St Andrews Stepping Stones Toddler Club & Playgroup

Newsletter no 4

Dear Parents,

Welcome back for the start of the summer term.

We are really grateful for your support at our recent Easter Coffee Morning and Bunny Hop, which the children thoroughly enjoyed. The coffee morning and hamper raffles raised a total of £132.70, which is fantastic. We are still collecting in sponsor money from the bunny hops so please remember to bring this into playgroup or toddler group if you haven’t done so already. Your fundraising efforts are really appreciated and we have been able to purchase a digital camera for the children to use and have a new art centre arriving this term.

The other big event last term was our Ofsted inspection. Playgroup children will now have received a copy of the report, however if any baby club or toddler group parent would like to see a copy it will be available at each group, please just ask. We are pleased to have received a “good” rating for the playgroup overall and particularly to have been awarded an “outstanding” rating for the quality of teaching and learning. If you would like to register your child for a place at playgroup please contact our admissions co-ordinator Jess Monck on 01223 236260 or pick up a form at any of our groups.

During this term the playgroup will be visiting Histon library on Wednesday 21st May. The children will enjoy a story session, be able to join the library if they do not already have a library card and have the chance to borrow a book to take home and share with you. We will send a letter to you nearer the time with all the details. We will need extra parents on the day to help us with this trip so please let Sue know if you are able to assist with this.

We are also planning to include a bubble workshop during a session this term, which we hope will be great fun - further details to follow.

Other events for the children to enjoy will include a Stepping Stones float during the Histon Feast parade on Sunday 29th June, which you and your children are invited to take part in and the flower festival from Saturday 27th – Monday 29th June where there will be a Stepping Stones display. The theme this year is “The Big Read” and we would welcome any photos of your children with their favourite book to be included in the display.

Fundraising events we currently have planned for this term are listed below, however we are always looking for new events as well so please let us know if you have any ideas.

Monday 12th May – Coffee Morning at the Church Halls from 9:30am-12:00 noon This monthly event is now really popular with excellent cappuccinos and homemade cakes. It is a great opportunity to catch up with your friends and stock up on your cards with our Phoenix representative, Cathy Walters.

Friday 23rd May – Cake Stall on the green from 2:30pm-4:30pm If you are able to donate a cake please bring it to the Friday morning toddler session between 9:30am and 11:00am or to the green at 2:30pm. We would also be grateful of help on the day so please add your name to the sign up sheet, which will be available at playgroup, toddlers and baby club.

Saturday 14th June – Summer Quiz Night with puddings Tickets will be available shortly.

Just a reminder that Stepping Stones has a website – www.standrewssteppingstones.co.uk. As well as information on all our groups you can find all our newsletters, details on the curriculum that we follow, term dates and details of forthcoming events so please take a look. If you have any ideas for the website or can think of any other information that you would like to see there please let Sarah Barnes know.

We know that as parents you know your children best and are always grateful of any information you can share with us to ensure that your child gets the most out of their time at playgroup. Equally we are keen to provide you with feedback on how your child is developing with us, so please do not hesitate to have a chat with their key worker at the end of a session for an update. If you would like to discuss anything confidential or at length, we will be happy to book an allocated time for you to sit down privately with a member of staff. You will receive a report at the end of this term that will summarise your child’s time at playgroup and highlight all their achievements.

Finally, as the weather hopefully improves please remember to put suncream on your children before they arrive at playgroup and include a sun hat in their bag, plus the all-important water bottle!

With best wishes Helen Pinhey and Sarah Barnes (co-chairs of St Andrew’s Stepping Stones)

Playgroup term dates for your diary are:

Weds 9th April to Thursday 17th July
 Half term – Monday 26th May until Friday 30th May
Bank Holiday – Monday 5th May (no playgroup)