September 2022 Newsletter Dee's Childcare

Welcome back

We would like to say a big welcome to all our new children and families and also to all the ones returning after the holidays. We have lots of new children joining us, we hope you will be very happy here, have lots of fun, learn some awesome new stuff and make new friends.

Goodbye and Goodluck to our Pre-School Class of 2022

We had a beautiful ceremony saying goodbye to our pre-schoolers and wishing them all the best as they start their journeys at big school.

October is Black History Month!

Dee's Childcare Pays Tribute To Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Her Majesty dedicated her life to the service of the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth for over 70 years, and has been a reassuring guiding light as our Head of State and inspiring leader around the world. The sense of affection and respect from her people is evident in the sense of loss that is felt all around the world.

DfE confirms planned bank holiday to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth's state funeral. The government has confirmed that the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will be held on Monday 19 September 2022 and as a result, this day will be a national bank holiday and therefore the daycare will be closed.

Payment of Fees

Please make your payments into Dee's Childcare - Account Number: 66963224, Sort Code: 09-01-29. Payments are due 1st of each month in advance there will be a £10.00 charge for every day the payments are not received.

Should parents choose to pay using childcare vouchers it is their responsibility to ensure payments arrive on time or late fees will be incurred.

Payment for activities

Please take note, payments for activities, events and visits are required to be made into a different bank account. In this regard please make your payments for activities, events and visits into the following: Account name: Dee's Childcare Ltd Account number: 53560714, Sort Code: 09-01-28.

We take the children on many outings including but not restricted to: trips to the beach, the zoo, farms, open spaces, woodlands and parks. cinema, soft play, library sessions, and sensory play groups. Parents will be informed of fees prior to outings and can opt-out. We are currently offering French lessons in partnership with Lingotots Bexley, Soft Play @Plumstead Library, GymTots @ Europa Gymnastics Club, Crayford, and Physical Education (PE) in association with Super Star Sports. Parents can opt for their child to participate and are required to pay all fees. Full details will be provided prior to the event.

Upcoming Events

As is customary we will be taking the Butterflies Group for our annual Ice Skating trip to the Queens' House Greenwich.

Father Christmas is coming to town at Ruxley Manor where we hope to be taking the Caterpillars and Cocoons.

We are also hoping to take the Cocoons and Butterflies to Robin Hood Pantomime @ Greenwich Theatre we will keep you posted once the dates have been confirmed.

Price Increase for January 2023

Please be advised that due to the astronomical rise in the cost of food, fuel, and utility prices Dee's Childcare, is feeling the pinch.

Although we do not want to compromise on our quality of experiences for the children, the impact of these external factors makes future price increases unavoidable.

With this in mind, we are forwarning all of our families of an anticipated 2.5% increase in charges across the board, effective January 2023. Further information will be provided at a later date.

Cost of living Survey

With costs of food and fuel rising and the continuing impact of food poverty, we are working on a short survey to help us understand the need and plan support for our families. More details will follow soon.

Greenwich Supports Flyer

Update your entry on the Greenwich Community Directory – check your current entry here: Children and Families | Greenwich Community Directory and contact our Families Information Service with any updates you would like added at fis@royalgreenwich.gov.uk or call 0208 921 6921 if you need to discuss your entry.

Signal

In line with GDRP and our Privacy Policy, we use the 'Signal App' for phone correspondence with our parents, please install the app onto your device so that we can add you to the following groups:

- Caterpillars & Cocoons: – where you will receive the weekly plan and updates regarding things happening within the setting for children under5

- Parents Forum: – where you will receive our termly newsletter and other information and updates pertaining to the setting as a whole.

- Personal information or changes to contractual days/hours should be provided via the private message function on Babysdays.

By signing the contract with us, you gave your commitment to log into the system on a daily/weekly basis, to actively support our aspirations for your child, and satisfy Ofsted requirements for a demonstrated working partnership with parents. The system provides parental access to view all our policies and permissions, contracts, your child’s learning journal, daily notes with photos and videos, medical records, invoices, and attendance registers to name a few.

By entering into this contract, you are giving your commitment to continuously work in partnership with Dee’s Childcare. In that regard, we require parents to log in to Babysdays to view children’s development records, make comments, sign registers, read and sign documents as required, update information, and make observations of the child’s development at home on a weekly basis.

Parents of the Month Award

Working in partnership with our parents and families is at the forefront of the organisation. We recognize that parents are their child’s first educators and aim to build solid, open, and honest partnerships with them by involving parents and carers from the very first visit to the Daycare, transition period, settling in, and daily chats, to sharing of resources, communications, social events, and information sessions.

We will work together to provide the support needed to develop children to fulfill their potential at each stage of their development.

For a successful partnership, we need the same effort on both sides, therefore, to encourage the parents to participate actively we have introduced Parent of the Month award.

Summer BBQ