Duffield Pre-School
Newsletter April - May 2022
Topics this term: Mini beasts, Dinosaurs, Superheroes, Growing and Opposites
Dates for your Diary
Summer term: Monday 25th April - Friday 27th May
May Bank Holiday – Monday 2nd May
Summer Term: Tuesday 7th June - Friday 22nd July
Inset Day: Monday 6th June
Plant and Cake sale – Friday 13th May at 3.30pm
Autumn Term : Monday 5th September - Friday 21st October
Funding changes
Please be aware that from the 1st April our extra hours funding charges will go up for all 3 & 4. Currently we charge £4.16 per hour this will raise to £4.30 in line with the increase from Derbyshire County Council. Please note that although 2-year-old funding has gone up this will continue to be £16 per session until September where it will then increase to £16.50 per session.
Coats, hats and bits
Please can you ensure that all items that are sent into preschool are fully labelled. It is really helpful for all staff if coats, hats, scarves, gloves, water bottles and lunch bags are fully labelled.
Fundraising
We couldn’t have done it without you. We raised an amazing amount of money on our welly walk. At the moment our total stands at about £708.73, this is an amazing amount and will make a huge difference. We will be updating our science and technology resources, as well as replacing equipment in our role play areas. Hopefully, this will arrive in the holidays ready for the children to use on their return on the 25th April. We will update you on the rest of our spending in future newsletters.
We also raised £137.09 at the Easter, thank you to everyone who supported the event and volunteered to help on the day.
Plant and Cake sale
Friday 13th May at 3.30pm. Venue – on the grass to the left as you come in the school gates. Any donations of plants or cakes would be very welcome. More details to follow.
Outdoor Play
We will be outside as often as possible this term. While Crocs and flip flops are perfect for home, we find that they aren’t suitable for climbing, balancing etc. Thank you, I know it is difficult when children want to wear their favourite shoes, but we would appreciate your support. Also please apply sun block before session – however on full days, we are happy to re-apply at lunch time, please label your child’s sun block and pop in container on the cupboard by the entrance. Sunhats please. Thank you
10 keys to unlocking school readiness
The 10 keys have been identified by Derbyshire parents, carers and professionals. These will help everyone understand what children developing typically for their age should be able to do by the time they start in reception class. The 10 keys for unlocking school readiness are:
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I can settle happily without my parent or carer
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I can tell friends and grown-ups what I need
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I can take turns and share when I am playing
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I can go to the toilet on my own and wash my hands
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I can put on my own coat and shoes and feed myself
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I can tell a grown up if I am happy, sad or cross
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I know that what I do and say can make others happy or unhappy
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I am curious and want to learn and play
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I can stop what I am doing, listen and follow simple instructions
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I enjoy sharing books with grown-ups
Parental survey
Thank you so much for responding to our parental survey, it is so useful to know what is working well but also to know which areas of practice need reviewing and evaluating, we had a 40% return, thank you. We will be responding to the issues raised by letter/email i.e. hand washing amongst others.
Collection of Children: Could you please let us know if someone different is going/likely to be picking up your child. Could you please ensure that everybody around your child knows you PASSWORD.
Our phone number is 07955 16 88 92. Thank you.
Afternoon pick up has had to be changed back 3.30pm, thank you.
Payment of fees: Just a reminder that fees are payable within one week of the receipt of the invoice we would be grateful if you can stick to this deadline as it creates a great deal of extra admin checking the bank account. Of course, if there is an issue at any point then please speak to one of the staff.
Lunches
A few reminders please:
Could we ask you to please cut grapes in half (this was highlighted in our First Aid Training)
NO NUTS please (no Nutella or peanut butter).
Amazon Smile – thank you to all who have supported Amazon Smile through purchases but also a massive thank you to all of you who have sent us a gift through our wish list, we have added to our role play, received some lovely books, games and new resources. It is much appreciated and the children have enjoyed the new resources.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DuffieldPreSchool/
Website: https://www.duffieldpreschool.co.uk/
If you have any queries or concerns please don’t hesitate to approach a staff member.
From all of us at Duffield Preschool