A Big Welcome to Dubai Marina Nursery

Transcription

1 Dubai Marina Edition September/October December 2010 A Big Welcome to Dubai Marina Nursery The new academic year started with orientation for all the new and returning children. These sessions allow children to become familiar with the classroom and meet their teacher. It also enables the teacher to start getting to know the children and to find out important information from parents. Right - Dolphin girls enjoying play dough and getting to know each other. Left - the boys are making new friends. Orientation was followed by settling visits. This can be a difficult week but most children adapted quickly to the routine. A few children were initially slower to settle but we have gradually been winning them around! Particularly for children who have never been to nursery previously or for whom English may still be a less familiar language, settling can take a little longer. The teachers support and encourage children to settle by working with parents so that slowly but steadily children become secure and confident in the nursery setting. Thank you to all our parents for the wonderful way you have worked with the teachers in this process. Right - teachers and assistants all give a hand to settle in. The Dolphins class had to wait to meet their new teacher. Miss Daniela is now in post and the children have given her a warm welcome. Thanks to Miss Maya the TA, Miss Sylvia the CA and Miss Liza our supply teacher for all their great work in the first couple of weeks.

2 The Star Fish and Sea Shells also got off to a great start. All our children love the outdoor play sessions and this can be a good way to help the children settle. The weather is already starting to cool a little and the outdoor area will be an important part of our curriculum planning in the coming winter months. Above - playing on the trikes and Right - group games enjoyed by all. Left - the Turtles get right down to business when they arrive at nursery, Miss Remy is on hand to help. Below - working together to build the Burj Khalifa Above - Turtles and Dolphins play on the large outdoor equipment. Getting messy and exploring in the foam is always fun for Angel and Rainbow Fish.

3 Parent Information Evening 24 th October 5pm - 7pm This time last year we held a parent information evening and we had great feedback from parents telling us how useful it was. This year we will hold this event again on Monday 24 th October. Once children are settled into nursery, we can begin to move forward with the areas of learning, topics, events and activities which make up nursery life. Parents often have new questions as they become more familiar with nursery routines. The parent information evening consists of a small formal introduction about the curriculum; how we plan the programme and daily routines. It is also an informal opportunity to chat with the teachers and Vice Principal and ask questions. We do ask that children DO NOT attend this event. We know that sometimes it is difficult and may mean only one parent can attend. If you find you cannot attend at all due to child care difficulties, please make Miss Diane aware and she will try to make a special arrangement for you. Medical Services at Nursery We aim to create a healthy enviroment in the nursery and we are supported in this by the presence each day of our nurse Miss kripa. If any child is unwell or there is an accident in the classroom, children are attended by Miss kripa. In the event of illness, Miss kripa will make your child comfortable whilst we contact you to collect them from nursery. In the event of an accident, Miss krippa will administer first aid. The most common aid we give is a cold compress (and a cuddle) in response to a bump. If your child has been involved in an accident and has sustained an injury, Miss kripa or the teacher will provide you with a signed accident report. (If the accident happens to be more serious, we would naturally contact parents immediately). If your child visits the nurse for examination but no actual injury is sustained, you will be given a clinic visit form. Starting in October we will also have a weekly visit from the school doctor. Dr Savita is normally here on a Tuesday morning from am. If you have signed the consent for medical examination, the doctor will give your child a developmental check up once per term. If you have asked to be present for this, Miss kripa will notify you of the week when the check up would be taking place. If your child is taking any medication or has had a recent illness, please inform Miss kripa.

4 Miss kripa writes regular articles for the newsletter and is here to offer help and advice to parents. In the next newsletter we will look at Infection Control Policy in the nursery. Recycling role play and junk modelling If you have any old electrical or mechanical items such as mobile phones, key boards, ordinary phones, calculators, hair dryers and cameras, we would be glad to have them. Once we have removed any batteries, wires etc. which may be a hazard, the children would love to play with them. Children get a special joy from playing with the real thing rather than a toy version. They also encourage children to use their imaginations and role play different situations. More recycling Staff would also like to boost our collection of cardboard boxes, toilet rolls, larger rolls, small plastic bottles and tubs, bubble wrap or corrugated paper. Items should be clean and dry with no trace of food etc. Children s records Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) MOSA require us to keep certain information and copies of documents on file. (They do come and check!) We have been going through the files and asking some parents to please bring in missing items from their child s file. If you have been asked to bring in any item and it is still outstanding, please let us have it as soon as possible. We are also aware that sometimes people change mobile phones and addresses. If you do change address or mobile number, please make sure you update your contact details with us so we can keep in touch and also contact you in an emergency. Marvellous Me Settling Topic The first few weeks of term, we have used the topic Marvellous Me to help us find out more about the children. Activities with the older children have included Marvellous Me booklets. These booklets have supported children in talking about themselves, their families and their homes. We have explored expectations in the classroom and played games to help the children learn names and develop friendships. Right - Dolphin children make finger prints and examine them with magnifying glasses!

5 The Star fish and Sea Shells have had fun too! One of the many creative activities the children have enjoyed is ice painting. There have also been lots of action songs and music and movement sessions. Separation from parents is a big step for many of the youngest children. The Angel and Rainbow fish have been getting into new routines and taking full advantage of the social opportunities nursery brings. Lunch and snack time Please ensure your child s snack is a small and healthy item packed separately from lunch (if your child brings a packed lunch). Breakfast is eaten at home and snack should be something like fresh fruit. Parents of children bringing a packed lunch must also ensure that it is a healthy meal. Packed lunch MUST be in a properly insulated lunch box/bag with a cold pack to keep food at a safe temperature.

6 Splash Day The Dolphins and Turtles really enjoyed our Splash Day. We are planning more splash days this time for all the children during October. The planning for the next topic Our Senses will be ed to parents next week. We start this new topic on the 10 th of October. Coming -Up still this term! Favourite Colour Day (6 th October - confirmed) Parent Information Evening (Monday 24 th October - confirmed) Diwali Festival (Wednesday 26 th October- arrangements to be confirmed) Pumpkin Day (Monday 31 st October - arrangements to be confirmed) Eid Al Adha celebration (3rd November arrangements to be confirmed) Staff Professional Development Day (24 th November - NO NURSERY) Parent Teacher Conferences (29 th and 30 th November - nursery closes at 12 noon. Times for PTC meetings will be arranged in the week before) National Day celebrations (First week of December date and arrangements to be confirmed) Christmas / End of Term party (Date and arrangements to be confirmed) Please be aware that some dates cannot be fixed until nearer the time and as public holidays are announced.