We hope you are all having a lovely summer. Brace up for some more heat next week before the cold weather sets in!

As we start the new term, you need to be aware of the following:

Still keeping restriction

Even though some restrictions have been lifted, we feel it is safe to still keep in line with our current practice based on our risk assessments. We will still be using the garden door for drop-offs and pick-ups. If your child has a temperature, we still advise they are not brought to the nursery. Unfortunately, it is difficult to differentiate temperature from teething, vaccination or Covid infection. Last pick-up will continue to be 5:30pm to 5:45pm to give us time to sanitise all resources used.

The New Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

The revised Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, a document which sets the standard that all early years provider must meet to ensure the learning, development and care of the children, came into effect on the 1st of September. This is how we will implement it:

  1. Monthly observations on Tapestry will reduce. We will upload pictures of your children during Wow! moments, surprises or when there is a concern. Reason: Ofsted wants us to reduce time spent on paper work.
  2. A board will be placed by the gate inside the nursery stating what the children ate and activities they engaged with. You will see this when you pick up your children. Please feel free to ask staff any individual questions you have. This means we would not be spending time writing daily diaries. Reason: Ofsted wants us to spend more time with children than doing paper work.
  3. During the week, you will be given a piece of paper. It will state ‘Ask me about…’ These are conversation prompters with your children. It will help them express themselves with your support. Reason: Ofsted is placing a lot of emphasis on Communication and Language.
  4. Parents’ meeting will be held twice a term to keep you updated on your child’s development. It is also an opportunity for you to have a discussion with the keyworker on your child’s learning needs. You can have the meetings either in person or via zoom.
  5. Babies under two years old will continue to have the daily diaries and loads of pictures uploaded.

Accident forms

Pictures of accidents in the nursery or incidents that happened at home will be uploaded on tapestry. You will sign the form during pick-up. Please do not be alarmed when you see any pictures. If they are serious, you would be called immediately.

Menu

Our menu is done weekly and will be uploaded onto Tapestry on Sunday evening or Monday morning. We will continue to provide nutritious homemade meals. As a reminder, the children have morning snack at 10am, lunch at 11:30am, afternoon snacks at 2pm, tea at 3 or 3:30pm, and snack at 5pm for those leaving at 6pm. Milk and water are given throughout the day. Please engage more with Tapestry as this will be the main means of communication.

Term events

All term events dates will be sent to you beginning of term. We cannot promise there won’t be any impromptu events. We have to follow the children’s leading. But, please do not feel pressured. We will accommodate all children. It’s all part of the fun.

Trips and walks

Until we feel it is safe to go on trips, we will continue to take our children on walks and to the local parks. The babies will go to the soft play area at Streatham Leisure Centre regularly.

Uniforms

We are a uniform-wearing nursery. All children over two years are required to wear their uniforms to the nursery. Place your orders with a member of staff.

Oral hygiene

We will gradually phase out giving sweets and chocolates at the nursery to protect the children’s oral health. We will also continue to brush our children’s teeth after lunch. A lot of discussion and activities will continue to be done around oral hygiene. Please support by also reducing the amount of sweet foods given to children. A dentist has advised that after the teeth are cleaned at night, only water should be given to the children. Reason: Ofsted are big on Oral hygiene in the revised EYFS.

Home learning bag

Home learning bags will be sent every Friday. Please take time to do the activities with your children. If they struggle, please let the key worker know. Bags should also be returned on Mondays.

Ins and outs

As we all know, change is the only permanent thing in life. Because of the growing needs of the nursery, you will stop seeing some old faces among the staff and start seeing new ones. We will introduce them to you over time.

The £50/Free Lunch Deal!

If you recommend us to a parent and they register with us, you will get £50 off your next weekly fee. For funded children, you will get free lunch for two weeks.

Talk to us and Talk about us

Please if you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact us via this email: [email protected]. If you have compliments, please feel free to review Kiddies Kottage Nursery School on Google, Facebook and other social media handles. You can follow us on instagram @kiddieskottagestreatham.

Feedback from parents

The general feedback from the survey we recently carried out is that parents are happy with the service we provide, especially with regards to the love and care shown to the children. We appreciate your support and encouragement.