Wet Weather Reminder

As the wetter months settle in, we’d like to remind you that Tenterfield Nursery School is a free-flow setting, which means the children enjoy outdoor play in all weather conditions — rain or shine!

We provide wetsuits for the children, but as you may know, there’s a rather large and irresistible puddle in our garden that many of the children love to immerse themselves in. It’s all part of the fun and learning, but it does mean they can get quite wet!

To help us keep your child comfortable and dry throughout the day, please ensure:
- Plenty of changes of clothes are packed in your child’s bag.
- They are dressed in sensible, weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor play.
- They have a named pair of wellies that are kept at nursery.

 

PTFA Meeting – This Thursday 23rd October after drop off

We’d love for you to join us after drop-off this Thursday for our PTFA meeting.

Come along for a cuppa and a chat, and find out how you can get involved in supporting our events this year. We usually hold three key events across the school year, and we really need your help and support to make them a success this year!

Whether you’re new to the nursery or a familiar face, everyone is welcome — we’d love to see you there!

 

 

No Cling Film in Lunchboxes Please

As part of our sustainability plan this year, we are working to reduce single-use plastics in the nursery — and that includes lunchboxes!

We kindly ask that cling film is not used when packing your child’s lunch. Not only is it harmful to the environment, but it can also pose a choking hazard for young children.

Instead, please consider using:
- Reusable containers
- Paper or compostable bags

Also no popcorn or chocolate in lunch boxes please.

 

End-of-Day Snacks

We understand that some children enjoy you bringing them a snack at the end of the day — however, we kindly ask that snacks are only given once you have exited the building.

Tenterfield Nursery School is a nut-aware setting, and we must carefully monitor all food brought into the nursery to ensure the safety of children with allergies.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and inclusive environment for all.

 

Curriculum in Action – Friday 24th October

 

Parents are warmly invited to join us at 11:15am or 2:15pm to come together with your key group. The session will include a Book & Biscuit, giving you a lovely chance to share Storytime and a snack with your child.

Healthy Snack Donations

As a nursery school, we are not eligible to receive free fruit and vegetables through the government scheme, unlike primary schools.

However, we believe that snack time is a valuable part of the day — a chance to promote healthy eating and encourage children to try a wide variety of fruit and vegetable snacks, both familiar and new.

To help us continue offering a range of interesting and nutritious snacks, we kindly ask for a donation of £2 per week. You can also choose to donate:
- £12 per half term
- £24 per term
- £68 for the full year

Donations can be made directly via Arbor.

We really appreciate your support in helping us provide healthy choices for all children.

 

Xmas Holiday Club

There are a few spaces left in our Christmas Holiday Club!

Book now via Arbor before we open bookings to the wider community.

If you have any questions or need support, please contact Zara at wraparound@tenterfield.herts.sch.uk.

 

Important dates:

 

Fri 24th Oct	Curriculum in Action – Parents invited at 11:15am & 2:15pm (includes Book & Biscuit)
Mon 27th–Tues 28th Oct	Half Term – Holiday Club NOT Open
Mon 3rd–Fri 7th Nov	Fireworks Week
Mon 10th Nov	Odd Socks Day – start of Anti-Bullying Week
Fri 14th Nov	BBC Children in Need – wear PJs to nursery
Fri 28th Nov	Occasional Day – Nursery Closed
Thurs 4th Dec	International Volunteers Day – share your skills! So far, we’re excited to welcome a police visit, and we’d love to add more! If you have a job, skill, or hobby you’d be happy to share with the children – no matter how big or small – please get in touch. Whether you’re a baker, builder, artist, gardener, musician, or anything in between, the children would love to learn from you! Please email admin@tenterfield/herts.sch.uk
Mon 8th–Fri 12th Dec	Catch-Up Calls Week
Weds 10th Dec	Twilight Christmas – Join us 4:00–4:45pm
Fri 19th Dec	Last Day of Term – finish at 1pm for 30hr children
Mon 22nd–Tues 23rd Dec	Christmas Holiday – Holiday Club Open

Dear Parents & Carers,

 

A huge thank you to all the parents who joined us on our walk to the church last week — we couldn’t have done it without you! Your support makes such a difference, and the children had a wonderful time exploring together and familiarising themselves with the church ahead of Friday!

 

We’re also delighted to share that our garden has a beautiful new swing, kindly donated by the family of Mrs Brankin. The children absolutely love it — it’s already a very popular spot and a wonderful way for them to practice taking turns and sharing.

 

Catch-Up Calls – Week of 13th–17th October

Next week you’ll have your catch-up call with your child’s key person to chat about how they’ve settled into nursery life.
Please note: Calls may appear as ‘No Caller ID’ — be sure to answer. Each call will last about 10 minutes.

Group Call Schedule:

• Orange Group: Mon 13th (AM) or Weds 15th (PM)
• Blue Group: Tues 14th (PM)
• Green Group: Thurs 16th (PM)
• Yellow Group: Fri 17th (PM)
• Pink Group: Fri 17th (AM)
• Purple Group: Fri 17th
• Red Group: Time to be confirmed by Mrs Cole & team

If you cannot make your scheduled time, please email the office.

 

Harvest Service – Friday 10th October (Not Pink Group)

Thank you for supporting our church pre-visit — the children really enjoyed it!
Our Harvest Service will begin at 9:15am on Friday.

• Children in Breakfast Club will walk to the church with staff.
• All other children should arrive at the church by 9:10am.
  Families are warmly invited to stay and enjoy the songs. Children may sit with you if they wish.
  After the service, parents will return children to nursery (please allow staff time to walk back).
  If your child attends 15 hours and you plan to go home afterward, please let the office know.
  We’re also collecting for Codicote Food Bank — donations of tinned goods, pasta, sauces, long-life milk or juice, and coffee are greatly appreciated.

 

Water Only in Bottles

Please send water only in bottles — no juice or squash.
Juice can harm teeth and can lead to children trying to share drinks.
Water keeps everyone healthy, hydrated, and safe.
Thank you for supporting our healthy habits!

 

NHS – Best Start in Life

The NHS Best Start in Life website offers trusted advice for families with children from birth to school age. Topics include feeding, oral health, early learning, and childcare support.
Visit 👉 www.nhs.uk/best-start-in-life

 

Tissues and Wipes Donations

Next week, under the canopy, there will be a large box for tissue and wipe donations. As you can imagine, we go through lots every day! Your donations help us save funds for more exciting resources and activities for the children. Thank you so much for your continued support.

 

World Food Day- Thurs 16th Oct

 

We will be celebrating World Food Day on Thurs16th October.

 

It will be a fantastic opportunity for our children to taste a variety of foods from around the world, celebrating the diverse cultures within our Tenterfield family!

 

We would love you to provide some food from your culture or a country that is important to your family. Please can you let the office know if you are able to contribute something by emailing admin@tenterfield.herts.sch.uk

 

Last year we had Welsh cakes, spring rolls, pizza & more!! We used world maps to see which countries the food originated from. Some children even bought their favourite foods from holidays they have been on! Feel free to be as creative as you can!

 

Please bring any food to the main office on Weds15th October together with an ingredients list (for allergies)

 

Curriculum in Action – Friday 24th October
Parents are warmly invited to join us at 11:15am or 2:15pm to come together with your key group. The session will include a Book & Biscuit, giving you a lovely chance to share storytime and a snack with your child.

 

Upcoming Dates

 

Date	Event
Fri 10th Oct	Harvest Festival at Church – arrive 9:10am
Mon 13th–Fri 17th Oct	Catch-Up Calls Week
Thurs 16th Oct	World Food Day – bring a dish to represent your nationality
Fri 24th Oct	Curriculum in Action – Parents invited at 11:15am & 2:15pm (includes Book & Biscuit)
Mon 27th–Tues 28th Oct	Half Term – Holiday Club NOT Open
Mon 3rd–Fri 7th Nov	Fireworks Week
Mon 10th Nov	Odd Socks Day – start of Anti-Bullying Week
Fri 14th Nov	BBC Children in Need – wear PJs to nursery
Fri 28th Nov	Occasional Day – Nursery Closed
Thurs 4th Dec	International Volunteers Day – share your skills!
Mon 8th–Fri 12th Dec	Catch-Up Calls Week
Weds 10th Dec	Twilight Christmas – 4:00–4:45pm
Fri 19th Dec	Last Day of Term – finish at 1pm for 30hr children
Mon 22nd–Tues 23rd Dec	Christmas Holiday – Holiday Club Open

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

We’ve had such a fun-filled week together! The children are settling in beautifully, and it’s been wonderful to see them growing in confidence each day. This week we’ve started our induction, which simply means we’re helping the children learn all about how the nursery works — from daily routines to where things belong and how to use the different areas of the classroom. This helps them feel comfortable, independent, and ready to enjoy all the exciting activities we have planned.

If you’d like to know more about what induction involves, please take a look on Dojo where we’ll be sharing more information.

 

Coming into Nursery Independently

From next week, we will begin encouraging the children to come into nursery independently. Please start having conversations with your child about coming in on their own, as this will help prepare them for the change.

 

Developing independence is a key part of our curriculum, and this is an important step in helping your child build confidence and resilience.

As part of this process, the children will be learning to:

• Manage their own belongings
• Find their “magic hook” and hang their coat on their peg
• Put their coat on and take it off independently (we teach them a special trick for this!)
• Go to their key person without needing a grown-up’s support

Our usual system is that parents say goodbye to their child at the bottom of the slope, where they enter the building. There will be staff on the slope each morning to welcome the children and support them. Over the next few days, you may wish to ease this transition by saying goodbye at the garden door, rather than walking them to the classroom. Wherever possible, please also allow your child to walk into nursery independently, rather than being carried. By the end of next week, we would like you to be saying goodbye at the slope, and for your child to come in independently or with the support of a member of staff.

 

Please note: the member of staff on the nursery door is there for safeguarding purposes — ensuring that no unrecognised adults enter and that no children leave without an adult. For this reason, we kindly ask you not to engage them in conversation. Instead, please always speak to the member of staff standing outside (rain or shine!) if you need assistance, or to pass on any urgent messages to your child’s key person.

 

We understand that every child is different, and if your child finds it particularly difficult to separate, we will work with you to create a bespoke plan to support them. With your cooperation, and by keeping the routine consistent, children usually adapt quickly and confidently.

 

📚 Lending Library

Our little library under the canopy is there for all families to enjoy!

• Borrow a book whenever you like (we trust you’ll return it once finished).
• Donations of good-quality children’s books are always welcome—please drop them at the office.
• We’d also love some parent volunteers to help keep the library tidy, label new books, and even water the plants. If you’re interested, please chat with Holly Bradley in the office.

 

☕ Macmillan Coffee Morning

📅 Friday 26th September
🕗 8:45–9:30 am
📍 Under the canopy & in the kitchen

Come and join us for a warm drink and cake while helping raise money for Macmillan!

• Donations of cakes are very welcome.
• If you can lend a hand on the day, we’d love your support.
• Leftover cakes may be sold after the session.

 

🌾 Harvest Festival

Pre Visit: Friday 10th October. We require parent helpers for this. Please see the separate email.

 

Harvest Festival Event

📅 Friday 10th October
📍 St Mary’s Church, village
🕘 9:15 am (Family Service)

• IMPORTANT: Our nursery-aged children (3–4 years) should be dropped off at the church (not nursery) at 9:15 am.
• The children will sing their Harvest songs for you.
• After the service, please bring your child back up to nursery for their usual session. The service will last approx. 30mins. All parents / relations are invited to attend.

 

✨ PTA Meeting Invitation ✨
Thursday 23rd October

We’d love you to join us for our PTA meeting! It’s a great chance to meet other parents, share ideas, and get involved in some exciting plans for the children.

On the agenda:
🎄 Organising our Christmas Raffle
🎀 Planning a Christmas Wreath-Making event

Your support, big or small, makes such a difference — and it’s always a lovely way to be part of our Tenterfield family. We hope to see you there! 💛

🎒 Children’s Bags – Reminder

Please only pack:
✔ Spare clothes
✔ Nappies/wipes (if needed)

🚫 No toys
🚫 No snacks (we have children with allergies)
🚫 No creams

WB: 29th Sept

 

 

 

Important dates for your diary

Fri 26th September	Macmillan Coffee Morning 8.45am-9.30am Please bring in cakes for our cake sale
Weds 1st Oct	H’s Glimmer Birthday Party Day Remembering Mrs Brankin
Thurs 2nd Oct	Pre visit to the church 9-10.30am
Fri 3rd Oct	Fire engine visit
Fri 10th Oct	Harvest Festival at Church Please take your child to the church for 9.15am.
Mon 13th October - Fri 17th October	Catch Up Calls Week Details will be emailed
Thurs 16th October	World Food Day Please bring a dish to represent a nationality
Fri 24th October	Curriculum in Action Session. Parents invited into nursery at end of session 11.15am & 2.15pm. Includes Book & Biscuit

 

We’re looking forward to sharing lots more learning, fun, and special moments with you and your children in the weeks ahead.

 

With warm wishes,

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

A warm welcome to all our returning families, and a huge hello to the new families joining us this term. 💛

No question is ever a silly question — please always feel free to ask. We truly hope you enjoy your Tenterfield journey with us.

 

Here are a few updates and reminders:

 

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🌸 Important Health & Safety

Staff Allergy
One of our staff members has a severe allergy to horse hair.
If your child has involvement around horses, please let us know by emailing admin@tenterfield.herts.sch.uk, to ensure the safety of our staff member.

 

📝 Pre-Existing Injuries Forms – Keeping Everyone Safe

Your child’s safety is always our number one priority. 💛

You’ll now find Pre-Existing Injuries forms under the canopy.

• If your child comes in with a head bump, bruise, or any significant injury from home, please take a moment to jot it down on a form.

• This helps us keep them safe while they’re with us and avoids any confusion during the day.

• Just as we let you know straight away about accidents that happen here, we ask the same in return.

By filling out the form, you save us needing to disturb you with a phone call, while making sure we’re all working together to look after your child. 🌟

 

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📚 Lending Library

Our little library under the canopy is there for all families to enjoy!

• Borrow a book whenever you like (we trust you’ll return it once finished).

• Donations of good-quality children’s books are always welcome—please drop them at the office.

• We’d also love some parent volunteers to help keep the library tidy, label new books, and even water the plants. If you’re interested, please chat with Holly Bradley in the office.

 

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☕ Macmillan Coffee Morning

📅 Friday 26th September
🕗 8:45–9:30 am
📍 Under the canopy & in the kitchen

Come and join us for a warm drink and cake while helping raise money for Macmillan!

• Donations of cakes are very welcome.

• If you can lend a hand on the day, we’d love your support.

• Leftover cakes may be sold after the session.

 

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🌾 Harvest Festival

📅 Friday 10th October
📍 St Mary’s Church, village
🕘 9:15 am (Family Service)

• IMPORTANT: Our nursery-aged children (3–4 years) should be dropped off at the church (not nursery) at 9:15 am.

• The children will sing their Harvest songs for you.

• After the service, please bring your child back up to nursery for their usual session. The service will last approx. 30mins. All parents / relations are invited to attend.

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🖼 Family Photos

If you haven’t yet sent in a family photo, please bring one in or email it to admin@tenterfield.herts.sch.uk.

 

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🎒 Children’s Bags – Reminder

Please only pack:
✔ Spare clothes
✔ Nappies/wipes (if needed)

🚫 No toys
🚫 No snacks (we have children with allergies)
🚫 No creams

 

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👋 A Warm Welcome to New Staff

We’re so excited to welcome two new members to our team:

• Miss Haley – Lead Teacher, with lots of experience in Early Years and KS1.

• Mrs Cole – Inclusion Lead, bringing a wealth of experience in SEN & Inclusion.

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Important dates for your diary

Fri 26th September	Macmillan Coffee Morning 8.45am-9.30am Please bring in cakes for our cake sale
WB: 29th Sept	Welcome to PTA Meeting this week Organise Xmas raffle & Christmas wreath making
Weds 1st Oct	H’s Glimmer Birthday Party Day Remembering Mrs Brankin
Fri 10th Oct	Harvest Festival at Church Please take your child to the church for 9.15am.
Mon 13th October - Fri 17th October	Catch Up Calls Week Details will be emailed
Thurs 16th October	World Food Day Please bring a dish to represent a nationality
Fri 24th October	Curriculum in Action Session. Parents invited into nursery at end of session 11.15am & 2.15pm. Includes Book & Biscuit

 

Thank you for your continued support – it really helps us make Tenterfield such a special place for the children. 💛