CP NEWS – July Edition

Family Engagement & Events Feedback 

Thank you to each and everyone of our families who took  the time to complete our family engagement and events feedback form. We were completely overwhelmed by the amount of positive feedback received and also extremely grateful for the constructive suggestions we were given on how we can improve moving forward.

Below are areas suggested for improvement by our families and our plan on how we intend to do so in the future.

What you said ….

Making sure children have jumpers/jackets/water bottles as appropriate on sports day.

What we done/will do…

As our numbers increase on whole centre events we may need to recruit some additional adult support from our families. Water stations are taken down to sports day however, if your would prefer your child bring a water bottle please speak to staff and we will ensure your child has it. Unfortunately, we are not always as lucky with the weather as we hope for, therefore being prepared with children’s jackets/jumpers on standby (instead of last minute dash) is absolutely something we will ensure is done next year – clothing being named will support us in this.

What you said… 

More options of stay and play.

What we done/will do… 

We are hopeful to run a variety of opportunities for you to come to centre and play with your children we will offer this in a variety of different ways, including scavenger hunts, bookbug sessions, set activities, free play, themed days etc.

What you said…. 

As much notice as possible to accommodate working hours.

What we done/will do…

We are working towards creating a family events calendar which will list all planned events for families over the 2024/2025 term. These will include, sports day, graduation, stay and play, interactive sessions, bookbug etc.

What you said…

There was a lot of different requests for donations throughout the year which can be stressful.

What we done/will do… 

As  a centre we receive no source of income for extra curricular expense, such as outings, family sessions, spare clothes, sun creams, celebrations or gifts. We rely solely on the weekly contributions made by our families to our children’s fund. We recognise that we have not been communicating this as well as we could have, and letters with information surrounding our children’s fund have now been sent out to families (end of May). We are hopeful moving forwards this will eradicate our need to request for additional donations.

What you said…

Parent voice – what do parents see as a priority for fundraised money, what shared learning experiences they’d like to participate in, etc.

What we done/will do….

We completely agree, we would love for our parents to be more involved in the daily running of our centre, creating opportunity for their voice to be heard. We are hopeful this year may be the year that the early years centre establish its very own parents forum.

If this is something you would be willing to contribute your time to, please let us know by emailing kady.tamburrini@eastdunbarton.gov.uk with your note of interest.

Enabling Environments – Learning Through Play

We have been working hard over the past year to enhance the learning experience we offer our children both indoors and out. We have considered out curricular delivery process and used Plan, Do, Study, Act cycles to track progress, making adjustments as we go. Recently we have used enabling environment audits as a tool to ensure that the environment we offer for our children continuously cultivates curiosity, creativity and independence for all.

Over the coming weeks we will work alongside our children to redefine our playrooms into an environment that arouses excitement and wonder for our littlest learner. Staff will participate in, in house training, aimed at refreshing and enhancing their knowledge on scaffolding children’s learning by enhancing and extending children’s play.  Staff will work together to resource the environment in a way which offers a fresh and invigorating experience, accessible to all children, promoting a sense of autonomy over their learning.

Using a mixture of both child and adult led learning opportunity, we aim to make learning fun, exciting and accessible to all.

We believe the real learning takes place, when children don’t know they are learning at all.

The best way for our children to learn is through PLAY!!!

 

Centre closure dates 2024-25

Click on the link to access centre closure dates for 2024-25.  Voting days do not effect the centre therefore we will remain open as normal.

EXTENDED YEAR Calendar 24-25

Centre Outings

We are planning on taking small groups of children out to the local soft play over a 5 week period starting next week (8th July 2024). We will aim to ensure that each child has had the opportunity to attend, by arranging our outings for a different day each week. Each child should have now completed an EV3 form, if not we will need this to be return prior to your child attending. Additional information will be sent home informing families of your child’s outing day/date and arrangements no later than Friday 5th of July. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this, please do not hesitate in speaking to a member of our team.

Staffing

We would like to welcome Amy & Zoe to our team.

Amy & Zoe joined our team this week after successfully securing permanent posts in centre, both ladies are experienced early years workers who worked within East Dunbartonshire Local Authority Centres prior to coming to Colquhoun Park.

Amy will be working full time in centre (35hrs) between the hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and Zoe will be working part time in centre (30hrs) 12pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.

Amy & Zoe will be spending the next few weeks getting to know children, families, centre staff and routines.

Please be sure to give them a hello when you see them!

                                                                                 Amy

                                                                                 Zoe

                                                                                                         

Children’s Reports

Final keyworker reports will be sent out for all our children on Wednesday 31st July 2024.

Keyworkers for 2024/25

We are in the process of matching your child with their keyworker for next year, information will be sent out over the next week informing families who your child has been paired with for 2024/25.

CP NEWS – April 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. 

 

CP NEWS – November Edition

BROOM ZOOM 

We would like to take a moment to thank all our families for their generosity when it came to sponsoring our little Broom Zoomers! 

We are delighted to announce that as on 31st of October we have raised a MASSIVE £1069.50.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt 

12 families braved the cold to join us on our Spooky Halloween Hunt.

Where we found witches, cats & big black bats all hiding around our school grounds!

The children and their adults all done really well working together and making memories.

 

 

We have left our spooky friends around the playground for everyone to enjoy, so if you didn’t make it along last night there is still a chance you might find a little ghost or two hanging around our grounds!

 

 

Curriculum Fayre (Adults only event)

Our curriculum fayre is set to take place this Thursday, 2nd of November. We will be kicking off our event at 6pm this is a drop in event so feel free to come along at a time that best suits you and your family. Last entry will be at 7.30pm.

What to expect

On arrival we ask that you use the main school entrance and sign in using the sign in sheet on the table straight ahead. We would then invite you to make your way in to the gym hall where you will find our curricular marketplace, tea, coffee and some sweet treats.

As you make your way around the various stalls we encourage you to ask questions, lift leaflets and take your time. We want each person attending to take away something of value to them and their families.

Stalls  – Stalls will be situated in the school gym hall. Parents/carers will be invited to spend time visiting our stalls. It is an opportunity to ask questions and find out more about some of the additional agencies and supports in place, securing your children’s progress.

Esther Duncan & Linda Sheehan (Teachers) – Early Years Initiatives

Michelle Traynor (Children’s Rights Champion) – How we promote rights in Early Education

Rachael Donaghy (Family Champion) – Centre support / Deferred entry

Hayley Montgomery (Educational Psychologist) – What the role of an Educational Psychologist in Early Years

Sharon Mitchell (Supporting Families) – Support that can be offered out with the EYC for your and your family.

Robina Simpson (Health Improvement Practitioner) – Myth Buster on Early Protective Messages

Ciara MacKenzie (Speech and Language) – Strategies to support language development & communication

Playrooms 

Parents/Carers will have the opportunity to explore our playrooms, where staff members will be demonstrating different ways we incorporate the curriculum throughout our playrooms

  • Jess – Technologies
  • Indu – Expressive Arts
  • Rachel – Health Wellbeing
  • Caitlyn – Science
  • Erinn – RME
  • Megan – Realising the Ambition
  • Rebecca – Social Studies
  • Heather – Numeracy
  • Laura – Literacy

Stacey Greer (House Keeper) – Supporting independence and social interactions at meal times.

Interactive Sessions

We will be running a course of interactive sessions for our families, based around supporting changes in routine. In these sessions we will aim to provide ways to support children, when changes in their routine occur i.e. staying out with their family home, parties, visiting family, changes to bedtime, increase in sugary snacks, 2 weeks off nursery etc.

If you would like to attend, please register your interest below.

Supporting Changes in Routine – Register Here

 

PAINTS 

It has been brought to our attention that families are finding it difficult to get paints out of their children’s clothing after they have attended EYC. This was not something we were aware of as the paint we order is “washable” – clearly does not do what it says on the bottle!

I have reached out to other centres and this seems to be a new, but across the board problem.

Therefore, we have reverted back to old tricks of the trade and have began to add washing up liquid to our paints. Whilst we do also offer aprons for protection, we are aware that between the ages of 2-5, short of providing a full head to toe tarpaulin wrap, there is going to be little chance of us evading every child from this at some point. We are hopeful though that with our wee hack this should help with the removal should children come home with paint on their clothing.

 

Parents Meetings 

Pre-School – Parents meetings will be held for all pre-school children across week commencing the 20th/27th of November.  Timeslots available and further information will be sent out in due course.

Anti-Preschool – Parents meeting will be held for all anti-preschool children in February this will include our 2 year olds. Timeslots available and further information will be sent out in due course.

Children’s reports  

Pre-school – Progress reports following parents meetings will be shared for reference.

Anti-Preschool – Progress reports following parents meetings will be shared for reference in February.

 

Registering your child for School 

If you are a parent/carer of children due to start P1 in August 2024 or transfer from P7 to Secondary school, the new registration period opens on 1 November to 30 November. Please ensure that you register for your catchment school during this period. Information on Registration

 

Bonus Year.

Whether you are considering a bonus year, or not for your child a application must be made to their catchment school.

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