Waiting List Update

Still no scope to allow people to join from the waiting list I'm afraid. As soon as we go under 45 threshold one week, we are over it the next week. We were at 49 last week so it would be another 2 weeks at least before anything can happen and that presumes numbers allow. I will be looking at the way we run the waiting list soon, possibly increasing the threshold but this may mean we would have to work on a first come, first served basis on a Monday morning. We would still have to have a maximum number for Health and Safety reasons. I will get back to you once a decsion has been made.

Happy Easter

We are off Monday 28th March as it is Easter Monday - back as normal on 4th April

RND 2005 - Comic Relief

Thanks especially to Pat for making the lovely cakes for this morning. With this and the money from subs and cards we raised over £27.00 which will go to Comic Relief. For more info on Comic Relief this year go th www.rednoseday.com :-)

Waiting List Update

Numbers were at 39 this morning. Should we have another week under 45 next week, we will have some spaces for those who have been on the waiting list the longest. Please check back regularly for updates!

Playdough Recipe

Many of you have asked for the recipe – here it is – Joyce has made ours this term, so if you have any questions please ask her.

Long-lasting playdough
By adding cream of tartar to the recipe and cooking the mixture you can make dough that lasts well and has a lovely texture.

2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 cup plain flour
½ cup salt
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup water

Mix to form a smooth paste.
Put in a saucepan and cook slowly, until the dough comes away from the side of the pan and forms a ball.
When it is cool enough, take the dough out of the pan and knead for three to four minutes.
Put the pan to soak immediately.
Adding Colour.
Use food colouring or paint. For a smooth, even colour, mix the colouring with the water before it is added to the flour and salt; for a streaky, marbled effect, knead it straight
into the dough.
Adding smells.
To ring the changes try adding one of the following: peppermint essence, ginger, cinnamon or rosewater.
Don’t do this for smaller children as it may increase the temptation to eat the dough.
From – Entertaining and Educating your PreSchool Child – An Usborne Guide

Monday 7th March
Oaks and Acorns on as Normal
Staff on: Rhi, Joyce, Elsie, Jenny, Pat, Val H
Craft: Joyce

Waiting List Update 28th Feb 2005

Our numbers were above 45 again this week - 49 actually. This means that we can not yet allow anyone in off the waiting list.
The waiting list works on the basis that we need to be 45 (adults and children - not staff) for two consecutive weeks, at which point we contact people from the waiting list and let them know they can join us on a regular basis.
Our maximum number is 55 - this is for Health and Safety reasons - if we get up to this on a morning we cannot allow anyone else to come into the session on that morning.
If you do not attend for 5 consecutive weeks with unexplained absences, you may lose your space on our register and need to rejoin the waiting list.
For regular updates on the waiting list, please check this blogspot.

New Handmade Greetings Cards available from Pat - cost just £1.50 - Half of which goes to Charity - **Cards for Men just added to the range ** please check out at your next visit.

Cost and Format of Morning

££ It cost just £1.00 per session, this covers all the tea, coffee, juice and biscuits and also any craft materials that are used.
Our session run from 10:00am until 11:30am.
approach. The first hour is free play.
We have a baby corner with bouncers, support cushions, rattles and other baby toys.
We have an area for the big toys - slide, cars, scooters, prams, trolleys, push along carts etc.
We have a craft table, different projects are prepared each week for you little ones to enjoy and take home.
We have a playdough table - a great activity to encourage children's fine motor skills (did you know that playing with playdough will help strengthen their fingers and so help them later on when learning to use a pen!)
We have a dressing up corner which all the children enjoy and also a book corner if you would like to spend a quieter time with your little ones reading them a story.
Adults are required to stay with their little ones but we also have a fantastic friendly staff who are allays willing to help out where possible.
Our final half hour is Music Time. We sing along with various favorites and encourage the children to play along with our range of 'instruments'. We also use this time to update you on any group news and celebrate any birthdays with the children.
If you have any queries - please put them in the chatterbox and I will try and help out.
Rhianne. Leader.