Mrs Gaunt attended a ‘Play on Pedals’ training day in January.  ‘Play on Pedals’ is a structured cycling programme based on balance bikes.  It feeds into the ‘Bikeability‘ cycle training scheme (formerly known as Cycle Proficiency Training) and gives children opportunity to:

• learn about the importance of wearing a helmet and hi-vis clothing
• learn the names of bike parts
• learn how to mount and dismount correctly
• learn how to gain balance
• learn how to control a bike
• develop their gross motor skills
• get some great exercise
• develop a life-long skill
• have fun!

As a result of the ‘Play on Pedals’ training, our children will all have the chance to learn to ride a balance bike.  We have just taken delivery of a set of balance bikes on loan from East Lothian Council.  Next term we plan to fund-raise to buy a set of five of our own bikes which will allow for all future children attending nursery to have this opportunity (although we are off to a good start and have already raised enough for one bike and one helmet from our Valentine Shop!)  Once we have our own set of bikes and the children have completed their training they will be able to access these on a regular basis to continue to develop their skills.  Click here to see the kind of bikes we shall be using.

The programme will run for 6 weeks and children will be instructed in groups of 5 for 30 minutes on the school playground just outside the nursery.  Each child will be allocated the same time slot for the duration of the programme. We are inviting all parents/carers to join in with this exciting part of the children’s learning and sessions will be available on different days and times.

Please choose the time slot which best suits to come along to support and encourage your child if you are able to manage this.  If you have a bike of your own and could bring this along, it would be fantastic.  We need at least one adult per session to join us on the playground or the sessions cannot run –  the more adults to help the better. If you are able to join us for extra sessions that your child is not part of please let us know. If any parent, grandparent, etc. could also spare half an hour at another session to stay, play and support the children within the nursery this would be most helpful.  In addition if anyone is able to help with basic bike maintenance (tyre pumping etc) this would also be most appreciated.

There will be sign up sheets available in nursery from Monday so please choose a time convenient for you quickly!  The training sessions for the Morning Group will run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from week commencing 18/04/16 until 23/05/16.  For the Afternoon Group the sessions will run from Mondays to Thursdays from week commencing 23/05/16 to 27/06/16. (First week’s programme will commence on Tuesday 24th May due to the school closure for the in-service day).  Please also sign up if you are able to support at other sessions.

We are also going to set up a ‘bike-cycle’ board in nursery. If your child has any bike they have grown out of and you no longer have use for, please pop details on our Parent Zone board. You can name a selling price, suggest a donation for nursery funds, or just for free as you see fit. This can extend to adult bikes too!

Thanks in advance for your support in this matter.  As always, your thoughts, comments and feedback would be gratefully received.  Please note them down and pop them in the wee basket in the cloakroom area near the register.  If you want any more information about this exciting new initiative please speak to staff.

PS – If your child already has a bike at home and you want them to practise their new skills on a balance bike, please don’t feel the need to buy a new bike.  Just get a spanner and remove the stabilizers and pedals!!! Simples!  If you need help with this please ask.

Parents’ Consultations – Monday 21st March 6-8pm  and Tuesday 22nd March 4-6pm

This year we would like to trial a different approach to our nursery parent consultations. We will not operate set times but offer you the opportunity to drop in and meet staff and chat about the next steps.  Although all staff work with all children your child has a key worker who takes responsibility for overseeing your child’s progress.  Parents are invited to browse the nursery and chat with your child’s key worker.  Whilst we will not operate an appointment system please be aware that in reality we can only spend a maximum of 10 minutes ( as in the school system) on a 1:1 basis.  Staff will be able to update you on recent learning and should there be any concerns we can make a further individual appointment.

We will review this arrangement for next time with your help and feedback.

Learning Stories are at home this weekend.  Please take time to look at your child’s learning story for achievements and next steps for your child (in the assessment section).  There is a sheet for comments at the front of the Learning Story and this can be filled in by anyone your child shares their Learning Story with.  Please return the Learning Stories on Monday in the bag provided.

We would also like to give parents the opportunity to be involved in identifying next steps for your child. Your child does not only learn in nursery and the holistic view of your child’s well-being is very important to us.
You may like to suggest a next step that we in nursery can help with and that you are encouraging at home.  For example:

• Put on my own coat or shoes or… ( achieving)
• Wash my hands after the toilet ( healthy)
• Use cutlery to eat my food (responsible)
• Be able to tell my own full name and address ( safe)
• Cross the road safely at a crossing with and adult ( safe)

A sheet for your suggestions was printed on the reverse of the letter you received detailing the arrangements for Parents’ Consultations.  If you have misplaced this slip you can download a copy here to print out.

Please come along to the next LPP meeting on Wednesday 16th March 2016 at 6:30pm in the school dining hall.  If you can’t make it along then please speak to your class rep, email parentcouncil@loretto.elcschool.org.uk or comment on our Facebook page if you have a matter that you would like to raise. We look forward to seeing you there 🙂

Lots of information about the Loretto Parent Partnership can be found on our Facebook page.  This is a closed group so only parents/carers with children at the nursery/school will be accepted to join the group.  Check out the page and send in a request to join to be kept up to date with news and events!

The current nursery LPP representatives are Sandra Gray (also the Chairperson!) for the Morning Group and Amber Stewart for the Afternoon Group.  Please speak to them if you have any questions or things to discuss.  If you don’t know who they are, just ask a member of staff and they will point you in the right direction!

Many thanks ?

The nursery children enjoyed dressing up to celebrate World Book Day.

Today we also learned that the winning book from the Scottish Book Awards for children aged 3-7 was ‘Mouse’s First Night at Moonlight School’ by Simon Puttock.  This book got most votes from our nursery children too!

Here are some photos of us dressed up as characters from books.