End January 2016
Date: 27th Jan 2016 @ 6:37am
January has been a busy month at Woodlands Out of School Club and already there have been some exciting changes take place. The juniors have made steps to introduce a range of 'special' after school activities, as chosen by the children, and ths next couple of weeks sees a number of new after school activities including a 'Star Wars' evening, a 'Bake Off' evening and a Friday night 'Film Night'.
After what seems like a long wait, the infants are pleased to declare the 'pre-school room' open to pre-school and reception aged children. There is a long way to go until the room is fully kitted out and we look forward to some better weather when we anticipate our outdoor area will be developed, but already children are able to access the room every evening (depending on the number of children in club we are currently staggering who uses the room and when until children are familiar with the room and the 'rules' that go with it) and we are especially loving our special 'Under the Sea' themed cosy book corner and role play area.
I am in the process of making and purchasing some lovely new resources and toys for the room but if Santa's visit at the end of last year left your house a little cluttered please feel free to donate any unwanted toys our way and I can promise you we will out everything to good use.
For those of you who frequently make use of our 7.30am drop off (don't forget, both infants and juniors should be dropped off on the infant side if arriving before 7.30am) I am pleased to say we have recently spent some of those funds on new dressing up clothes (both bought and handmade) to replace some of our favourite and 'well-worn' costumes, some new books, cushions, dolls and several role play items to be used in conjunction with the new pre-school room. Our early morning drop off has proved to be really popular and it is great having a few extra pennies to hand to purchase extra bits and bobs for the children as and when required so thank you for supporting our 'early drop off' initiative!!!
If you have children in pre-school or reception it might interest you to know that we have been keeping an early years floor book tracking your children's progress whilst they have been with us in club. We used to keep extremely detailed photo books but, with 50-60 early years children, all of which attend on a regular basis, I am sure you can appreciate that we simply don't have the time to do that - we would much rather spend our time with your children than keeping a constant daily dairy of their every move! Due to the very nature of the floor books, they are very much a work in progress but are coming together really nicely so will be left on view to anyone who wishes to have a flick through during all club sessions next week. Please feel free to pop in and take a look if you get a chance.
In partnership with school, S4YC have been running a very successful parent toddler group on a Wednesday morning. This group has gone from strength to strength over the last year and children regularly enjoy free play, arts and crafts, music and dance etc. We are excited to be offering children the opportunity to take part in another Diddy Dance 'course' at Hope Farm Community Centre after the half term break as well as welcoming Jo Jingles for 6 weeks which will take place in our very own new 'pre-school' room.
Finally, don't forget to book in for February Half Term Holiday Club where the theme will be one of 'Love and Friendship' with the help of Winnie the Pooh and friends. Places are starting to fill up so book your places early to avoid disappointment.