Dear Families,
After School Club
We thought it would be good to give you lots of information about After School Club, as you are no longer able to come in and visit us for yourselves! We are now split into two After School Clubs; one for the infant children and one for the junior children.
Infants:
Collection: The Infant children are collected from their classrooms by a playworker from their pod, and are brought to the dining hall after cleaning their hands.
Snacks: The children who have snacks can eat them on arrival at After School Club.
Play: The infant children play in the dining hall, where they can junk model, Lego, read, and have lots of fun. We have divided the pods with colourful panels into three sections, one for each year group pod, and each has its own set of toys and resources that are changed on a termly basis.
Outside: We have also split the playground into three, one section for each pod. The children play outside for about 45 minutes after snack time to make the most of the diminishing light and can then come inside to play if they want. We are able to use a smaller playground which has under cover areas during wet weather.
Playworkers: Each pod as at least one playworker, Liam is the deputy manager who is with the Infant children every day.
Juniors:
Collection: Playworkers meet their pod in the dining hall in the Junior School at their staggered finish times of 3.20pm and 3.30pm and bring them over to the Infant School sports hall.
Snacks: The children who have snacks can eat them on arrival at After School Club.
Play: We have divided the hall with benches into four sections, one for each year group pod, which has its own set of toys and resources that we will change on a termly basis.
Outside: The juniors have a choice of playing inside, or playing outside in the junior playground, which we have also marked out for pods. They can choose to play outside until about 5.00pm in the winter, but when spring arrives with the later evenings, we will be able to let them stay out all session.
Playworkers: Each pod has at least one playworker, depending on the needs of the children within that pod. Cal is the deputy manager who is with the Junior children every day.
Home Time: We get children ready for the time specified by each parent, either at 4.30pm, 5.00pm and between 5.30-5.45, and bring them to the bottom of the step outside of the Infant School main entrance.
After School Club Spaces: There are still some spaces available on Tuesday Wednesday and Friday. If you are interested please email Roberta, admin@schoolsouthenleaze.co.uk for a start at the beginning of term 3.
If you would like your child added to the waiting list please sign up on our website: www.schoolsouthenleaze.co.uk/join-the-waiting-list.
Housekeeping: Please note your term 3 and 4 after school club places have been booked. Please check that your booking is correct on iPal, a quick check is the calendar. Term 3 fees are now due. Term 4 can be paid ahead of term 4, from Monday 1st February.
NB: Please also take a few minutes to check your and child’s information is up to date on iPal. Thank you
Pick-Ups
We would like to say a huge thank you to all of the parents sticking to our pick-up times of 4.30pm, 5pm and between 5.30pm and 5.45pm. Sticking to our pick-up times makes logistics more manageable for us inside, and limits staff having to leave their pod.
Christmas Holiday Club
Unfortunately, we are unable to open over Christmas, as neither school was able to accommodate us. This is the same for inset days for the foreseeable future. We are planning on reopening holiday club in the February half-term and will keep you updated going forward.
COVID Measures
As I am sure you are all aware, hand hygiene and cleaning are a huge focus for us at the moment! We use a mix of hand washing and hand sanitizer (staff and children) on arrival and at home time to manage getting the different pods through the toilets without bumping into each other.
To maximize ventilation inside we are keeping the doors and windows open, even on the coldest days. We will also continue to encourage outdoor play throughout the winter so please make sure your children come with appropriate clothing. Outdoor play is ‘podded’ and marked out clearly with cones to minimize contact between pods.
We have taken on additional cleaning duties at School’s Out, making sure that the toilets are cleaned with antiviral cleaner before each pod’s use and provide time at the end of the session after the children have gone for packing away and cleaning.
Absence and Clubs
Please let us know on 07847 479 626 if your child won’t be attending After School Club, if they are isolating, or if they will be attending an extra-curricular club before coming to us. Where possible please leave day to day messages on the phone number, rather than by emailing Jenny or Roberta who may not pick up your message in time. (Or maybe on leave!)
Please follow all government guidance around Covid-19. Thank you for your support.
Snacks
Most children are bringing a snack in to eat when they arrive at After School Club. As part of our commitment to promoting healthy eating, we do ask that parents ensure their child’s snacks are balanced across the week. We will be monitoring this and are happy to offer support wherever possible. Feel free to look at our Packed Lunch and Snack policy for some healthy snack ideas.
If you don’t already, please follow us on Facebook. We post lots of useful information, such as when we open for bookings, any last-minute places that are available in Holiday Club, as well as lots of photos of the children playing.
Who’s Who
Jenny is the Manager of the after school and Holiday Club. She started out as a playworker over 17 years ago and has been the manager for the last 15 years. Jenny has NVQ’s in playwork and is a qualified primary school teacher. Jenny works full time for us.
Jenny’s favourite part of the job is joining in with the children’s imaginative games, something she misses currently because she is not in a pod. She also enjoys seeing how much fun the children and playworkers are having, and how excited they are when they arrive.
Outside of work Jenny enjoys travelling (when allowed), swimming and yoga, and has recently started running too.
YOU SAID, WE DID
Each newsletter we will share with you how we have responded to feedback from either an adult or a child. Your feedback is very important to us, and we welcome your comments.
YOU SAID:
“Can we have the piano in our pod this term?” – Oscar, Year 4
WE DID:
This term Year 4 have been entertaining us with their interesting playing methods on the large electric piano, which was kindly donated by a parent in September.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
THANK YOU for your continued support.
Roberta (Administration and Enquiries): 07535 293 788
admin@schoolsouthenleaze.co.uk
Jenny (After School Club and Holiday Club): 07847 479 626 manager@schoolsouthenleaze.co.uk