April 2024
Dear Parents/Carers,
Welcome to the Summer term at Busy Bees. We hope the children will enjoy a fun filled term and are ready to undertake a wide variety of fun and educational activities.
As part of the EYFS we focus on seven main areas of learning, which are:-
Prime Areas
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Physical Development
Communication and Language
Specific Areas
Literacy
Mathematics
Understanding the World
Expressive Arts and Design
Your Child’s Key Person
Each child is allocated a Key Person, this is the person who works closely with your child and monitors their development. It is vital that EVERY parent/carer is aware who their child’s Key Person is and that you have good communication with them. If you are unaware who your child’s Key Person is, please ask your child’s room leader to introduce you to them.
Tapestry
We actively aim to encourage parents/carers to be involved with their child’s progress, it is very important that we have strong links between home and school. As many of you may know we use ‘Tapestry’ as part of our way of recording the children’s developmental records. This has been very successful so far and we have received lots of positive feedback from both parents/carers and our staff. The benefits of using Tapestry include:
• Enables parents /carers to see photos and observations of your child’s learning and experiences
• Share your child’s at-home learning activities with us by putting comments on the ‘Parents Observations’ sectionWe also put lots of information on Tapestry regarding activities that are taking place within the classroom and nursery.
If you haven’t received your invitation to join Tapestry or have been unsuccessful in joining, please see your child’s key person who will be happy to ensure that you are signed up successfully.
Busy Bees website
If you haven’t looked on our website recently, please take a few minutes occasionally to check it out as we have lots information relating to your child’s class and events taking place within the nursery.
You can see a full list of our team and the classes they work in under the ‘Staff’ section on our website www.busybees-nurseryschool.co.uk
Facebook
If you have a Facebook account, it is advisable to follow us as we regularly put updates on our page relating to activities and events that are taking place within the nursery.
Healthy Snacks – NO NUTS OR PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS
As you are aware, each child is required to bring in their own healthy snack each session. May we please stress the emphasis on ‘HEALTHY’
Items for a healthy snack could include:-
PLEASE ENSURE ALL GRAPES ARE CUT IN HALF LENGTH WAYS
Raisins
Cereal bars
Yoghurts
Crackers etc
Please ensure all snacks are clearly named
Lunches – NO NUTS OR PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN TRACES OF NUTS
If your child stays over the lunchtime period, could we please ask that you also provide a healthy lunch.
Events taking place in the coming months
Parent Consultations
As you will be aware, we have recently held parent/carer consultations. The nursery staff have said how much they enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with you face to face. If you were not able to attend a meeting, but would like to schedule an appointment, or would like to arrange a telephone call, please speak to your child’s Key Person or Room Leader who will be happy to schedule a mutually convenient day/time.
Class (whole group) and individual photographs
If your child is not booked in on the day of their class photo, you may bring them in and stay with them whilst they have their picture taken.
Thursday 23rd and Friday 24th May – Further information will be given out closer to the time.
June – Forest School Picnic (weather permitting)
All Parents/Carers will be invited to come along and join in with a morning Forest School session and stay for a picnic – Further information will be given out closer to the time.
Little Chicks Teddy Bears Picnic (weather permitting)Friday 12th July – 11.00am – 12.00noon
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND BLANKET
Parents/Carers of children from the Little Chicks class are invited to join their child and teachers for a picnic on the Busy Bees sports field
July – Presentation days (weather permitting)
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND BLANKET
Monday 8th July – Ladybirds- 11.00am – 12.30pm
Tuesday 9th July – Bumble Bees – 11.00am – 12.30pm
Wednesday 10th July – Butterflies – 11.00am – 12.30pm
Thursday 11th July – Robins – 11.00am – 12.30pm
Saturday 27th July – Open/ Admissions Day 10.30am – 4.00pm
All parents/carers and visitors are welcome to come in to have a look around and meet the staff and register their child for the new term in September.
Busy Bees items for sale
Children’s Busy Bees T- shirts – £6.00 each
Children’s Busy Bees sweat shirts – £10.00 each
Busy Bees book bags – £5.00 each
Swimming hats – £5.50 each
Swimming bags – £3.00 each
If you would like to purchase any of these items please see your child’s room leader who will be happy to help you.
Can we please ask that ALL items of clothing that your child is likely to remove throughout the day are CLEARLY labelled with your child’s name. These include items such as:
hats, gloves, scarves, coats, cardigans, sweaters, in and outdoor shoes, bags etc.
If your child takes swimming lessons during their time at Busy Bees please also ensure all items of clothing and swimwear are clearly labelled.
Unfortunately we do not have enough room to store items such as wellington boots/indoor shoes/back packs etc, could we please ask that you take your child’s belongings home with you at the end of each session.
Sunscreen
We have changed our procedure for applying sunscreen this year. We are no longer asking parents to provide a bottle of sunscreen to keep at school, instead we will be asking each Parent/Carer for a contribution of £5.00 at the start of the summer term and will purchase sunscreen in bulk supply which we will apply to children throughout the day as necessary. We will be asking to you apply a factor 50 waterproof sunscreen on your child prior to them attending their session, however if forget, you will be able to apply the sunscreen we are providing prior to leaving your child. We will then apply further sunscreen to your child throughout your child’s session/day at nursery as required. We will monitor the weather as it warms up and will advise you when it will be necessary to apply sunscreen to your child.
The sunscreen we will be using is Alturist SPF 50. It is dermatologically tested, fragrance free and non-sticky. It provides a high UVA and UVB protection and is also water resistant. The formulation is cruelty free, coral friendly and vegan. It contains a broad range of photostable UV filters, including one of the worlds most advanced filters – Tinosorb A2B. It is fast absorbing and feels like a moisturiser. It is:
• Suitable for age 2 year plus
• 5 star ultra UVA rating
• Cruelty free
• Coral friendly
• Fragrance and paraben free
• Hypoallergenic
• Non – comedogenic
• Water resistant
• Vegan
We will be purchasing this product from gompels.co.uk – Please visit their website for the ingredients within the sunscreen and for further information relating to it.
If you have any concerns regarding your child using this sunscreen please speak to your child’s room leader.
Water bottles
Please ensure that you send your child to school with a water bottle each session and that you take it home again at the end of the session/day. Please note, the children’s water bottles must only contain water and NOT juice. Please ensure ALL items are CLEARLY named
Suitable Footwear
Could we please ask that your child wears closed toed shoes to school, (both in and outdoors). Sandals/ crocs/ open toed shoes are not permitted.
Grant and non grant periods for the rest of 2024 are as follows:
Grant make up day – for day missed on Good Friday (29th March) will be on Friday 2nd August
The new grant summer term begins on Monday 15th April – Friday 24th May
We are unable to use the grant on Monday 6th May due to it being Bank Holidays.
Grant make up day – for day missed on Monday 6th May will be Monday 29th July
CLOSED – Monday 27th May
Non grant period from Tuesday 28th May – Friday 31st May (4 days)
Grant will re-start on Monday 3rd June – Friday 19th July
Non grant period from Monday 22nd July – Friday 30th August
Grant will re- start on Monday 2nd September – Friday 25th October
Non grant period from Monday 28th October – Friday 1st November
Grant will re-start on Monday 4th November – Friday 20th December
Non grant period from Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th December
WE WILL CLOSE AT THE EARLIER TIME OF 4.00PM ON THE 24TH DECEMBER
CLOSED – Wednesday 25th December – Wednesday 1st January 2025
We will re-open on Thursday 2nd January 2025
Non grant Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd January
Grant will re-start on Monday 6th January 2025
As you should now be aware, Kirsty left Busy Bees last month, we would like to welcome Carly Hynds to our administration team. Carly has a wealth of experience in admin and finance and we are really enjoying her being part of the Busy Bees team.
Carly’s office hours are: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8.00am – 4.00pm
Sam’s office hours are: Wednesday and Friday 7.00am – 3.00pm
You can reach both Carly and Sam via email : [email protected] or phone 01638 718249 – Both Carly and Sam are located in the main building, if you wish to speak with them in person, please ring the “office” bell on the main reception door.
Spare clothes
We often run out of spare clothes such as underwear, socks, trousers, leggings etc. If you have any spare which you could donate to us, they would be greatly appreciated.
If your child borrows any clothes from Busy Bees, could we please ask that you return them A.S.A.P once they have been washed.
Extracurricular activities
Swimming Lessons
Once your child has turned 3 years of age and is toilet trained, they will have the opportunity to participate in our swimming lessons. These are structured lessons (not just splash around sessions) which are taught by Miss Nicki, a qualified and very experienced instructor. Lessons take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays each week – Cost – £7.00 per lessons – please email Sam or Carly in the office for further details if you haven’t received any information relating swimming lessons.
We are happy for you to come in and watch your child swim, please see your child’s room leader for further information relating to this.
Forest School
Each class has the opportunity to spend a morning and an afternoon session throughout the week at our onsite Forest School. Our Forest School sessions are led by Miss Naomi. Naomi is a qualified Level 3 Forest School Leader. During the session the children will play games, are able to explore their natural environment. Naomi plans various focused activities with specific learning outcomes. The children have snacks, they listen to stories and rhymes and become confident and familiar with the outdoor environment and the various weather conditions throughout the changing seasons. During wet/muddy days could we please ask that you provide an all-in-one waterproof rain suit (clearly named). If you would like to come in and help with a forest school session, please speak to your child’s room leader who will be happy to arrange this with you.
Pre-School Dance and Acro Classes – Held in St John’s Church Hall (opposite Busy Bees)
Classes are held on Monday mornings between 10.00am – 11.00am (Term time only). If your child is booked into nursery on Monday mornings, we will take them over to the Church Hall and Kimberley will bring them back to Busy Bees a the end of the session.
If your child doesn’t attend class, you can drop him/her off at the Church Hall and collect them at the end of the session.
Cost – £6.50 per class
For further information please contact Kimberley Ann (KATS Principal) on 07743494899 or visit www.katsdance.com to book a place
French and Spanish classes for Busy Bees and Primary School age children
• Tuesdays 4.00pm – Nursery/Young Primary Spanish
• Wednesdays 4.00pm – Primary Spanish
• Thursdays – 4.00pm – Nursery/Primary French
Classes are easy, relevant and fun! Trial first lesson free
For further details please contact Beverley Smith on: 07860647240
Busy Bees Car Park
Could we please ask that you do not park in staff car park by the bins as staff need access to this area at all times throughout the day. Also, please do not park in front of the house as these places are reserved for the nursery vehicles.
Please do not leave children unattended in your car whilst bringing siblings into the nursery.
Please also ensure your engines are switched off and your vehicle is locked securely behind you whilst you are dropping off/collecting your child. Busy Bees will not accept responsibility for any loss damage to your vehicle whilst using the Busy Bees car park.
We would like to mention a few safety points to Parents/Carers
1) Please ensure that all contact numbers are updated regularly so that we have good communication in an emergency situation.
2) Although we try to encourage independence for each child, for safety purposes could we please ask that you do not allow your child to open the nursery doors and gates.
3) Please do not take photographs or use any type of recording devices in the nursery or within its grounds without prior permission from a member of staff.
4) We have tried to make our entrance and exit area as safe as possible, could we please ask for your co-operation in not allowing your child to run ahead of you – especially in the car park. Could we also please ask that you follow the one way system AT ALL TIMES when entering and exiting the premises
5) May we please remind you, that if you wish for your child to go home with anyone else, they must be listed on your child’s ‘parental permission form and the nominated person must have valid I.D
6) For safety purposes, please do not allow your child to use the play equipment in the front play area when dropping of and collecting your child.
7) Could we please ask that you do not bring dogs onto the school grounds, this includes tying them close to the entrance and exit gates.
8) Please do not smoke or vape on the premises, this includes in the Busy Bees car park.
We are always looking for ways to improve our service. If you have any suggestions on ways in which we can do this, please send an email to the main office [email protected]
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the kind parents who have helped us in various ways over the past year, it has been greatly appreciated.
Thanks again - Best wishes
Lorna Barker Rachel Davies
Nursery Manager Operational Manager “Our setting is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of
children, young people and adults at all times and expects everybody
working within this setting to share this commitment”