Summer at Little Fishes

The long-awaited sunshine has appeared at last!!

Don’t forget to bring:

a sun hat,

 

a set (or two) of spare clothes to put on after water and sand play and……..

before you leave the house, don’t forget to put on your

suncream

Although our staff are unable to apply suncream to each individual child, we will ensure that all the children, especially those who stay all day, remain safe during their play in the  daytime sun.

Little Fishes is nut-free

Due to the seriousness of nut allergies, Little Fishes can no longer allow nuts or nut products to be brought in packed lunches. This includes nut spread in sandwiches. Although we can guarantee that Little Fishes is nut-free, can we remind families that there are other users of the Centre who may not follow this policy.

Can we also ask you to slice fruit such as grapes into smaller segments to reduce the risk of a child choking. Slicing apples and pre-peeling satsumas, for example, can also save time and allow your child to eat independently.

Thank you for your understanding.

Waiting List

Are you wanting to enrol your child at Little Fishes Pre-School for the new academic year?

Our first successful cohort of Little Fishes will be swimming away to their new infant schools in September, leaving just a few spaces free.

If you already know which days you require in September, ring us now to avoid disappointment.

If you’re still uncertain, we can pencil you in and contact you nearer the time.

Our staff will organise a time for you and your child to come and see us in action, have a chat with the staff and have a short play time with new friends.

Ring: 07407 539191 or 07883 403407

See you soon!!

NEW Pre-School Manager Required

The Trustees of Little Fishes Thorpe Hesley are looking to appoint a Pre-School manager to join our charitable organisation.

Pre-School Manager

Temporary Contract

Hours and wages TBC – currently 27.5 hours per week. Flexibility is essential.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Pre-School manager looking for a new challenge. This role is with a small and friendly pre-school which has recently opened within Thorpe Hesley’s bright and spacious community centre. Applicants should have previously managed a pre-school setting and have a proven track record of achieving excellent standards of care and education. Good interpersonal skills and the ability to work as part of an extended team are essential.

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

• The smooth running of the pre-school for children aged 2-4 years
• Planning, preparation and assessment
• Achieving and maintaining high standards of care and education
• Ensuring all policies are implemented and adhered to at all times
• Implementing an effective parent liaison programme
• Liaising with the centre manager, board of trustees and outside agencies
• Fundraising events and activities

You will need to have the following qualifications, training and experience:

• NNEB, CACHE level 3, NVQ level 3 or equivalent
• Post-qualification experience and relevant supervisory experience
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the EYFS
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to work to targets and deadlines
• Knowledge  and understanding of Health and Safety Legislation, equal opportunities and OfSTED standards
• Child Protection training
• Current First Aid and Food Hygiene certificates would be desirable

All applicants will be required to complete an enhanced CRB Disclosure.

Applications can be made by post to the above Pre-School address and should include a covering letter and CV with details of two references.

Closing date for applications is Friday 18^th May 2012.

Terms and Conditions for the Payment of Fees

 

Terms and Conditions 

1. An invoice will be given to you during the first fortnight of each month.
2. Fees must be paid within 7 days unless agreed with the Trustees.
3. It is good practice for children to attend Pre-School for a minimum of two sessions per week. All children who register after 1^st February 2012, will be charged as such.
4. Children must be picked up promptly or extra charges may be incurred. Please inform Little Fishes of an expected late pick-up as soon as possible so arrangements can be made with an emergency contact. A carer who is unknown to our staff must know your child’s password or we will be unable to release your child to the carer.
5. Our sessions run from 9am-12 noon or 12 noon until 3pm.
6. Full fees must be paid if your child is absent through holidays or illness (unless the child is in hospital). Fees are based on booked days, not attendance.
7. Please inform Little Fishes by 8.30am (morning session) or 11.30am (afternoon session) if your child is unable to attend pre-school.
8. Children must be clear of a fever for 24 hours minimum and clear of sickness/diarrhoea for 48 hours minimum before returning after any illness.
9. No fees are due when Little Fishes is closed e.g. Bank Holidays and Christmas closure. Please visit our website regularly for updates, especially in poor weather: (www.littlefishesthorpehesley.wordpress.com).
10. All cheques should be made payable to Little Fishes Pre-School. Please return payment slip with payment.
11. Four weeks notice in writing of your child leaving Little Fishes must be given or the appropriate fees in lieu.
12. Extra sessions will be given to the child at the top of our waiting list.
13. Sessions may not be exchanged for alternative days except in exceptional circumstances. Any additional or exchanging of sessions must be agreed on by the Trustees and staff.
14. A discount on fees for a second child will be considered by the Trustees.
15. Childcare Vouchers: Any fees not covered by vouchers are your responsibility to be paid.
16. Little Fishes reserves the right to terminate a booking with or without notice for non-payment of fees.

Current Fees

We are now open (term time only):

Monday to Wednesday 9am-3pm

Thursday and Friday 9am-12noon

Session Times:

Morning Session: 9am-12noon

Afternoon Session: 12noon-3pm

Our current prices are:

Two Year Olds: £12.00 per session (3hours)

Three Year Olds and Above: £10.50 per session (3 hours)

Walking Bus to Thorpe Hesley Infants: £2.50 per day

New Tuesday Sessions

Little Fishes is proud to announce that we are now open all day Tuesday.

We have created a new Tuesday afternoon group from this half term. If you’re thinking of joining us for the first time, this would be a good way to start as it is relatively quiet at the moment.

If you’d like to book a place, please ring 07407 539191  or email us.

If you’d like to drop in and have a quick look at what we can offer, then please ring 07883 403407  and we’ll book a taster session for you and your child. All our contact details can be found on the “Who, Where, What, Why”  link.

Come On!! Get Involved

Can you help us? Do you have a few hours a week to spare?

Come and help us at Little Fishes!

We are looking for mums, dads, carers, grandmas, grandads, aunties, uncles and YOU to come and be part of our ever-growing pre-school.

The Trustees need energetic and creative volunteers to offer an hour a week to meet up and help us organise fundraising events, find advertising possibilities……. and that’s just for starters! We are hoping this group will become a familiar branch of our pre-school, supporting our Little Fishes in many ways.

If you think you can help us, have a word with Catherine at pre-school, leave a message on this site or email us: littlefishes@virginmedia.com

Easter Cafe- Thanks for being there!!

What a wonderful afternoon!!

It was great to see you all there….. and some new faces too! Hope you enjoyed the cakes and crafts. You helped us raise £80.

A BIG thank you to those who helped both before the cafe and on the actual day. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Watch out for our Summer Cafe

Drum Roll………………..Ofsted

It is with great pleasure that we announce that we have finally received our

Ofsted Certificate.

The implications of this are that we are open full time from

Monday 6th February 2012.

Our opening times will be:

Monday to Friday Term Times Only

9am-3pm

We would like to offer our thanks once more to all the parents and carers who have remained supportive of our new Pre-School during January as we awaited our registration certificate.

 The Trustees.