Spring Term 2026

Monday 5^th January to Friday 27^th March 2026

Half term: Monday 16^th to Friday 20^th February

 

Dear parents/carers,

 

Welcome back after the Christmas break, we trust you all had a relaxing break and enjoyed spending time with friends and family. This term brings the arrival of some new children, and we extend a warm welcome to them and their parents/carers.

Each week a new policy is added to the notice board in the corridor for you to read and sign. We would appreciate you spending a couple of minutes reading this as it helps us in our annual review of policies, whilst also ensuring that you are aware of policies and procedures within the setting. Lots of useful information can be found on our website.

Please note:
We are now a cash free setting. Please pay your fees and donations via bank transfer, all details are on your fee letter.

Starting school applications:

The deadline for applying for a school place is Thursday 15 January 2026.

To apply for a school place, or for more information on applying, please go to www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions.  also read the starting school booklet and the application checklist.

Please remember we are phasing in our new hours this term, make a note of the new start and finish times for your child.

In the interest of safety can you please use the car park opposite when dropping off or collecting your child/ren. It can get very congested and difficult to see oncoming traffic if parents park right in front of the preschool.

May we remind you that we have a ‘no dogs policy’ on the premises; please refrain from bringing your dogs to playschool and tying them up as some of our children have phobias about dogs.

 

Tapestry Learning Journals:

Please remember to add your Christmas fun pictures to your tapestry journal, we will look at them with the children to encourage them to talk about their home and experiences.

We depend very much on the goodwill of parents and carers. If you would like to make a financial donation or if you feel like volunteering in any role no matter how big or small, please speak to Sophie, our chairperson, whom you can contact via email.

Donations needed this term:

• Play Sand
• Sticky tape
• Pritt stick
• Compost
• Hand wash
• Antibacterial spray

 

Fundraising event:
A huge thank you to everyone who supported our annual Pumpkin Party, and our Christmas raffle. We made an amazing £880, and this has helped us provide new toys and resources for the children.

Our next fundraising event will be the annual sponsored Easter egg hunt starting the week of the Monday 16^th March all week. Further information to follow next half term.

 

NEW TERM REMINDERS:

•  Please send your child to preschool with a labelled bag containing a change of clothes (please label), nappies and wipes.
• Please ensure your child comes to preschool in appropriate clothing, remembering that we DO go outside in ALL WEATHERS. You need to provide waterproof coat, waterproof trousers and wellington boots. (LABEL CLEARLY)
• We get messy a lot!! I cannot guarantee that our exciting activities won’t stain clothes and although we provide aprons for children, we cannot make them wear them, so old clothes are essential.

Illness:

At preschool we promote the good health of children and staff attending each day. We take necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection; therefore, you must not bring your child to preschool if they are suffering from a contagious/infectious illness. If your child has a temperature or needed Calpol before they arrive then they are not well enough to attend preschool.

If your child has had sickness or diarrhoea, they must not attend preschool for 48hours after it has stopped. If you are unsure, please call before bringing your child to preschool and a staff member will advise you on what to do.

 Lunch sessions:

WE ARE A NUT FREE ENVIRONMENT

Please check all foods before making your child’s lunch.

Our lunch session is a casual, no pressure atmosphere with lots of encouragement on making healthy choices with food and drink.

When preparing your child’s lunch please consider the following:

• Portion sizes. Too much can be overwhelming.
• Ensure fruit and veg options are available (ensure grapes and berries are cut long ways in half to reduce the risk of choking).
• No high salt, sugar foods, no sweets or fizzy drinks.
• Any uneaten food will be put back in their lunch box so you can see what has been eaten.
• Please use reusable containers to help us reduce waste at preschool as part of our sustainability plan.
• Please ensure lunch boxes, drinks bottles and containers are manageable and clearly labelled

At preschool we love to celebrate the children’s birthdays, but we ask that you do not bring in sweets and cakes for children to give out, but suggest stickers instead.

Many thanks,
Chantael –Supervisor

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