Parent Information
Parent information archive
02/10/2024
Please note, due to technical problems with the website in August 2024, we are no longer able to show the information and photographs we had displayed from September 2023 to August 2024.
Apologies for the missing information, our website administrator has attempted to retrieve it, but unfortunately was unsuccessful.
We are now running a new Parent Information Tab please refer to this for future news and information.
Best wishes
Little Villagers Pre-School
23rd September 2024
Dear Parents and Carers of Little Villagers,
This Friday, 27th September, the children from the School Council will be helping me to host our first ‘Cake and Play’ session in the school hall, 1.45-2.30pm at Windlesham Village Infant School. It’s an opportunity to chat informally about school life and for you to ask any questions-the children are keen to chat to our visitors! We have some spaces left for the session and we invite you to contact us if you would like to attend.
Best wishes,
Mrs Ezzard
Headteacher
Windlesham Village Infant School
8th June 2023
Oral Health
Latest Information/Guidance
We have published new guidance on promoting good oral health
10th November 2022
Cost of Living Directory of Support
Attached you will find what welfare support that is available across the county.
Surrey County Council's Cost of Living Directory of Support
20th September 2022
Free online guides for families in Surrey
Bringing up children is a lot of fun but can also have its challenges and understanding your child’s emotional development can help to support your relationship and your child’s behaviour.
Families living in Surrey can get access to FREE online guides that include top tips from childcare, education and NHS health experts.
· Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby
· Understanding your baby
· Understanding your child 0-19 years
· Understanding your teenager's brain
· Understanding your brain (for teenagers only!)
· Understanding your child with additional needs
The guides are available in other languages including Urdu, Chinese and Polish.
Register for free using the code ‘ACORN’ by visiting the Children and Family Health Surrey website: Childrenshealthsurrey-nhs-uk-services/free-online-guides-families
8th September 2022
We are so sorry to hear this evening of the passing of our beloved Queen - we are all so lucky to have been a part of her incredible reign and to have such a wonderful memory of her - it will be treasured by us all.
6th September 2022
The Queens replied to our invite to our Jubilee Tea Party!
Free online guides for families in Surrey
Bringing up children is a lot of fun but can also have its challenges and understanding your child’s emotional development can help to support your relationship and your child’s behaviour.
Families living in Surrey can get access to FREE online guides that include top tips from childcare, education and NHS health experts.
· Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby
· Understanding your baby
· Understanding your child 0-19 years
· Understanding your teenager's brain
· Understanding your brain (for teenagers only!)
· Understanding your child with additional needs
The guides are available in other languages including Urdu, Chinese and Polish.
Register for free using the code ‘ACORN’ by visiting the Children and Family Health Surrey website: childrenshealthsurrey-nhs-uk/services/free-online-guides-families
29th June 2022
Polio/Vaccination reminder
You may have seen in the news that polio has been found in London sewage water – although this represents a small risk to the public, it’s a timely reminder to ensure children are fully up to date with their vaccinations. Polio vaccine is part of the routine national immunisation schedule. If you or your child are not up to date with your polio vaccinations it’s important you contact your GP to catch up, or if unsure, check your Red Book.
Find out more about childhood vaccinations Immunisations - Healthy Surrey.
3rd March 2022
Ready for Parenthood; Infant feeding
Becoming a new parent is life-changing. It can also be in varying measures; exhilarating, exhausting, and extremely challenging.
One aspect of parenthood is Infant feeding. Mealtimes are an opportunity for your child to learn from watching you eat. So, make time for family mealtimes as much as possible. Try to create a positive atmosphere at mealtimes by smiling, showing interest and avoiding distractions. Get into a regular routine and praise children for trying new food.
Useful tips for new parents, visit the Ready for Parenthood campaign.
3rd March 2022
Please see attached Online Safety Guide for Pre-Schoolers
1st March 2022
24th February 2022
Updated Government Covid Procedures
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated 21 February 2022 - updated guidance to reflect that from 21 February twice-weekly testing in settings will no longer be required and on 24 February, the guidance on tracing close contacts and self-isolation will be replaced by UKHSA guidance.
Updated 24 February 2022 - updated guidance to reflect new public health guidance tracing close contacts, isolation and when someone has symptoms or a positive test.
24th January 2022
For the latest Covid 19 guidance see links below:
Guidance for early years and childcare providers
Guidance for local authority children’s services
Guidance for special schools and other specialist settings
Guidance for parents and carers
24th January 2022
A helping hand for a healthier family
Do you need help to achieve a healthy weight for your child? Be Your Best is a free service for Surrey families with children aged 0-12 who are above the healthy weight range. For more information please see the Be Your Best - A helping hand for a healthier family flyer.
13th January 2022
Sleep Safe Advice for your baby
Following safe sleep advice is known to have saved many babies’ lives. The Lullaby Trust has put together this helpful video: Safer sleep for babies - which explains all of the essentials to keep your baby safe. In particular, if you’re planning on drinking alcohol, you might want to keep in mind the advice around alcohol and bed-sharing. Studies have found that bed-sharing with your baby after drinking any alcohol is a very high risk to your baby.
To find out more visit: How to reduce the risk of SIDS for your baby - The Lullaby Trust.
13th January 2022
New Dad?
Please see the following information given to us by Early Years to help new Dads!
The DadPad app is the essential guide for new and soon-to-be dads.
The DadPad was created because babies don’t come with a set of instructions, and dads need important information on what to expect and how to care for their baby.
The benefits for a new or soon-to-be dad:
Reduce their anxiety by getting involved and gaining in confidence
Learn how to create a strong bond and healthy attachment with their baby
Build stronger family relationships by sharing the load and learning how to parent together
Recognise the signs of postnatal depression in both themselves and their partner, and learn how to get help early
The DadPad is best utilised as early as possible during pregnancy, around birth and beyond, and provides guidance for babies and children up to the age of two. It’s particularly useful to have during paternity leave.
For more details, visit the DadPad app download page.
January 2022
Are you entitled to claim EYPP for your child?
Early Years Pupil Premium is funding from the Government for early years settings. You can use the money to improve the education you provide for three and four year olds.
Who can claim Early Years Pupil Premium?
All early years providers who provide free early education for three and four year olds. Children must meet the eligibility criteria.
What is the eligibility criteria?
Children must be three or four and using their free early education allowance and their parent or carer must receive one of the following benefits:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit (provided the family is not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
Working Tax Credit run-on (paid for four weeks after a family stops qualifying for Working Tax Credit).
Funding may also be available if a child falls into one of the following groups:
Adopted from care
Has left care through a special guardianship arrangement
Has left care and is subject to a child arrangement order (previously known as a residence order)
If you think you maybe eligible please complete the attached and hand it to a member of staff.
EYPP registration form (MS Word).
30th December 2021
We have received the following information from Surrey Early Years which maybe of interest to you or your family.
Please see below information on the courses available for families at the Surrey Heath Family Centre.
December 9th 2021
Please see latest Covid guidance
Department for Education guidance
Our guidance to support education and childcare providers, local authorities and parents during the COVID-19 pandemic can be accessed using the links below:
· Guidance for early years and childcare providers
· Guidance for further and higher education providers
· Guidance for local authority children’s services
· Guidance for special schools and other specialist settings
· Guidance for parents and carers
November 30 2021
Updated guidance to reflect new measures announced on Sunday 28 November
On Saturday 27 November, the Prime Minister announced new temporary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK.
On Sunday 28 November, the Department for Education announced the measures as they apply to education and childcare.
We have updated the information on contact tracing and isolation, travel and quarantine, face coverings and vaccination of under 18 year olds in the following guidance to reflect the new measures:
· schools COVID-19 operational guidance
· actions for early years and childcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic
· further education COVID-19 operational guidance
· higher education COVID-19 operational guidance
25th October 2021
Free family learning from Surrey Adult Learning
Surrey Early Years have offered online courses and workshops, supporting parents and carers with:
· parenting
· wellbeing
· understanding children's behaviour
· getting to grips with maths and phonics
· English as an additional language (EAL)
· understanding the English education system
We are happy to share this link Family Learning Bulletin #25 with you all.
The content includes activities for families over the half-term period, advice and support for families following lifestyle changes from the Covid pandemic, and resources to support children with their development and wellbeing.
Keeping Children Safe online
Please visit our parent portal for information on keeping children/family safe online.
September 2021
Keeping our Children and Family safe on line
This is the responsibility of us all - At Little Villagers we have introduced a number of new measures to start teaching our children about online safety - we are delighted to share these ideas with you - please see our Parent Portal for our online security measures. We have also added some activity sheets for you to shar with your family.
September 1st 2021
Updated Covid Guidance for Early Years/Education
Updated guidance
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
What childcare services early years settings, childminders and local authorities need to provide during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Updated 17 August 2021 - removed outdated term references, removed the guidance on routine vaccines and teething.
The local outbreaks, mixing, tracing close contacts and self-isolation and face coverings sections were also updated.
Managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings
What measures education and childcare settings should be prepared to introduce to manage coronavirus (COVID-19).
Updated 17 August 2021 – Updated ahead of the autumn term, in line with wider government guidelines. The updated framework includes the new thresholds at which you might consider seeking public health advice and taking further action to reinforce measures already in place, updates to the circumstances in which local health protection teams or directors of public health might recommend you introduce some additional measures, and annexed guidance for managing cases in settings from 23 August.
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
What all schools will need to do during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Updated 17 August 2021 - updates to the 'tracing close contacts and isolation’, 'face coverings', 'stepping measures up and down’ and ‘travel and quarantine’ sections.
Guidance for parents and carers of children attending community activities, holiday or after-school clubs, tuition and other out-of-school settings.
Updated 17 August 2021 - added section on 'tracing and self-isolation' to explain that children under 18 do not need to self-isolate if they're identified by NHS Track and Trace as a contact.
August 2021
Covid Policy
We have updated our Covid policy - this can be found in our policies section within the Parent Portal as well as on display in the setting. Please note this policy is subject to change.
Please note we will continue to operate within the Government guidelines.
August 2021
REVISED EYFS
A reminder to parents - we will be implimenting the revised EYFS from September 2021 - this will impact positively on your children. Our curriculum, planning and implementation of activities has been adapted slightly to ensure we fully support the new framework. If you have any questions please do not heat to speak to a member of staff.
Further information an be found under the Curriculum section of our website.
August 2021
Language and literacy is so important to a child’s development - please see below some literacy links that have been recommended by Surrey Early years:
Literacy links:
Below are a few Websites recommended by Surrey Early Years to help parents support their child’s literacy skills: Hungry Little Minds – a new three year campaign launched by the Department for Education July 2019 to encourage parents to engage in activities that support their child’s early learning.https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/ Small Talk, part of the National Literacy Trust website. Activities for parents to use with their children.https://small-talk.org.uk/ National Literacy Trust – guide for parents with apps that help your young child learn language and communication skills.http://literacyapps.literacytrust.org.uk/ I Can – Talking Point, information for parents to help understand and support children’s speech, language and communicationhttps://ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/ August 2021
Be aware of Mental Health
We live in uncertain times and there is no doubt that they are having an effect on our children. Children’s mental health charities are reporting increased frustration and anxiety in children, many are struggling to readjust to a new routine and those with pre-existing mental health conditions are facing reduced access to support services and the networks they rely on.
Knowing how to manage worries in a healthy way is a key life skill for young people and having an arsenal of stress busting activities is always useful. All children will have different ways of processing emotions and finding what works for you is key.
Here are some fun ways to deal with mental health and anxiety:
Have fun – bubble breathing
Blowing bubbles is great fun, and it has an added benefit too – the deep breathing required to blow bubbles can help you to relax and feel calm. Follow our recipe for home made bubbles and learn the calming bubble breathing technique.
Skills for life – the jar of smiles
This is a fun way of learning how to process negative feelings or emotions, and then move on from them in a healthy way. Swapping worries for affirmations and fun activities from the jar is a great way of managing changing moods during lockdown. Instructions here.
Get active – outdoor games
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let off some steam or shake off a slump. We’ve gathered together a list of GFS girls’ go-to active games to refresh your family favourites.
Be creative – friendship bracelets
Many children (and grown ups!) find focusing on repetitive movements calming. Take your mind off of any worries and master the art of friendship bracelets with our easy video tutorial.
8th July
Please see below the latest document for:
Keeping children safe in education (from 1 September 2021)
Keeping children safe in education
Statutory guidance for schools and colleges on safeguarding children and safer recruitment.
New 'Keeping children safe in education 2021’. This document is for information only and does not come into force until 1 September 2021.
8th July
Please see the updated guidance for Covid -19 as given to us by Early Years Surrey:
Updated guidance - COVID-19
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated 6 July 2021; Added operational guidance for early years settings which applies at Step 4. This guidance removes restrictions such as keeping children in small consistent groups and wearing face coverings in communal areas. It also includes information about updating your outbreak management plan and what to do when an individual in your setting tests positive for COVID-19. At Step 4, close contacts will be identified by NHS Test and Trace. By the autumn term, children under the age of 18 will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact.
Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak
Updated 6 July 2021; Added operational guidance for schools which applies at Step 4. This guidance removes restrictions such as keeping children in consistent groups (bubbles) and wearing face coverings in classrooms and communal areas and on dedicated school transport. It also includes information about updating your outbreak management plan and what to do when an individual in your school tests positive for COVID-19. From 16 August 2021, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact.
Use of PPE in education, childcare and children’s social care
Updated 6 July 2021; Added 'The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in education, childcare and children’s social care settings, including for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)' for use in Step 4. We have removed sector information on the controls measures and included information on the use of personal protective equipment, including for aerosol generating procedures.
Updated 7 July 2021; Added COVID-19: Action for Out-of-school Settings guidance which applies from Step 4. This guidance removes restrictions such as keeping children in consistent groups (bubbles), wearing face coverings in classrooms, communal areas and in community settings, limits on parental attendance, and restrictions on group sizes for residential visits. It also includes information about updating your outbreak management plan and what to do when an individual in your setting tests positive for COVID-19. From 16 August, children under the age of 18 years old will no longer be required to self-isolate if they are contacted by NHS Test and Trace as a close contact.
8th June
Covid Update from Early Years Surrey
Communication reminders for our families:
· All adults and secondary and college age students are encouraged to take a symptom-free LFD test twice a week. You will not need to isolate while waiting for the results of the symptom-free LFD test. Adults can collect a home testing kit from a designated site or order online. Find out more about symptom-free testing here.
· Please remember if your child or a household member develops COVID-19 symptoms, do not use symptom-free LFD testing. Instead, book a PCR test or call 119.
· Testing is not a replacement for infection prevention and control measures that education settings, pupils and their households must continue to follow. Remember: HANDS – FACE – SPACE – FRESH AIR.
· We all need to continue to follow national and local COVID-19 guidance in line with the roadmap. In education settings this includes; social distancing between bubbles or cohorts, one-way systems, enhanced cleaning and handwashing, some staggered start and finish times and face coverings where appropriate.
· If you're aged 30 or over you can get the COVID-19 vaccine (the eligible age is rapidly decreasing). You can book an appointment at a larger vaccination centre or pharmacy now, or wait to be invited to go to a local NHS service. If you are not yet eligible, the NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the vaccine.
Reminder - Daily coronavirus data update for Surrey
A daily update on coronavirus infection rates and cases in Surrey is available on the Surrey County Council Daily coronavirus data update for Surrey webpage. It gives a high-level picture of Surrey's local infection rate and is also broken down by district and borough.
28th May
Family Learning and Half term fun for Early Years as recommended by Surrey Early Years:
These courses are free and delivered online on zoom. Parents and carers can find out more about the individual courses and book directly by clicking on the individual links or by visiting the Family Learning webpage.
Half term fun and Early Years
Hungry Caterpillar Story and craft workshop for 3-4 year olds Tuesday 1st June 10.30-11.30am
Elmer Story and craft workshop for 4-7 year olds Friday4th June 10.30-11.30am
Phonics workshop Tuesday 15th June 10.30-11.30am
Phonics workshop Tuesday 15th June 1.30-2.30pm
Wellbeing & Healthy Living
Healthy Summer Desserts 3 week course Monday 7th-21st June 1-2.30pm
Healthy lunch box challenge 3 week course Wednesday 23rd June-7th July 12.30-2.30pm
Yoga for Anxiety 3 week course Tuesday 8th -22 June 10-11.30am
Yoga for Anxiety 3 week course Tuesday 29th June-13th June 10-11.30am
Family Yoga ( with 5-10 year old) 3 week course Wednesday 9th -23rd June 4.30-5.30pm
Family Yoga (with 5-10 year old) 3 week course Wednesday 30th June-14th July 4.30-5.30pm
Chair Yoga to build resilience 3 week course Thursday 10th-24th June 10-11.30 am
Stress Buster workshop Thursday 10th June 1.15-2.45pm
Courses for EAL parents
English for EAL Parents 6 week course Wednesday 9th June-14th July 12.30-2.30pm
English for EAL parents 6 week course Thursday 10th June-15th July 10-11.30am
English Grammar for EAL parents 6 week course Wednesday 9th June-14th July 10-11.30am
English Grammar for EAL parents 6 week course Thursday 10th June-15th July 12.30-2.30pm
Education in England workshop Friday 11th June 1-2.30pm
Phonics for EAL parents workshop Friday 18th June 1-2.30pm
Applying for a primary school place for EAL parents Friday 25th June 1-2.30pm
Maths
Family Maths for Key Stage One 6 week course Thursday 10th June- 15th July 10-11.30am
Family Maths for Key Stage Two 6 week course Thursday 10th June-15th July 1-2.30pm
Parenting
Explore Behaviour Strategies 2 week course Wednesday 9th -16th June 1-2.30pm
Explore Behaviour Strategies 2 week course Wednesday 30th June-7th July 1-2.30pm
Understanding Children's Behaviour 5 week course Friday 11th June-9th July 10-11.30am
28th May
See updated Covid Guidance for Early Years:: The following advice is intended for early years settings - advice for schools may differ:
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated 24 May 2021 - guidance has been converted to HTML to make it easier to read. The guidance has not changed from the update on 10 May.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) local restrictions in education and childcare settings
Updated 24 May 2021 - guidance has been converted to HTML to make it easier to read. The guidance has not changed from the update on 13 May.
27th May
Some of you may be aware the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) has been revised and comes into effect September 2021. We will be revising how we operate accordingly and will let you know of any changes made.
Please see our section EYFS for some further information.
20th May
Latest Covid-19 Department of Education Guidance
( please see links below):
Here is the Department for Education guidance to support education providers, local authorities and parents during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
· Guidance for early years and childcare providers
· Guidance for further and higher education providers
· Guidance for local authority children’s services
· Guidance for special schools and other specialist settings
16th April 2021
Speech and Language tips to help your child get ready for school
Speech and language tips to get your child ready for starting school Colleagues from Children and Family Health Surrey have created a webpage to support parents and carers to prepare their child/children to start school in September. There are top tips on attention, play, social skills and conversation, sentence building, vocabulary building and speech sounds.
Speech and language tips to get your child ready for starting school
16th April 2021
Updated guidance for Early Years (Covid 19)
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak
Updated 29 March 2021 – includes information on shielding for staff and children, asymptomatic testing, Test and Trace payments for parents, parent and child groups: singing, educational visits and resuming Ofsted visits.
Updated 26 March 2021 - Changes made to the sections 'Bubbles and group sizes' and 'Children with health concerns.'
Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update
Updated 29 March 2021 – includes information regarding the Ofsted return to on-site EIF inspections of registered early years providers from 4 May 2021
9th April 2021
Changes to the EYFS are taking place in September 2021
Pls see EYFS section on our website for further information.
22nd March 2021
Covid 19 - latest Updated guidance for Early Years
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - Updated 15 March 2021.
5th February 2021
Online Safety for all of your children during Coronavirus and beyond.
Please look in the Parent Portal for Information and tips from the NSPCC on how to keep your children safe online.
29th January 2021
Latest Guidance/Documents for early Years
Updated documents and guidance:
Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update – updated 26 January 2021
Updated ‘Early years and childcare’ section with details of a survey Ofsted has sent to wraparound childcare providers.
Keeping children safe in education - GOV.UK – Updated 18 January 2021
Updated to reflect legal changes following EU exit, including guidance on checking the past conduct of individuals who have lived or worked overseas.
29th January 2021
0-19 Advice Line
Surrey Early Years have asked us to pass the following information to Parents and Carers:
0-19 Advice Line - Please pass on to parents and carers
0-19 Advice Line; 01883 340 922
The Surrey-wide 0-19 Advice Line is open to parents and carers of babies, young children and teenagers for support on all aspects of baby and child health, development and parenting.
Please get in touch if you need support. 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays.
26th January 2021
Home Schooling Links/Tips
Home Schooling is tough for everyone at the moment, whilst we are very lucky to be open - educating and developing your children in a safe environment, we know many of you have other children at home who are currently unable to attend school. Please see the Parent Portal - useful links. We have added some useful links which you may find helpful when home schooling your family.
20th January 2021
Surrey Adult Learning Support for Parents/Carers
We are very keen to help support our parents as much as possible and we have found some courses which you may find useful. The information can be found on our Parent Portal - please scroll down the page to find the information on the Surrey Adult Learning courses. Whilst some courses have to be paid for there are many which are free and may be of interest to you.
20th January 2021
Free Online Parenting Course
We have added some additional courses offered by the Family Information Services which may be of interest to you especially during these difficult times. Please visit the Parent Portal under Useful Links (this courses can be found under the Family Information Service section). These courses are free to families living Surrey.
8th January 2021
Ideas to help develop your child during these difficult times.
Please don’t forget we publish every week in the Parent Portal some of the activities that we will be doing during the week at Pre School. We also display a weekly poster which incorporates our loose themes, as well as gives you ideas of how you can help your child develop at home. If you do any of these activities at home - please do tell us about them - bring in a photograph etc as we are sure your child will love to share their experience with our Little Villagers family.
Within the Parent Portal we also have a section on further ideas of how you can hep develop your child at home.
It is so important that you too are a part of your child’s development - please do take a look at some of the simple ideas and enjoy doing them together with your children.
5th January 2021
Little Villagers Pre-School remains open
Following on from the Governments announcement last night, Little Villagers Pre-School will remain open and we look forward to welcoming you back for the start of term (today).
We will continue to follow Government advise and follow our strict Covid procedures - many thanks to you all for your on going support.
For the latest Government guidance and information on Covid-19 within Early Years settings please visit Gov.uk which gives all the latest updated guidance.
29th October 2020
An update on Forest School at Little Villagers
We are now half a term in and we wanted to tell about some of the learning opportunities our children are experiencing at our wonderful forest school.
The site is situated in the beautiful private secure grounds and woodlands of Woodcote House School. The children enjoy the short stroll from our building across the playing fields to the woods where an area is set aside this we call our base camp. They assemble on the log seats where our Forest School Leader Mr Smith chats to the children about their day and activities they might like to participate in. During this time he has the opportunity to talk to them about risk taking safely, enjoying the environment around them, seeing and hearing nature first hand and exploring the exciting world we live in.
The children are free and encouraged to use their imagination to create play ideas – children’s ideas evolve through their play, for example stick play, always playing safely, this has led to stick brushing, stick mark making, clearing areas using sticks to enable them to build camps, to dragging branches across clearings to build themselves seesaws. The children are learning to climb trees safely with adult supervision, learning their boundaries and capabilities. The learning opportunities are endless within this environment, physical development is key, strengthening the children physically as they play, climb and explore.
Others areas of play introduced by Mr Smith include erecting a low zip wire for the children to experience the thrill of speed and movement, building their own tee pee, raising hammocks for them to relax in and observe the sky above them, as well as learning the skill of skipping using lengths of rope.
On our return to Pre-School after our Forest School sessions the children extend their learning within the classroom for example by mark making around leaves, size ordering and weighing conkers to making Lego dens for small world animals.
In all, we are delighted with Forest School and would like to thank Mr Smith for the energy and enthusiasm he brings to the experience.
For us it is another fabulous addition to our quality Pre-School and we, as staff, are thrilled to be able to offer this to your children as an additional learning experience.
To see photographs of some of the activities taking place at Forest School please go to the Parent Portal – Forest School. You also see some of the activities on our Facebook page. Please do check both on a regular basis.
24th September 2020
Please see an article below from the Surrey Early Years Updates regarding Covid symptoms and other childhood illnesses and what do do if you are worried about your child of family member:
Symptoms - An individual should only seek a test if they have one or more of the main COVID symptoms – a high temperature; a new, continuous cough and/or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste (or as directed to by a medical professional, at the request of a local council or as part of the government pilot project). The guidance is clear that if an individual has one or more of those symptoms then they must isolate (stay at home and don’t have any visitors) and get a test as soon as possible. The rest of the household need to isolate for 14 days or until a negative test result. The NHS has provided explanations for each of the main symptoms, which can be found via NHS-COVID-19-symptoms. Please note that this doesn’t specify a particular figure for a high temperature and thus it is advised not use a figure in any school communications with parents.
Childhood illnesses - if a child is unwell with other symptoms such as sore throat, earache, stomach ache, runny nose, skin rashes, then parents are advised to check NHS 111 online health condition advice – is my child too ill to go to school, and contact their local pharmacy or GP if they need further help. NHS 111 phoneline should only be used for an urgent medical problem where parents or carers are unsure what to do. If a child is too ill to attend school, the parent or carer should advise the school as per normal and arrange to care for the child at home until they are well enough to return. For schools there is also government guidelines that say when a child should be kept off school and when they shouldn't.
21st September 2020
For your convenience (during Covid) we will also post the Enhanced planning on the website (Parents Portal - planning) so you will be able to see some of the daily activities undertaken by the children.
20th September 2020
Please see the latest updated guidance; Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
10th September 2020
For your information below is the updated EYFS:
Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) Guidance: Early years foundation stage statutory framework (EYFS) updated 4 September 2020.
10th September 2020
Latest Guidance Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
; Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
'What to do if a child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
2nd September 2020
Latest Early Years guidance for Covid-19
Ofsted: coronavirus (COVID-19) rolling update
New guidance on managing potential Covid-19 outbreaks published
2nd September 2020
We are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Pre-School next week. Please note our weekly poster advising you of what is happening during the week at Pre-School is now available to view weekly in the Parent Portal. We’d love you to join in the activities and tell us about your experience.
Funding - you will be asked to complete your forms next week - a member of staff will help you with these. If you are/were claiming funding for the first time this term or last term please could you bring in an original form of identification for your child. We ask that you complete the forms on site please.
Eligibility Code - for those claiming extended 30 hours funding please remember to give us your updated eligibility code in order for us to claim the funding.
6th July 2020
The latest Coronavirus Guidance for Early Years can be seen here:
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak:
Actions for early years and childcare providers during the coronavirus outbreak (Updated 2 July)
From 20 July, early years settings will no longer be required to keep children in small, consistent groups. Settings should still consider how they can minimise mixing and all other protective measures must remain in place.
The guidance has been updated to reflect this and also includes new content on:
risk assessment (section 3.1)
supporting staff with increased risk factors (section 3.2)
system of controls (section 3.3)
attendance at settings for those shielding, with changes to the advice effective from 1 August (section 4)
wraparound care (section 5.3)
21st June 2020
It was lovely to see so many Frogs and Tadpoles return to the setting last week. Whilst things are little different due to the Covid-19 guidance, the children have all adapted beautifully and we very much look forward to a sunny few weeks until we all break up for the Summer.
17th June 2020
Please read the updated Covid 19 guidance for Early Years (15 June):
Ofsted guidance and information relating to coronavirus (COVID-19) for early years.
Full opening of Little Villagers
11th June 2020
We very much look forward to welcoming back all of our children from Monday 15th June. To date our phased re-opening has been very successful - the Frogs have all enjoyed returning back to the setting and we believe they are hugely benefiting from being back amongst their friends and teachers. We very much look forward to welcoming the Tadpoles back from Monday - for full information on the return of the Tadpoles please see our Newsletter sent to all Tadpole parents on 11th June. A copy of this newsletter is in the Parent Portal under Newsletters.
Please note we will continue to place Home play/learning onto our website for those children who are unable to return to Pre-School at the current time. Our home play/learning ideas can to be found on the Parent Portal.
Supporting your child returning to Pre-School
8th June 2020
Surrey Early Years have provided a leaflet about your child returning to Pre-School which you may find useful.
A picture story to look through with your children
The Importance of Physical Development and play
22nd April 2020
Guidance on What do if your child is unwell during this time
17th April 2020
Please see the attached link created by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health with clear guidance for parents on what to do if their child’s unwell at this time (during Covid-19 Pandemic):
Parental Conflict
2nd April 2020
Parental Conflict should be highlighted especially during these difficult times and understanding it’s consequences is something we wanted to share with you.
Little Villagers ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Report
Official Opening of Little Villagers
Pre-School
In our new location
31st January 2020
Windlesham Magazine Article March 2020
Please see below the article published in the Windlesham Magazine after our official opening:
Exciting day for the children and staff of Little Villagers Pre-school as the Mayor of Surrey Heath comes to officially open their new premises.
Little Villagers Pre-School based in Windlesham, Surrey, held the official opening ceremony of its new premises on 31st January at 10.30am. The pre-school is based in the grounds of Woodcote House School and, although independent of Woodcote, it enjoys the use of some of its facilities.
The owner, Karen Henderson-Williams, was delighted to welcome the Mayor of Surrey Heath, Councillor Robin Perry to officiate. She thanked the Mayor for his attendance and said she was honoured that he was with them to officially open their new premises.
Little Villagers relocated to its new building in September 2019 but decided to wait until they had been in the building for a full term before arranging the official opening. Karen is indebted to the Headmaster of Woodcote House School Mr David Paterson and his staff for giving them the opportunity to relocate to a building within their beautiful grounds.
Little Villagers originally opened in 2007 and was previously run from a building within the grounds of Windlesham Infant School. Karen and her staff are passionate about what they do and believe a quality Early Years Education sets the foundation for children’s future learning. Karen told those attending that she and her staff were developing their Forest School offer within the grounds of Woodcote House. She reported on the achievements of Little Villagers over the years but said the success was a team effort and thanked her hardworking loyal staff, many of whom had been with her for many years, and were all strong believers in the importance of a quality Early Years Education.
The Mayor congratulated Karen and her staff for their achievements, noting that Little Villagers is one of only two pre-schools within Surrey to have received 3 consecutive Outstanding Ofsteds, as well as a Quality Assurance. He also talked about the importance of Early Years Education and said he was grateful to have Little Villagers within the borough.
The official opening was supported by many parents, past and present, together with visitors and representatives from local schools. Following the ceremony refreshments were offered with commemorative cakes to celebrate the occasion and the pupils enjoyed a treat in the form of a children’s entertainer Jelly Kelly.
Please contact Little Villagers Pre-School 01276 473845 or email admin@littlevillagers.co.uk for further information.