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We posted previously about the Department for Education’s Hungry Little Minds campaign which features tips and practical activities that parents can do at home with children to support their early learning. There are many simple ways to help children learn and it does not have to feel like ‘learning’. Having everyday conversations, make-believe play and reading together all make a big difference to children’s development.
We also want to direct parents to the BBC’s Tiny Happy People. Tiny Happy People is there to help you develop your child's communication skills. Explore their simple activities and play ideas to assist with your child's early development during this time. There are some great resources available online published on the Government website, which you can find here. Also remember, we are only at the end of the telephone and email. If you need help, ideas and/or guidance for your little one during this time, we are here for you to talk to. Stay home and keep safe. No one expects parents to act as teachers or childcare providers. Or to be able to provide all the activities that a nursery might. While children gain a lot from nursery, things that parents do at home can help their development more. How to help young children learn at home You can help your child to learn through the little things you do with them, for example:
Find ideas for new things you can try at Hungry Little Minds. You do not need to set separate time or plan complicated activities dedicated to learning. These activities can be built into everyday life and play. You know your child best. Avoid forcing them into lengthy planned activities if they naturally respond better to a mix of shorter activities. This can stop them getting bored or frustrated and keep them active, interested and learning through things they enjoy. Keeping a routine Do not worry about trying to keep to the full routine that your child had in nursery or with their childcare provider. However, children will feel more comfortable with a predictable routine, so try to make sure they:
Keeping active Young children should be active for at least 3 hours a day in total. It’s also good to get some fresh air every day. If you do not have a garden and are taking children outside to exercise, make sure you follow the rules on social distancing. While inside, there are plenty of things you can do to keep children active, such as:
Television and digital devices There are lots of ways to help your child to learn such as reading together and make-believe play. You can also use what they have watched on television or the internet to help their learning. Talk with them about what they are watching or use their favourite television characters in other games and activities. Digital devices such as a laptop, desktop, tablet or smartphone can help some children learn. If your child does use them, try downloading some apps that will help them learn. Set age-appropriate parental controls on any devices young children are using and supervise their use of websites and apps. See advice on keeping them safe online. Try sharing things your child makes with your friends and family online and encourage others to do the same. Your child might enjoy seeing things they have made on the screen or seeing what other children have done. You can also visit Hungry Little Minds for ideas of activities to do together without using a device. Socialising while social distancing Spending time with other children is important for your child’s development, but at the moment it is important that they stay at home. It will help them if everyone in the home talks with them through the day, responding to them and being led by the things they are interested in. Visit Hungry Little Minds for more information about talking with your child. If you can, try a video call with other children. Younger children may not have a conversation as you would, but they can share activities or show each other things they have made or like. Try a call with other people that your child knows, such as grandparents. Sit and do the call with them to help. If your child does not like it try again another time, or have a call with family members while you are sitting down and eating a meal. Try sitting with your child and looking at pictures of their friends or family. Talk about them and the things you have done together. Complete guidance is available here. Heres some useful guidance on food hygiene and social distancing when shopping, food packaging, food storage and use by and sell by dates of food. Stay home, save lives and protect the NHS.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-consumers-on-coronavirus-covid-19-and-food/guidance-for-consumers-on-coronavirus-covid-19-and-food Please see the latest guidance provided to all education establishments regarding coronavirus:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/866771/Coronavirus_advice_for_education_settings_poster.pdf TICKETS Tickets can be purchase on the door, so if you haven't already bought yours, that's absolutely fine - we have lots available on the night so you won't be turned away! Tickets are £1 for Adults and over 11's. Children under 11 go FREE! The outdoor part of the fair (including access to Santa's Grotto) is technically pushchair friendly (although it may be busy and difficult to get around with wheels!), but the inside is a little cramped! So please if you are bringing tiny ones, try and carry them where possible. MONEY TO SPEND ON STALLS Stalls are cash only - nothing is mega pricey so don't worry! It would help lots if people had £10 notes and under, as these will be easier for us to change for you :) but whatever you bring - we just so appreciate you coming and supporting our little Christmas Fair!!! Thank you in advance!!!!! WEATHER AND WHAT TO WEAR The Christmas Fair is half inside and half outside this year - and it will go ahead whatever the weather!! Half of the stalls will be outside under gazebo with sides and blow heaters, the other half is inside. There will be a room inside specifically with seating in for warming up with a hot drink and festive yummy treat. We like everyone to be as prepared as possible, so please do wear warm coats, hats, scarves, gloves and bring an umbrella just in case you need one at any point!The Christmas Fair is 24 hours away! We have included some useful information below if you will be joining us for some festive fun! CAR PARKING Station Road is a bus route, and can get very busy - there is parking along Station Road, but if all the 'passing points' are used for parking, no other cars and buses will be able to pass - which equals mayhem! So there are a few other nearby roads you can park in, which are all a few minutes walk away! The map below shows where the roads are in relation to nursery - we will have two very helpful parking attendants at nursery keeping an eye out in case any one needs directing! The roads to park in (in order of closest to nursery) are: Limited parking on site at nursery Pool Green Further up Station Road New Road Stone Lea (whilst it seems further away driving - there is a pedestrian cut through, and you can cross the road easily at the pedestrian crossing) Ringwood Avenue (whilst it seems further away driving - there is a pedestrian cut through, and you can cross the road easily at the pedestrian crossing) St Marys Way (whilst it seems further away driving - there is a pedestrian cut through, and you can cross the road easily at the pedestrian crossing)  WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE! :)
The Walsall Early Years team have contacted us to say they are starting to see an increase in confirmed/suspected norovirus outbreaks in the community.
We can all help to reduce the number of outbreaks by making sure everyone washes their hands. This should take as long as singing "Happy Birthday" twice (around 20 seconds) using warm water and liquid soap. Handwashing should be completed;
Please remember alcohol hand gel should not replace washing hands if hands are visibly soiled or when there are gastroenteritis (diarrhoea and vomiting) cases in your setting. This short video will show you how to properly wash your hands https://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/how-to-wash-hands.aspx It is also important to;
If you notice symptoms If someone develops symptoms of diarrhoea and/or vomiting - they are advised that they do not return to school/nursery/work until they are 48hrs symptom free. Please see NHS choices website for more information https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diarrhoea-and-vomiting/ More Information For further outbreak information please see chapter 4 using below link and appendix 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-in-schools-and-other-childcare-facilities Whilst we do not serve these drinks at nursery we know that many parents may have these at home and an alert has been issued due to the choking hazard of the lid. The items recalled are: 24 x 200ml Multi Pack Apple and Blackcurrant (Tesco and Costco) 200ml Single Apple and Blackcurrant (McDonalds) Further information can be found at: https://www.food.gov.uk/news-alerts/alert/fsa-prin-33-2019 Source - Food Standards Agency  To celebrate the birth of the new royal baby, Archie Harrison, Platform Room children have been painting lovely pictures!  A huge thank you to all parents, carers and children that have worked extremely hard on such lovely Easter creations. Well done to all who took part! Just a reminder that nursery will be closed on Friday 19th April and Monday 22nd April, reopening on Tuesday 23rd April . We hope you all have a wonderful Easter and a much deserved rest. From all at The Old Railway House Nursery, Happy Easter!     |
The Old Railway Care ConductorsWe'll keep you up-to-date with nursery news & events, as well as any important information we feel would be useful for you to know.
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