Due to the heavy snowfall and the associated risks with travelling, the nursery will be closed today.

The safety of our children, families, and staff is our highest priority. Road and pavement conditions are currently hazardous, and we do not want anyone to put themselves at risk trying to reach the nursery site.

Thank you for your understanding and support. 

Please stay safe and warm.

CANCELLED

Coping with Conflict - Coffee Morning at Ripley Junior School

Please see these tips and resources on how to keep children safe online

https://parentsafe.lgfl.net/

We understand that toilet training can be a challenging and sometimes stressful time for families, and we want to reassure you that we are here to support you and your child every step of the way. If your child wears a pull-up at home most of the time, please send them to nursery in a pull-up too.

This consistency helps us work together to introduce pants when your child is ready, making the transition smoother for everyone. It’s very common for children to experience some regression in their toileting habits when they first start nursery.

The nursery environment is busy and exciting, and children often become so engrossed in play that they may forget they need the toilet or not make it in time. Please don’t worry—this is a normal part of settling in. As your child becomes familiar with the rhythm and routine of the nursery day, they will gain confidence and independence in managing their toileting needs.

To help your child be as independent as possible, please dress them in clothes they can easily pull up and down themselves. If you have any concerns or questions, please speak to your child’s key worker. We are here to support you and your child throughout this journey.

For additional guidance and support at home, we recommend the following resources: ERIC – Potty Training Advice, https://eric.org.uk/potty-training/ Anna Freud Centre – Toileting Difficulties, https://www.annafreud.org/resources/under-fives-wellbeing/common-difficulties/toileting/ NHS – How to Potty Train, https://www.nhs.uk/baby/babys-development/potty-training-and-bedwetting/how-to-potty-train/#:~:text=Having%20a%20book%20to%20look,try%20using%20a%20sticker%20chart.

Thank you for working with us to support your child’s development.

We’re thrilled to share a video from a music initiative we've been involved in over the past year — the Loop Project!

This inspiring work focuses on early years development and explores how music and sound can be embedded into our nursery setting. Collaborating with talented musicians, the project highlights how children themselves can play a vital role in shaping musical experiences in their environments.

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are writing to inform you of an important change regarding the use of government-funded hours within our childcare and nursery setting, effective from 1 January 2026.

From this date, our after-school club will no longer be included within the government-funded nursery hours. This means that if you wish to use the after school club, it will now be chargeable.

We understand that this may be an adjustment for some families, and we have worked hard to keep our charges as low as possible. The new rates will be:

·        3:30pm – 4:30pm: £8.00 per session

·        3:30pm – 5:45pm: £16.00 per session

Please be assured that any children currently attending our setting will continue under their existing contracts, and these changes will not affect them. However, if your child is moving from one setting to the other then the charges will apply at the new setting.

This has been a difficult decision, but due to increasing demand and limited space, we must adapt the way we operate to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality care for all children.

We remain committed to offering the best possible environment for your child’s development and wellbeing. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this change may affect you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding.

Warm regards,

Nicola Brown

Headteacher 

Keeping Children Safe in Hot Weather

Once again, temperatures are expected to be high for the rest of this week and whilst many of us look forward to this, high temperatures can be dangerous for children, this can range from mild heat stress and potentially life-threatening heatstroke. Try to help children to adjust their behaviour by offering shade, changing activity times, choices of activities and changes to uniform.

Please find the information below and attached, which you can distribute among your staff, parents, and caregivers to help protect children from the heat.

 Key points for Education and Early Years Providers during hot weather  

Please note the guidance for looking after children during hot weather : Looking after children and those in early years settings before and during hot weather: teachers and other educational professionals - GOV.UK It is predicted that there will be more periods of hotter weather in future years so any changes or investment in buildings or resources you make now will help in the future.

Key points from the guidance to take note of are:- 

·         Look at timing of events where children, staff and parents/carers are spending time outdoors. Avoid the hottest part of the day between 11am to 3pm. Children should not take part in strenuous physical activity on very hot days 

·         Encourage shade during outside breaks, sun cream and hats for both children and adults 

·         Encourage frequent fluid intake across children and adults – assess access to water points and toilets to increase water intake 

·         Know the signs of heat illness and the actions to take   

·         Look at creating shade including with blinds, shutters, sun awnings and planting 

·         Look at the guidance for reducing Indoor air temperature  Beat the heat: keep cool at home checklist - GOV.UK

·         Communicating resources including the attached and Beat the Heat Beat the heat: hot weather advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)  

Sign up to Heat- Health Alerts to ensure you are alerted to periods of hot weather in order to take appropriate action -  https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service  

Many thanks for your support.

The Health Protection Team