CP News – Colquhoun Park Early Years Centre

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024

CP NEWS – April Edition

Sponsored Bunny Hop

Thank You to all our wonderful children who took on our bunny hop challenge, and to all their wonderful families who sponsored them!

We are delighted to announce we raise the fantastic amount of £375.

Being prepared for the ‘good auld Scottish weather’

We are entering the 4 season’s in one day time of year therefore it is really important that our small folk come prepared for all of the many climate changes we see in a day. Whilst we do have a small supply of spares, we do not have enough to equip all children at all times. Therefore we would ask that all children bring the following items with them to the EYC.

Waterproofs/wellies
splash shoes i.e. crocs/croc style or strap sandals/jelly shoes (these can also be indoor shoes – ideal for our little toilet trainers)
Sun hat / Sun cream
Change of clothes inc. underwear

STAFFING – Changes in centre

As some of you may be aware our senior Laura has been absent from centre since the beginning of March. As a team we try our best to ensure any changes to staffing or delivery causes minimal disruption to the service we provide, however we are aware that the Family Learning programme including our bookbug and interactive session have been on hold over the past 12 weeks, we would like to apologise for this and ensure you we are working hard towards having these back up and running in the not to distant future.

Acting Senior

We would like to CONGRATULATE our very own Rachael who after interview secured the acting senior position here at Colquhoun Park Early Years. I am sure you will all want to join us in saying a big well done, we are delighted for Rachael and our centre!

Mat Leave Returners

Over the next few weeks you may see some familiar faces around centre as Shannon & Rebecca carry out some KIT days in preparation for their return in June! What a quick year that has been ladies.

Shannon & Rebecca will be returning to centre as job share, complimenting on another’s shift pattern.

Rebecca Mon/Tues & Shannon Wed/Thurs/Fri.

We look forward to having you both back in centre ladies!

Our plans for the Outdoors

We are beginning to evaluate our service, looking at the targets we set to improve our centre and what we have identified as an area for improvement in the year ahead.

Developing our outdoor environment is high on our agenda and will be reflected as a priority in this years Centre Improvement Plan. To support this process staff members attended a centre based training course delivered by learning through landscapes where they were giving the opportunity to audit the environment and build their knowledge and reflect on outdoor practice.

We are excited to take this forward and as mentioned in previous correspondence we will reaching out for support from our families when the time comes…. get your shovels at the ready!!

SPORTS DAY – Thursday 6th June 2024 – 9:30am – 10:30am

Our annual sports day will take place on Thursday 6th of June at the school pitches. Any children who do not normally attend during this time will be contacted directly by staff to arrange your child’s drop off and collection times. If you child typically attends an afternoon session we will request that, where possible, they swap onto a morning session.

Parents and carers are welcome to join us, we do ask however that you remain outside the fencing at all times, this enables us to put the correct measures in place to ensure all children are safe and accounted for.

April 3, 2024

CP NEWS – March Edition

Sponsored Bunny Hop

You should by now have received your child’s sponsor sheet for the EYC’s sponsored bunny hop.

Our Bunny hop will take place throughout the week of the 8th where children and staff alike will be getting their hop on! All money raised will go towards your child’s treat fund.

Bunny Hop Sponsorship form

What is a Treat Fund?

At Colquhoun EYC we ask parents/carers to contribute to our treat fund.

The nursery treat fund is put towards a variety of things for the children in our care, such as;

Baking cooking ingredients
Party food/decorations for special occasions
Birthday gift
Graduation
Winter Wonderland
Christmas/Graduation gifts
Special visitors
Outings / transport
Fun days
Resources for Centre

You are invited to contribute 40p per session to our Treat Fund. This can be paid weekly, monthly or termly. Payments can be made by directly into our bank account or cash – please reference your child’s name when making payment this enables us to keep an accurate record of all payments made.

Below is an example of how payments may look across the terms or for the year based on days.

Example of days Weekly 4 weekly Annually

3 sessions £1.20 £4.80 £60

5 sessions £2.00 £8 £100

You can also help us raise funds for centre by signing up to support us while you shop. This is free to use and only takes 1 click to get started.

https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/colquhoun-park-early-years-centre

Shop at a wide range of everyday brands whilst supporting our EYC.

Transition Programme for Primary 1

Our transition programme for primary 1 is well underway, with buddy meet ups, visits from Mrs Loney, attending assemblies and taking a tour of the primary 1 class rooms. During the Spring break we have been taking advantage of the classrooms being empty and been taking our children down to the class rooms and outdoor space to explore and play.

Over the coming weeks children destined for Primary school will take part in our transition programme, where we will support them in navigating their transition from Early years onto school. Our aim for all children on completion of our programme is that they…

Feel safe and secure in the Primary 1 and whole school environment.
Have an understanding of some of the expectations, rules and routines of Primary 1
Meet some new teachers and P6 buddies.
Have opportunity to express and be supported to overcome any worries or concerns she may have.

If there is anything additional you would like us to focus on, discuss or would like to be included into our programme for your child, please do not hesitate in contacting centre.

Do you have a flare for helping things grow?

Are you handy with a trowel or, strimmer or lawnmower?

Would you like to help us rejuvenate our green space?

Do you have any ideas on how to create a space full of fun and wonderment for our children?

WE NEED YOU!

As the weather gets drier we will begin the process of revamping our outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, as most of you already know, our green space was destroyed by vandals and have never really recovered. We would like to recruit some of our parents to help us make this space fit for our children to develop and explore. If this is something you may be able to help with please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Lost Property

If you recognise any of the property photographed please let staff know and we will get it home to you. We have seen an increase in the amount of belongings not making it home, can we ask to ensure we minimise this that you add a name to your child’s label.

March 1, 2024March 13, 2024

CP NEWS – February Edition

DEPUTE HEAD OF CENTRE POST

As most of you already know, I have been successful after interview on securing the Depute Head of Centre post permanently. I am absolutely delighted to be staying here, and feel very privileged to have been given the opportunity to remain working with all of the wonderful children & families here at Colquhoun Park.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind words, support and congratulations. I am excited to see what the future holds for myself & our CP Family.

Kady x

GOODBYE & GOOD LUCK RACHEL!

We would like you to join us in wishing Rachel the best of luck in her new adventure where she has landed her dream job, supporting children with additional need at Woodlands View. Rachel joined us back in 2022 as a support worker before securing a maternity post in June of last year. Rachel has been a great team member and we will be sad to see her go. Good luck Rachel, we know you will do wonderfully!

Rachel’s last day of work will be Today… Friday 1st of March.

Due to Rachel leaving and some of our transition groups starting up, we have made adjustments to the grouping of your children. These changes will take place officially as of Monday 4th of March, however our staff have been working behind the scene already to ensure they are up to speed on your child’s challenge steps, needs & interests.

If you child’s group has changed you should have received information regarding this and who their keyworker will be, until the annual change over in August.

WORLD BOOK DAY

World book day is on the 7th of March this year. We are inviting all children to bring in their favourite books to help us celebrate. We have various storytelling activities organised for throughout the day in centre for our children to enjoy.

** If any of our family members, mums/dads, grans/grandas, aunties/uncles, would like to come into centre to read a story to our children, please get in touch **

OUTDOOR AREA

Now are outdoor area is secure and hopefully vandal free we are keen to develop this again. If you have any skills or resources to help us do this we would love to hear from you.

This month we are focussing on our Construction Area

If you or someone you know works in construction we are looking to source some real life barriers. cones or signs to to help us develop our play outside. we would greatly appreciate it.

GRADUATION (for children going to school)

This year we have been in discussion about what we feel our graduation should look like for our children. We have questioned our WHY on everything.

As a staff team it is extremely important to us that whatever we do it is accessible to all, it should be a celebration of everything your child has achieved, and a time full of excitement about what lies ahead.

Therefore our Graduation Ceremony this year will take place on SATURDAY 27th of JULY 2024. We have chosen this date as it is fitting for when our children finish their time with us, which is not the same as when the schools close for summer. Our Ceremony & Children’s Fun Day will take place between 11am & 1pm.

Formal invites will be arranged but we are hopeful by giving this date now, our families are able to all attend.

NAME ON CLOTHING

It has been brought to our attention that their seems to be a lot of discussion in group chats at the moment, around children’s clothes going astray within the EYC. As a staff we work extremely hard to ensure your children go home with all that they bring each day, however this can be tricky when children’s clothing is unnamed. A lost property box is situated in the hallway of centre, and we will post pictures on social media please feel free to come along and have a look whenever you wish. Clothes that remain unclaimed will be placed into the EYC spares.

Parent Volunteers

We are keen to recruit a bank of parent volunteers who would be willing to support us in reviewing our delivery process, policy/procedure and the general development of our EYC environment.

Please register your interest in becoming a volunteer by emailing kady.tamburrini@eastdunbarton.gov.uk.