22 Street Lane Nursery - October 2020 Newsletter

Newsletter October

Play • Discovery • Growth

October Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers, Autumn has most definitely arrived here at 22 Street Lane, the leaves are changing colour, the air is getting cooler and the darker nights are drawing in. Autumn is a magical time for children to explore and we have lots of exciting activities planned. The children will be participating in many seasonal activities including autumn walks and exploring autumn treasures such as pinecones, different coloured leaves and conkers. We will also be celebrating Mexico as our Country of the Month, where the children will have the opportunity to explore their rich culture and cuisines. We will be ending the month with our annual Halloween Party and Pumpkin competition too! Hopefully, we will be able to display all our lovely pumpkins outside for local families to enjoy. We would also like to wish Alex and Bec the very best as they put their feet up for some well-deserved ‘me’ time before the birth of their babies. We look forward to hearing about their new arrivals and will keep you posted. To find out more, please read on…

October Newsletter NEWS

Hayley Fryer’s Exciting Announcement: We would like to share some happy news with you all and offer our congratulations to Hayley Fryer, who is expecting a baby in January! We look forward to sharing this exciting journey with her and can’t wait to meet her little one.

New Volunteer: Hollie Bruce We would like to introduce you to Hollie Bruce, who will be volunteering at the nursery every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. “Since graduating from the University of Nottingham with a Psychology (BSc) Degree, I have worked with children of all ages. I have been lucky enough to work with SEN children, providing them with support and interventions to ensure their school environment is a happy one! I love working with children, interacting with them and having fun! I am currently working towards my Level 3 childcare qualification, and I am very excited to be able to pursue a career doing what I love.”

Nursery Staff Departure On a sad note, we will be saying goodbye to Paige Yates who will be leaving us on Friday 16th October after many years at 22 Street Lane. Paige is going to be working as a Family Support Worker with the Alwoodley, Roundhay and Moortown Children’s Centre Group. We know she is going be fantastic support for our local families, but we will miss her so much.

October Newsletter NEWS Staff Training and Annual Awards: Friday 30th October The nursery will be closed on Friday 30th October for a Team Training Day. The focus of the training day will be a Safeguarding update, introducing the Curiosity Approach and discussing the 3 I’s - Intent, Implementation and Impact - which is one of the changes to the new Education Inspection Framework. We always like to ensure that we are constantly improving our practice and upskilling our team. We believe that it is extremely important our team are recognised for their hard work and outstanding care and education which they deliver each and every day. For this reason, we will be holding our 4 th annual awards ceremony to recognise the staff and their dedication. Please could we ask that you take a couple of minutes to vote for the

staff members that you believe deserve recognition: www.22streetlanenursery.co.uk/annual-awards-vote

Winter 2020 Menu: Parent Input As we look to the cooler months, we would like to ask your opinions and input for our winter menus. Do you have any feedback on our summer menus? What food does your child really enjoy at home? What is your child’s favourite meal? Do you have any recipes that you would like to share with us? We would be very grateful if you could email your feedback to our Nursery Manager, Dee Sturges: dee@22streetlanenursery.co.uk

Notice: Mobile Phones Please may we remind parents that our nursery is a mobile-free zone. Should your phone ring while you are in the nursery or playground please refrain from answering the call or, alternatively, move away into the car park to answer the call. The safety and protection of our children is paramount, and we ask everyone to please respect this rule.

October Newsletter NEWS

Halloween Party and Pumpkin Competition: Wednesday 28th October

On Wednesday 28th October, the children are welcome to come to nursery in their dress-up clothes. It doesn’t have to be something scary! We will be having a spooky lunch and lots of messy play. We will also be holding our 22SLN pumpkin decorating/carving competition on Halloween too. All children are welcome to bring in a decorated or carved pumpkin - the wackier the better! We hope to display the pumpkins at the front of the nursery (weather permitting) for the night. As the nursery is closed on Friday for the Staff Training Day, we would ask the children to take them home on Thursday, to enjoy over the weekend.

Country of the Month: Mexico (12-16th October) This month our Country of the Month will be Mexico. During the month, the children will be learning about indigenous animals like pumas, jaguars, huge iguanas and the colourful parrots that are found in the jungles. Piñatas are used in Mexico to celebrate many different occasions, so the children will be involved in making their own piñatas, perhaps even to celebrate Halloween. Chris is also very excited to introduce some Mexican cuisine into our menu during that week. If any of our parents have any resources that they would like to share with us, we would be most grateful. These will have to be cleaned and sanitized when they come into nursery. Thank you! Fun Fact - Mexico has 77 volcanoes. The most active volcanoes in the country are Popocatepetl, Colima and El Chichón.

October Newsletter NEWS

Security and safety improvements around the nursery We have already implemented several additional safety measures within the back garden, and are in the process of adding several more for parents arriving/leaving the nursery who require access to the side gate within the 9am-4pm window. These have been made to ensure the highest standards of safety and security for all our children. As a part of this, we will also be moving the green ‘Parent Release’ button in the front garden imminently, so please bear with us while that work is completed.

We do ask that all parents support us by ensuring that you securely close any gate that you use within the setting and we would actively encourage you to drop your child off whilst the side gate is unlocked, if at all possible. This will help to minimise disruption for the staff and the other children in their care. For clarity, the times when the gate is unlocked are 7:30am - 9:00am and 4:00pm - 6:00pm. As you would expect, we raised the case with Ofsted, who visited us on Wednesday 30th September to review our new measures and processes alongside our Covid-19 policies. We are very pleased to report that they were happy with everything that they saw, the actions we had taken and the overall safety of the setting. As a team, we continue to review the policies, processes and security measures in place on an ongoing basis and welcome any constructive feedback from parents and carers.

October Newsletter NEWS

Greek Week Activities We have had lots of fun exploring Greece as our September Country of the Month. The children have been busy exploring different parts of Greek culture and cuisine, as well as learning some new Greek words. The Cygnet children made their own laurel wreath out of different types of leaves, made the Greek flag using a variety of different materials. The Cygnets were amazing using a ruler to draw architectural buildings on the outdoor chalkboard. Meanwhile, the Swan children have enjoyed tasting some delicious Greek foods, creating their own Greek flag collages using a range of media and materials, and looking at the different beaches in Greece. We also discussed if any of the children have been to Greece before, or another similar beach resorts. Those children enjoyed sharing photos of recent holidays they have been on during carpet time.

October Newsletter NEWS

Macmillan Bake Off Due to the recent increase in Covid-19 cases and the restrictions placed on social gatherings, we had to take the decision to cancel our annual Macmillian Coffee Morning. As a substitute, the children have enjoyed baking some tasty treats within the nursery. Our younger children especially enjoyed exploring our edible sensory trays, with a big favourite being the ‘Flapjack Factory’.

Rosh Hashanah Celebrations The children have been busy learning about Rosh Hashanah, which is known as Jewish New Year. The children have had the opportunity to taste apples and honey for their snack as well as learning a song called ‘Dip the Apple in the Honey’ which is commonly sung during Rosh Hashanah. The children have also been busy making challah bread too. They enjoyed it so much that we also decided to make it our ‘Dish of the Month’ for October as well!

October Newsletter NEWS

Harvest Food Collection We constantly hear on the news about the increasing number of people whose lives have been affected by Coronavirus. To support those families, we will be collecting foods and non-food items to donate to our local food bank from Monday 5th October. We will have a collection basket in the nursery entrance for your donations. Please could you remember the social distancing rules when dropping off. Only one person will be allowed in at a time. We will be collecting donations until Friday 16th October to coincide with the Harvest Festival, so this will allow plenty of time for everyone to contribute if they wish. We welcome donations of:

Cereal Rice Soup Biscuits UHT Milk

Tinned Meat Tinned Vegetables Tinned Tomatoes Lentils, Beans & Pulses

Fruit Juice Tea/Coffee Dried Pasta Tinned Fruit Pasta Sauce

We Would Also Appreciate Non-food Items Such As: Toiletries: Shampoo, Hand Wipes, Deodorant, Soap, Toilet Paper, Toothbrushes, Shower Gel, Toothpaste, Shaving Gel.

Household Items: Laundry Detergent (Liquid Or Powder), Washing Up Liquid.

Baby Supplies: Nappies, Baby Wipes, Baby Food.

October Newsletter

Dish of the Month

Challah Bread

• 500g of strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting • 70g of caster sugar • A 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast • 2 eggs, beaten • 70ml of sunflower oil, plus extra for the bowl • 1 tbsp of chia or sesame seeds (optional) • 1 tsp of honey (optional glazing) See our past selections on: 22streetlanenursery.co.uk/dish-of-the-month/ Ingredients

Method

1. Combine the yeast, a pinch of the sugar and a couple tablespoons of lukewarm water in a small bowl. Stir to dissolve the yeast, then leave for 10 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, combine the flour, the remaining sugar and 3 tsp of fine salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the centre, then add half the beaten egg, the yeast mixture and the oil. Pour in 200ml lukewarm water and stir with a spoon, then mix using one hand, keeping the other clean while you bring the dough together. Gradually add a little water to just bring it together if the mix is too dry, you don't want it to get too wet and sticky. The dough should be moist, but not soggy. 3. Once the dough has come together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead using both hands for 10 minutes until smooth. If it gets very sticky, add a very small amount of flour. Stretch the sides of the dough down and pull together to form a ball. Lightly oil a bowl, then lightly roll the dough ball around the bowl so it's coated in the oil. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave in a warm place for 1 hour. 4. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide into three equal pieces. Roll each piece into a long shape about 25cm long, tapering them slightly at both ends. Lay the pieces out in front of you, parallel to one another. Bring together at the top end, then plait them down the length, tucking in the ends when you reach the bottom. Leave to rise until puffy and billowy, about 40 mins. 5. Heat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Gently brush the rest of the beaten egg all over the challah, getting it into all the crevices, and sprinkle with the chia or sesame seeds, if using. 6. Bake on a middle shelf of the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the loaf is golden brown underneath and sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack when taken out of the oven.

October Newsletter Chicklets Room News

We have been welcoming our new Chicklets this month and have been busy settling them into the room, all whilst getting to know their likes and dislikes. The children have settled in well and have been creating bonds with their Key Person. It is very important that the children form strong attachments with their Key Person as this gives them a secure base from which to explore the wider world around them. We have rearranged the Chicklets Room and added a large heuristic area with different types of treasure baskets for the children to explore. The babies have shown an interest in these baskets and have enjoyed exploring the different resources. We have also been taking the Chicklets out on walks recently to visit the swans at the lakes in Roundhay Park. The babies have enjoyed going out in the double buggies and some even fell asleep whilst out on a walk. It must have been all the fresh air! We have recently celebrated Rosh Hashanah in the room. The babies enjoyed exploring and splashing during the apple tea bag water play. They also took part in a painting activity where they painted their own apples. We are looking forward to getting to know the children more and welcoming the October new starters into the room.

CHICKLETS ROOM

October Newsletter

Ducklings Room News

The Ducklings have enjoyed exploring different mark-making activities using natural resources. We made some lavender playdough and enjoyed using our fine motor skills to create our own works of art. This month, we have been focusing on textures. The children have been exploring different textures with their hands and experiencing how this feels. Another big focus this month has been animals. The practitioners set up an ‘empty and fill’ tough tray activity where the Ducklings explored oats, flour, and rice. We spoke about how the different textures felt such as “soft, hard, prickly?”. The children had the opportunity to explore these textures with their hands and made different marks. The children have shown an interest in making music this month. They have used a variety of resources such as pots, pans, and spatulas to create different sounds. We have also been singing nursery rhymes along to the sounds they had made. The Ducklings loved going out on walks throughout September. We have been on a walk to Roundhay Park as the children have been interested in ducks, birds, and dogs. The children have had so much fun exploring Roundhay Park and enjoyed feeding the ducks too. Whilst the Ducklings have been out on the trip to the park, they collected a variety of natural resources. When the children returned to the setting, we set up a ‘Roundhay Park’ themed tough tray for the children to explore the treasures they had collected.

DUCKLINGS ROOM

October Newsletter

Goslings Room News

During September, the Goslings have particularly enjoyed the ‘Small World’ area as they are currently really interested in vehicles such as cars and diggers. We have extended this interest into the children’s messy play by setting up a mini digger world with mud and different tools for the children to explore. They also enjoyed taking part in the painting activity with the cars, where they could use the wheels to make marks. We have also incorporated vehicles into the children’s outdoor play by setting out the wheelbarrows and bikes to support the children’s physical development. We have also celebrated Rosh Hashanah. The Goslings tried some yummy apple slices with honey. They also enjoyed using apples to make prints alongside the Autumn tree, which was created using paint and natural materials such as leaves, twigs, and pinecones. Before it starts getting too cold, we have been taking small groups of children on walks to Roundhay Park to find Autumn treasures that they can bring back to nursery with them. To promote home learning, we set up a challenge for the parents to do this at home with the children. We are very appreciative to everyone who found different treasures and brought them to nursery for us. We plan to make some lovely Autumn sensory bottles with everything that has been found.

GOSLINGS ROOM

October Newsletter

Cygnets Room News

We have been working hard to fill the room with curious objects as we continue to follow the Reggio Emilia Approach strongly in all areas of the room, and bringing the outside in. We have named ourself the Curious Cygnets as the children have loved exploring a range of authentic, real life and delicate items throughout the room. The Cygnets have loved exploring our new Story Baskets – ‘Zog’, ‘The Tiger who came to Tea’, ‘Meg and Mog’, and ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’. We have provided props and characters for the Cygnets to hold and act out as we read them the story. This has been very popular with the Cygnets and they love using the props when they hear it mentioned in the story. We created large scale bubbles with the hula hoop. The Cygnets stood inside the hoop and we lifted the hoop over them creating a massive bubble. The Cygnets loved this! The Cygnets have also enjoyed learning new Makaton songs, ‘Little Peter Rabbit’, ‘We’re Going to the Zoo’ and ‘Five Little Firemen’. They have picked up the actions so fast! We created a little fire fighter scene for the Cygnets to re-enact the song, using the hosepipe to wash the fire away. Some of the Cygnets enjoyed going on a trip to Roundhay Park, visiting the gardens and through the forest. The Cygnets collected acorns, sticks and fallen Autumn leaves. We have used these to paint, stick and create beautiful Autumn pictures. We will be continuing the trip in the coming weeks to ensure all children get a chance to visit.

CYGNETS ROOM

October Newsletter

Swans Room News

The Swans have been very busy throughout September and have enjoyed learning about lots of exciting things. We started off the month by welcoming all the new children into the Swans Room! The children have all enjoyed getting to know each other in this new space and have settled in really well! It has been so lovely to start building strong relationships with all of the children and get to know them so much better! The Swans started the month focusing on the topic ‘All About Me’. We explored what our facial features looked like, drawing self-portraits whilst looking into mirrors, and identifying similarities and differences between ourselves and others. We also focused on families the following week, with the children using our ‘Family Tree’ to complete drawings of their families and identify who lives in their house and who is special to them in their lives and why. As always, the children have enjoyed participating in lots of other baking, making challah bread, coconut and raisin loaf and lots more. The children really enjoy engaging in hands-on activities like this, measuring the quantities of each ingredient, before seeing and tasting the final result. In Maths, we have continued creating our ‘concept tables’ each week linked to our Number of the Week. This is lots of different objects placed on the table of the correct quantity, along with writing materials and counting squares. Finally, we have continued participating in lots of other phonics and maths activities, such as threading, practising writing names and learning a new Jolly Phonics song for a new sound each week!

SWANS ROOM

October Newsletter

*ATTENTION* Important Information - Please Read

Car Park As you are aware, there are double yellow lines outside the nursery which have been put there for the safety of the children. Please can we ask that parents do not park on them, and also be mindful when parking on Park Lane that you do not park over the driveways of the residents there. Many of them are Key Workers who need immediate access from their homes when called out. There have been a few vehicles obstructing their driveways recently. Drop Off and Collection Can we kindly remind you that we open at 7.30 am and close at 6.00 pm and any parents who pick up after this time will be charged. We would just like to also remind you that the side gate to the Goslings, Cygnets and Swans areas will be locked between 9.00 am and 4.00 pm and should you drop off or collect outside of these times, it will be necessary to contact reception to arrange for someone to unlock the gate. High Temperatures and Fevers Please can we kindly remind parents that children cannot attend nursery if they have a high temperature (38 ° C). If a child develops a temperature whilst at nursery, parents will be called to collect them, as supported by our policies and procedures. Due to the guidance from National Health England, children who have a high temperature and a cough will be asked to have a Covid-19 test with a negative result required before returning to the setting. HMRC Additional Funding Code (3- & 4-year-olds - 30 hours) If you are eligible and in receipt of additional 3- & 4-year-old funding, look out for a prompt every three months from HMRC to reconfirm your details so that your eligibility can be re- assessed. If you do not do this, please note that we are unable to claim the funding on your behalf. Absence Please note that we are unable to swap days or offer an alternative day if your child is absent from nursery. We are now extremely busy, and it is impossible for us to do this for all children. This is stated in our terms and conditions. Thank you for your co-operation. Labels in Clothing To avoid items being lost, please can you ensure that your child’s uniform is clearly labelled including their coats, hats, scarves and wellies. If your child brings gloves to nursery, we strongly advise for these to be attached and threaded through their coat to avoid any gloves going missing.

October Newsletter Upcoming Events

Monday 5 th - Friday 16 th October Harvest Festival Celebrations Tuesday 20 th - Friday 23 rd October Mexican Week Wednesday 28 th October Halloween Dress-up and Pumpkin Competition Friday 30 th October Staff Training Day, Nursery CLOSED Thursday 5 th November Bonfire Night Activities Wednesday 11 th November Remembrance Day Activities

CONTACT US 0333 043 22 22

www.22streetlanenursery.co.uk info@22streetlanenursery.co.uk