Autumn Newsletter 2011

 Dear Parent/Carer

A warm welcome to all new parents and children to Head Start and those who have been away for the summer. For the rest of us who continued to attend through the holiday period, we had some nice days but now cold days. Well summer is nearly over and we are now days away from Autumn.

STAFFING
Mrs. Queripel has now finished work to start her maternity leave with baby due at the end of September. Mrs. England will be acting Head Nursery Nurse during her absence. Miss. Moule (Hayley) joined us over the summer and will be working full time. Miss. Moule spent the Spring Term on placement with us and we are pleased that she was able to join us. Mrs. Kelly (Carey) returns after spending the summer holidays with her children and Mrs. Hurrell (Alison) will also be working for us again.

SESSIONS
Can you please advise as soon as possible your requirements for the Autumn Term. I think that I have the majority but may not be correct and as I have already prepared the bills will be happy to adjust accordingly. I will be on holiday for two weeks from Friday 23rd September and would like to ensure that this is in place before I go. I will also be preparing the October bills before my holiday so it is imperative that you complete and return your requirements for half term before then.

KEY PERSONS
Each child at Head Start is allocated a key person plus a deputy to cover in absences. A list of key persons is on the notice board. The key person is responsible for the education of your child and will link with you to discuss developments both at the school and at home. The children’s files are always available to you and you can arrange a meeting to discuss these with the key worker.

GRANT
Can I remind all parents that the grant period starts on Monday 5th September and will end on Friday 16th December with no grant payable during half term (24th– 28th October). The school will be closed from 16th December (Xmas Party) and will re-open on Tuesday 3rd January. The grant period for the spring term will commence on Tuesday 3rd January and will finish on Friday 30th March with no grant payable during half term. Children who celebrate their birthday this term, up to 31st December become eligible for the grant in the spring term, so if you are thinking of increasing their sessions, as they are entitled for up to 15 hours free education, which equates to five sessions or 2.5 days per week, can you speak to me as soon as possible.

LIBRARY
Children can borrow a Kipper book so that you can read it with them at home. They really enjoy these books and most of the children recognise the characters and some can read the words. This will give them a head start in their reading. In order to ensure that books do not get lost, we are asking parents who wish to take advantage of this to pay a £5 deposit which will be refunded when your child finishes, provided of course, that a book has not gone missing, in which case we will keep the deposit to pay for a replacement.

PHOTOGRAPHS
A photographer has been booked for Tuesday 11 the October from 11.00 a.m. to 12.45 p.m. We will automatically take photos of those children attending that day but if you would like one with siblings or your child does not attend this session, you can bring them along during this time. The photographs make wonderful Xmas gifts for the family and there is no obligation to buy as they are on a sale or return basis.