CSG Playgroup NewsletterMarch 11th 2019

This week at playgroup

Dear Parents and Carers

Thank you so much for your support with World Book Day the children looked fantastic and they really seemed to enjoy dressing up and talking about their characters. The nursery children enjoyed looking at Mr Men this week and they have done some fantastic drawings – look out for them!

The children had lots of fun in the meadow on Thursday afternoon! Lots of physical activity and work with tools and not forgetting lighting the fire for crumpets! Melanie has been a huge hit with the children and she has commented on what a great group of children they are with all of them keen to try everything. Next week she is planning a treasure hunt. There are places available speak to a member of the team or email us if you would like a slot. (£15 1-3pm)

REMINDERS

Please do not enter playgroup without being advised to do so by a member of staff. A member of staff will come and open the gate. This is part of our safeguarding policy. (Please be aware that management may enter early)

Don’t forget to decorate your child’s folder and return it to playgroup this week.

Please don’t forget to upload photos of your children at home and out for days on Babysdays - it is lovely to see what they get up to at home and informs us about their progress and interests.

ALL children received a world book day token please check your child’s mat.

If you are unsure of who your child’s keyworker is then please look on the register next to their name or ask a mem-ber of staff.

Marie will be sending out an email about the 2 year old questionnaire please look out for this and ask if you have any questions.

DONATIONS: We are in need of the following NAPPIES (no pull ups), WIPES and TISSUES. Many thanks

Please can ALL parents upload a photo of the family onto Babysdays this is part of the planning for next week and our work on “my family”

MOTHER’S DAY

We are inviting dads, grandads, uncles, brothers to come into playgroup on 26th and 28th March to make mummys, nannys, aunties or friends a little present. Please let the males in your life know and let staff know who will be attending. The activity will cost £2 and you will receive a lovely gift!

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COFFEE MORNING

Thanks you so much to the mums and their children for being so well behaved at the coffee morning. It was great to have a general catch up and also start planning for the fun day!

What do we need now?

We will be hosting another coffee morning on Wednesday 20 th March.

We have a team of mums asking for raffle prizes and sponsorship in local villages but we need a few more. Any volunteers?

Below is a list of stalls that we need sponsoring:

BBQ (sponsorship costs of meat, buns, condiments, serviettes etc)

BOUNCY CASTLE (£150)

HOOK A DUCK (PRIZES) (£50)

LUCKY DIP (PRIZES) (£50)

SWEET STALL (£50)

Most of the other stalls have minimal costs. So if you have any contacts with companies then please let them know. I will also write a sponsorship letter and send this to you all this week.

Demonstrations – again it is always nice to have some performances like dance, or free sessions like playball. If you have any groups/companies that you know might be interested then please let me know via email csg_playgroup@btinternet.com

I will also be sending out a letter for external stall holders, in the past we have had local clothing brands, Usborne books, Aloe products, Hartbeeps.

The MAIN thing we need from parents, friends and family are donations for the tombola (booze, smellies, gift sets for adults and toys, games, books, cuddly toys for children. Please bring these to playgroup NOW.

I will also be bring a box to playgroup for “Jolly Jar” donations this is basically “tat” from party bags and Macdonalds happy meals, stickers, sweets, rubbers, pencils – the stuff kids love and adults hate! So this is a chance to clear it out and give it to a good cause rather than the bin!

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CARRIE THE PHOTOGRAPHER IS BACK!LAST CHANCE TO BOOK THIS WEEKThis is a great opportunity to have the family/children photographed. We have used Carrie for many years and she always takes gorgeous photos.

WHEN? 16th March

WHO? ALL families are welcome, you don't have to attend playgroup.

£5 for the sitting, There is a minimum of 5 families required for the day to go ahead.

Each family will have a 20 mins time slot.

Please contact playgroup or comment below if you wish to book a slot.

csg_playgroup@btinternet.com

TOILET TRAINING

Toilet training is one of those child developmental stages parents can find frustrating and complex. Making the trans-ition from nappy to toilet can certainly be a challenge. Here are some tips we can suggest to the parents whose children seem to be ready:

Choose the right time and approaching toilet training in a calm, patient manner. By the age of three, 9 out of 10 children are dry most days, so start talking about potties and going to the toilet

as soon as they show an interest. Consistency is vital. Try not to go back and forth between nappies and toilet training, and wearing underwear Encourage the child to sit on the potty after each meal. Encourage and praise every time they try, even if nothing happens Talk about toilet training with your little one, sit them quietly, perhaps with a book to look at, is a good way to

get children used to going on the potty. If toilet training isn’t going well and you and your child are getting frustrated, try not to worry. Leave it for an-

other month and try again, taking it more slowly and perhaps use an incentive such as a reward chart. We will communicate to parents when nappies are constantly dry, when children are trying etc... and we will

support you with the potty training!

VOLUNTEERS

We are always looking for parent/friends volunteers and “bank” staff if you are interested then please email csg_play-group@btinternet.com.

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Important Dates

26th and 28th March - Mother’s Day Activity (see details above)

w/c 18th March Nursery home learning – look out!

4th April – Term ends for ALL

Easter Egg hunt – Good Friday start at 11:30 on the village green.

29th April – Term starts for the children

Annual Fun Day –SUNDAY 12th May

FUN DAY

12TH MAY 2018 11AM – 2PMDear All

For those of you that are new or the oldies that have forgotten here is some information about the Fun Day which will take place in May.

This is playgroups biggest fundraising event and in the past this has raised nearly £3000. It is a really fun day which famil-ies and friends enjoy every year.

The event takes place on the field by playgroup from 11-2 (set up from 10).  It is essentially like a school fete with a bouncy castle, tombola, kid’s activities, refreshments  and a BBQ as well as some external stalls and demonstrations.

What do we need from parents?

Obviously this is a big event for playgroup where lots of money is raised to buy resources which provide opportunities for our children.  The event cannot take place without the support of all of our families and every year we are overwhelmed by the help we receive from everyone in the community.

It really is a lovely day where the playgroup community and the village come together and we are all very much looking forward to the event this year.

We thank you as always for your support with our fundraising events.    All of the money raised helps to keep playgroup open and provide more opportunities and experiences for the children.

If you have any questions after reading this or any ideas or suggestions then please contact myself either by email or mo-bile (07891455871).

BEFORE THE EVENT

Sponsorship

We need approximately 4 people to get sponsorship for the day, this is ideal if you think you have contacts to pursue.  If companies/people sponsor a particular stall we can put up their advertising in return or handout flyers.  In the past famil-ies with businesses have sponsored the BBQ (£150), Yaldens have donated gas in previous years.  In the past we have managed to get about £800 sponsorship

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Raffle

Prizes are sourced by 1-2 parents per village.  There is a template letter to send or give to companies when asking for donations as well as a list of companies that have donated in the past. (Areas, CSG, CSP, Amersham, Old Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross, Chorleywood, National companies/out of areas).  If you live in an area or have contacts then this job is ideal.

Bouncy Castle and Inflatables

These are a big success and have raised up to £300.  Ideally we like to get this sponsored.  If you have any contacts then let us know.

Attractions and Demos

It is always fun to have other attractions at the event last year we had a racing car and a Stormtrooper and we have had dancing and kids activity demonstrations in the past such as cheerleading and Jo Jingles.  Again if any parents have con-tacts then please let us know or if you have any ideas for attractions for 2019.

External Stalls

We have external companies with stalls at the event.  Stalls are £20 in advance or  £15 + a raffle prize. Previous stalls in-clude  Usborne Books, Aloe Vera, Better Gym, craft stalls.  If you would like a stall or know someone who would then please let me know and I will send out a booking form.  Stall holders must provide their own gazebo.

Gazebos

As you can imagine we have to prepare for all weathers! In the past we have had gloriously sunny days.  Therefore we need to borrow as many gazebos as possible.  Playgroup have some but not enough for everybody.  We will put out a re-minder out but please let us know ASAP if you can lend us one on the day.

Tombola Donations and Jolly Jar donations

We will be asking for donations for the adult and toy tombola as well as Jolly Jars. A message will come out nearer the time but please keep hold of any unwanted wine, gifts, kids toys in good condition, bottles of drink, tins of biscuits etc. (in date please!).  Jolly Jars are a big hit and a great way to get rid of some tat like McDonald’s toys, party bag fillers etc.  We will provide more information before the Easter holidays.

PA System

Does anyone have a PA system? Or is anyone keen to be our announcer on the day? If this is you please let us know  Refreshments provided.

Cakes

Are you a keen baker? We provide afternoon tea as a refreshment so we ask families to bakes cakes and scones.

ON THE DAY

Please let us know ASAP if you are NOT available on the day.We ask all parents and any extra family members who are available to help on the day.  Obviously, you will want to enjoy the day with your family too so we provide a rota for the day, with slots for setting up, and hour slots thereafter. This will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.

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