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-weymouth-June-2021

Chipmunks Chatter, Weymouth

by 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

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