The Gate – Thank you all for your patience and understanding with the difficulties that we have recently
experienced with our gate. We have purchased a new system for the gate and are very much looking forward
to getting this up and running. We will have more information about this soon.
Staff Changes – Amanda will be stepping up as Room Leader in the Sunflower Room, temporarily to cover
Chelsa’s maternity leave.
Lauren from our Rainbow Room and Melissa from the Sunflower Room will be leaving Pipers Day Nursery in
October. We wish both ladies all the very best for the future.
In September we said Goodbye to Jake as he started University. We are delighted that Jake can return part time alongside his studies.
We recently welcomed Joanne and Rebecca to our Pipers family. Joanne has a level 3 qualification in Early
Years and is based in our Rainbow Room. Rebecca has a Level 2 qualification and is based in our Sunflower
Room. Kim will be moving from the Rainbow Room, into the Sunflower Room. The Management team will
continue to support all rooms.
Clothing – Please can we remind all parents to pack at least one spare set of clothes in their nursery bag. At
nursery we do enjoy messy and outdoor play so please be aware that best clothes are not ideal. Optional
nursery uniform can be purchased from www.myclothing.com. Just search: Pipers Day Nursery on the website.
Sizes start from 2 years. Nursery uniform is entirely parent’s choice and not compulsory. Please remember to
label belongings to prevent them getting lost.
Spare Clothes – Thank you for donations of spare clothes that we have received recently. We do have a
shortage of spare socks and would be grateful for any that can be donated.
REMINDER – SCHOOL ADMISSIONS– if your child has their 4th Birthday between 1st September 2021 and 31st
August 2022 you must apply for a Primary School place by 15th January 2022. You can read schools admission
criteria via their website.
Dates for your Diary
Half Term Break- 25/10/2021-01/11/2021 (1 week)
Thursday 28th October- Children are invited to dress up for Halloween.
Friday 19th November- Pyjama Day to raise money for Children in Need- suggested donation £1 per child
End of Term Break- 20/12/2021 – 04/01/2022 (2 weeks)
Nursery will be closed 25/12/2021- 04/01/2022
During non-term time when nursery is open, children are welcome to attend if parents would like to book them
in extra however, full fees will be charged.
Autumn Term Planning
We have had a very busy start to the autumn term, and we have lots more planned for the coming weeks. All our
childcare rooms we will be observing and discussing autumn indoors as well as outdoors.
We will be talking about different animals, colours, the weather and natural objects that we can find during
autumn. Please keep your eyes peeled when you are out and about for anything ‘autumn’ that you can share
with us. We have already been collecting conkers and leaves and using these for arts and craft activities.
With autumn comes more outdoor clothing! This supports children to develop independence with self-dress such
as putting our own coats, hats and boots on. Lots of praise as always for all efforts to build children’s confidence.
We will be looking at creepy crawlies as Halloween approaches and exploring messy activities such as potion
making. Our older children will also be learning about keeping safe for Bonfire Night.
Here are some ideas of how you can join in with our themes at home:
Read a story. Favourites at the moment include: The Gruffalo, Owl Babies, That’s not my Hedgehog, Peace
at Last, Whatever Next, We’re going on a Bear Hunt, Room on the Broom. Meg and Mog. Do you have any
others?
Sing a song. Favourites at this time of the year include: twinkle twinkle little star, Incy wincy spider, Dingle
Dangle Scarecrow, 5 little men in a flying saucer, it’s raining it’s pouring, spider in the bath.
Out and about. An autumn walk or a bonfire night to see the fireworks.
Autumn Picture. Create an autumn picture on the ground using some of the things that you have found.
Practice self-dress. Putting on our own shoes and hats. Can you put your arms in your coat and then pull
up the zipper that has been started?
Funding towards childcare costs
Do you know what you are eligible for?
Eligible 2-year-olds and all 3 and 4-year-olds can claim 15 hours funded childcare.
Working parents may be eligible for Tax Free Childcare and/or 30 hours funded childcare.
Please contact childcarechoices.gov.uk for more information.
If you are eligible for 30 hours funding from January 2022. You will need to have applied and
issued nursery with your code by 31st December 2021. You will need to reconfirm your
eligibility every 3 months.
