Online Safety

Many children enjoy playing online games. As children get older, this often involves speaking with others online and with this comes the potential risk of grooming and exploitation. Speaking to your child from a young age about who they are talking to online and helping them recognise when a conversation may be putting them at risk can help to keep them safe from abuse. The NSPCC has published advice on how to start age-appropriate conversations with your child. In a recent survey carried out by Ofcom, it was reported that 6 in 10 children aged 3 -17 (57%) used live streaming platforms to watch online content. The research found that the platforms used most to watch live streams were YouTube and Tik Tok. The NSPCC has published guidance to help parents and carers understand some of the risks associated. Contact NSPCC online for more information.

Childnet also has internet safety resources for parents and carers with key online safety topics, advice and activities to share with your child.

www.childnet.com/paretn-and-carers

​

__________________________________________________________________________

Tax-Free Childcare

Just to remind fee paying parents that you maybe eligible for help towards your childcare costs. You will need to set up an online childcare account. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay £2. This then can be used to pay your fees to us. Your eligibility depends on if you are working and your income (and your partner's income). Find out more at www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare.

__________________________________________________________________________

Think Equal

​

Last week for Think Equal the children were looking at the book 'Is There Anyone Like Me'. It was a book about an animal called an Okapi who was looking for someone who looked like him. We discussed with the children ways in which people are different, always reminding them that it's ok to look different from others, to like different things and to do different things. We played a game called 'Who will I be? I am me'. The children were asked one by one to do something special that they could do and we invited the rest of the children to try and copy. The children were then invited to look at the book again and see if they could see any animals that were the same as the Okapi in any way. We then played a game called 'The same as me', where the children were invited to say something about themselves such as, 'I have two feet' and any child who is the same, stand up and say 'same as me'.

The objectives for the week were:

• to celebrate individuality and uniqueness

• discuss similarities and differences

​

_________________________________________________________________________

Drinks

At Cornerstones Pre-School, we promote healthy eating which includes drinks. The British Nutrition Foundation states that water and milk are the best drinks for children as they do not contain free sugars. Drinking sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay and weight gain. Water is a good choice throughout the day because it hydrates without providing extra calories or risking harm to teeth. So, please provide only water in a named drinks bottle. Many of the drinks bottles are the same or very similar, so they need to have your child's name on them.

​

__________________________________________________________________________

50 Things to do before you're 5

​

50 Things To Do before you're 5 is a mobile app that gives parents and carers 50 fantastic experiences to share with their children to help develop their confidence, language and vocabulary and to support them in being ready for the next stage in their education. The 50 activities are low or no cost experiences that include indoor and outdoor activities. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google play. It is a free app and just search for Hertfordshire.

__________________________________________________________________________

Spare Clothes

Please could parents return any spare clothes that your child may have been changed into. Our supply of spare clothing is running very low.

If you have any old trousers, leggings or socks that you no longer need, we would really appreciate you donating them to us for our spare clothing.

________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Jumper Day

We are having a Christmas jumper day on Friday 8th December. We would love to see the children's Christmas jumpers on this day. If your child does not have a Christmas jumper, we have some Christmas dressing up clothes they could wear.

__________________________________________________________________________

Christmas Cards

If your child would like to send their friends a Christmas card, there will be a post box in school for them to use. Last posting date will be Tuesday 12th December. If you need a copy of the children's names, please ask a member of staff.

________________________________________________________________________

School Application

The online application system for school admission is now open. All admissions should be made online by 15th January 2024 at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions.

__________________________________________________________________________

Upcoming Events/Dates for your Diary:

​

Christmas Jumper Day - Friday 8th December. 

​

Last day of term - Thursday 14th December - Christmas Party Day - more details nearer the time. Please note there is no afternoon school this day.

​

​

First Day of Spring Term - Thursday 4th January 2024

​

​

​