27/02/25
Parents Letter February 2025
Safeguarding
All staff are safeguard trained and we have four staff that have designated safeguard training, it is our duty of care to record and report any concerns that we may have. We follow the policies and procedures set out by the Warwickshire safeguarding team. If we have a concern, this will be recorded on a green form, you will be notified if we complete a green form for your child, should this not cause any risk of harm. Any green forms will transition with your child should they move to a different setting and when they progress into school.
We are also here to offer advice and support to children and their families, please feel free to contact us at any time if you feel you may benefit from some extra support or would just like to discuss any worries or concerns you may have. You may also seek advice via the FIS family information service.
With the cold and wet weather please ensure that your child is dressed appropriately and provided with a coat and wellies, gloves and a hat. Children access the outdoors throughout the year in all weathers therefore, appropriate clothing is very important.
Car parking
When dropping off/collecting children please use the nursery car park located at the rear of the premises. When parking please ensure that you park respectfully and do not block the driveway that provides access to the houses. The car park gates will be closed between busy periods 9-11.15am and 1.15-3pm. If you arrive and the car park gates are locked please park elsewhere and access the building via the front gate instead.
Handwashing
Please use the handwashing station provided next to the outdoor shed to wash your child’s hands prior to coming into nursery to reduce the spread of infection.
Children’s bags/belongings
Please ensure that you provide a bag for your child with any items they may require during their session at nursery. This should include; spare clothes (outfits including, pants, socks, trousers, tops) nappies, wipes, nappy cream.
Children bringing nappies can we recommend that you provide 5 to avoid your child running out, also enough wipes to at least last the duration of the day.
Can we please ask that children’s bags are not too big, we only have limited space for storage and we have lots of children attending.
Please ensure that all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
No shoe policy
We are adopting a no shoe policy indoors for staff and visitors to the setting, we will be providing shoe covers to go over outdoors shoes, these will be put on and taken off at the entrance door.
We also ask that children are provided with a separate pair of indoor shoes (if you decide to bring slippers these must fit your child’s feet and not be a trip hazard) and wellies or separate shoes for outdoors. Ensure that they are clearly labelled with your child’s name. We want to reduce the spread of germs and keep the indoor areas/carpets clean leaving mud outdoors. Additionally, this will ensure that carpets and floor areas are clean for smaller toddlers and babies that are crawling and for all children when they are playing at floor level.
If your child does not bring a separate pair of indoor shoes you will be asked to bring some in for them to wear.
Nursery fees
Fees are required to be paid a month in advance however, we appreciate that this may be difficult therefore, if this is not possible fees must be paid weekly prior to your child attending. If fees are not paid in advance your child will not be allowed to stay for their session. In addition to this, any late payments will be charged at £10 per week. If continuous missed payments occur you are at risk of your child’s place being withdrawn.
Illnesses
We continue to ask that children do not attend nursery if they are not 100%. Please also ensure that you use the handwashing station provided prior to children coming into nursery, we continue to encourage regular hand washing and hygiene routines throughout the day. This includes the cleaning of toys and equipment too.
Absence
Please ensure that you inform nursery if your child is going to be absent. This may be due to a holiday, a day trip or sickness. You can notify us via phone, text, whatsapp or email.
If your child is absent due to holiday, illness or a day at home you will still be charged for this session, this includes additional hours during non-funded weeks, for example if your child receives 15 hours funding but attends for 18 hours per week, during non-funded weeks you are still expected to pay for the additional 3 hours therefore, we encourage you to use these additional hours and book your child in.
Medication
We are only able to give prescribed medication to your child whilst they are at nursery, this means that the medication needs to have a prescription label with your child’s name clearly stated and the required dosage of medication. We cannot give over the counter medication, this includes medication such as cough syrup, calpol and nurofen. If your child requires long term medication such as an inhaler, we will require a health care plan to enable us to administer this. You can get this from your child’s health visitor.
Please refrain from giving your child medication such as calpol prior to coming to nursery as this can mask symptoms of illness.
Tapestry
Please ensure that you have logged into your child’s tapestry account, for new starters parents will have received an email with login details to activate your account.
Staff will add weekly newsfeeds where you can see photos of activities the children have been participating in throughout the week (please note; your child may not be on all of the photos). During focus weeks you will receive more detailed information which is personal to your child and their development, this will also include information about their next steps of development and how you can support this at home.
Tapestry is also lovely for you to share with us any photos or updates of achievements, day trips, milestones reached at home.
Staffing
Management- Sam, Clare
Deputy Manager- Kirsty
Babies/Toddlers- Kirsty, Vicky, Nicola, Izzy, Molly
Preschool- Jade, Lauren, Chloe, Jess, Ellie, Danielle
SENDco- Jade/Chloe
Kitchen- Adrienne
We would like to welcome Ellie to the Jack in the box team, Ellie will be based within the preschool room and is working towards her level 3 in early years. We will also be welcoming Danielle to Jack in the box in April. Danielle holds a level 3 childcare qualification and has experience with children with SEND, she will be based within the preschool room and also be supporting children with additional needs.
Adrienne has also joined the team, she is busy preparing healthy snacks and lunches for the children. Adrienne also has a level 2 childcare qualification.
Jess is now on maternity leave, resting before her new arrival.
15 hour funded places for 2 help, working parents and universal 2,3 and 4 year olds
Funded hours will be offered between 8.30-11.30am and 1-4pm, any hours before, in between and after these times will be charged at the hourly rate. If for example you would like your child to have their funded sessions in the morning but would like them to stay for lunch you have the option to book them in 8.30-1 (space dependent) your child would receive funding 8.30-11.30am and you would pay from 11.30-1pm.
If your child will be attending solely for 15 hours these hours will be offered as 5 morning sessions or 5 afternoon sessions. All funding information can be accessed next to the handwashing station outside.
30 Hours Funding
From September 30 hours funding will be offered as 30 hours per week, across 5 days for 38 weeks of the year. Funding will be offered between the hours of 8.30-11.30am and 1-4pm. Children are able to do a full day however, anything either side and in between the funded hours will be payable at the hourly rate. Please note that there are limited spaces allocated for 30 hour funding, children do not automatically receive this at our setting even if you have applied for it and been accepted. We offer 30 hours to 10% of our intake, once these spaces are filled you will be placed onto a waiting list. Please be mindful that just because you are entitled to it does not mean that we will have the availability to offer it.
School offers
For children due to start school in September 2025, National school offer day will be 16th April 2025. You will receive your child’s school offer via email and you have to confirm that you accept your child’s place. Once you have accepted your child’s school place please inform us of the school they will be going to, this will enable us to ensure all transfer information is shared sufficiently.
Toilet training
We have lots of children toilet training at the moment and we are keen to support your children through this stage of their development. Can we encourage that when transitioning from nappies to pants you begin with having a potty visible for your child to use at home and encourage them to use this at each nappy change (we will do this at nursery too), you may then progress to them wearing no nappy at home and encouraging the potty at regular intervals eventually into wearing pants. Once your child is confident in using the potty regularly without wearing a nappy we will support this at nursery. Please ensure that you provide your child with plenty of spare clothes, pants and socks.
If children are not toilet training please ensure that they wear nappies, when lots of children are in pull ups, nappy changing times become very time consuming with having to fully strip each child off to change pull ups. Therefore, we ask that children in baby and toddler room wear nappies and not pull ups.
Well done to Hermione, Jett, Ivy, Ajax, Theo, Tommy and Evie for transitioning from nappies to pants 😊
Postbox
We have our nursery postbox for children to post their dummies, bottles and/or comforters. In return they will receive a certificate and be able to choose a gift.
Well done to Ivy, Lenny, Callie for posting their bottles/ dummies at Christmas 😊
Curriculum
As a setting we follow in the moment planning, this allows us the opportunity to make a real difference to children’s learning by seizing the moments when children first show interest and curiosity and immediately supporting their next steps.
Planning in the moment is nothing new, it is exactly what a responsive parent does every day with their child, it is also exactly what a skillful practitioner has always done. Every time an adult looks and listens to a child, they are assessing and planning how to respond. The adult will consider whether they can add anything in the moment to benefit the child (a teachable moment). If so, they will respond and interact accordingly.
Please use the link provided to broaden your understanding of the Early year’s curriculum and age related expectations noted in the early years outcomes. https://foundationyears.org.uk/files/2021/09/What-to-expect-in-the-EYFS-complete-FINAL-16.09-compressed.pdf
Oral health
We encourage good oral health and food hygiene routines at jack in the box. Please ensure that your child brushes their teeth morning and night, we also recommend visiting the dentist regularly. Some of you may be aware that during your child’s focus week we will ask that they bring in their toothbrush to encourage teeth brushing whilst they are at nursery. We have a number of children coming into nursery saying that they have not brushed their teeth.
It is important to brush twice a day to ensure that bacteria and plaque is removed that causes tooth decay and gum disease. Baby teeth help children to eat and speak and guide the permanent adult teeth into position, so it is important to take care of them right from the start.
Brushing teeth has to be seen as a non-negotiable habit for children as it is not just about having a beautiful smile, it is also about safeguarding their overall health and wellness. Please ensure that your child brushes their teeth twice a day.
Creative Flair
On Thursday mornings 11-11.30am preschool children participate in creative flair music and movement sessions. All staff that attend to provide the music and movement sessions are DBS checked. Sessions are at a cost of £2 per week and is payable in cash.
Chatter matters week
24th-28th March is chatter matters week and the focus is storytelling. The children always enjoy story time and we encourage you to read stories with your child at home too.
Storytelling is beneficial in supporting children’s cognitive development, introducing early literacy, encouraging creativity and imagination, boosting cultural understanding and improving social skills.
If you would like to borrow a book to share with your child at home please ask a member of staff.
Parent feedback
A parent feedback form will be sent home with your child, please take the time to complete this as we value your feedback. Please return your feedback to nursery by Monday 10th March. If there is anything you would like to discuss please do not hesitate to contact us.
Resources
If you have any of the following resources that you no longer require we would be grateful of donations:
• Artificial grass
• Garden paint
• Small clock
• Guttering
• Tea, coffee, sugar pots (metal or plastic)
• Artificial flowers
• Garden decorations such as windmills, wind chimes etc
• Metal tea pot
• Seeds ready for planting
Dates to remember
Thursday 6th March- World book day (children are welcome to dress as their favourite character)
Thursday 20th March- Oral health day (children are invited to bring in their toothbrush)
Friday 21st March- Red nose day (children are welcome to wear something red and donate £1 for comic relief)
24th March- Chatter matters week
14th-25th April- No funding for 2 help, working parent funding, universal 3 and 4 year funding and 30 hour funding.
18th April- Nursery closed Good Friday
21st April- Nursery closed Easter Monday
5th May- Nursery closed Bank holiday
12th May- Concept photography
26th May- Nursery closed Bank holiday
26th May-6th June – No funding for 2 help, working parent funding, universal 3 and 4 year funding and 30 hour funding.
Thank you for your continued support.
Many thanks
Sam and Clare