Reminders

• We are a “No Nuts” environment as we have some children with severe allergies and this includes products such as pesto and chocolate spread. We have been advised that kiwi fruit is also to be avoided. Fruit such as grapes need to be cut into 4 pieces to avoid choking hazards and avoid cutting foods into circular shapes for this reason for example cut a sausage lengthways rather than across.
• Any child who has sickness or diarrhoea must remain at home for 48 hours after the last bout.
• PLEASE BOLT THE NURSERY GATE AFTER ENTERING OR LEAVING TO KEEP ALL CHILDREN SAFE (THIS INCLUDES THE TIMES FOR BREAKFAST CLUB AND AFTER SCHOOL CARE).

Charity

Friday 21 September is “Jeans for Genes Day” and we invite the Nursery children to come in wearing their favourite dress up costume or non-uniform clothes and donate a minimum of £1.00 for this very worthy cause.

Some research

I know that I wrote about this a year ago but feel that it is worth repeating. “Every movement counts” is the motto of a Department of Health campaign to encourage children aged less than five to be physically active for at least 3 hours a day.

Research undertaken by Loughborough University has shown an alarming statistic that only one in ten children aged two to four is active for the minimum amount of time recommended. When I walk into our classrooms and outside areas I am glad to say that I observe children who are incredibly active, whether it is developing their gross motor or fine motor skills. In this first full week I have seen children making and playing with dough, using paint brushes, writing and mark making materials, transporting sand and pink rice with a variety of fine motor tools, taking part in their gym sessions, moving to music with Mrs Challis, running, climbing frames, riding scooters and the list could go on and on. We are an active rich environment and I am certain the team here are getting your children “school ready”.

I feel sure that you encourage physical activity as I hear from the children about trips to the park, walks in the woods and the physical toys they have at home but just a reminder and that is if your child can walk rather than sit in a buggy it all contributes to that 3 hours.