Nursery Fees and Refund update

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/business-52483453

This is a very difficult time for nurseries finances due to COVID19 and the poor financial support from the government. But  be rest assured that although some nurseries are charging parents to hold their childs place at nursery, St Mary's parent's will not be  charged for any care that their child has not received from 23rd March 2020. Any fees that were paid for WC 23rd March 2020 will be credited to each account and once we reopen you will be in credit. Any concerns about this please e-mail t.ellett@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk
Stay safe x

We love to see your photographs...

Please continue to send pictures of your children playing to t.ellett@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk
We have had lots of feedback that the children love seeing pictures of their friends on here.

12 everyday learning activities....

Quote of the Day x

Anyone else missing Dawn's cooking?

Looks like I'm not the only one missing Dawn's cooking! ha ha !

Sarah making meat balls! Sarah really misses dawns meat balls! I need dawns recipe!  

news article

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/apr/27/what-is-the-new-illness-affecting-children-and-is-it-linked-to-coronavirus

Please speak to your GP if you are worried about any symptoms your child might have.

School Readiness

This document was devised by the local Authority (BWD)

Getting ready for school is an exciting time for children and their parents and carers, visiting school, shopping for uniform and knowing who your new teachers are going to be.

As the time for starting school approaches some children will be ready and take the move to school in their stride but others will need a little more help and encouragement from the adults in their lives.

In Blackburn with Darwen we have worked with Children Centres, Health, Childminders, Nurseries and Schools to agree what we mean by ‘school readinesses’. These providers told us, in order to make sure that children are able enjoy school and get off to a good start they need to:

·       have well developed personal skills -things like being able to put their coat on or feed themselves.

·       have a level of emotional and social maturity - are happy to leave you and are used to playing with groups of other children

·       have the ability to communicate, pay attention and learn -  being able to  talk to their teachers and sit for a story

·       be healthy and well -  so they have had all their injections and any health problems are being managed

We have put some ideas, hints and tips together in this information sheet about things that you can do tohelp you to prepare your child for starting school. Keep it on your fridge or on a cupboard door so you can use different ideas each day.

Your nursery or childminder will work in partnership with you to help you get your child ready for school, but there are other service that can offer advice, guidance and support such as your Health Visitor or your local Children’s Centre.

If you would like any help and support you can contact your Health Visitor or Children’s Centre on 01254 585085

Many parents think that their child needs to be able to read, write their own name, recognise numbers and letters or do sums to be ready for school. This is a myth. Some children may be able to do these things but it is more important is that they feel confident to have a go and try new things.

How can you support me to do this?

I can put on my own coat and fasten it.

·        Hold my hood and encourage me to put my arms in sleeves.

·        Put the hood on my head so I can do the rest.

·        Show me where to position their hands to use my zip.

I can go to the toilet by myself and wash my hands afterwards.

·        Let’s play a game where we teach a favorite toy how to use the toilet.

·        Let me choose my own knickers or pants in the shops.

·        Give me plenty of praise when I go to the toilet and wipe all by myself.

·        Let me watch you wash your hands and tell you what to do next. 

I can confidently say goodbye when I am left with an adult that I know will look after me.

·        Leave me with other familiar adults for short periods of time.

·        Let me talk to your friends whilst you are there.

·        Take me to visit my new Teacher and meet all the adults working in my new class.

I have made good friends and can happily talk to other children and adults.

·        Take me to Toddler and Children Centre Groups.

·        Let me play with other children in the park and on outings.

·        Let me talk to other adults when you are there.

I can share and take turns in a group.

·        Play games with me where I have to wait until it’s my turn to go.

·        Make sure I take turns at the park and on outings.

·        Talk to me about why I need to share my toys.

I can sit and listen for a short while.

·        Read stories with me and look at books.

·        Let’s listen to songs together and sing.

·        Play hide and seek games where I have to listen to your instructions.

I can answer a simple question about a story.

·        When we are sharing a story ask me how it might end.

·        Ask me about the different pictures I can see on each page.

I can tidy up after myself and look after my things.

·        Show me where things are kept so I know where to put them back.

·        Play tidy up games with me.

·        Let’s tidy up and clean together.

I am happy to speak to others about my wants, needs and feelings.

·        Read books like Owl Babies and Peace at Last so we can talk about how the different characters are feeling.

·        Ask me questions about how I feel.

·        Tell me how you are feeling.

I can follow simple instructions.

·        Play games with me like find the teddy where I have to follow your instructions.

·        Teach me how to make a sandwich saying first get the bread etc…..

·        Let’s follow some instructions to bake a cake.

I can retell a past event (something that has happened to me).

·        Ask me if I remember certain dates/experiences.

·        Show me photographs and let me talk about what I remember.

·        Let’s make a scrap book after we go on day trips so I can look back and remember.

I can feed myself and enjoy a range of healthy foods.

·        Teach me to use a knife, fork, and spoon and make sure I don’t just eat with my hands.

·        Provide a variety of meals so I can experience a range of foods.

·        Let me help you prepare meals so I can talk about foods and you can teach me new things.

I can dress and undress myself as well as putting on and taking off my shoes.

·        Show me my new school uniform and let me practice buttons and zips.

·        Show me how to take off my clothes and put them in a pile on a chair ready for PE lessons.

·        Buy me some Velcro fastening shoes that I can put on and take off by myself.

I can follow rules at home and nursery and will be able to do this at school.

·        Make sure I know what I’m allowed to do and not allowed to do.

·        Tell me boundaries and make sure I keep to them.

·        Let’s make some house rules together.

I enjoy listening to stories and singing rhymes.

·        Read me a bedtime story before bed.

·        Sing songs with me and rhymes that I can make actions to like Heads, shoulders, knees and toes and wind the bobbin up etc.…

·        Make up stories whilst we are walking so I can listen to them and tell you one too.

I can hold a pencil and enjoy making marks.

·        Let me help you peg out the washing.

·        Let’s play with playdough so I can use my finger muscles.

·        Let’s draw pictures on the path and paving stones with chunky chalks. 

Home Learning Ideas for children aged 0-5 years

Website Link: www.hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk Simple, fun activities from new born to 5 years.   Select age group for your child to access activities.

Website Link:  small-talk.org.uk Select the age group for your child and get lots of ideas for chatting, playing and  reading.  You can sign up to receive updates.

Website Link:  www.bbc.co.uk/tiny-happy-people Tiny Happy People helps develop your child’s communication skills.  Explore simple activities and play ideas, also lots of tips and advice.

Website Link: www.literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone Scroll down to what age is your child (birth – 4) and learn more including videos and stories and games.

Website Link:  Libraries From Home   An online resources of fantastic remote services that libraries are delivering to people across the country.  The website pulls together some of the excellent rhyme times, story times and Lego clubs to keep children engaged and support early literacy and creative thinking.

Apps for 2 to 5 year olds

We know that phones or tablets are part of many families’ everyday lives and kids love to use them, but it’s not always easy to know which apps and games can benefit your child’s learning.  A quality mark has been given to the apps below that an independent educational panel believe have good educational value.

Choosing an app for your child – the FEED test Fun – Will your child enjoy the app? Will it keep their attention? Educational – Is there a clear educational aim? Do you know what your child will learn? Will it keep them learning and allow them to progress? Engaging – Will it help your child if they get stuck? Will it give them feedback and let them know when they’ve got challenges right? Design – Is it attractive and easy to use? Is it inclusive and does it avoid gender and racial stereotypes? Can an adult change the settings? Is it safe, with links to the internet and adverts protected behind a parental gate? Find more information on how to support your child’s learning through apps and get advice on screen time: ·         early years apps parent guidance ·         guidance from the UK Chief Medical Officer on screen time based activities

CBeebies Storytime is filled with free interactive story books and bedtime stories for young children and is a great way to enjoy reading with your little one. The library is always growing, with amazing stories featuring all the CBeebies’ favourites. Age: 0-5                            Platform: Apple, Android, Amazon

CBeebies Playtime Island contains a wide range of fun and educational games to help children understand the world around them and support the development of core skills. Children can play along with all of CBeebies’ most popular characters. Age: 0-5 Platform: Apple, Android, Amazon

Lingumi provides a focus on spoken and communicative English. The app provides sets of learning games, speech recognition games and video-based games to help the child grow their grammar and get them speaking their first words. Age: 2-5 Platform: Apple, Android

How do you feel?

Flour Play

Magic Marker

Monster Tunnel

Adam and Zain

Hi, few photos of what Adam and Zain have been up to at home. They definitely are very active and greatly miss their friends at nursery as does there mama who also misses the nursery!

Lovely pictures, thankyou for sharing x x x

Zakariyya

I miss you!

I am helping mummy make dinner! 

xxx

Health message of the month

Think before you drink

This months Healthy Me Message is to explore how much sugar is in the drinks we drink. As you can see from the picture above water is the best drink for your children.

Dandelion Ink

School Admissions

We hope you all got your school of choice.
Please let us know ASAP which school your child will be attending from September 2020.
If you are appealing please let us know which school you got and which school you are appealing for.

Please send this information to t.ellett@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk
Stating your child's name, date of birth, currently attending St Mary's @  and St. Mary's College and school.

Haadi

Looks like you are having lots of fun there Haadi x x 

Harris

Harris is having a lovely time in the garden. He is enjoying the sun and painting a lovely picture for his little brother.

Thankyou for sending this, great pics  x x

Zakariya

Great pictures, thank you for sharing. x