Thundersley Congregational Church Christian Preschool

Newsletter

November/December 2024

 Welcome back to preschool after the half term break. This term will be quite a busy one so please read this for information.

Photographer – there will be a photographer in preschool on 19^th November. All are welcome. The photographer will be at preschool from 8:00am so you can bring along siblings/family to be included. Details will be in preschool.

Christmas Service – our annual Christmas service will be held on Sunday 1^st December at 3:00pm. All children will be taking part and families are invited to attend.

Christmas Jumper Day – this is on 9^th December. However, we will be holding this event all week from 9^th – 13^th December. If you would like to make a donation please see Terri or Annette.

Christmas Party – Friday 13^th December from 10.30am - 1:30pm. All children are invited. Details will follow. This is the last day of term. 

Spring Term - first day of term is Monday 6^th January 2025.

On-line Safety – Online safety is very important for all children. Please see attached information at the bottom of this news letter regarding this.

Two year funding – as you may be aware the government are giving funding for two year olds who qualify for it from April 2024. If your child is eligible you will need to apply via the government website and email the code along with your national insurance number to tcc.preschool@hotmail.co.uk so we can apply for the funding.  Funding for two year olds from January 2025 will need to be applied for before the end of the Autumn term. If you do not apply before the cut-off date you will not receive the funding for the spring term.  The links for applying and for information are https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ , https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working. This funding will need to be renewed every three months. The government send you an email to remind you to do this.

Labels – Please ensure you label ALL your child’s belongings including bags, snack/lunch boxes, water bottles, sun hats, sun cream, shoes etc. This is very important so things belonging to your child do not go astray or get taken by another child.

Fees – please check your emails for your invoices. Fees are £20.00 per session and lunch club is £3.50 per day. The fees are due to be paid at the beginning of each half term but will need to be paid by Friday 29^th November 2024, at the latest. If fees are not paid by the payment date and a reminder has to be sent a £10.00 admin charge will be added to the invoice. Payments can be paid by BACS (the preferred method) or cash. If you have any issues with payments, please speak to Terri.

Sickness/illness – In line with current Government guidelines we would like to remind you NOT to send your child in if they are at all unwell, even with coughs and colds. There are a lot of viruses about at the moment and it is unfair on your child and on staff if they are ill. Also, if you need to give your child Calpol or any medication do not send your child in as it may be masking another illness. If staff become infected, it will interfere with the continued running of the setting. If preschool needs to call you regarding your child, please ensure you answer your phone as they will need to be collected if they are ill. If your child is prescribed antibiotics please keep them off for the first 48 hours of starting the medication in case of an allergic reaction, unless it is a repeat course of treatment.

Snacks – We will be continuing with our policy of parents providing their child’s snack. We do ask that you supply your child with a healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, cheese or breadstick) and not biscuits, chocolate or sweets. Please remember to cut grapes lengthways and to cut up tomatoes and to stick to recommended age-appropriate portion size. A letter was emailed previously with guidelines for portion size appropriate for young children and healthy snack and lunch options. If you would like a copy of this emailed to you please ask.

Drop off/Pick up – Preschool times are mornings 8.45 – 11.45 and afternoons 12.30 – 3.30. Please do not be late picking your child up. If someone other than the main carers are dropping off or picking up your child, please inform Terri or Annette of the name and contact number of that person. They will need to know your child’s password.

Please could you keep us updated with your email address and check your inbox regularly for updates. Please also ensure you inform us of any change of address or telephone number.

Shared care – if your child goes to a child minder, another preschool or nursery please let Terri or Annette know they have shared care with another setting.

Please do not allow children to bring items in from home, especially toys and comforters (unless it is relevant to the topic and will go straight into the box on arrival) as they can transmit germs.

Diary Dates

2024/2025 Term Dates

Autumn Term

2^nd September 2024 – 13^th December 2024

19^th November – Photographer – details to follow

1^st December – Christmas service – 3:00pm - details to follow

13^th December - Christmas Party – 10:30 – 1:30pm for all children. Speak to Terri or Annette for details

Spring Term

6^th January 2025 – 28^th March 2025

Half Term – 17^th – 21^st February 2025

Summer Term

22^nd April 2025 – 18^th July 2025

Half Term – 26^th – 30^th May 2025

May Day Bank Holiday – Monday 5^th May 2025

Please note the Easter holidays 2025 will be for three weeks and not two like the schools. This is due to the number of weeks funding we receive.

We will continue communicating via email, Facebook, and our website. 

Online safety - how to spot the signs of exploitation, check device security settings and report concerns.

The first half term back at school is almost complete for many children and young people across the county, but the risks of online abuse remain a threat which young people and their parents/carers should be aware of.

It’s also spooky season and there is the possibility that children may take their Halloween celebrations online. This could result in sharing frightening content and peer pressure to undertake harmful online challenges. The addictive effects of technology could also impact on mental health.

From the 21-27 October the Essex Safeguarding Children Board (ESCB) and partners are encouraging people across Essex to take part in sharing messages about online safety across social media.

The week of activity will cover topics including youth involved sexual images, online gaming, and online safety for pre-schoolers. There will be information on how to support young people to have healthy relationships in a digital world and the importance of supporting them to understand the dangers that technology can present with relationships.

Any child is at risk of being exploited - both boys and girls can be groomed online, with contact often starting on social media. It is important to remember that exploitation is not the child’s fault, and they are never to blame.

Caregivers can create a supportive environment, where online safety is discussed regularly in the same way as road safety or stranger danger, enabling children to speak up about any concerns they may have. By taking an interest in what games they are playing and trying to understand their online world, parents and carers can initiate important conversations. It’s also worthwhile double checking that devices have the correct parental controls, especially if they’re new.

The ESCB website has resources for parents, carers and professionals including podcasts, videos, how to report concerns, and information about spotting the signs of exploitation.

Concerns about child exploitation can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers 0800 555111. There is also a dedicated Essex Police Child Exploitation hotline - for parents, carers and members of the public to seek advice around concerns they may have about their own or other children with regards to criminal and sexual exploitation: 01245 452058.