Newsletter September/October 2026
Welcome back to our returning children and their families to preschool after the summer. We hope you had a good time with family and friends and were able to enjoy the beautiful hot weather. Also welcome to all the new children and families joining us this term.
Christmas Photos - a photographer will be coming into preschool on 10th November from 8.30am to take Christmas photos of your children. If you would like their siblings to join them, they are welcome to do so. If you have school age children you would like included please speak to Terri or Jo.
Christmas Service - this year’s Christmas service will take place on Sunday 6th December at 3:00pm. All children will be taking part and their families are welcome to attend. Doors will open at 2.45pm.
Suncream/hats – As we are hoping the weather will still be warm and sunny please ensure that you supply your child with suncream and a hat. Please also ensure these are all labelled.
Lunch/snack containers – in line with the government guidelines on sustainability please could you put your child’s lunch and snack items in reuseable containers rather than using plastic bags etc. Please ensure all containers and lunch boxes are clearly labelled.
Lunch club – as you may be aware we are no longer allowed to charge for lunch club. However, to cover the cost for the period 11.45 – 12.30 we are asking parents to pay £3.50 per day as a voluntary contribution. This is the same amount as we previously charged for lunch club so it will not cost you anymore but will mean there is a continuity of care from 8.45 – 3.30. We hope you will continue to support us with this. If your child is on funding and you do not use all your entitlement, lunch club can be included as part of your child’ hours if it does not exceed the hours allocated.
If lunch club donations are not paid you will need to pick your child up at 2:45pm as funding only covers 6 hours per day if you use the maximum number of hours your child is eligible for.
30-hour funding – all children who are eligible for funding for working parents from the age of nine months will be entitled to 30 hours per week. If you think this is applicable to you, please go to the government website to apply for this. This needs to be completed before the end of term for funding for the following term. Sessions will only be available if we have space and some sessions are already full.
Two year funding – If your child is eligible for 2 year funding or 30 hour funding 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. If you do not apply before the cut-off date you will not receive the funding for the following 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 via HMRC will send you an email to remind you to do this. If this applies to you please send your child’s code and your national insurance number by the end of term so funding will be in place from January 2027.
Funding – if your child receives government funding they need to attend preschool regularly. Essex County Council are at liberty to carry out checks and if your child does not attend regularly, they can ask parents to reimburse them for the cost of the funding they have paid out. If your child is not in a session, please call preschool to let them know the reason why (illness, holiday etc). If your child is due to attend and does not and you have not informed preschool Terri or Jo will be contacting you to find out the reason.
Lunch and Snacks – in line with government guidelines and EYFS (September 2026) snacks and lunches need to be a balance of starchy food, fruit or vegetables, protein and dairy (or alternative) and low in sugar and salt. For example, a sandwich or wrap such as ham and cucumber or chicken and lettuce or pasta salad or crackers and a low-fat dip. Snack should be healthy (a portion of fruit fresh or tinned if it is in juice and not syrup, vegetable or cheese). Please avoid giving your child foods that pose a choking threat unless they are cut up(whole grapes and tomatoes, popcorn, carrot sticks, olives etc) and ensure food is cut into appropriately sized pieces. Portion sizes need to be age appropriate. They should only bring in water to drink and not squashes. This is now government guidelines which are insisting children of preschool age only have access to water, so please encourage your child to bring water in a flask or bottle with their name on. It is no longer permissible for your child to have squash in the setting.
Fees – please check your emails for your invoices. Fees are £22.00 per session and a voluntary contribution of £3.50 per day for those who use all their funded hours but stay between 11.45 – 12.30. You will notice the invoices are set out slightly differently and has a second page setting out what lunch periods are covered. The fees are due to be paid at the beginning of each half term but will need to be paid by Friday 25th September, at the latest. Payments can be paid by BACS (the preferred method) or cash. If you have any issues with payments, please speak to Terri.
**IMPORTANT**
LABELS – PLEASE ENSURE YOU LABEL ALL YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS INCLUDING BAGS, SNACK/LUNCH BOXES, WATER BOTTLES, SHOES ETC. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SO THINGS BELONGING TO YOUR CHILD DO NOT GO ASTRAY OR GET TAKEN BY ANOTHER CHILD.
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 Jo of the name and contact number of that person. They will need to know your child’s password.
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, 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.
Pets – our topic this half term is pets. If you have a pet that you would be able to bring in, either for the whole session, or for a short time at the beginning/end of the session, please talk to Auntie Terri or Auntie Jo.
Shared care – if your child goes to a child minder, another preschool or nursery please let Terri or Jo know they have shared care with another setting.
On-line Safety – Online safety is very important for all children. Please see attached information at the bottom of this newsletter regarding this.
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.
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
Autumn Term 2026
7th September – 18th December 2026
Half term – 26th – 30th October
Christmas Photos – 10th November 2026
Christmas Service – 6th December 2026 @ 3:00pm
Spring Term 2027
4th January – 25th March 2027
Half term – 15th – 19th February
Summer Term 2027
12th April – 16th July 2027
Half term – 31st May- 4th June
May Day Bank Holiday – 3rd May 2027
We will continue communicating via email, Facebook, and our website.
Useful Websites
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/
https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working
Online safety - how to spot the signs of exploitation, check device security settings and report concerns.
The risks of online abuse remain a threat which young people and their parents/carers should be aware of.
Any child is at risk of being exploited - both boys and girls can be groomed online, with contact often starting on social media. It is important to remember that exploitation is not the child’s fault, and they are never to blame.
Caregivers can create a supportive environment, where online safety is discussed regularly in the same way as road safety or stranger danger, enabling children to speak up about any concerns they may have. By taking an interest in what games they are playing and trying to understand their online world, parents and carers can initiate important conversations. It’s also worthwhile double checking that devices have the correct parental controls, especially if they’re new.
The ESCB website has resources for parents, carers and professionals including podcasts, videos, how to report concerns, and information about spotting the signs of exploitation.
Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111. There is also a dedicated Essex Police Child Exploitation hotline - for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns they may have about their own or other children with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation: 01245 452058.
