October 2005

Back to school with a brand new name!

Woodlands has welcomed some new children this term and everyone is really enjoying the subject of Fairy Tales which is the topic for this term.

So far the children have enjoyed listening to and re-creating, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Little Red Riding Hood and The Gingerbread Man, all great favourites with the children.
 

Although the start of the new term began with slightly less children than at the end of the Summer term, we hope that with renewed interest we will encourage more parents and children to come and visit us.

We hope that you found our Open Week in September helpful. If you have any further questions, please call the Play Leader at Woodlands on 01449 613452 or 0784 940 3758.

In the near future we are going to be having some fund raising events for the Pre-School and we would love it if you could help us by attending. Further details will be advertised locally.

If you would like a prospectus for Woodlands Pre-School please call the play leader, or drop in to see us during term time, we would be pleased to see you.

PS. ...If by chance anyone out there has a small computer table on castors that they no longer want......would you consider donating it to us please!?

Anne - Play Leaderi

September 2005

Leavers’ Party

Just before the end of the Summer term, a party was held for all the children at Woodlands to say goodbye to all those going on to BIG school. It was a fantastic party with lots of games, food and face-painting for everyone. All of the children who were leaving received a present from the play leader and the best wishes from everyone at the Pre-School.

July 2005

We have been very busy this past month fundraising with a Table Top sale and Sponsored obstacle course, which the children completed at the end of half term.

Our newly purchased obstacle course was put to the test by the children who were fantastic at ducking and diving through hoops and balancing along beams to raise the magnificent sum (so far!) of £135. Congratulations! to all of the children who tried so hard and helped raise funds for the Pre-School.

Our Table Top sale was not as successful we are sad to say. Despite the best efforts of the "Table Toppers" and a lot of advertising in the local area and EADT, we were only able to raise £50.38 for the whole day. The turnout was very disappointing and most of the selling that did happen was between the Table Top people themselves! A BIG thank you to all the people who did support our Table Top event, your efforts were greatly appreciated by the Pre-School.

On a far more cheerful note, the Pre-School have decided that the time is now right to change its name. Various suggestions from the parents are being considered and an announcement will be made at the Fete on the 3rd July or in the next issue. It is hoped that a new name and image will re-kindle interest in the Pre-School from the village and the local vicinity.

With the closure of one of the Pre-Schools in Stowmarket, we are hoping to raise our profile and to attract children from outside the immediate area.

The Pre-School will have its own stall at the Village Fete and we welcome any parents & children who would like to come along and "have a go" in our craft & activities tent and try out some of our play equipment. The Playleader will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the Pre-School.

June 2005

Our Pre-School Easter Fair was a great success with lots of children taking part in the Easter Egg Hunt held in Northfield Wood, the egg cup painting competition and all the other activities, along with a special visit from the Easter Bunny!

Since the beginning of Spring the children have been learning about how things grow, how they change and grow, how the caterpiller changes into a butterfly and how plants and flowers grow from tiny seeds. The Hall was turned into an "Indoor Garden" so the children could learn how to plant seeds in pots and just how important plants and trees are to everyone.

Sponsored Obstacle Course - We will be very busy in the coming months starting with our Sponsored Obstacle Course. On Thursday 26th May the children will be taking part in a sponsored obstacle course at the Pre-School. We would be really grateful for your support, if you could sponsor one or two of the children, it would help so much.

Table Top Sale - On June 11th (Saturday) from 12 noon - 4.00pm we will be holding a Table Top Sale at the hall. If you would like to book a table, please call Anne on the number below, the cost is only £5 per table.

Open Day - On July 3rd we will be holding an "Open Day" on the same day as the Onehouse Fete, when children and their mums and dads can come and play in the Pre-school and find out what fun they can have here. We have a fantastic new seating area and brand new book library, some great new outdoor toys and our very own obstacle course for you to try out!

Finally! Don't forget, you have a smashing Pre-School here on you doorstep with excellent staff and a Lunch Club which runs every weekday until 1.15pm which can be of great help to parents. Come and see us and enjoy a free trial session with no obligation!

April 2005

Since the beginning of March the children have been getting ready for Easter, making Bunnies and Eggs and helping to decorate the hall with their work for the Easter Fayre.

The children have been learning about different colours and how to make new ones from the primary colours. They have also been making Fairy cakes and decorating them in their own "special ways", this has proved a great hit with the children.

The Quiz & Auction Night at the Shepherd and Dog took place on the 28th February and to our amazement just over £300 was raised for the Pre-School!

We are very grateful to Chris the Landlord and to everyone who helped us to raise such a staggering amount, especially the regulars of the Shepherd & Dog who so kindly bid on our lots and those people who donated such lovely gifts for auction.

Don't forget, we still have vacancies for children from 2yrs of age and our lunch club runs everyday from 12 - 1.15pm!

February 2005

The children have had a fantastic time during January and February learning all about Chinese New Year. They celebrated with a Chinese lunch which they prepared (with the help of Teachers!) in the kitchen at Pre-School. They also made and decorated a very colourful Chinese dragon which they danced around the hall with in time to instruments. They made Chinese hats and children-friendly fortune cookies! As a parent I have seen some wonderful work produced by the children so a big well done to the Staff.

Easter is very early this year and in preparation for this the Pre-School is holding its annual Easter Fayre at the Hall in Onehouse on Saturday 19^th March from 11.00am to 2.00pm. This is always a great day with an opportunity to see some of the lovely work the children are doing at Pre-School. There will be an Easter Egg Hunt as well as lots of games and things to make.

The Quiz Night at the Shepherd and Dog which was postponed in January is now to be held on Sunday 28^th February followed by an Auction.

For more details of OHS Pre-School please contact Anne Swinyard at the OHS Community Centre on 01449 613452 during term time