The Nursery Manager writes…
The summer has seen lots of children enjoy family holidays and return to nursery with tales of adventure. This is a prime example of nursery learning being consolidated by real-world experience, and Owls children in particular have benefitted. Although many Highwood staff have taken holidays too, we have maintained our ratios and our various curricula, keeping children meaningfully occupied and entertained through learning.
Sarah Bower
Nursery Manager
Nursery photographer
Monday 28 October
Staff training day – nursery closed
Friday 3 January 2025
Friday 22 August 2025
Christmas closure 2024/25
We will close at 12:00 noon on Friday 20 December 2024 and re-open to children on Monday 6 January 2025
Welcome Anna and Kayla
We welcomed two new members of staff in August – Anna and Kayla. Senior Nursery Nurse Anna works in our Pre-school (Owls), and Kayla is our new apprentice, who is studying for her Level 3 qualification.
New funding term
The new funding term begins in September for those who are eligible. If you have any queries regarding your invoice, please contact Louise in the office. Please note that from the week commencing 16 September Louise will be contactable in the office on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
Em’s Friendly Farm visit
The children thoroughly enjoyed the recent visit by Em’s Friendly Farm and were able to feed goats and sheep.
Squirrels and Bunnies rooms have new Busy Boards
Automatic payments via Famly
Did you know? You are able to set up automatic payments via Famly. This may be helpful if you are not using tax-free childcare – payments will leave your account on the fifth day of each month. For information on adding payment details, click here
Photographer visit
Photographer Cardwell & Simons will visit on Monday 28 October to take photographs for any parents who wish to obtain a professionally shot image of their child. In the past, these have made thoughtful Christmas presents for loved ones. That is if you are thinking that far ahead, of course… Letters will be sent out nearer the time.
Absence for individual holidays
Please be reminded to give us at least two weeks’ notice of holidays to ensure we can staff appropriately and order the correct amount of milk. If you have not made us aware of absence, we will call you to check that everything is ok and to comply with our safeguarding obligations. Where two weeks’ notice is given for holidays, meals will not be charged.
Other settings
If your child starts to attend another setting alongside Highwood, please let us know without delay. This is so we can liaise with the other setting regarding your child’s development. Importantly, we will ask you to complete a consent form that enables information sharing.
Medication
Please be reminded that if your child requires regular medication, or has any kind of health or medical needs (including eczema), a Healthcare Plan must be completed and the medication must always be on site.
Recipe of the Month
September’s Recipe of the Month is swish fish pie sauce. Just click the link below to open the document.
https://highwoodnursery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fish-pie-sauce.pdf
Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more.
Extra resources
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/look-say-sing-play/
https://www.eric.org.uk/guides-to-childrens-bowel-and-bladder-problems
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people
https://www.hampshirehealthyfamilies.org.uk/activities-for-parents