St Andrews Stepping Stones Toddler Club and Playgroup

Newsletter no 5

Dear Parents/Carers,

As we enter the last half of the summer term, we have a few updates for you and dates for your diary. Firstly, thank you to all those who supported our Summer Quiz night, which was a great success and very enjoyable. We made a total of £248.00 which is excellent.

Lighthouse Toys are running a “ Free Toys Scheme” until 31st August. For every £10.00 you spend you can collect 1 stamp on a collection card. Stepping Stones will then receive 50p for each stamp collected to use to purchase any item in the store. We would be really grateful if you could give us your completed cards and please remember to tell friends and family too.

This year the Stepping Stones float for the Histon Feast parade will have a Beach Party theme and the children have already been busy decorating buckets and sea scenes to use on this. If you would like your child to ride on the float, please add your details to the list at playgroup. The parade is on Sunday 29th June and starts at 3:00pm from Clay Street, all children must all be accompanied by an adult.

We will be having a stall at the Feast Market on 5th July on Histon Green from 8:30am-12:30pm. Come and guess the name of the Teddy Bear and the weight of the Teddy Cake. We will also be selling cakes so if you are able to bake something for us to sell on the day that would be really helpful.

The playgroup children will be having a group photo taken on Monday 30th June. If you child does not usually come to playgroup on a Monday you are welcome to bring them along for this. The photo will be taken at 11:15am so please arrive just before this.

On Monday 7th July, Professor Pop from Bubbleon will join us for the playgroup session sharing a bubble extravaganza with the children. Again you are welcome to bring along any playgroup children that do not usually attend on a Monday as long as you stay with them to ensure the correct adult/child ratios.

Our next coffee morning at the Church Halls will be Monday 14th July and will be your last chance to join us for homemade cakes, cappuccinos and to buy your cards until September!

Our end of term playgroup party will once again be a Summer Picnic on Monday 21st July at Milton Country Park. Meeting at 10:00am at the play park, there will be a short nature walk and then a “bring-your-own” picnic lunch and time to play. Younger/older siblings welcome. If you have any problems with transport please let the staff know and we will try to put you in touch with someone who has space in their car.

A few events we already have planned for next term will include a Table Top Sale on Saturday 13th September at the Church Halls. The cost of a table will be £7.50 and then any profit you make is yours to keep. If you are interested in booking a table then please call Cathy on 234669.

We are also planning a couple of Christmas Shopping Evenings at Daisy Chain and Lighthouse Toys in Oct/Nov - further details to follow.

We will be holding our Committee AGM on 29th September at 8:00pm at the Church Halls. Join us for wine and nibbles and an over view of what the committee has achieved this academic year and what our plans are for the future. We are lucky to have a large committee at present but will be losing some members as their children move on, so there will be spaces available if you are interested in coming on board. Being on the committee gives you the opportunity to share in the decisions made for all our groups, organise fund raising events and generally ensure that you get the best out of the time your children spend with us, not forgetting enjoying the social side of it too! Alternatively if you feel that you can’t make a firm commitment but would be happy for us to call on you to help with our events, either manning a stall or baking a cake amongst other things then perhaps you could join our Helping Hands team who do precisely this! If you would like more information on the committee or the Helping Hands team, then please feel free to speak to either of us.

Finally, as the weather seems to be improving please remember to apply suncream to you child before playgroup and send then with a hat and a water bottle.

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