Chipmunks-teddy-01

Chipmunks chatter, Weymouth

Welcome

We would like to welcome all our new children and families this term, its lovely to see everyone settle in so nicely.

Our children that have been here over the Summer have had lots of fun exploring the outside and making use of our lovely outdoor spaces. We have been bug hunting, spent lots of time playing in the water and enjoyed being out on the bikes.

Our focus this term will be ‘all about me’, getting to know our children and their families. Also for those children who have moved to different rooms enabling time for them to settle in and their new key workers get to spend time with the children.

Wet Weather

Due to our traditional summer weather please ensure that you are providing wellington boots and named wet weather coats/all-in-ones for your children.

Recipe of the Term, Red Lentil Dahl

This serves 8

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 large yellow onion, chopped small

5 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 tablespoon garam masala

1 teaspoon ground turmeric

½ teaspoon chilli powder, or to taste

1 ½ cups dried red lentils

1 can diced tomatoes

13.5 ounce can full fat coconut milk  coconut milk

3 cups vegetable broth  celery

1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Half a lemon, juiced

3-4 cups baby spinach

4 cups of white rice  wheat

Method

  • In a large pot or pan over a medium heat, sauté the chopped onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add the garlic and ginger and cook for a further 1 minute, until fragrant
  • Add the garam masala, turmeric and chilli powder to the pan/pot and stir into the onion mixture, add a few tablespoon of water if the mixture is too dry
  • Now add the dried lentils, canned tomatoes, coconut milk and vegetable broth to the pan. Stir well and turn the heat to high. Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, until the lentils are cooked and soft. Stir occasionally.
  • Cook the rice per instructions
  • Squeeze the lemon juice into the pan and stir in the spinach well until wilted. Add salt to taste.
  • Once the dahl and rice are cooked add the rice to the dahl and mix together.

Dates for the Diary

PHOTOGRAPHER

On 12th October we will be having Concept photography in to take photographs for any families that would like this. Closer to the time we will also be offering slots for sibling and family photographs.

 

PARENTS EVENINGS

We will be holding parents evening in November – more details will follow with a date and time.

 

HALLOWEEN

If you would like to come in fancy dress then please do so on Tuesday 31st October.

 

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Our Christmas lunch this year will be on Tuesday 12th December. If your child doesn’t normally have hot meals but you would like them to have it please book and pay (£3.25) via the office.

 

 

FUNDING DATES FOR ACADEMIC YEAR SEPTEMBER 2023 – AUGUST 2024

Term dates September 2023 – August 2024                                                      ANNUAL STRETCH FUNDING

 

Autumn term

Spring term

Summer term

First day of funding

4th September

8th January

1st April

Last day of funding

22nd December

29th March

23rd August

No funding

NA

3rd-5th January

26th August – 30th August

 

Term dates September 2023 – August 2024                                                                           TERM TIME ONLY

 

Autumn term

Spring term

Summer term

First day of funding

4th September

8th January

15th April

Last day of funding

15th December

29th March

19th July

No funding

23rd-27th October

12th-16th February

1st-12th April

27th-31st May

classroom-01

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

January 2023

Happy New Year! I can’t believe we are already 2 weeks into January, All the children have settled back into Nursery life well and exploring their surroundings.

 

HELP PAYING FOR CHILDCARE AND THE COST OF LIVING

Are you getting all the help available to you to help with the costs of childcare? I have attached a couple of links with information on tax-free childcare, universal credit and tax credits which will hopefully be of use.

Childcare Overview.pdf.pdf (childcarechoices.gov.uk)

Save money on your childcare bills with Tax-Free Childcare – Parents guide to Tax-Free Childcare.pdf (childcarechoices.gov.uk)

Help for Households – Get government cost of living support

Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Childcare Choices – Top things parents need to know – Top things parents need to know__.pdf

 

SCARLETT FEVER AND STREP A/ NOROVIRUS

Scarlet Fever – Scarlet fever is usually a mild illness, however, should be treated with antibiotics to minimise the risk of complications and reduce the spread to others. Scarlett fever includes non-specific symptoms such as sore throat, headache, fever, nausea and vomiting, followed by a fine red ‘sandpaper’ like rash which typically first appears on the chest and stomach.

Strep throat – this is a more severe or longer-lasting infection in the throat and tonsils. Children are likely to be more unwell generally with difficulty swallowing due to the pain.

Impetigo – this is a bacterial skin infection. It will start with red sores or blisters.

Norovirus – also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ it causes symptoms such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting. Symptoms can start very suddenly and the illness can last from 12 hours to three days. This is a very contagious bug.

 

Please remember there are lots of viruses that cause sore throats, rashes, colds and coughs circulating at the moment. Many of these are mild self-limiting and do not need any medical intervention. However if you think your child may have any of the above please follow these guidelines;

        See your GP or contact 111

        Make sure your child takes the full course of any antibiotics prescribed by the doctor

        Stay at home for at least 48 hours after starting antibiotics

        Do not return to Nursery until 48 hours after the last time your child vomited or had diarrhoea

 

 

 

 

 

DATES FOR DIARY

February half term

Monday 13th – Friday 17th

Easter

Monday 3rd April – Friday 14th

May Half Term

Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June

There will be no funded sessions during these weeks unless you stretch your funding.

Please note the nursery will be closed on the following dates due to bank holidays

Friday 7th April

Monday 10th April

Monday 1st May

Monday 8th May

Monday 29th May

 

REMINDERS
please always provide spare clothes every day

Please bring water bottles

Please label everything

Please provide Ice packs in lunch boxes

Remember warm coats, hats and gloves for going outside

Medicines/inhalers must always come in original boxes with the child’s name on.

 

FREE COATS AND WELLINTON BOOTS

We have a selection of second hand coats and wellington boots which we are giving away for free. Please help yourself to anything you may need.

 

Many thanks

Becci Firth

Nursery Manager

chipmunks-chatter-Dorchester-January-2021

Weymouth Chipmunks Chatter – October 2022

Ofsted

As I am sure you are all aware we had our Ofsted inspection recently.  We are still awaiting the report, however, I am pleased to say it was a positive experience for us as a setting and we had some fantastic feedback that we can’t wait to share with you all in due course.

Thank you to those that emailed in to give the inspector your feedback from a parents perspective and also to those parents who spoke with the inspector at drop off and collection times.

Children in need

14th November – 18th November

During this week we will be holding a treasure hunt each day for the children which they can be sponsored for to raise money for Children in Need.

We will also be ‘wearing something spotty’ all week and on Tuesday 15th and Friday 18th we will be holding a cake sale. If you would like to donate cakes for this then please let the office know and bring these in on Monday 14th or Thursday 17th.

Weather gear

Please ensure that your child brings all weather clothing to Nursery with them, ideally some that can be left here but if not then each time they attend.

We have lots of spare pairs of wellington boots that we will be putting under the gazebo for people to help themselves to before we take to a charity shop.

 

Halloween

On Monday 31st October we are having a ‘fancy dress’ day for those who would like to take part. This does not have to be a Halloween themed costume, it can be anything your child chooses! We will also be continuing with our Halloween themed activities.

 

 

Funding Dates

We will shortly be sending out our funding forms for the next term which starts in January 2023, if your child turns 3 before the end of December 2022 then you may be eligible for up to 30 hours free childcare. To check eligibility please go to 30 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds – Dorset Council.

Please note we require a funding form to be completed EVERY term which is submitted to Dorset Council, when you receive these forms from us they do need to be completed in FULL and returned by the deadline. A delay in returning the forms to us can delay the funding start date for your child.

 

Christmas party

Thursday 15th December

10am-12noon

Magic show, party games and a special visitor

Please call the office to book your child in if this is not their normal day.

Parents Evening

We will be holding a Parents evening on Monday 7th November between 6pm-7.30pm. If you would like to arrange a time to see your child’s key worker and discuss their learning then please call or email the office no later than Tuesday 1st November.

We will be opening one of our rooms so please feel free to bring your child/children and siblings with you, please just let us know in advance so we can cater for the age of the children attending.

There will also be tea and biscuits at the ready! 😊

Heritage and Culture packs

Thank you to everyone that has returned these, it is really helpful to see things that the children learn about and celebrate at home. From these packs we have been able to implement the following;

  • Numbers and words from diverse cultures using the correct spelling and context
  • Ensuring we have sufficient variety of fabrics, clothing from different countries
  • Offering things in different languages to those that request
  • Learning about what the children call their family members, for example ‘GiGi’ for Grandma.
  • Learning about family members jobs and being able to refer to these in play or circle times
  • Important days that your families celebrate – for example birthdays, Australia Day, Christmas and Easter
  • Learning about what the children enjoy doing when they are not at Nursery
  • Learning about the important people in the children’s lives



 

Useful links  (ctrl+click if viewing this on email)

30 hours funded childcare for 3 and 4 year olds – Dorset Council

15 hours funded childcare for 2 year olds – Dorset Council

Parents and carers (thebalancedsystem.org)   

Dorset Portage | Facebook

Children and families – Dorset Council

Dorset Family Information Service – Home | Facebook

The helpful guide for families with disabled children | Contact

Starting school for the first time – Dorset Council

Portland Food Bank (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Weymouth Foodbank (The Hub) (helpandkindness.co.uk)

Children’s Services – Children’s Advice and Duty Service (ChAD) privacy notice – Dorset Council

Get help for your family – Dorset Council

Talk PANTS & Join Pantosaurus – The Underwear Rule | NSPCC

Potty training: how to start & best age to potty train – ERIC

Steps 2 Wellbeing –

 
 
 
chipmunks-chatter-weymouth-June-2022

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

Policies

We have just finished updating our policies for the nursery, these are always available in the office on request.

Dates for your diary

  • Pre-School leavers party will be on Thursday 14th More information to follow
  • The last day of term for funding will be on Friday 22nd July and then will restart on Monday 5th September

Ofsted

We are currently awaiting our Ofsted inspection. If there is anything specific you would like to see from us as a setting then please email this over to us so we are able to take this into consideration.

Sun cream/Water bottles

Please could you apply sun cream on your child before they get into the nursery, this means we can get the children outside straight away in the mornings.

Please also ensure that your child has fresh drinking water in their water bottles each morning. We will re-fill them throughout the day as we encourage the children to keep hydrated.

Parent Partnership

Borrow a book

Outside the baby room window we have a box full of lovely books which we would love for you to take home and borrow so you can share a story with your child. There are lots of different stories for you to choose from. All we ask is when you have finished with the book if you could return it and then you are more than welcome to take another one. We hope you enjoy sharing the stories with your children as much as we do.

Sharing books and telling stories is a lovely way to build closeness and encourage conversation between you and your child. You can talk about what is happening in the pictures and it will help develop a love for reading at a young age.

Busy Bags

As im sure you have all now seen outside under the canopy we have a rail with lots of lovely bags full of exciting activities you can do at home with you child. Feel free to take one of the busy bags home and share and explore them with your children. When you have finished with the busy bag you can just pop it back on the rail and choose another one to explore. We would love to see photos of you and your child using the busy bags so if you would like to share pictures with us, you can e-mail them over to us @ weymouth@chipmunksdaynursery.co.uk. We hope you have lots of fun exploring all the busy bags.

We are always looking for ways to improve our parent partnership so if there is an idea or something that you would like to see us do/ on offer in the setting then please speak to Becci. Alternatively, if you have any feedback this is also always welcome.

Reminders

  • If you have not already done so could you please bring back the up dated website/social media consent forms please
  • Please can we remember to update us on any contact number, email or changes of addresses please. There is a child information sheet and emergency medication forms being given out at moment so if you could fill them in and get them back as soon as possible that would be great
  • If your child is in receipt of the 30 hours please remember to re-apply for it, otherwise it could result in you losing your 30 hours
  • Please can we all make sure we are naming belongings.
  • We have a lost property rail outside under the canopy, if u think you have lost anything please look on the rail

What we have been up to this term so far…

Pre-School

We have been focusing on independence and school readiness in Pre-School. Children have been exploring shapes, numbers and letters using different textures.

The children have enjoyed planting runner beans, potatoes and onions.

We have been focusing on big/little, the children have had opportunities to use mathematical language in their play.

The children have enjoyed looking at colours, we put different coloured cellophane on the windows and looked out to see how the trees had changed colour.

Bumblebees

We have spent lots of time doing activities about the Summer.

We have made bugs in our messy room and enjoyed going outside to explore and see how many of these we can find.

We are also learning about the creatures we find at the beach like hermit crabs and seagulls!

Inside we have enjoyed using our role play for picnics and talking about the delicious foods we enjoy over the summer such as strawberries and occasionally an ice cream!

Gloworms

We have really enjoyed being outside and exploring all the areas, especially the sand and water.

We have made sandcastles and buried our feet!

We have been in the big garden too looking for bugs We have found big worms spiders and Chiggy Wiggs!

In the room the children have enjoyed watching the fish tube, we have been talking about fish and have done some under the sea paintings on the display board and on the window.

The children have really paid an interest in the loose parts that we have and have enjoyed exploring the bracelets.

chipmunks-chatter-weymouth-Mar-2022

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

Here we are fully into the spring term and finally, we seem to be having some sunny weather.  It is still very chilly so please continue to bring warm coats and clothing.

Menu

We are going to be re-looking at our menu shortly for the summer term,  as always, we would welcome any ideas of any hot meals that your child likes. Obviously, we must consider lots of things – healthy eating, as much ‘home cooked’ as possible and time to prepare along with the numbers we cook for etc.

Any suggestions can be emailed!

Summative assessments and Parents evenings

The termly summary reports for your child are well under way and you will receive a copy of these towards the end of March/beginning of April.

We are also happy to announce that parents/carers consultations this term can be held in person here at the nursery. Your child’s key worker will shortly be sending out invites to make appointments for these.

 Please note if you are unable to make the date that is on your invite then please just email or call the office to arrange a date and time that is more convenient for you.

Pre-school (the butterflies)

This term pre-school is working hard on independence and getting those children who are going to be moving onto Reception as ‘school ready’ as possible. The children have been practising their concentration skills as well as looking at numbers, motor skills, problem solving, emotional well-being and tolerance and respect for others.

We are adding social stories and school uniforms from our local schools to our role play areas so the children can start to gain confidence in their next adventure and look at what their uniforms and schools may look like.

Over the next week you will be receiving home your ‘school readiness’ pack, please complete this and return to us at your earliest convenience. Starting school in an exciting but yet anxious time for parents as well as the children so if there are any particular concerns you have in regard to your child starting school then please speak to your child’s key worker.

2-3’s (bumblebees)

This term we have been learning about colour, shapes, big and small and recognising these in our daily activities and play. We have spent time ‘sorting’ these as well as looking for the different shapes and colours we see in our outside environment.

The children have shown an interest in threading and using their fine motor skills and have also enjoyed using the tweezers in the tuft trays to practise picking up small and large objects.

Outside the children have started to notice the weather changing and we have been talking about flowers, over the next few weeks we will be planting seeds and looking at what they need to grow and how we look after them.

0-2’s (Gloworms)

Our little Gloworms have really shown an interest in dolls and self-care this term! They have practised changing their nappies, making them bottles and also washing and bathing them. They have put them in the high chairs at mealtimes and used their imagination using different materials to make bibs and blankets for ‘their babies’.

We have also really enjoyed our garden and splashing in the muddy puddles! We have been practicing our climbing skills by using the stairs to the big climbing frame. Playing in the muddy puddles outside extended back to our indoor environment and exploring chocolate squirty scream! We love getting messy!

We are currently doing a display for Mother’s Day allowing the children to make choices and sort items that they would like to use.

For Comic Relief this year we are holding a sponsored obstacle course for the children, this will take place during the normal nursery hours. We will hold this on 2 separate days to ensure that all children have the opportunity to take part if they choose.

This will be on Wednesday 16th and Friday 18th March. Sponsor forms will be sent home in advance.

The children are also welcome to come dressed in either red or their favourite fancy dress attire!

 We will also be holding a cake sale. 😊

COVID-19

Although the legal requirement has been removed all adults and children who test positive for COVID 19 are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least 5 days.

We strongly recommend that staff and children with symptoms SHOULD NOT ATTEND NURSERY and get a test or isolate for the allotted time, and only return to nursery once either a negative result or finishing the isolating period.

As with any illness, In the event of a child developing suspected coronavirus symptoms whilst attending the setting (The most common symptoms of COVID-19 is the onset on any of the following: a new continuous cough; a high temperature; a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell)they will be sent home.

Dropping off and collection procedures

Whilst these stay the same at present they are under review, however, the office is open if you have anything you would like to speak about or discuss.

 Please call in advance or knock on the office window if you would like to come into the setting to speak with Becci or one of the team.

Dates for your diary

Comic relief – 18th March

Parents evening consultations – 4th – 15th April

Easter Holidays – 11th – 22nd April

chipmunks-chatter-weymouth-Feb-2022

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

We are well and truly into the term now and would like to officially welcome all the new families that have joined us this term. We hope that you have all settled in well and our big and little Chipmunks have all welcomed you and your families.

Term dates

Our last day before half term is Friday 18th February and the funding will re-commence on Monday 28th February. Please note – if you stretch your funding then this will run through the half term.

Remember to book your space for holiday club if you haven’t already as it is filling up very quickly.

School readiness focus

We are working hard this next term on getting our children in pre-school who are going to school in September ready for this transition. We will shortly be sending out some things you can be working on with your children at home to also get them ready.

We have been in contact with all our local schools for them to provide us with social stories and spare school uniform so we can incorporate this into our daily routines and play to help prepare the children.

Parent partnership

We take as many photos of your children exploring and learning as we can at Chipmunks to share with you, please also feel free to email us any photographs of things your child enjoys doing at home/any achievements/favourite places or favourite people to see or anything else you would like to share with us. We will then incorporate this into your child’s learning journey. Our email address is weymouth@chipmunksdaynursery.co.uk.

Covid updates

Although the government guidelines have been revised we are still following all of the procedures as before.

A big thank you to those of you who have still been respecting social distancing and wearing a face covering when dropping off and collecting your child.

Please remember a copy of our latest risk assessment is available in the office if you would like another copy or we can email you a copy.

Cultures

We are really keen to ensure that we include all children and their families cultures and beliefs into our daily practice. It is important to us that all children feel a sense of belonging and that this is celebrated through stories, books, play and photographs.

Thank you to those who have returned the ‘learning about my culture’ sheets already. This gives us a great insight to all the different cultures, beliefs and heritages in each other’s families and backgrounds.

Menu

(Please note this does not effect the baby room and their timings)

We will be reviewing our menu again shortly in line with the change in seasons. We will send out a proposed copy closer to the time.

In the meantime we are going to be trialling a slightly different approach with our snacks. We will be offering a choice of a piece of fruit for the children mid-morning. In the afternoon we will provide a snack but only to those who choose to have it, their play and exploration will not be disturbed for this unnecessarily.

Teatime for Pre-School and the 2’s will then be brought forward to 4pm.  If your child does not have tea at nursery but is still here at that time then we will offer them a snack.

Please note this will be in effect from Monday 28th February 2022.

Just for fun! …
Slimy Frog Playdough Recipe

You will need:

1 cup flour ½ cup salt

2 tbsp cream of tartar

1 tbsp oil

Green food colouring

1 cup boiling water

2 tbsp baby oil

 

Method

  1. Mix together the flour, salt, cream of tartar and oil in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add 5-10 drops of green food colouring (depending on how dark you want the playdough), to 1 cup of boiling water.
  3. Add the coloured water to the other ingredients in the large bowl.
  4. Stir the mixture well until it is combined together.
  5. Once you feel it has cooled enough, add the baby oil.
  6. Knead it together and get playing

Please bring with you to Nursery;

  • Wellington boots
  • All in one weather suit
  • Changes of clothes
  • Drinks bottle
  • Ice pack in your lunch/tea box

Please remember to;

  • Label all your belongings
  • Inform the office if your contact details change
  • Inform the office if someone different is collecting
chipmunks-chatter-weymouth-Dec-2021

Chipmunks Chatter

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-weymouth-June-2021

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

Dear Parents/carers,

Here we are fully into the summer term and finally, we seem to be having some sunny weather. 

Menu

We are going to be re-looking at our menu shortly and would love for you all to give us some ideas of any snacks and or hot meals that your child likes.  Obviously, we must consider lots of things – healthy eating, as much ‘home cooked’ as possible and time to prepare along with the numbers we cook for etc.

Any suggestions can be emailed! Thank you to those parents that have already done this.

COVID-19

obviously, we are unsure yet whether all restrictions will be lifted on 21st June.  We will still be keeping all our procedures in place until further notice.  However, we are looking into the possibility of extending our closing time to 545pm dependent on the need.  If childcare until 545pm rather than 530pm would be required by yourself, please email the office.

We will still be keeping each age group apart for now but obviously, there may be times that they will join if the numbers during the day lower significantly.

We will be assessing all risks etc to see if any other procedure needs to be adapted, however many of our new ways are better practice so they will be staying.

As always, any changes will be shared as soon as they happen.

Drop-Off/Collections and Carpark

Can we please remind you, as I am sure you are all aware that our carpark can get very busy at times, and we do have families that walk through so please be careful and drive with caution? 

Please make sure that you supervise your child when waiting to be let into the nursery and continue to abide by social distancing.

If your child attends the pre-school then please ensure that you line up by the cones down the side of the path at 9am drop off and 3pm collection only. Please do not gather outside the front door as this blocks the way for other parents.

Use of Facilities

Unfortunately, we will no longer be allowing any children to use our toilet facilities:

  • Before the session’s start
  • After they have left the nursery for the day (all children use the toilet when they wash hands to go home)
  • If they are not attending nursery that day

Unfortunately, we are unable to allow this because it takes a member of staff away from their units and staff ratios.

Dates for the diary:

The last day of term for funding before the summer holidays is Friday 23rd July 2021.

Bank holiday Monday 30th August 2021

Funding will re-commence on Monday 6th September 2021.

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

Many thanks

Becci Firth
Nursery Manager