Odd Socks

On Wednesday 18th May the children and staff came to Nursery in odd socks. We looked at colours, patterns, shapes and differences. Pre School did lots of work on positional language.
We also took the opportunity to help children develop their self care skills by encouraging them to take off and put on their own shoes.

Talking tables outdoors

Two Year Old Free Early Education

Parents/ Carers can now apply for Two Year Old Free Education online:
Blackburn with Darwen's Parent Portal

Applications can be accepted at anytime whilst the child is two years old, but the placement will not commence until the term after the child's second birthday.

Should you require any support to complete the form or want to discuss your child's eligibility please contact the Family Information Service on 01254 667877. 

The completion of an online application does not guarantee a place - all applications will be assessed and checked against the eligibility criteria. 

Sun Smart Policy

There's no fun burning in the sun so stay Sun smart:

S - Stay in the shade between 12 and 2pm

M - Make sure you never burn
A - Always cover up
R - Remember to take extra care with children
T - Then use factor 30+ sun cream

SUN SMART POLICY

The Every Child Matters Framework has a ‘be healthy’ outcome.  This policy ensures the children attending St Marys Nursery @ Wensley Fold Children’s Centre are safeguarded from accidental injury caused by the sun.

At St Mary’s Nursery we want staff and children to enjoy the sun safely. We will work with staff and parents to achieve this through:

Education –These measures are in place from now on:

• Staff will include sun smart issues within the planning for the children’s learning.
• One safety message of the month is ‘sun awareness’ this is during the month of May each year.
• Parents and guardians are made aware of what we do about sun protection and how they can help. (in brochure pack)
• We will review the sun protection policy on a yearly basis at staff meetings to re-enforce the importance of this policy to staff.
• We will display the sun smart policy and posters in the Children's Centre entrance.

Protection – this is more of an ongoing process.

Shade

• We have shaded areas within each outdoor space.
• Staff will aim to provide outdoor activities under the shaded areas – during the hours of 12:00pm and 2:00pm (if it is really hot children will stay inside between the hours of 12:00pm and 2:00pm).

Timetabling

• Children will spend more time outside before 12:00pm and after 2:00pm (unless under the shaded areas), in hot weather.

Clothing

• We will actively encourage children to wear a hat when playing outside from May (if weather becomes hotter sooner this will be changed) each year.
• Notices will be placed around the setting reminding parents to bring in a hat for their child.

Sunscreen

• It is parent’s responsibility to provide high factor sun cream, for staff to apply if their child attends the facility for longer than a 3 hour period.
• Parents give written consent for staff to apply sun cream to their child (on the child detail forms).
• Parents of children who access 3 hours or less childcare must apply sun cream before the session begins.
• There is an option for ’non application of sun cream’ for those children who lack of vitamin D is greater risk then UV rays.

Dates for your diary - May 2016

Primary School Applications 

Please inform a member of Pre School staff (even if you are appealing) of the Primary School your child will be attending in September 2016. We will be inviting all School teachers into Nursery to ensure smooth transitions into primary school.

Mr Tumble Week

Week commencing 16th May :

Safety Message : Mr Tumble says "Let's talk about medicine"

Healthy Message: Mr Tumble says "Always wear sun cream and drink plenty of water when it is hot" (sun smart policy)

Odd Socks 

Wednesday 18th May 

Wear odd socks to Nursery. We will be looking at colours, patterns, shapes and differences. Pre School will be focusing on positional language.

A few reminders ....

• Children must not wear Earrings to Nursery. 
• If your emergency contact details change please inform Lisa in the office.
• Nursery fees are to be paid by Direct Debit, if you have not yet returned your direct debit form please do so ASAP.
• Baby Room and Tweenie Room parents please remember to bring your child's blue daily diary to every session. This is a great way of to pass messages from home to nursery and nursery to home.
• Thank you to the parents who have emailed through photographs of your child's home activities. The children really enjoy talking about them at group times or throughout the session. If you would like to send photographs of special events, days out etc please email them to l.parkinson@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk