Term Dates
Swanwick Pre school term dates
Spring Term
4th January 2021 – 12th February 2021
22nd February 2021 – 1st April 2021
Summer Term
19h April 2021 – 28th May 2021
7th June 2021 – 21st July 2021
Reports will be presented in July
Autumn Term
6th September 2021 – 22nd October 2021
1st November 2021 – Christmas break up date to be confirmed.
There will be an opportunity to talk to your child’s key person in October
Half Term & Quiz
Good morning,
We would like to remind you that today is our last day of term.
If your child tests positive for Covid over the holiday please inform Pre School on Swanwick.pre.school@googlemail.com .
For the first six days after term ends, if a child tests positive for Covid, having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.
Don’t forget we have our Quiz Night on Thursday 18th February by Zoom. The last quiz was really enjoyable! Email treasurer.swanwickpreschool@gmail.com to book your place.
We would like to thank you all for your support through this half term, through challenging times.
We would like to wish you all are safe and relaxing half term and we look forward to seeing you back at Pre School on Monday 22nd February.
Spring Term Two 2021
Spring Term Two
Themes/Special Days
St David’s Day
World Book Day
Mother's Day
St Patrick’s Day
Red Nose Day
Holi Festival of Colour
Easter
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Self confidence & Self Awareness
We will be learning about sharing, turn taking and making new friends.
We will be encouraging self help skills such as putting their own coat on.
Communication and Language
Understanding
Physical Development
Health and Self Care
Literacy
Writing
We will encourage the children to make marks in different ways both inside and outside.
We will support children in recognising and writing their own name
Mathematics
Shape, Space and Measure
We will use descriptive words such as big and little in everyday play situations and through books and stories.
We will encourage children to talk about the shapes they see and use.
Understanding the World
The World
We will be learning about different parts of the body as well as looking at the difference between children and adults.
We will look closely at similarities and differences.
Expressive arts and design
Being Imaginative
We will observe and encourage children's make-believe play to gain an understanding of their interests.
We will carefully support children who are less confident.
How can you help your child?
Talk to your child about what happens at school, ask them questions and encourage them to ask you questions.
Talk to your child about road safety eg red man means stop
Talk to your child about the importance of hand washing
Spring Term One 2021
Spring Term One 2021
This term we will be learning about Winter, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year
Please send your children in warm coats, hats and suitable footwear as lots of activities are planned for outdoors.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development: Making relationships
We will be welcoming many new children.
We will be focusing on:
- getting the children to understand and follow new routines.
- making relationships through shared experiences
- forming good relationships with peers
Communication and Language: Listening and Attention
We will be encouraging children to:
- learn each others’ names
- recognise sounds
- anticipate phrases in rhymes
Physical: Moving and Handling
We will be encouraging independence.
Physical exercise will take place daily.
Literacy: Reading
We will be filling in missing words in rhymes eg Humpty Dumpty sat on a .........
We will be discussing characters in books and predicting outcomes
Mathematics: Numbers
We will be counting objects and comparing quantities.
We will sing counting songs and rhymes using fingers to represent numbers
Understanding the World: People and Communities
We will be talking about the environment and children's experiences
Expressive Arts and Design: Exploring and using media and materials
We will create sounds, talk about texture and move to music
How can you help your child?
Talk to your child about what happens at Pre-school, ask them questions and encourage them to ask you questions.
Talk to your child about road safety eg the red man means stop
Count objects on the way to school eg “How many red cars can you see?”
Sing songs the children are learning at Pre-school
Encourage children to put their own coats on
Remember: Staff are always available for a chat or advice about your child
Pre School Open to Children
Pre School Open to Children
Further to the announcement made by Boris Johnson this evening, we write to confirm that in line with government guidelines we will be remaining open.
We will be following our updated risk assessment in line with the government guidelines that have been updated.
However we must reinforce that guidance sent out recently must be adhered to in relation to self isolating and if your child, or a member of the household, is showing symptoms .
If you wish to discuss your child's attendance please email Swanwick.pre.school@googlemail.com.
Applying for a school place
If your child lives in Derbyshire and was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 you need to apply to Derbyshire County Council for a primary school place for them. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2021.
Guidance for parents is available at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions.
If your child has an Education Health Care Plan contact the county council's SEND Central Team on 01629 536531 or 01629 536547.
Autumn Term Two 2020
Poppy Day
Children in Need
St Andrew’s Day
Diwali
Hannukah
ChristmasPersonal, Social and Emotional Development
Managing Feelings and Behaviour
Children will learn to show understanding and cooperate with some boundaries and routines
We will learn to respond to the feelings and wishes of others
Communication and Language
Speaking
We will use language as a powerful means of widening contact, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts
We will use talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next
Physical Development
Health and Self Care
We will support children’s growing independence and talk about the importance of hand washing
We will observe the effects of activity on our bodies
Literacy
Writing
We will encourage the children to make marks in different ways both inside and outside
We will encourage children to give meaning to marks as they draw and paint
Mathematics
Shape, Space & Measure
We will use descriptive words such as big and little in everyday play situations and through books and stories
We will show an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects
Mathematics
Shape, Space & Measure
We will use descriptive words such as big and little in everyday play situations and through books and stories
We will show an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects
Expressive arts and design
Being Imaginative
We will being to make believe by pretending
We will create movement in response to music
How can you help your child?
Talk to your child about what happens at Pre-school, ask them questions and encourage them to ask you questions.
Talk about colours and shapes and look for colours and shapes around them
Sing songs the children are learning at Pre-school
COVID-Face coverings
FACE COVERINGS
Due to the increased transmission in the community of Covid-19 we have taken the decision that all staff will now wear visors at drop off and pick up times to ensure their safety and yours.
Could we please ask that all parents wear face coverings when approaching the gate to help protect staff and other Pre School families.
We would just like to remind you that in order to adhere to social distancing that only one parent may drop off and collect their child from Pre School.
Thank you for your continued support in helping keep Pre School Covid secure.
Notice of AGM
Dear Pre-School Member,
Annual General Meeting 2020 and recruitment of new committee members
As a parent/carer of a child at Swanwick Pre-School, you automatically become a member of Swanwick Pre-School, which is a charitable organisation and you are also entitled to act as a director by joining the committee.
With this letter you have the notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a proxy form if you cannot attend. The AGM will take place on Thursday 1st October 2020 by Zoom. This year due to Covid-19 restrictions we are unable to hold a physical meeting due to social distancing guidelines. We are required to hold an AGM each year and to appoint the committee to run Pre-School for the year.
We are committee run and parent/carer involvement is crucial to our continued existence and success. Volunteering for your Pre-School offers an ideal opportunity for you to become actively and practically involved in your child’s early years, make a difference to how your Pre-School is managed, meet other parents and the satisfaction of giving something back to your local community. Research shows clear benefits for children when parents become actively involved in their child’s learning and development from an early age. Current committee members have said that being a director at pre-school has helped them to develop their skills including, problem solving, financial planning, event planning and the opportunity to meet new like-minded people.
Ultimately we need your help to keep Swanwick Pre-School open. The 2018/19 academic year was financially extremely challenging due to unforeseen ceiling repair costs of £17,000. The committee however did a fantastic job and raised £12,000 in seven months. The 2019/20 academic year was equally challenging due to Covid-19 and resulted in a big reduction in fundraising activity. We now need new committee members to assist with fundraising and to manage the pre-school over the next academic year. Sadly a number of local pre-schools have recently closed due to a lack of funding and insufficient committee members to run the pre-school.
The role of the committee is to fulfil two roles and we welcome anyone who feels that they have the skills to contribute towards these:
(1) To manage the Pre School
(2) To fundraise
If you would like to join the committee please complete the attached nomination form and return it to Pre School no later than Friday 25th September 2020. At the AGM the new committee will be appointed. From the committee the positions of Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary will be filled.
If you are elected onto the Pre-School Committee you will become a director of the charitable company. In order for us to operate we have to have a minimum of five committee members, but realistically we need ten for effective governance. Unfortunately, if we do not have a committee then we cannot continue, so please do come along and support us.
If you would like further details on being a committee member, please email Alison Pickering on treasurer.swanwickpreschool@gmail.com and she can answer any questions or put you in touch with member of the committee who would be happy to speak to you via phone or video call. We also have a pack containing all the information.
Please see attached the notice of the AGM, a nomination form to become a committee member and a proxy vote.
Yours faithfully,
Swanwick Pre-School Committee
Returning to Pre School Letter
Dear Parent/Carer,
We are really looking forward to welcoming our older children back on Monday 7th September and our new starters from Monday 14th September.
First and foremost, we wish to reassure you that the safety of your child and our staff is our top priority. We have used the latest government guidance to update our coronavirus risk assessment (attached) to minimise the risk from coronavirus and used this to develop and implement our new way of working. Please review the attached risk assessment so that you can understand the actions we are taking and those we need you to take.
In particular we need you to:
· Follow self-isolation guidance if your child or another member of your household, show signs of coronavirus symptoms (fever, loss or change to their sense of taste or smell or a persistent cough)
· Get a test for anyone who shows symptoms of coronavirus and let us know the results of any coronavirus tests as soon as you can so that we can take the appropriate actions at preschool to protect the other families
· Follow self-isolation guidance if your child or another member of your household have tested positive for coronavirus
· Follow self-isolation guidance for your child if you have been contacted by the NHS test and trace service and asked to self-isolate, and seek a test if that person subsequently shows symptoms of coronavirus (and let us know the results)
· Please email preschool at Swanwick.pre.school@googlemail.com even on a day your child does not normally attend to let us know if your child has developed coronavirus symptoms, or has had to enter self-isolation for other reasons
· We request that only one person drop off and collect your child from the gate to assist in socially distancing at the entrance (on your child’s first session two parents can attend)
· We ask that parents and carers should physically distance from staff and each other when dropping off and collecting children.
· Consider how you will arrive at preschool, the government advice is to walk or use private transport in preference to public transport, but public transport is acceptable if that is necessary
· Minimise the number of settings you use for the care of your child
A member of staff will be at the gate to collect your child at the start of the session between:
Mornings: 8.50am – 9.00am
Afternoons: 12.35pm – 12.45pm
A member of staff will be at the gate for you to pick up your child at the end of the session between:
Mornings: 11.50am – 12.00pm
Afternoons: 3.35pm – 3.45pm
On the first session for any new starter, please remember to bring a photograph of their parents and anyone else who may be collecting them to enable us to hand over your child safely at the end of the session. If you could fill in the name badge that will really help us on the first day.
If you have any concerns about your child returning to Pre School or starting please email Lynda Wardle our Pre School manager on the above email and she will get back to you as soon as possible.
We look forward to seeing you soon,
Yours faithfully
Lynda Wardle
Preschool manager