Important Dates Summer Term starts Tuesday 22 nd April Photographer Tuesday 24 th June

1. Important Dates • Summer Term starts Tuesday 22nd April • Photographer Tuesday 24th June • Offley Hoo farm To be confirmed****** • Paradise Wildlife Park Wednesday 25th June • Quiz night Red Lion Pub Saturday 28th June 8pm • AGM Tuesday 1st July • Sports Day Friday 4th July • BBq and Sponsored walk Saturday 5th July • National move up day Thursday 10th July • Village walk (Younger children) Thursday 10th July • Leavers Presentation Friday 11th July • End of Term Party Friday 18th July • Last day of Term Tuesday 22nd July 3pm • Committee Members : • Kelly Smith : Chairperson • Toni Gardner : Secretary • Rachael Milan : Treasurer • Beth Atkinson : Member • Cadie Albertini : Member • Chereene Allen: Member • Anthea Krempa : Member • Jodie Fardon : Member • Carla Brockett : Member • Tina Hare : Member Summer2-2014 c/o Offley Endowed School School Lane Gt Offley Herts SG5 3AT Tel: 01462 768606 offleypreschool@hotmail.co.uk www.offley-preschool.org This is an exciting and emotional time for many of our children, parents and staff. As I type this one week has already passed. At last I can say that the weather is improving, please provide your child with a hat and light jacket or similar as we like to be outside as much as possible. These seven weeks will pass very quickly, followed by the long summer holidays. Can I just thank you all for your support on behalf of the staff and committee. Happy Summer. • If you would like to join • or gain further • information please speak • to either Paula Metcalfe • or any of the team. Committee Announcement!!!We are very pleased to welcome some new members Jodie, Carla & Tina. We are always open to new members joining and would be very grateful for additional help running the Preschool. If you are interested in becoming a committee member we meet 3 or 4 times a year (in the evening) and run the fundraising events. Please email me at hitchinsmiths@aol.com and I'll add you to our circulation emails for the next meeting our AGM July 1st.Kelly Smith (Holly's Mum) Chairperson Offley Hoo Farm visit A massive thank you to Farmer Alan and his team for allowing preschool to visit, Wasn’t it a blast? We are so lucky to have this resource on our doorstep. We are in the process of trying to arrange another date in the next couple of weeks. Please watch this space for definite dates. Sunny Weather Children will need sun hats, sun-cream and a lightweight jacket, we have a small selection of spares (we will keep children in the shade or indoors if they are not properly protected). Transition As many of the children start their transition process, we will work closely with the new school and yourselves to help prepare your children. If you have any questions or concerns please get in touch. We will discuss some of the changes such as uniforms, dining rooms, new teachers and similarities. Please considerthe children who are not moving on and maintain the enthusiasm for preschool with your child forthe last few weeks of term. Improvements to the Preschool A massive thank you to Mrs Wood and her husband Kevin for removing the tops of the bushes adjoining preschool and the horse field. The estate came along and sorted the bushes on their side. What a difference! We will be continuing to improve the outside area over the Summer. June2014

2. Activities The last seven weeks will fly by, as I said one is already at an end. Our older children will be focusing on sounds and preparations for moving on. We will be enjoying our new Mud Kitchen, developing our outside space and working on many new skills. We will produce gifts/cards for fathers day, try different food types and discuss sun safety and the theme Summer. As the holidays approach, we will speak about stranger danger and look at holiday destinations. Living Eggs What a fantastic experience! Everyone seemed to enjoy the stages from birth to moving on. Activities like this wouldn't be possible without the huge fundraising efforts from the committee, parents and community. We hope to receive regular updates from Tallulah and Ella regarding the growth of the chicks. Paradise Wildlife Park The coach is booked, the park is prepared for our arrival. From previous experience the day passes quickly and is enjoyed by all. Please remember to pack swimming wear and towels to access the paddling pool (the coach will not allow us to travel if we are wet). Packed lunches are recommended, food can be quite expensive but is available on site. Fingers crossed for wonderful weather. For children that are attending unaccompanied (please feel free to send your child with some spending money (Placed in a named envelope or purse) for additional drinks, ice-cream or (gift shop). It would really help staff if you indicate what you would like it used for. The gift shop is our worst nightmare. Sports Day All children are invited to join us for the morning, Parents please arrive by 10:55, we hope to start just after 11am. As I type this the children haven't had many chances to practice. Hopefully over the next couple of weeks this will change. Usually it lasts under the hour. Sun canopy's will be provided to protect the children between races. If the weather is awful we will cancel – Please check the usual sources for updates. End of term Events / Preparations Leavers presentation – All children will be presented with certificates, many will be performing so please join us if you can. (What have we let ourselves in for?) End of year Party – Friday 18th July ALL CHILDREN INVITED IN: This is a very emotional day, a chance for staff and children to say goodbye to our leavers and their parents. We try to hold the tears, enjoy many games including our Piñata, hopefully face painting, fun and games. We ask for a small food donation nearer the time. Preschool Policies As a setting we are updating our policies and making some changes to the way we operate. These policies are available for you to view at anytime. We would like to bring to your attention that as a setting we require your child to attend a minimum of two sessions and depending on numbers have no maximum. If you require extra sessions please speak to a staff member. Remember your child is entitled to 15hours per week spread however you wish including lunch clubs once they turn 3 after the cut off dates of 31st March, 31st August, 31st December. Mobile Phones Just a reminder that in line with our Safeguarding policy, mobile phones are not to be used on the premises. Your child will not be handed over to you until you have hung up your conversation, Please refrain from having your phone out on site. Thank you. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Please notify us as soon as possible to any information changes. PLEASE MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS. I am always available if you would like to discuss any issues or concerns regarding your child and am usually at Preschool by 8.20am. Regards Paula Metcalfe. June 2014 Offley Pre-school Staff: Paula Metcalfe, Sara Page, Elaine Wood and Claire Pin Page 2 of 2