January Newsletter

Hello, happy new year and welcome to the new home of our monthly newsletter, right here in the blog section of our new website. We hope you enjoyed a Christmas to remember.

The whole Highwood community enjoyed a busy build-up to the Yuletide season last term, with festive activities and even a visit from Father Christmas himself. You can see some of the best pictures below.

We have another busy half-term ahead with Chinese New Year among the standout cultural learning opportunities for youngsters. You will no doubt see our celebrations for the incoming year of the rabbit on your Famly newsfeed.

If you are starting the new year with a change to your circumstances, address, or contact details, then please be reminded to let us know straight away so we can update our records.

Sarah Bower
Nursery Manager


January Sale
If you would like to book additional hours in our January sale, please remember to return your booking forms before January 20 at 5:00pm.

Year R applications
Please be reminded that the closing date for Year R school applications is 15 January. The national notification date for on-time applicants is 17 April 2023. If you applied online, you will be sent an e-mail confirming the outcome of your application on the notification date.  If you applied using a paper form, you will be sent a letter on the notification date by post. Please allow two-to-three working days for your letter to arrive. You can find more information by clicking here

Term-time-only children
If you require ad hoc sessions during the holidays, please let us know with at least two weeks’ notice – these places will be subject to availability.

Family holiday absences
As spring and summer will soon be upon us, you may be thinking about booking your summer holidays. We would be really grateful if you could please let us know about any absences in advance. You can do this via Famly.

Contact details
As always, please ensure you keep us up-to-date with any changes to your contact details so we are able to contact you swiftly if necessary.

Different pick-up person
Please remember to let us know if someone different is going to be collecting your child. If they have not been before or the staff are not familiar with the person, please remember we will need you to send a picture and a password to us via Famly.


Menu changes
Following a review of our menu, we have made a few adaptations to suit the children’s preferences. Week 1’s Tuesday tea is now a potato bake. Week 2’s Wednesday tea is now a bean cassoulet. And Week 3’s Tuesday lunch is now a vegetable hotpot. We have also introduced a new dish-of-the-month. From 16 January, Week 3’s classic fish pie will be a salmon and smoked haddock fish pie. The allergy-friendly alternative will be red pepper and lentil bake with potato topping.

You can see a copy of our updated menu attached to your Famly newsfeed. Please let us know if you would like a hard copy.

NEW dish of the month: Salmon & smoked haddock fish pie

Featuring a creamy sauce of leeks, fennel, peas, sweetcorn, spring onion, and dill, which sits upon roast salmon and smoked haddock. Topped with delicately sliced potatoes and grated mature cheese, which, once baked, turns golden and crunchy, creating a truly timeless dish.