Safe Sound Indicator

We are very happy to inform that we have a Safe Sound Indicator (SSI) in preschool to monitor the noise level. The National Foundation for the Deaf inc. has developed a Safe Sound Indicator (SSI) specially for the early childhood sector. The SSI provides a visual feedback tool for both children and educators, enabling children to identify and manage high noise exposure. It’s a small black, plastic box that displays the noise levels through a set of “traffic lights”. Green indicates the safe noise level where as Amber and Red are warning signals to stop the noise, as it’s in the danger zone for causing hearing loss.

Winter is here!

"A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves." Marcel Proust

It has certainly been a foul weather week! Icy winds and intermittent rain has once again caused us to dash in and out (still remembering to use our walking feet, Shona), in order to use all our big muscles and voices in the wide outdoors.

And almost daily we have noted a beautiful phenomenon in the sky. Rainbows. Some bright and full, others peeping from behind a cloud. This has sparked eager converstion amongst our children, and has lead to the planning of an exciting investigation project. Please send any resources and/or info that you might have at home, with to school.

The change in the weather also means that we need the children to have warm clothing, especially hats and jackets, for them to wear outside. Please ensure that these are at school next week, and if you could label these items, it will help us to dress them and return 'lost' items.

We would like to welcome Henry, Zavannah, Charli, Phoebe, Alex and Ben to the 4 year old group! We hope you have fun in the year ahead.

The Preschool Team

Our letter of the week - "N" and our inside rainy day game.

The children were pretty pleased that the letter of the week was "N". The amount of necklaces that were brought in to be shared by all the children were just huge! The necklaces were either something special that their mummy contributed or something that the children actually made themselves.

With our time spent inside because of the rain, the children enjoyed being able to play some parachute games with Catherine, which they loved.

Children aged 3 to 5 years of age.

To be able to continue to offer the 20 hours ECE government subsidy, we have restructured and reviewed our fee schedule and enrolment procedures to put in place a system regarding our fees payments for our children 3 to 5 years who are receiving the 20 hours subsidy.  Our three to five year old children are now required to have a minimum attendance of six and a half hours per day and 3 days per week.  These hours are 9.00 to 3.30 pm.  This means if you were previously booked in on a 9.00 to 3.00 pm option, you are now able to leave your child until 3.30 pm.  The previous option of 9.00 to 3.00 pm is no longer available.  This does not affect children who are attending full days.  The 20 hours subsidy will be deducted from these hours for parents who have attested to the 20 hour ECE subsidy requirements and the remainder of the fee will be a compulsory payment.  This compulsory payment equates to the amount of the fees normally payable less the 20 hours ECE.  This will be effective as from 1st June 2011.

This table shows current fees payable after the ECE deduction is made:

20 hours ECE for 3 to 5 year olds
20 hours-$ 88.80     18 hours-$ 79.92

Full weeks fees
$315.00 less ECE subsidy $88.80 = fees payable $ 226.20
4 full time days
$292.00 less ECE subsidy $88.80 = fees payable $ 203.20
3 full time days
$219.00 less ECE subsidy $79.92 = fees payable $ 139.08
5 part time days
$285.00 less ECE subsidy $88.80 = fees payable $ 196.20
4 part time days
$228.00 less ECE subsidy $88.80 = fees payable $ 139.20
3 part time days
$171.00 less ECE subsidy $79.92 = fees payable $ 91.08

Current full fees are payable to cover any additional hours your child attends the centre over the government maximum subsidized six hours per day and twenty hours per week limit.
Please be aware this does not affect your current fees payment in any way but enables you to be able to access a 20 hours ECE subsidy from the Ministry of Education while we are able to maintain financial viability for our centre.
Any queries or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me.
Shona Hewitt

Mother's day in Preschool.

What a fantastic turnout for our Mother's day. The children were so happy to have to have their mums come in and spend some time with them. It was also a Playball day which made it even more special that the mums could watch. Thanks for coming and making our Mother's day morning so special and the children can't wait to do it again.

Our future All Blacks

The children, especially the boys have had quite an interest in rugby. Outside you will see them running around with the rugby ball tucked under their arm, looking for someone to offload the ball to. After observing this behaviour for a few days and even taking part, I tried to teach them what a scrum was. As you can see it was a huge success, although the boys still preferred to get the ball out with their hands, instead of their feet!

Playball reminder for Preschool parents

Playball starting next week!

 

Dear preschool parents

 

Playball is starting again next week. Please top up your special account if you have not done so recently. The cost is usually $65 but depends on how many sessions in the next term. Please ensure you special funds has some money in it so we can pay for this extremely popular exercise programme for your child. If you need any further details please ask any of the preschool teachers.

 

Kind regards

 

Shona

Mothers Day Tuesday 3rd May

Mothers' Day Open Morning

 

Come one and all to our Open Morning for Mums on Tuesday 3^rd May 2011 from 9 until 11.00 am. This is a special morning just for you, to come in at your leisure and spend some time with your child. Even if you can only spare fifteen or twenty minutes do come in as the children enjoy having their family share in their learning experiences. A good excuse to leave the office for a while!

 

 

Morning tea will be provided in the staff room. And this will give you a chance to catch up with other mums while having your morning cuppa!

See you there…..Shona and all the Bayfield staff

Preschool - With all our wonderful cultures!

Culture day in Preschool was a huge hit. The children all made a fantastic effort to represent the culture that thay felt comfortable with. The dress ups were amazing. Well done to everyone, you all did a fantastic job! We had a special visitor come into Preschool and give us a rundown on the Jewish culture. There was a lot of information and it was all very interesting. Thanks to Moshe (Lavi's dad) for taking the time out of his busy day to spend time with us. We topped of our wonderful day with a true kiwi favourite...A sausage sizzle! The children loved it. It was a great day and we can't wait to do it again.

Paige is leaving

Dear Parents
Paige Tamatea has decided to take a position closer to home where she is able to work in one area in a more stable situation.  She has found it difficult to complete her studies while floating as a reliever throughout the centre.  Paige has been at Bayfield for more than five years and we wish her all the best on her new venture. 
Best of luck for your future, Paige.  Paige's last day will be Tuesday, 19th April 2011.
Kind regards
Shona Hewitt