Newsletter

April 2008

Dear Parents / carers

A warm welcome to all new children, parents and carers!

Let me first of all thank all the Committee members from last year for all their hard work and for doing a great job in supporting the work of the Playgroup. I know that the new Committee are looking forward to supporting the staff and continuing with the good work from last year!

Your new Committee are as follows:

Jacqui Bird….. Chairperson
Andrea MacArthur….. Treasurer
Kathryn Thompson……Secretary
Baljit Sahota……Events Co-ordinator
Virginie Gilardin……..Committee Member

ROTA DUTY
This is a great way to get involved with your child’s first steps out on their own at school. It provides you the perfect opportunity to see what happens and is also imperative to the smooth running of the pre-school.
We would therefore like to ask you to sign up for your duty the first week of every half term. If your child attends 1 or 2 days per week then sign up for one session and if they attend for 3 or more days then please sign up for two sessions per half term. 
If after the first week your name is not on the table we will be contacting you!!

Volunteers – on days when for whatever reason a parent is unable to attend their allotted rota duty we are asking if there are any parents who would agree to be called, on a last minute basis. Please could you either find one of us or let a member of staff know that you would be willing.

CLOTHING
We have a Pre-School uniform for your child to wear to avoid getting their everyday clothes ruined! Playgroup is all about having fun and being able to access all the areas of learning. We have sweatshirts, T shirts and, for the summer, hats.

Sweatshirts……. £8.50
T shirts…………. £5
Hats……………. £4

A uniform stand will be set up in the side room between 9:15-9:45 during the week of the 25th – 29th Feb for you to purchase any items you may require.

WELLIES!! 
As part of the curriculum, the children use the garden as much as they can. We also now have a new shed thanks to last years fund raising events, which will make it easier for staff to set up garden activities. Obviously in winter it can become rather wet out there. Please can you send in a pair of wellies with your child’s name in to keep at playgroup. They will then be able to go out on less sunny days!! If you have any spare pairs, the playgroup would be grateful for them.

FRENCH LESSONS - DO YOU HAVE ANY SKILLS???
Virginie Gilardin, mother of twin girls who attend the preschool, has kindly offered her services to teach the children French. She follows the recognised La Jolie Ronde French method. This is used in the UK with a growing number of pre-school children from the age of 2 1/2 to introduce them to their first modern foreign language. At this age, it is possible to make best use of the children’s ability to listen and copy new sounds, intonation and gesture.
A series of classes will commence after the Easter holidays at a cost of £3.50 (all proceeds will be donated to the preschool). Please look out for posters with more information closer to the end of term.

Anybody wishing to come in and show off their skills will be warmly welcomed!! You could come in and read a story, do some sewing, some artwork, make posters, teach juggling….the list is endless!

Please see a member of staff if you, or perhaps a grandparent, would like to help out in any way!

FRUIT                
Please remember to bring in a piece of fruit each session, or if easier bring it all in at the beginning of the week. Children enjoy a wide variety of fruit. You’d be surprised what they eat at preschool whilst amongst their peers!

Please can you also donate a box of tissues once a term. We get through rather a lot especially at this time of year!

DONATIONS
As you know we are a charity and non-profit making organisation. We rely on fund raising events to raise money to purchase equipment for the playgroup. If you have any unwanted items such as toys, books, puzzles etc then please don’t throw away, ask a member of staff if we could use them!

WOOLWORTHS
Did you know that Woolworths on George Lane sponsors the playgroup? If you shop there and have any spare change then please look for the coin collection boxes at the till. With the money raised last term via Woolworths we were able to purchase a new bike and a cd/music stereo.

Please spread the word amongst family and friends!

FUTURE EVENTS & FUNDRAISING!!
Last year the committee put on some fabulous fundraising events….quiz nights, fashion shows and sponsored walks just a few to mention. The playgroup was able to purchase a variety of toys, puzzles and craft materials for the children to enjoy. All of which would not have been possible without your support.

We hope to continue the good work of last year’s committee and put on more great fund raising events. We hope you’ll enjoy what we have in store and put the word out to family, friends and neighbours to support the preschool.

Please check out www.woodfordpreschoolplaygroup.co.uk for information on events throughout the year.

Events in the pipeline and to follow throughout the year:
Quiz night
Mystery evening at the Slug & lettuce
Sponsored walk/run and balloon race
Fashion show
Puppet show
Trip to seaside


Thank you


Jacqui Bird
Chairperson