1. Early Years Newsletter 18 th September 2015 What are we learning about? For the first few weeks in school we have obviously been spending lots of time getting to know each other and doing lots of activities to introduce the children to the different opportunities available in our new unit. We will also be starting our first topic of ‘Earth’ Our Earth topic will begin next week. We will focus on our homes and where we live and also also animal homes. We will also be looking at harvest and the its importance of farming. As part of the all of the topics this year we will be doing food tasting, and using the minibuses to visit various places. We are also introducing a snack area which provides a range of cereal and toast. We are asking for a donation of 50p each week to help fund this fantastic hands on learning. There is a money box in class where any donations can be made. We have begun PE this week. PE will be on a Friday for all children. Please send in PE bags –a small bag containing black or blue shorts, a white t-shirt and pumps (preferably Velcro fastening) as soon as possible please. Please remember to label all items of uniform and PE kit clearly with your child’s name. This makes life so much easier for the staff and also avoids children becoming upset. We aren’t having much luck with the weather at the moment and as you all know, British weather can be very changeable! For this reason could you please ensure your child attends each day with a waterproof coat which has a hood on it. As our outdoor area can get quite muddy, we would also like your child to bring a pair of wellies (with their name clearly written inside) to leave at school. We will be using our outdoor classroom everyday whatever the weather.

2. We are looking at introducing a ‘Birthday Book Scheme’. As we are a ‘Healthy School’ and have won many awards for this, we actively discourage giving children sweet treats and rewards and promote tooth friendly alternatives. For this reason, if you wish to send something into school as part of your birthday celebrations, we ask if you would like to send a book. This will be read on your child’s special day and can either come back home or be donated to the class library for the children to enjoy (please inform us of your choice). We will place a special label inside the book to say who it was from if the book is donated. Dates for your Diary: Macmillan coffee morning –25 th September We are asking for cake donations on the morning. The coffee morning is open to all from 10:00. All proceeds go to Macmillan Cancer. Parents Evening- 12 th October Please make appointments with your key worker. Lantern Festival-22 nd October Harvest Festival: - 20 th October More information about how you can be involved in these two events to follow. Remember our school library is open every afternoon after school and we have a special slot booked for Reception children on Monday and Tuesday’s at 2:45. (the doors will close at 2:50 so please ensure you are here promptly to avoid stress for your child). Monday – Lions and Meerkats Tuesday – Giraffes and Zebras Thank you very much for your cooperation with our picking up and dropping off arrangements during the 1 st few weeks. Could we also please ask for parents to be very patient with us when collecting their child and to tell us who they have come to collect. We are trying very hard to learn the names of all the children in our unit and have not yet managed to learn all the parents too. Hopefully we will have a most enjoyable first half term, if however you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to come in and discuss them with us.