 

I have always found that whether you use a treatment or just conditioner and a proper headlice comb you need to do this on more than one occasion for it to be effective. 

If using a treatment, please read the instructions and follow properly.

Here is a link for more information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/

Funding and end of term – for those children using the funding on a term time basis the last day will be Friday 21st July and the funding will return on Monday 5th September.

For anyone claiming the 30 hours of 3&4 year old funding please make sure that you have re-confirmed your information!

Funding forms for the Autumn term will be handed out shortly, please make sure that you fill it out and return by the date on it!

Parents evenings – apologies for the short notice but we will be holding upstairs preschool evening on Monday 4th July and downstairs preschool on Tuesday 5th between 430pm & 545pm and hopefully the following week having the Dragonflies and Ladybirds (these will be confirmed shortly.

For preschool parents wanting to book a slot please email the office!

Bookings – Please make sure that you notify the office of any changes to bookings and for any absences – this can be via telephone or email.

Lunch &/ Tea boxes – firstly please can all food being supplied by parents be in an appropriate clean box / bag and all MUST have an ice pack within it.

As a nursery we do promote healthy eating so please make sure that you supply your child with a healthy meal.  For example – sandwich/wrap/pasta/crackers with a piece of fruit or veg and a small packet of crisps or small cake/chocolate. 

If a child has too many unhealthy items, we will not give all of them in one sitting!

Bookings – for those of you that book dates in either each month or term please make sure the office have them by the middle of the month to enable us to get the invoices printed correctly. Invoices are usually printed the week before the payment is due at the latest.

Many Thanks Carolyn

chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-April-2022

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester

by Dorchester

Dear Parents / Carers

For those of you that are new to us we try to write up a newsletter every term to let you all know what happening within the nursery.

COVID – as most of you are aware the government guidelines changed again from this month however, I am still currently awaiting to hear from Public Health Dorset with an update to the guidelines to be able to make any adjustments to our risk assessments and procedures. As soon as any of these change I will email you all!

The Queens Jubilee bank holiday – as some of you will already know the bank holiday at the end of May has been moved and we have an extra one! So, we already have May Day on Monday 2nd May as a bank holiday and then Thursday 2nd June and Friday 3rd June. This means that the half term week we are only open for the 3 days Monday-Wednesday!

Facebook – Please make sure that you all like our Facebook page as we will be starting to add some pictures of activities and other notices up on there. We are hoping to start adding pictures of the children enjoying participating in activities etc so we have attached a consent form if you are happy for your child to be photographed to appear on our Facebook page. Please return to the office ASAP

Parent room Visits – we have decided to ‘open up’ each room for an allocated slot for you all to come and have a look at the rooms to see where your child spends their time with us. You will also have the opportunity to take your child’s learning journey home to have a look through. (These must be returned within a week)

The time slots are

Slot 1: 500pm-515pm         slot 2: 515pm-530pm slot 3: 530pm-545pm

The dates for each room are:

Monday 25th April – ladybirds (2-3’s)

Tuesday 26th April – Butterfly 1(downstairs preschool)

Wednesday 27th April – Butterfly 2 (upstairs preschool)

Thursday 28th April – Dragonflies (babies)

Please email the office to let me know your preferred time slot and the room you are wanting to visit, and we will confirm ASAP

These visits MUST be booked in advance via email

Parents evenings

Once we have carried out the above visits, we will open up some dates for you to be able to book to speak to your child’s keyworker face to face!!

As always, any worries, concerns, or anything you wish to speak to us about please do not hesitate to ask.

Many thanks

Carolyn

chipmunks-chatter-weymouth-Dec-2021

Chipmunks Chatter

by DorchesterGeneralWeymouth

Dear Parents / carers,

We cannot believe that Christmas is just around the corner, we are doing lots of Christmas singing and crafts at the moment .We hope everyone is keeping well and is looking forward to some time off over the Christmas period. We will be shut from 3pm 24th December and will be back open on Tuesday the 4th of January.

Car Park Reminder

Please could we all be extra careful on how we are driving into the nursery and remember there are children and parents using the car park. We have noticed that some cars have been driving quite quickly through the entrance into the car park and as you aware this can be dangerous and could cause accidents.

When you are outside waiting for a member of staff to come and get your child/children please can you make sure your child/children are supervised at all times and stood with their parent/carer as your child’s safety is of upmost importance to us.

Thank you for your continued support in protecting our children.

Funding Forms

Please could you all remember to fill out the funding forms that you have received and get them back by 1stDecember. If you need another form please talk to a member of staff and they will happily get you another one. Many thanks.

Parents Evening

Just a reminder parents evening will be taking place from Monday 29th November until Friday 10thDecember, it will be a telephone consultation. You should all of had an invite for this, to book your slot with your child’s key worker just call or email the office and we will get you booked in at a time that is convenient for you.

Xmas

We will be taking part in Christmas jumper week from 13th – 17th December. Your child can wear their Christmas jumper all week if they would like to or just on the odd days. A donation would be very much appreciated and can be given to a member of staff.

We wont be having a Christmas party this year but instead will be doing a Christmas week where the children will be doing lots of fun activities, arts and crafts and many fun games. This will be taking place the same week as our Christmas jumper week.

chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-October-2021

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester

by Dorchester

Dear Parents / carers,

Professional photos

We will be having Concept Photography coming into the nursery on Thursday 21st October between 9am & 1pm.  The children that are here that day will all have an opportunity to have a photo taken. If your child is not booked in for that day, please can you contact the office to book an appointment. (At present we will only be able to take individual photos)

Folders & Planning

As the EYFS (the framework we work towards) was updated from 1st September 2021 we will be starting to use new paperwork to be logging and assessing the children’s development.  We are hoping for this to start after the October half term (1st November 2021).  With this in mind, we can now offer you to take your child’s folder home to have a look through and return it.  Obviously there are times that children will do more at home than at nursery so if you can see that there is something that we haven’t yet seen please let us know you can even write it down or email this and we can use it for their folder!

Castle View colouring competition

We will be handing out forms please send them back in by Friday 15thOctober

Outside clothing

Please do not forget to pack outdoor clothing to enable your child to play comfortably outside in all weathers! A warm and / waterproof coat, wellies or outdoor shoes, hat scarf gloves.  If its easier for you to leave wellies here we can store them

Labelling items from home

Please make sure that all items have your child’s name or initials on – coats, cups, bags, lunchboxes etc

Menu

We have now started introducing some new items into our menu and we are still trialling the days etc but the guide of our menu can be found in the gatehouse

COVID

We are still keeping our new procedures in place as although things have been lifted we are aware that there are still many cases within the area.

Please make sure that masks ARE worn at the gatehouse. Many thanks for you all being patient with us during the busy periods at the gatehouse, please remember to use the socially distanced lines marked out on the path when waiting to buzz!  During the nasty weather I would suggest to wait in your car until a space becomes available.  Please respect everyone and wait your turn.

We are still keeping each age group apart but there may be times that this will be managed within one room or the outside area.

Carpark

Please be careful when raining as the ground can get slippery!

Nursery bookings

You MUST contact us to let us know when your child is going to be absent (leave a telephone message or email)

 

 

Don’t forget, if of you book in on an ad hoc basis by giving us dates – please make sure that you give us ample notice to enable us to book them in.

As always if there is anything that we can do to help support you all at this time please do not hesitate to ask

 

 

Thanks Carolyn

chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-January-2021

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester

by Dorchester

Chipmunks Chatter, Dorchester  January 2021

Dear Parents/carers,

I cannot believe that we are already at the end of January! I hope you are all safe and well, here are a few updates:

Drop off’s & Collections

As COVID-19’s not going anywhere soon we are keeping the drop-offs and collections as they are at the gate – it seems to be working well just remember to use the socially distanced lines marked out on the path!

If you know it may take a few minutes for us to get to you maybe move to the side if we have a queue forming just to allow someone else to buzz and wait too!!

Also, the 530pm latest collection will still be in place for the foreseeable to enable us to safely clean each room thoroughly and carry out any show round for new children.

COVID-19

Please can you notify us as soon as possible if you are getting your child tested or if you are self-isolating? We MUST be notified if there is a positive case so that we can notify Public Health Dorset and follow their guidance.

Outside play

ALL rooms will be playing outside in all weathers on the playground and garden (obviously undercover if it is horrendous) so please do not forget to supply your child with a coat, outside shoes (wellies), hat, gloves etc.

Funding for 2-year old’s and 3&4-year old’s

All children are entitled to 15 hours per week funded childcare the term after they are 3 years old.  Some of you will be eligible for the 30 hours funding at this time or the 2-year-old funding.  Every term you will be required to fill out a funding form with all information that I need to claim this funding on your behalf.  The funding roughly runs with the school terms, but we do always give out the dates when we send out the forms.

Spring term dates: Mon 4th January – Friday 26th March with a break for half term (15th –19th Feb)

The Summer term starts after Easter which we believe will be from Monday 19th April which give a 3-week break over the Easter holidays – once we have the dates confirmed I will update you. Obviously, children that are using the 30 hours funding stretched will still access the funding throughout

For those of you that qualify for funding in the SUMMER term (after Easter) once we have the forms available, we will send them out.  For those of you that have already got a 30-hour code keep it safe and when you receive the paperwork then we can have it on there.

Attendance

Please make sure that you contact the nursery if your child is not going to be in on a day that they have been booked in for or if they will be in later than usual. 

For those of you that book in on an ad hoc basis by giving us dates – please make sure that you give us ample notice to enable us to book them in.

As always if there is anything that we can do to help support you all at this time please do not hesitate to ask

Thanks,
Carolyn