Upcoming Events/Dates for your Diary:

Next payment date (for fee paying children) –Monday 3rd November

Half Term – we will be closed from Monday 27th October to Friday 31st October.

Last Day of Term – Christmas Party Morning – Tuesday 16th December – no afternoon school this day –all children invited whether it is their day or not. More details to follow nearer the time.

First Day of Spring Term – Monday 5th January 2025

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Healthy Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner and many children enjoy dressing up and taking their buckets to be filled with treats. While the odd sweet once in a while isn’t something to stress about but bringing home a bucket full of them and having a sugar overload is a concern. Here are some ideas:

• Don’t visit multiple streets which will obviously mean more sweets. Limit the number of houses you knock at.

• Parents should encourage children to only take a single item per house, so they bring a sensible amount home.

• Once you have visited the agreed number of houses, head home and let your children greet other trick or treaters at your door. This can be equally exciting.

• Fill a bowl with mini single chocolate items for the children to take one each. This provides a smaller portion than a sweet bag and plain chocolates are less likely to get stuck to teeth.

• Plain pretzels work well offered in a bowl or fruit chips such as dried apples or bananas.

• Satsumas with a spooky face drawn on them in a good option

• Please make sure sweets are nut free

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Applying for a School Place

If your child is due to start reception in September 2026, the application deadline is Thursday 15th January 2026. You must apply online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions

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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

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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.

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50 Things to do before you're 5

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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.

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Spring Term’s Register

After half term I will looking at the register for January. If you would like to change your child’s sessions or increase their sessions, please let me know asap.

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Healthy Start

If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. To apply online you will need your name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, baby’s due date (if you are pregnant) and benefit award letter. The details you use to apply for Healthy Start must match the details on your Universal Credit Claim. You can also apply by email or phone if you are in receipt of Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension credit (which includes the child addition). Email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or calling 0300 330 7010. More information can be found at www.healthystart.nhs.uk

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