January Newsletter
A special welcome to the new children and parents who are joining our nursery family
SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Tuesday 25th January - Burn’s Night
Tuesday 1st February - Chinese New Year
Friday 11th February – Celebration for St Valentine’s Day
NURSERY CLOSED FOR FEBRUARY BREAK MONDAY 14TH AND TUESDAY 15TH FEBRUARY
NURSERY CLOSED WEDNESDAY 16TH FEBRUARY FOR IN-SERVICE
Tuesday 1st March - Pancake/Shrove Tuesday
Wednesday 3rd March - World Book Day (Share a Story)
Tuesday 8th March - International Women’s Day
Friday 25th March – Celebration for Mother’s Day
Thursday 31st March – Easter Party
NURSERY CLOSES FOR SPRING BREAK ON FRIDAY 1ST APRIL AND REOPENS ON TUESDAY 19TH APRIL
NURSERY CLOSES FOR MAY BANK HOLIDAY ON MONDAY 2ND
NURSERY CLOSES FOR MAY IN-SERVICE ON THURSDAY 5TH MAY
Friday 20th May - Outdoor Classroom Day
Friday 20th May - World Bee Day
Thursday 26 May - Teddy Bear’s Picnic
NURSERY CLOSES FOR MAY WEEKEND ON FRIDAY 27TH MAY
Wednesday 1ST June - Sports Day
NURSERY CLOSES FOR QUEEN’S JUBILEE ON THURSDAY 2ND JUNE AND FRIDAY 3RD JUNE
Friday 17th June – Celebration for Father’s Day
Wednesday 22nd June – Graduation
Thursday 23rd June - Leaving Party
NURSERY CLOSES FOR SUMMER BREAK ON FRIDAY 24TH JUNE 1.00 PM
Please be advised that some dates are liable to change and, if this happens, we will update you as soon as possible
LEARNING PLAN
Our current learning plan is about WINTER and children will be learning that it is one of the 4 seasons, is the coldest time of year when days are shorter and nights are longer and it sometimes brings freezing temperatures, snow and ice. Children will learn about the changes that Winter brings and how it can affect people, animals, plants and trees
We hope that, by the end of the plan, children will have some knowledge about
- Winter and the 4 seasons
- Winter weather conditions
- How to keep safe in Wintery weather
- What animals have to do to stay alive in Winter
Our full learning plan is on our Webpage (address below) where you will see our specific focus for Health and Wellbeing, Literacy and Numeracy and our Seasonal, Cultural or Festive Focus
PAThS
Pre-school children (those starting school in August 2022) will soon be taking part in out PAThS Programme. PAThS stands for Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies and is a comprehensive programme for promoting emotional and social competencies in children. The programme focuses on teaching children how to express and control their emotions, develop effective conflict-resolution strategies and increase social competency. The programme has been shown to improve emotional knowledge and awareness, self-control, problem solving, social and emotional skills, cognitive abilities, school readiness and reduced antisocial behaviour
We usually start this programme earlier in the school year but have had to delay slightly this year due to the effect of the pandemic
REPORTS
Staff will shortly be phoning all parents to give an update on their child’s progress. If you haven’t yet been given a date/time, please speak to your child’s keyworker
PARENTS GROUP/PTA
Linda Norwood is arranging a parent’s group to be held on Thursday 27th January at 9.15 am and 1.15 pm. This is a good way for parents to learn about nursery plans and our vision for the coming months; it gives parents the opportunity to voice their opinion. If you are interested in coming along, please let your child’s keyworker know to enable us to make sure that the meeting is Covid friendly
SICKNESS AND ILLNESS POLICY REMINDER
Children suffering from sickness and diarrhoea must be clear for 48 hours before returning to nursery to reduce the spread of infection. If your child becomes sick or has diarrhoea at nursery, families will be contacted and advised to collect their child and they should remain at home until 48 hours clear of symptoms
Families will be contacted if children appear unwell or complain of being unwell, for any reason, and unable to cope with nursery
If your child is unwell at home and is unable to attend nursery, it is important that you let us know as soon as possible
Covid Guidance
As you are aware the Scottish Government has made further changes to guidance in the hope to reduce transmission rates of Covid 19. Our handwashing and cleaning regimes remain firmly in place and staff continue to operate physical distancing where possible. We continue to advise and encourage our families to follow guidance by avoiding gatherings in and around the campus and only 1 adult should be present at arrival and collection times. Please remember that face masks should be worn at these times to keep everyone safe
CLOTHING
As part of our curriculum we play outside in all weathers so please make sure your child comes to nursery suitably dressed in a warm coat with appropriate footwear. It is advisable to bring a change of clothes for your child to leave at nursery. We do have some spare clothing but it disappears fast. Please remember that all children should have a pair of sand shoes to change into at nursery
TOY FUND
Please remember Toy Fund is collected each Tuesday. You will be given an envelope each Monday to take home and return to nursery the next day. Toy fund can be paid each week in nursery or by direct debit (please speak to staff if you wish to do this). Toy Fund helps us provide little extras that we wouldn’t normally be able to do such as outings, celebrations and gifts
NURSERY ARRIVAL AND COLLECTION TIMES
Unless you have been given different instructions from your child’s key worker – sessions are as follows
MORNING SESSION
8.00 am – 12 noon
AFTERNOON SESSION
1.00 pm – 5.00 pm
MORNING CHILDREN
Please make sure all children are in nursery before 9.15 am
AFTERNOON CHILDREN
Please make sure all children are in nursery before 1.30 pm
Collection time is between
3.00 pm and 3.30 pm
and
4.30 pm and 5.00 pm
THE DONKEY SANCTUARY
Thornlaw Nursery School have adopted Bonnie the donkey and we receive regular updates on how she is doing. Bonnie is always the first donkey to the fence for a rub and some fuss at her home at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth. Bonnie loves to be the centre of attention and often tries to open the door as the grooms put out her food and they have had to put an extra chain on her door to Bonnie-proof it! Bonnie likes to be helpful at grooming time and sometimes gets a little too helpful by running off with the grooming brushes! She sounds like a very cheeky donkey and is described as having a twinkle in her eye!
WEB PAGE FACEBOOK & TWITTER
We have our own web page which can be found at www.thornlaw-nursery.glasgow.sch.uk
Twitter @ThornlawNursery
Facebook Thornlaw Nursery
CONTACT DETAILS
Nursery contact can be made by telephone, email or in person
Telephone 0141 638 3176
Email headteacher@thornlawnursery.glasgow.sch.uk