Appletree Nursery

May 2011

Wasn't the run of bank holidays wonderful? I hope you all had a wonderful time with friends and family. The summer term is always busy in the nursery as we look forward with both excitement and sadness as our older pre-school children spend their last months at Appletree before starting school in September. Please let us know which school they will be going to so we can let their new teachers know all about them.

May Fees
Please be prompt with your fees. From September we will no longer be accepting cheques at the nursery so payments will need to be made either in cash (to Julie or Rachel) or by bank transfer/childcare vouchers.
Hot Weather Gear
Please make sure your child comes prepared for the sunshine. Apply sun cream before they arrive and provide us with a named bottle so we can re-apply as necessary. Sun hat are also needed please.

Pre-School Spaces
The pre-school is now full up until July 2011. If your child was 3 before March 31st they are now entitled to 15 free hours. However I am afraid we cannot offer any more hours until Sprtember 2011.

Photos
This year we will be having our photographer in nursery in October rather than June. I'll let you know the date nearer the time.

Letting Learning Blossom
I know I've already said it but it has been great to see so many of you contributing to your child's learning diary. Please keep taking them home and sharing them with your child. They love looking back at what they have achieved and it helps to reinforce their learning.

May Menu
This month's menu is available on the notice board. Included with this newsletter are some ideas for tasty lunches. (hot and cold) I hope you find them useful.

Dates for your Diary
Summer half 30th May-4th June 2011
Parents evening - July 4th 6-8pm
End of summer term 22nd July 2011
Summer holidays 25th July -31st August 2011

Have you got??
If you have any old phones, mobile, or other we would love to have them for the children to play with. Also old flat bed sheets that we can use to make dens in the garden. Thank you in advance!

Drop off times
If your child arrives at midday, please do not arrive before this time as the staff will be busy handing over to other parents. Thank you.

Anything Changed?
Please make sure that you let your child's key person know if their routine (sleeping, eating etc) has changed at all so that we can make sure we are meeting their needs appropriately. Also please keep me up to date with any new phone numbers, emergency contacts etc. We need to be able to contact you during the time your child is at nursery.

Spare Clothes
If you have any unwanted clothes (1-4 years) we could do with some more for the inevitable accidents that happen.

Running Late?
Please call the nursery if you think you might be late collecting your child.

Mobile Phones
Just a reminder that you are NOT permitted to use mobiles in the nursery.

Dad's Group
The Children's Centre Saturday Dad's group next meets on Saturday May 14th from 10-12:30. Bacon butties, a hot drink and the chance to spend some quality time with your children enjoying the Centre's toys, sensory room and garden.

Rachel

Tasty Lunchbox Ideas
(we can heat them up as necessary)

- Stuffed pitta bread
- Sandwich wraps (cut into bit sized pieces)
- Fun sandwiches (use cookie cutters)
- Vegetable cous cous with a tomato sauce (hot or cold)
- Filled bagels
- Carrot (cooked for babies) & cucumber sticks with humous
- Baked beans with peas, ham and grated cheese
- Chunky soups with bread and butter
- Tinned pastas/stews
- Cold tuna/Ham and sweetcorn pasta in light mayonnaise
- Pasta in pesto sauce
- Cold rice salads
- Macaroni cheese with mushrooms and courgette
- Cocktail sausages with dips
- Cheese and vegetable quiche (bacon if eaten cold)
- Hard boiled eggs
- Samosas
- Mild vegetable curry and naan bread chunks
- Cheese, and pineapple chunks
- Any cold meats