Happy New Year

Yes it may be a little late , but Happy New Year to you all !

We've been very busy at Craigton since we returned after the festive break . We've had  a term move , so several children are settling into their new departments- enjoying making new friends and new challenges .
We've also had Jenna from PyjamaDrama this week (she's taken over from Dini who was with us last term) as well as our last visit from Catherine for French before the arrival of her baby next week- best wishes from all of us Catherine. French will continue with a new teacher while Catherine is on maternity leave , as well as regular sessions with Maureen throughout the week .

The children have been full of stories about Christmas time - it seems that you have all been very busy and Santa came to everyone! I hope that the adults weren't forgotten? Thanks to all of you who have passed on comments on the Sunflowers Nativity - we're all very glad that you enjoyed it so much - we did too and it was wonderful to see so many parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles , brothers, sisters and cousins there  - it really was packed.

The schoolhouse children are looking at 'Me and my Family' at the moment . This is a great opportunity for them to share their home lives with us - please bring in photos of family members for the children to display and share with their friends- they really love doing this .
The sunflowers are continuing with their floorbook exploration of food and cooking - this is leading to some fascinating tangents - Maureen has been kept very busy as our expert baker , and there have been discussions, role play and activities on  producing , processing and transporting food , restaurants , cooking and lots more .

Don't forget its time to register your child if they will be going to school this year , or to a school nursery . You need to go to your chosen school with your child's birth certificate and register them to attend in session 2013/14 - letters with more information on this were issued to all parents with children in this age group before Christmas , but you may well have forgotten in all the excitement !

Now that we are all back to normal , it seems that the bugs are back too I'm afraid - I've had reports of 2 children in the schoolhouse with suspected tummy bugs today . Please remember that you must leave 48 hours after the last symptoms before your child can return to nursery- this is the advice given to all schools and care settings by the NHS  . Please stick to this exclusion time  , as the virus  is highly infectious and can affect all the children at the nursery and their families(some of whom may be pregnant or elderly) as well as the staff and their families. Please be extra vigilant with hygiene , particularly hand washing , and please use the hand sanitser in both buildings- thank you .

Can I also remind you not to allow your child to bring toys or other precious objects into nursery unless asked to do so for Show and Tell . We understand that it can be very difficult to persuade them to leave these treasures at home(particularly after Santa has been) , but these invariably are 'borrowed' , lost or broken and this can cause great distress . Please leave them at home - your co-operation would be appreciated .

I know that many of you are super organised and will already be planning your leave for this year , so please note that the nursery will be closed on the following dates:
Monday 1st April - Easter Monday
Monday 6th May- May Day
Monday 8th July - Aberdeen Holiday
Monday 23rd September - Aberdeen Holiday
The dates for the Christmas break will be confirmed later - will let you know asap

And finally ............its still January in Scotland so you shouldn't be surprised to know  that the Met Office have issued a weather warning for the NE over the next few days - its forecast that wintry conditions will return(though it does depend which forecast you consult!) So wrap up warm and make sue you have a shovel in your car!