Welcome to our
January/February Newsletter

Baby Room – Creating a Calm and Sensory Environment 

The Baby Room team have been working hard to make the environment even more calming and relaxing, particularly for our new settlers. We have added flowers and gentle twinkly lights, which have captured the attention of our younger babies and encouraged observation and focus. 

Our older babies have enjoyed reaching up to touch the hanging flowers, supporting their physical development and natural curiosity. Our new light-up tree has also been a big hit with both babies and staff, providing a soothing visual experience. Over the coming weeks, we plan to add more natural hanging mobiles to further support the babies’ sensory development. 

Ideas for at home: 

• Create a basket of sensory objects to explore together 

• Click here to learn more about treasure baskets: https://www.communityplaythings.co.uk/learning-library/articles/treasure-baskets?srsltid=AfmBOooM-ydMemPIkfIhJ-wg7_lMXhrIOPzqX4OAOEqHzgehQDeV88Z4 

Crèche 1 – Library Visit 

Last week, we enjoyed a lovely visit to the Family Room at the campus library. This followed on from the children’s growing love of books, and the older children were excited to explore the new resources that have been added since our last visit. 

The trip provided a fantastic opportunity for children to play with increasing confidence, both independently and alongside their peers, reassured by knowing their key person was close by. For some of our babies who have been feeling a little unsettled, exploring a new environment was a calming and positive experience. 

Ideas for at home: 
• Visit your local library or enjoy books together at home 
• Talk about pictures in books and allow your child to turn the pages 
• Explore new places together, such as a park or local shop, naming what you see 

Crèche 2 – Parachute Play 

The children were excited and intrigued as we introduced the parachute into the room. They showed great curiosity and confidence, holding the edges once shown what to do. 

Together, we lifted the parachute high and watched the balloons fly into the air. This activity encouraged teamwork, turn-taking, and lots of laughter. We also focused on new vocabulary and colour recognition, supporting early communication and language development. The children were fully engaged and clearly enjoyed this shared, active experience. 

Ideas for at home:
• Sheet Parachute: Use a light sheet or scarf and gently lift it up and down together 
• Balloon Play: Bat balloons into the air and name the colours 
• Action Words: Use words such as up, down, fast, and slow while moving together 

Nursery 1 – Wake Up, Shake Up

Over the past few weeks, Nursery 1 have been developing their physical skills during our Wake Up, Shake Up sessions. We introduced flipper-flappers (colourful scarves) to encourage controlled gross motor movements and coordination. 

The children loved dancing to a range of music styles, enjoying both copying adult movements and creating their own. This supported physical development, confidence, creativity, and emotional expression. 

Ideas for at home:

• Dance together to different styles of music 
• Encourage your child to copy movements or make up their own 
• Use scarves, ribbons, or socks as movement props

Nursery 2 – Independence & Sustainability Walk 

Nursery 2 have been developing their independence during walks, transitioning from travelling in prams to walking themselves. This learning was linked to our sustainability focus. 

The children made their own bird feeders and discussed which birds might enjoy the seeds. We then went on a whole room walk, holding hands, listening carefully, and showing excellent awareness of staying safe. We stopped for a snack and hung the bird feeders in the orchard. The children were excited to talk about birds visiting the feeders they had made. 

Ideas for at home: 
• Go on short walks and encourage safe walking 
• Talk about nature you see (birds, trees, weather) 
• Make a simple bird feeder using recycled materials 

Pre-School 1 – Penguin Awareness Day

In Pre-School 1, we celebrated Penguin Awareness Day by learning all about penguins. The children enjoyed listening to Jonty Gentoo and Hiku, discovering where penguins live, what they eat, and the different types found around the world. 

Shelley shared real photographs of penguins spotted on the beaches of the Falkland Islands, which fascinated the children. We brought our learning to life by creating penguin artwork, waddling like penguins during Wake Up, Shake Up, and exploring icy water trays to develop sensory and fine motor skills. 

Ideas for at home:

• Penguin Waddle Game – try waddling while balancing a soft toy 
• Read a penguin story and talk about habitats and food 
• Icy play – freeze toys in ice and explore how to free them (with adult supervision)

Pre-School 2 – Learning About Our Wider Community 

This term, Pre-School 2 have been learning about the wider community and understanding that not all families have the same opportunities or resources. 

We introduced this through the story It’s a No Money Day, which sparked thoughtful discussions about food banks, kindness, and activities that do not cost money. The children showed great empathy and understanding. 

To extend this learning, we started our own Pre-School food bank. The children were proud to bring in donations, knowing they would be given to the Olive Branch Food Bank in Lancaster and shared with local families before Christmas. Pre-School 2 were delighted to receive a thank-you letter from the charity. 

Thank you for supporting us in teaching such important values of kindness, empathy, and community. 

Pre-School 3 – Animal Habitats & Outdoor Exploration 

Pre-School 3 have been learning about animal habitats as part of our foyer display focus. Using magnifying glasses, the children explored the garden to discover what habitats they could find. 

This hands-on learning supported curiosity, environmental awareness, physical development, and confidence. The children are learning how animals and plants rely on food, water, and shelter to survive—and we are proud to be nurturing future conservationists. 

Ideas for at home: 
• Look for insects or animals in your garden or local park 
• Talk about where animals live and what they need 
• Read books or watch short videos about habitats 

Free Potty Training Guide for Parents

There is a free Potty Training Guide available for parents, which provides clear and consistent guidance on how and when to potty train your child/ren. 

Being toilet trained is just one of the skills children need to start school ready to thrive.  

Please visit Starting Reception’s website for a full list of the skills children need: startingreception.co.uk 

To access the guide, please use the link below to download:

The Potty Training Guide - Starting Reception 

Reminders

Use of Mobile Devices in Pre-School 

To help us continue to safeguard all children in our care, we kindly ask that parents and carers refrain from using mobile devices when dropping off or collecting their children. It has been noted that there has been an increase in parents using their mobile phones within corridors and in the children's rooms.

For safeguarding reasons, the use of mobile phones and other mobile devices should be limited whilst in the Pre-School Centre. Mobile devices may only be used in the main foyer, where appropriate controls are in place. 

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in supporting our safeguarding procedures and helping us maintain a safe and secure environment for all children. Thank you for working with us to put children’s safety first. 

Car Parking Important Reminder: Pre-School Drop-Off and Collection Car Park

We would like to remind all parents and carers about the correct use of the Pre-School drop-off and collection car park to ensure the safety and smooth flow of traffic for everyone. 

Due to the limited number of parking spaces, we kindly ask parents to be mindful when dropping off and collecting their child(ren) at the beginning and end of each session. Please ensure that you leave the car park promptly and safely once drop-off or collection is complete. 

If you arrive and find the car park is full, or if you have an appointment within the Centre and expect to stay longer, please use an alternative parking location. The maximum stay in the drop-off/collection car park is 20 minutes. Parents who anticipate needing more time are asked to use the RingGo payment app to park elsewhere. 

We understand that this area can become busy and congested at peak times, and the safety of all children, families, and staff is our highest priority. Thank you for your cooperation and continued support in helping us keep the area safe and accessible for everyone.

Pre-School website and newsfeed

Access regularly updated information from our website and Instagram feed.

Funding

A reminder that parents in receipt of working families funding need to re-validate their eligibility every three months from the date of issue. Failure to re-validate your code will result in a loss of funding.

Parents who think they may be eligible for Early Education Funding from April 2026 need to ensure that they apply and are in receipt of their eligibility code no later than 31 March 2026.

Any codes applied for and received after this date will not be applied until September 2026.

Check eligibility and apply for the code.

Parents who pay their Pre-School fees via monthly invoicing should note that there are periods when funding is not applied, this is due to us stretching your eligible hours. The periods are September, January, April and May. Invoices for these periods will be higher than other monthly invoices.

Door Entry

Can we please ask ALL parents to ensure that when accessing the Pre-School Centre they use their access fobs. We have noted that even since changing over to the new Door Entry System we are still experiencing a considerable number of interruptions due to the doorbell still being used so frequently.

If any parents have lost their door access fob, please inform the office so that a replacement can be purchased for £6.00 (which will be invoiced), and lost fobs can be deactivated.

Can we please ask parents/carers to please refrain holding the door open when dropping off/collecting children. Also, at the end of sessions please be vigilant when exiting the centre, ensuring that children do not run out of the door without their own parent/carer. This is allows us to continue safeguarding all children. 

Important term dates

2026 Full Year Bookings

5 January until 1 April 2026
8 April until 28 August 2026

2026 Undergraduate Term Bookings

12 January until 20 March 2026
20 April until 26 June 2026

Invoice dates

Spring 2026

2 February until 27 February 2026 

2 March until 1 April 2026