Dear Parents,

It has been an unprecedented Summer term and it is incredible to think that our last normal school day was back on the 20^th March. It has been a long and at times difficult journey for many of us. A comforting feeling is the overwhelming support we have had from parents during this time and the way you have helped and encouraged your children with their learning has been amazing. As a school we thank you so much and we hope that the learning experience together with your children has been both rewarding and insightful.

This week the work set is slightly different to previous weeks as it is the time of year where we think about transitioning to our new classes.

Thank you for taking the time to watch the videos on Tapestry and this will be the main way of sharing information over the Summer.  Please see below the All About Me Booklet for the children to complete over the Summer and they will need to bring their completed booklets with them in September.

Best Wishes

Mrs Griffiths

Welcome to Our Nursery

Welcome to Hazlemere Church of England School Nursery. We offer a happy and caring atmosphere for 3 and 4 year olds of all faiths. We are a church school and have very close links with Holy Trinity Church. We have a classroom in a purpose built Early Years Unit that we share with our Reception class. Children can access our large enclosed outdoor environment where there are both hard and grassed areas perfect for learning and for play. This area is used all year round and in wet weather children often choose to use our covered verandas. Although Early Years is situated in it's well designed building, we enjoy access to the facilities in the main building such as the school hall, the library, the extensive school grounds and the ICT suite.

From September 2020 we will be offering 30 hours funding which means that children will be able to attend all day and the children will stay for lunch.

We would love you to come and meet our nurturing and caring Early Years team and to look at all the learning opportunities that we offer. Please telephone 01494 521420 to arrange an appointment.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

How to help young children learn at home

You can help your child to learn through the little things you do with them, for example:

• everyday conversations
• make-believe play
• games with numbers or letters
• reading together
• involving them in the things you are doing, such as household chores, and talking with them about it

Find ideas for new things you can try at Hungry Little Minds.

You do not need to set separate time or plan complicated activities dedicated

to learning. These activities can be incorporated into everyday life and play.

You know your child best. Avoid forcing them into lengthy planned activities if they naturally respond better to a mix of shorter activities. This can stop them getting bored or frustrated and keep them active, interested and learning through things they enjoy.

Keeping a routine

Do not worry about trying to keep to the full routine that your child had in nursery or with their childcare provider. But children will feel more comfortable with a predictable routine, so try to make sure they:

• get up and go to bed at the same time each day
• have regular meal times
• turn off any electronic devices, including the TV, at least an hour before bedtime

Keeping active

Young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day in total.

It is also good to get some fresh air every day. If you do not have a garden and are taking children outside to exercise, make sure you follow the rules on social distancing.

While inside, there are plenty of things you can do to keep children active, such as:

• playing hide-and-seek
• seeing who can do the most star jumps
• making an obstacle course
• playing music and having a dance-off

Television and using digital devices

There are lots of ways to help your child to learn such as reading together and make-believe play. You can also use what children have watched on television or the internet to help their learning. Talk with them about what they are watching or use their favourite TV characters in other games and activities.

Digital devices such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone can help some children learn. If your child does use them, try downloading some apps that will help them learn.

Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices young children are using and supervise their use of websites and apps. See advice on keeping them safe online.

Try sharing things your child makes with your friends and family online and encourage others to do the same. Your child might enjoy seeing things they have made on the screen or seeing what other children have done.

You can also visit Hungry Little Minds for ideas of activities to do together without using a device.

Socialising while social distancing

Spending time with other children is important for your child’s development, but at the moment it is important they stay at home.

It will help them if everyone in the home talks with them through the day, responding to them and being led by the things they are interested in.

Visit Hungry Little Minds for more information about talking with your child.