Newsletter

September/October 2024

 Welcome back to preschool after the summer break. Also, we welcome all the new children and their families who are joining us this term. We would like to thank everyone for all your kind gifts and cards you gave us last term.

Staff – We welcome Jo Nyama to our team. She will be joining us from September and we are looking forward to working with her.

Summer weather – hopefully we will still have warm weather as we return, so please ensure you apply suncream to your child and also provide your child with a hat for when they are playing outside. Also please put suncream in your child’s bag so they can apply it during the session. Please ensure you put your child’s name on the cream.

Two year funding – as you may be aware the government are giving funding for two year olds who qualify for it from April 2024. If your child is eligible you will need to apply via the government website and email the code along with your national insurance number to tcc.preschool@hotmail.co.uk so we can apply for the funding.  Funding for two year olds from January 2025 will need to be applied for before the end of the Autumn term. If you do not apply before the cut-off date you will not receive the funding for the spring term.  The links for applying and for information are https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ , https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working. This funding will need to be renewed every three months. The government send you an email to remind you to do this.

Labels – Please ensure you label ALL your child’s belongings including bags, snack/lunch boxes, water bottles, sun hats, sun cream, shoes etc. This is very important so things belonging to your child do not go astray or get taken by another child.

Fees – please check your emails for your invoices. Fees are £20.00 per session and lunch club is £3.50 per day. The fees are due to be paid at the beginning of each half term but will need to be paid by Friday 27^th September 2024, at the latest. If fees are not paid by the payment date and a reminder has to be sent a £10.00 admin charge will be added to the invoice. Payments can be paid by BACS (the preferred method) or cash. If you have any issues with payments, please speak to Terri.

2025/2026 Sessions – You will receive an email during September asking what sessions you would like for your child for the 2025/2026 year (September 2025 – July 2026). As we are a busy preschool, we need to allocate places early.

Sickness/illness – In line with current Government guidelines we would like to remind you NOT to send your child in if they are at all unwell, even with coughs and colds. There are a lot of viruses about at the moment and it is unfair on your child and on staff if they are ill. Also, if you need to give your child Calpol or any medication do not send your child in as it may be masking another illness. If staff become infected, it will interfere with the continued running of the setting. If preschool needs to call you regarding your child, please ensure you answer your phone as they will need to be collected if they are ill. If your child is prescribed antibiotics please keep them off for the first 48 hours of starting the medication in case of an allergic reaction, unless it is a repeat course of treatment.

Snacks – We will be continuing with our policy of parents providing their child’s snack. We do ask that you supply your child with a healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, cheese or breadstick) and not biscuits, chocolate or sweets. Please remember to cut grapes lengthways and to cut up tomatoes and to stick to recommended age-appropriate portion size. A letter was emailed previously with guidelines for portion size appropriate for young children and healthy snack and lunch options. If you would like a copy of this emailed to you please ask.

Drop off/Pick up – Preschool times are mornings 8.45 – 11.45 and afternoons 12.30 – 3.30. Please do not be late picking your child up. If someone other than the main carers are dropping off or picking up your child, please inform Terri or Annette of the name and contact number of that person. They will need to know your child’s password.

Please could you keep us updated with your email address and check your inbox regularly for updates. Please also ensure you inform us of any change of address or telephone number.

Shared care – if your child goes to a child minder, another preschool or nursery please let Terri or Annette know they have shared care with another setting.

Please do not allow children to bring items in from home, especially toys and comforters (unless it is relevant to the topic and will go straight into the box on arrival) as they can transmit germs.

Diary Dates

2024/2025 Term Dates

Autumn Term

2^nd September 2024 – 13^th December 2024

Half term – 28^th October – 1^st November 2024

19^th November – Photographer – details to follow

1^st December – Christmas service – details to follow

Spring Term

6^th January 2025 – 28^th March 2025

Half Term – 17^th – 21^st February 2025

Summer Term

22^nd April 2025 – 18^th July 2025

Half Term – 26^th – 30^th May 2025

May Day Bank Holiday – Monday 5^th May 2025

Please note the Easter holidays 2025 will be for three weeks and not two like the schools. This is due to the number of weeks funding we receive.

We will continue communicating via email, Facebook, and our website.