Newsletter Sept 2020

Dear parents, In the words of The Temptations, ‘Ball Of Confusion that’s what the world is today (yeah, yeah).’ However onwards and upwards and so, over the last couple of weeks, it has been a great pleasure to welcome new children & parents to the pre-school & to welcome back familiar faces of children, & their parents, to reunite them with their friends and teachers.

It was very sad to see them go, but we wish all the children starting primary school all the very best as they continue their learning journeys. To paraphrase the words of Pearl Jam, “I hope everyday you’ll have a beautiful life, I know you’ll be a star…”

And for those just starting their learning journeys … the fun has just begun!

Wendy Perkins (Manager)

Covid

Thus far our arrangements are working well. We will endeavour to keep the pre-school open for as long as possible for all children. There is a possibility in the future that if Medway becomes an area of concern that all schools will enter the government’s ‘Contain’ strategy: as with the previous lockdown, priority being given to vulnerable children and children of critical workers.

Term dates

Monday 26th to Friday 30th October – half-term break

Monday 2nd November – Pre-school re-opens

Thursday 10th December – last day of Autumn term

Monday 4th January 2021– Spring term begins – pm children only (Tues 5th all)

Tuesday 5th January – term begins for am children

Monday 15th to Friday 19th February – half-term break

Monday 22nd February – Pre-School re-opens

Thursday 1st April – Spring term ends

Monday 19th April 2021– Summer term begins – all children

Monday 3rd May – Pre-school closed

Monday 31st May – Friday 4th June – half-term break

Monday 7th June – Pre-school re-opens

Thursday 15th July – last day of Summer term

Dates for your diaries

October – school photos (individual and sibling) – date tbc

October – AGM – date tbc

October – Seasonal Dress up day date tbc

October – Sponsored obstacle course

November – Parent/Teacher Consultations – date tbc

Friday 13th November – Children in Need Day

Tuesday 1st December – Dress rehearsal (am children) – date tbc

Saturday 5th December – Breakfast with Santa – date tbc

Tuesday 8th December – Xmas Play (am children) date tbc

Thursday 10th December – Xmas party (all children) and end of term.

Friday 11th December – staff only

Tuesday 24th March – Dress rehearsal – date tbc

Tuesday 30th March – Spring Play – date tbc

Sunday 30th May – Dragon Boat Race

June – Sports Day – date tbc – am children

July –date tbc – Pre-school trip to Kent Life

Thursday 15th July – Teddy Bear’s Picnic and end of term.

Friday 16th July – stock take – staff only

NB All the planned ‘events’ are subject to change – not just the dates, but the formats. For example, the AGM will be a virtual meeting, the Christmas play will still be performed and made available on Facebook, Santa may be cancelled, etc.

AGM ? OCT 9.30am

Pre-school Committee – We are currently looking for new committee members to take over in this new school year. Some positions are still available. It is essential that the pre-school has a committee to maintain the running of events & all other aspects of the pre-school. If you are interested please speak to Vicki in the office or any member of staff.

YOUR PRE-SCHOOL NEEDS YOU. NO COMMITTEE = NO PRE-SCHOOL.

In the current climate the AGM is likely to be a virtual meeting.

Water bottles
As part of our Healthy Eating ethos we sell water bottles for the children printed with the St. Luke’s teddy logo. These cost just £1.50 each. All bottles should be marked with the child’s name & children are encouraged to take a drink at any time. Bottles are refilled when running low. The bottles need to be collected at the end of each session, washed at home & returned to pre-school at the beginning of the next session. Lastly, a reminder that the bottles should be filled with water only please (no squash).

Lunchbox rules
Please ensure grapes & cocktail sausages are cut in half, as they can be a choking hazard in children under 5 & please no products containing nuts (INCLUDING NUTELLA, NAKD BARS, ETC) due to allergies: although your child may not be affected by nuts, some of those that they interact with may be.
To be healthy it’s very important to eat a balanced diet: more details & some ideas about what to put in your child’s lunchbox, in the booklets & boards in the lobby & @ NHS Change4Life website

Children’s belongings
Please ensure children do not wear their best clothing to pre-school: painting overalls are provided but accidents can still happen. The pre-school has its own design of sweatshirts & t-shirts for sale.
Please label all your child’s belongings to avoid any confusion. This includes their lunch bags/boxes, drink bottles, plimsolls etc.
Children should not bring sweets or wear jewellery to pre-school.

Health & Safety
Handrails – Please do not allow your child to climb the yellow disability handrails, whilst waiting to enter the pre-school or upon exiting the pre-school. There is only concrete to fall on!

Arriving & collecting

Please make sure you arrive & collect your child on time as lateness affects both the running of the pre-school & your child’s routine. If you know you are going to be late, please contact the pre-school on 01634 819809 during session times.

If your child is unwell & will not be attending, please telephone the pre-school before 9.30 on the same day. Calls can be made out of hours to the answer-phone attached to this line. We also need to know the reason why your child is absent, in case there is a contagious illness circulating, so we can inform other parents. Please do not leave a message on Facebook. Messages left on Facebook page may not reach staff  members. Tell us if you know you are going to be away head of time: just let the staff know when you see them or leave a message on the answerphone

Children must not be left on the premises without a parent/carer before or after the session times as the pre-school’s insurance would be invalidated.  If children are on the premises at any other time, the pre-school cannot assume any responsibility for their care & safety & the parents/carers are solely responsible for them.

Please arrive at your allotted time and queue in an orderly, socially distanced manner outside the building.

Place your child’s lunch bag and drink bottle on the blue trolley.

Hand your child’s coat & bag to your child.

If someone other than yourself or the regular carer will be collecting your child, please advise the teacher on the door. This is a very important detail as your child’s security is compromised if staff are unaware when there is a change in the person collecting your child.

Starting Primary School in Sept 2021?
If your child is born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, they are due to start school in Year R (Reception) in September 2021.

School admission applications are open
School applications close 5pm, Fri 15th Jan 2021.
School offer day 16th Apr 2021

Keep in touch
tel: 01634 819809
email :office@stlukespre-school.co.uk
Website www.stlukespre-school.co.uk – The ‘Calendar’ feature is now activated; it has the ‘Dates for your diary’ & if you click on the event date, all the details (when, where & what) about the event.