If you are a family on a low income you could get food vouchers for your children over the Christmas period.

The money to pay for these vouchers has come from the government through its COVID-19 winter grant scheme which is over and above the other support schemes already provided by Derbyshire County Council.

The family of every child who gets free school meals in Derbyshire schools because of low income can get a £30 food voucher for the Christmas holidays. You will get another voucher in February if you are still eligible, the amount will depend on the number of children who qualify at that time. Some other families are also eligible based on financial hardship.

You will receive vouchers if you meet one of the following criteria:

• Have a child aged 3 to 18 in a Derbyshire school (nursery to year 13), eligible for free school meals because of low household income.

• Have a child aged 3 or 4 not in a Derbyshire school nursery that receives free childcare and qualifies for 'pupil premium' based on low income (this is sometimes called 'economic funding').

• Have a child aged 2 that is eligible for free 2-year-old childcare because of low household income.

You do not need to do anything if your child already meets these criteria (see our website for full terms and conditions). We will contact you and you should receive a payment by email or text message that should arrive by 21 December 2020.

If you have children and you do not currently claim free school meals or meanstested free childcare you may still be eligible.

For full details of the scheme or to see what help and support is available, please visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/winter

16 December 2020

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a busy and exciting term we have had at Ripley Nursery School and Ripley Nursery School Childcare.

Our children, staff and parents have been amazing in working together and, despite the disruption due to the enforced periods of isolation, the children have all settled well in school and childcare, developed new and exisiting friendships and have displayed high levels of engagement and persistence in their learning.

 We pride ourselves on giving our young children access to learn in both indoor and outdoor rich learning environments and this gives our young children multiple opportunities to thrive, to develop resilience, to learn new skills, tackle challenges and problem-solve in practical and co-operative ways.

Next term I will be away from school for health reasons and in my absence Donna Brown will take on the role of Acting Head. We have a strong leadership team and governing board here at  Ripley Nursery School and Childcare who will be supported in turn by our dedicated Derbyshire Education Advisors.

Your points of contact will continue to be your class keyworkers,  Kerry Hartwell, School Business Manager, Annabel Martin and finally Donna Brown, Acting Headteacher.

Please be extra mindful and cautious at this time; we are asking you to monitor your child’s or your own health carefully and consider whether you need to take additional precautions if anyone within your bubble has any symptom from change or loss of smell through to cold type symptoms. Currently the administration staff are working remotely; if you have any concerns or queries, including those relating to symptoms please email kerry.hartwell@ripley-nur.derbyshire.sch.uk as we may be unable to answer the telephone promptly.

I wish you all a happy and safe Christmas period – it may not be a regular Christmas holiday however it is a time to enjoy and relax with our close family. If we all follow guidance and keep safe we have the wonderful promise of happier and busier times ahead.

Kind regards,

Cathy Bednal

Head of Ripley Nursery School & Ripley Nursery School Childcare