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July/August 2006 - Poppies Newsletter

Dear Parents, During the summer we have made the most of both the good weather and our garden. We have enjoyed playing in the sandpit, the forest, on bikes, slides, balance beams and a hundred and one other activities. When it has been particularly hot we have sought shade under the gazebo, which the children helped to build. flower

Indoors, we have worked hard on our wall boards. Ashleigh's group board shows circles of different sizes, colours and textures. Cassie's group board was about summer holidays. Thanks to all the parents who brought in pictures of themselves sunbathing on holiday. Deborah's group looked at rainbows, learning the colours, mixing paints together, paint splashing outside, looking at books and using different coloured pencils and pens. During the summer holidays the children have the opportunity to go out for trips in Bob and Bunty. The most popular places are Palacerigg and Peel Park.

We have planted lots of flowers in tyres and pots in the garden and the children have learned how to look after them by watering them carefully. butterfly

The pre-school children enjoyed visits to their schools and met their new teachers.

Well done to all the 46 children who graduated. They had a wonderful time at their Graduation Ball. They received their scrolls, had their photos taken and danced the night away!

Goodbye and good luck to all the Poppy children leaving to go to school. We will miss them all and hope they will come back to visit us soon.

Welcome to Lucy, Eilidh, Cameron B, Andrew, Abbi, Kerr, Taylor, Max, Greg, Lee, Erin, Iain, Lewis, Katie, Ava, Jodi, Mackenzie, Scott, Ben, Amy, Ethan - our new Poppies. We hope they will be happy with us.

Fun Fortnight

Week beginning 31st July bee
  • Monday - Paddling Pool The children will play in our huge paddling pool, weather permitting, so please provide swimsuit and towel.
  • Tuesday - Sand Creations The children can create their own sand castles, using different coloured sand, make sand bottles and have a sandcastle competition.
  • Wednesday - Water Sports Children will take part in a rubber ring race, water range using a water gun and a bucket run. Please provide a swimsuit and towel.
  • Thursday - BBQ Mmm! We will have a BBQ in the garden so fingers crossed for good weather!
  • Friday - Hawaii Beach Party Children will make hula skirts, garlands, try limbo dancing, taste tropical fruit and dance to music.
Week beginning 7th August sand castle
  • Monday - PJ Party Please dress your child in pygamas to come to nursery. We will have a relaxed day watching DVD's with popcorn, reading stories and doing hair
  • Tuesday - Princes and Princesses This will be a day for the children to become princes and princesses. The princes will get their hair gelled and styled, faces painted and play football. The princesses will also receive star treatment. They will get their hair, make up and nails done. They will meet up after this to have a wee dance together. If your child has a prince or princess outfit, please dress them up in it for the day. flower
  • Wednesday - Messy Day This is going to be messy! So please dress your child in suitable clothing. They will enjoy paint throwing (outside!), paint splashing, beans, gloop and lots more.
  • Thursday - Teddy Bears Picnic Please could children bring in their own teddies (named) for our outdoor teddy bear picnic. There will be a food list posted in the cloakroom, if you would like to contribute anything, it would be appreciated. Please remember we can only accept packaged food, not home baking (unfortunately). butterfly
  • Friday - Sports Day Children will take part in various sports activities, e.g. egg & spoon race, three legged race, sack race etc. and will receive medals for participating. The icing on the cake will be a bouncy castle.

Riverside Childcare Lunch Menu

Menu - Week 1 Week beginning 7th August 2006
  • Monday Lentil Soup Tomato & Vegetable Pasta
  • Tuesday Potato & Leek Soup Tuna Spaghetti sheep
  • Wednesday Scotch Broth Soup Fish Pie & Peas
  • Thursday Teddy Bears Picnic
  • Friday Mushroom Soup Mince, Potato & Veg
Menu - Week 2 Week beginning 14th August 2006 sand castle
  • Monday Potato & Leek Soup Vegetable Fingers & Beans
  • Tuesday Lentil Soup Spicy Chicken with Pitta Pockets
  • Wednesday Parsnip & Apple Soup Chilli & Brown Rice
  • Thursday Garlic Bread Haddock & Tomato Pasta
  • Friday Vegetable Soup Macaroni Cheese
Menu - Week 3 Week beginning 21st August 2006 sun
  • Monday Mushrooml Soup Tuna Pasta
  • Tuesday Tomato & Basil Soup Cottage Pie & Veg
  • Wednesday Garlic Bread Chicken Korma & Brown Rice
  • Thursday Vegetable Soup Baked Fish, Crunchy Topping & Peas
  • Friday Lentil Soup Vegetable Fingers & Beans
Menu - Week 4 Week beginning 28th August 2006 sunglasses
  • Monday Pizza & Pasta
  • Tuesday Leek & Potato Soup Sausage Casserole, Veg & Potatoes
  • Wednesday Lentil Soup Chicken & Broccolli Bake
  • Thursday Vegetable Soup Mince, Potatoes & Carrots
  • Friday Tomato & Lentil Soup Fish Fingers & Beans

All meals will be served with milk/ fruit juice/ water and salad as well as fruit yoghourt/ fresh fruit/jelly

Care Commission yacht

We had our Care Commission annual inspection in June.

They were full of praise for our provision. They were impressed that in the whole time they were here they did not see one unhappy child (or member of staff!!)

Expansion

Riverside has expanded yet again! We now have a separate unit (next to the Bakers) for After School Care. This will also be used by the Poppies during the day for baking activities, indoor physical activities and Chill out time for full time children. This facility has given us a further 20 places, so if you require additional sessions please ask Cathy, Lynne or Lorraine.

Eco Schools Awards butterfly

We are working towards a Bronze award for being an Eco-friendly nursery. So far in our efforts to protect the environment we;

  • Made an Eco Board in the lunch room
  • Invited Litter Warden came to speak to the pre-school children
  • Are filling a compost bin
  • Using re-cycling containers
  • Eating healthy food flower
  • Buying food in bulk
  • Taking daily physical exercise
  • Using Litter Pickers
  • Using Eco-talking tub
  • Watched DVD - after school care brainstorm
  • Visited nursery with bronze awardflower

We will be;

  • Making bird feeders
  • Talking to staff recycling egg boxes and kitchen rolls in compost bin
  • Collecting rain water in large containers to water plants
  • Put bird houses in the forest
  • Put plants in wellie bootsbee
  • Make posters "when it's bright, put out the light"
  • Use eco tub and re-cycling story in areas

If you can help in any way or have any suggestions or ideas, please speak to Deborah in the Poppies.