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GREENGABLES Pre Pre-School 

January 2025

 

Hello!

Welcome back everyone!  We hope you had fab Christmas and we wish you a happy and healthy New Year! Welcome to the new families that have joined us this month!

 

December was very busy! The Punch and Judy show was a big hit with the children, I am sure they were exhausted afterwards, there was a lot of screaming, shouting and laughter! It was a delight to see the so excited! 

 

Thank you for joining us for our Songs & Santa event, I know it was a bit of a squeeze for us all in one classroom! The children sang really well, we were so proud of them! It is a big deal singing in front of that many people at any age, never mind when you are 3 & 4!

 

FUNDRAISING

 

A huge thankyou to everyone that contributed to our December fundraisers! Our Christmas jumper day raised £36 and the ballot raised £146! This money will go towards the repair of the sensory shed roof, which doesn’t sound very exciting, but is essential to ensure we can continue to use it!

We continue to look for grants for running costs. If you, or anyone you know, works somewhere that has a charitable fund we could apply for, please speak to me about it. Thank you!

 

CURRICULUM

 

Shark in the Park and the Lady that swallowed a fly continue to be the favourites at story time! We try to include them most days alongside our other stories! The children really enjoy the rhyming texts & repetitive phrases that encourage them to become active participants of the story telling!

 

We have had activities to link in with the recent weather conditions! There was lots of animals stuck in the ice that the children had to help release with the use of hammers! Use of small tools, helps to develop fine motor skills and hand strength which is essential for early writing ability.

 

Last term the children used plastic scissors in the playdough, this term the children will build on those skills as we introduce children’s real scissors at table tops to use with paper! Don’t worry, there will be an adult present!

 

BIG BREAKFAST & PYJAMA DAY- WED  29th JANUARY

 

On Wednesday 29th January we will be holding a “Big Breakfast & Pyjama Day”.  The children and staff wear pyjamas into school.  We provide a big breakfast of cereal, toast, cheese, fruit etc.  It’s all good fun and the children really enjoy it.

 

FUNDED PLACES – SEPTEMBER 2025

 

Big decisions this month, as applications for pre-school places funded by the Department of Education for Sept 2025, are made online via the EA portal. It always feels quite early in the year for making decisions about September, especially if your child has just joined us very recently.

For those that are undecided, Greengables provides high quality pre-school education equal to that of a nursery school.  As we are partly funded by the Education Authority we therefore follow the same curriculum and guidelines and are inspected using the same procedures as a nursery school.  We also have annual inspections by Social Services.  Staff are highly qualified and constantly update training.  

Please speak to me if you need any advice regarding this process or are having any difficulty with the online portal.

Reminder: Portal Closing Date 24th January @ 12Noon

 

Thank you to everyone for coming along to the parent interviews. Links with home and partnership with parents & carers is vital for us to support your child successfully in their Pre pre-school years!

 

Save the Date!

Admissions Portal Closes: 12Noon 24th Jan

Pyjama day & Big Breakfast: Wed 29th Jan

Pre Pre-School closed for staff training: Mon 3rd Feb

Mid Term Break: Wed 12th-Fri 14th Feb

Musical Monkeys: Fri 21st Feb

School Photographer: Mon 3rd March

 

As always, if at any time you are worried about your child in pre-school, please speak to me or a member of staff immediately.

Thankyou

Tracey, Melissa & the Greengables Team