Welcome back to a busy half term at Spring Meadow Infant and Nursery School. Everyone

is now well settled into the Nursery routine, learning names and enjoying a wide range of

activities inside and out. We were very fortunate to have a dry first half term and made

the most of the sunshine by spending as much time as possible outside, climbing, riding

bikes, playing ball games, playing with sand and water and dressing up. As the weather

 changes and temperatures drop, we will continue to use the outdoor area with the

emphasis on more physical activities. 

A HUGE ‘thank you’ to everyone for supporting our Christmas Card Project. We raised just

over 150 pounds, which will allow us to purchase a kitchen for the outdoor area and

several other role-play items. The new toys will be in place as soon as possible! Everyone

agreed that the children’s artwork was fantastic and I’m sure that family and friends will

enjoy receiving these special cards. Ordered cards should be in school by the end of

November. 

We have a busy, exciting half term ahead of us. Please read your plan for November-

December, and have a look at the weekly sheet in the cloakroom for details of planned

activities and themes. Below are a few notes and reminders for next half term.

·        Entry into Nursery is working well. Thank you for your support in bringing the children

straight in and discouraging them from playing with the outside toys at this time.

·        Please remember about naming everything – we even have identical pairs of     

shoes! Please look in the lost property box if something has gone missing

·        Thank you for your cooperation at the end of the session. It may take a little longer

    but we feel that it is a much safer system.

·        Please don’t forget the 48hr rule.  If your child has been sick they must stay at home

for 48hrs after the last episode of vomiting or diahorrea. Thank you.

·        We hope you and your children are enjoying the ‘Home Books’. Please feel free to

 write any comments in the red reading diary.

·        Anyone wishing to book family photos, or purchase school calendars and Christmas

 puddings, please return your order form or go the school office.

·        The PSA are organising a ‘magic show’ on Wednesday 2^nd and Thursday 3^rd of

 December, after school. Details to follow.

·        Our Nursery Christmas Sing-a-long will be on Monday 7^th December at 2.30 for

 afternoon parents, and Tuesday 8^th December at 10.30 for morning parents.

·        The Nursery Christmas Parties are on Thursday 10^th December. Bring your child to

Nursery at the normal time. Please encourage them to wear their favourite party

clothes.

·        Open day in on Friday 11^th December – times to follow, please look out for a notice

in the window.

·        Last day of term is Friday 18^th December.

Last week was the national ‘Big Draw’ with lots of events locally, encouraging everyone to

 pick up a pen and be creative. This half term find time to draw and write together, and try

 to let your child see you drawing and writing too. Encourage your child to write their name

 in cards, even if is a little squiggle this is an important start. All children are different and

some may be starting to write letters. If they are, show them how to use a capital letter at

the start of their name, followed by lower case letters. If your child is ready to do this they

will soon copy your letters and be keen to practise…

·        Draw together – patterns, shapes or pictures – anything! You will notice the

 kind of marks your child makes when they pick up a crayon, and you can build on

 these.

·        If your child draws lots of round shapes you could join in, showing them how to

draw them anti-clockwise (ready for letter writing) and how to draw big and

small circles, your could then turn these circles into faces or simply colour them in. 

·        Try to encourage your child to hold their pen or crayon in a tripod grip,

between their thumb and first two fingers. If your child is not yet ready they will

show you by going back to a palm or fist grip. Try again another time.

·        Remember to make lots of positive comments about your child’s drawings

and paintings.

A. Jones - Nursery Leader