When we find something we think might help, we’ll make sure to add it to our funcare blog. This is our latest list of local harrogate activities, groups, events and centres for parents:

Minos

If you are a new mum feeling low, isolated or struggling with the demands of a baby, ask your GP, Health Visitor or PSA about the MINOS group. This friendly and informal group of mums and volunteers are here to support you. MINOS is open to mums who have been referred only.

Speech Therapy Drop in Sessions

Is your child talking? Do you have any concerns? Open sessions with qualified speech and language therapists. No appointment needed. Please arrive 30 minutes before the end of the session. For more information contact the Child Development Centre on 01423 553122.

Portage Playtime

For children with additional needs. Music and play sessions for children and their carers. They help children to build on their communication and social skills. A chance to meet other parents in a relaxed and safe Environment at Bilton Children’s Centre.

If you have a local event, activity, group or centre and would like mention on our blog, please contact us.

STAFF
We are sad to report that after many years at PlayAway, Adam has left nursery. We know that the children and staff will miss him tremendously and hope you will join us in wishing him all the best for the future.
A big welcome to Grace Cook who has joined our pre-school team. Grace has a degree in Sociology and Education and we look forward to her sharing all her knowledge with us and bringing exciting new ideas to our pre-school.

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH
To our employee of the month for February SUE
For always keeping me so well informed, and for being the most enthusiastic singer!!

BABIES
To our parents, we wish you all lots of joy and happiness with your new babies.

TOP TIPS FOR TALKING

MARCH – Make sure your child is listening to you before you start to talk

APRIL – Provide interesting activities and opportunities to promote talking.

SAINSBURY’S ACTIVE KIDS VOUCHERS
Please note that we are now collecting these vouchers. If you would like to contribute to this there is a box on the desk by the front door for you to pop them into. The more we collect the more resources we can get so your help and shopping trips are much appreciated.

DOWN SYNDROME DAY
Thank you everyone who contributed towards this and supported our CRAZY HAIR DAY!! We raised £50 for the Bradford Down Syndrome Group.

NURSERY TRIP 2011: Thornton Hall Farm Country Park
Please make a note in your diaries that our nursery trip this year will be on Friday 24 June. All families are welcome to join us. A letter will be sent out soon giving more details.

GOLD AWARD FOR ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE

AWARDS

We are proud to announce that we have received our GOLD award for Achieving Excellence – The North Yorkshire Quality Assurance Scheme. Well done to the Staff Team for their hard work and dedication towards working through all 8 modules. A job well done everyone!!!

SUN PROTECTION
We do provide Asda factor 30 Sensitive Sun cream for the children. If you would prefer to use anything different please bring your own in which will be kept for your child.
Please also ensure children are dressed appropriately for warmer weather and that their shoulders are covered. A copy of our policy will be forwarded to you shortly via parentmail.

CHATTERBOXES
PLEASE COULD I REMIND YOU ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S CHATTERBOX. THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO DEVELOP CONFIDENCE AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND CELEBRATE INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE PLEASE SPEAK TO A MEMBER OF STAFF AND THEY WILL SHOW YOU AN EXAMPLE.

Play Away Nursery, part of the Funcare Ltd group of Harrogate Nurseries, will be taking part in this year’s Toddle Waddle, the annual fundraiser for The Meningitis Trust, with the toddlers themselves raising funds for what is a very important cause.

Taking place on 15th May, The Toddle Waddle is a fun way for under-5s to help to raise awareness of meningitis with their very own sponsored walk through Harrogate’s wonderful Valley Gardens.

Although meningitis can affect anyone, of any age, at any time, over half of the reported cases are in children under the age of 5. Toddle Waddle was created to engage this age group and their parents, grandparents, nursery teachers and child minders – thus spreading awareness of the disease and its signs and symptoms where it is needed.

The under-5s are an ‘at risk’ group for the disease, with meningitis killing more of this age group than any other infectious disease in the UK. It’s not hard to see why it’s also the disease that parents fear the most.

Toddle Waddle organiser Steve Williams of The Meningitis Trust says: “Over the last eight years, this event has raised £2million for the Trust. With no Government funding, we rely on voluntary donations to continue our work. Events such as Toddle Waddle are essential to raising these funds. Toddle Waddle not only raises vital funds to help in the fight against meningitis, but it also promotes important awareness of the disease.”

Though the purpose of the event is to raise money for a very serious cause, the Toddle Waddle itself is a fun event for all the family, with toddlers and other under-5s waddling alongside their parents, grandparents, brothers and sisters in a party atmosphere.

For more details, please email playaway@funcareltd.co.uk

National Childbirth Trust

As well as taking a stall at the recent National Childbirth Trust Nearly New Sale, we will also be showcasing our nurseries at the forthcoming morning at Winkies in Knaresborough.

The event will run from 9:30am-12:30pm and for only £4 per adult families can come along and get free play at Winkies, sample activities with their children, including French for Fidgets, Enjoy-a-ball, Singamajigs and Baby Ballet. Every adult will be given a goody bag with the NCT out and about guide inside.

Welcome to our November Newsletter. We’ve got so much to tell you!

Important Dates:

1. Parents Evening : Wednesday 18th November 6.30 - 8.30. Have you booked your time slot?

christmas bells

2. Christmas Party : Wednesday 16th December Babies and Toddlers 10.30 - 12.30, Pre-school 2.30 - 4.30. *if your child does not attend that day, you are welcome to bring them along, but you will have to stay with them due to staffing ratios and numbers

3. Nursery Nativity Play : Friday 18th  December, Christ Church, 2.00pm. Everyone welcome!! A nursery video will be take that can be purchased. Parents are welcome to take photographs of their child.

4. Christmas Card Orders : must be in by November 25th. Sorry no late orders accepted.

5. Children in Need : We are regular supporters of this worthy charity. This year we are having a pyjama and bring a bear day!!! Friday 20th November

6. Christmas and New Year Times : please note that we will be open from 7am - 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Please ask for a form when you come to see us next, so that we know who will be in nursery between Christmas and new year, and return it to us as soon as possible. Best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and New Year with your family.

7. Good luck to the staff team for 27th November at the National Nursery Awards! In our eyes you are all winners regardless of the result.

8. Employee of the month for September is Sue, for always going the extra mile. For October, the winner is Mira, for her wonderful meals, helping everyone out and being patient. Goodbye Katrina, we will miss you stacks as you move back to Woodlands. You have been a star! Welcome to Sam! We are so glad that you are now with us full time in the baby room.