Welcome to our February Newsletter for 2014. February already – WOW. Firstly I would like to say to all our parents, that we hope you have a very happy and healthy 2014. We will update you monthly with our newsletter, so please feel free to offer any comments or suggestions!!
The weather is due to get burrrry cold, so parents please ensure you have hats, gloves etc for your child, and a complete change of clothes incase they do get wet.
We would like to remind all our ECCE parents that the Mid Term break is from Wednesday 19th to Friday 21st February.
We would like to draw parents’ attention to the change in our illness policy, if your child vomits during the night they will be unable to attend crèche until 24hrs after being sick or if your child vomits in Jellystone, you will be called and asked to collect your child. This is to stop the spread of infection, and your co-operation is appreciated
A reminder to all parents, to use age appropriate footwear and clothing throughout your childs development. Ask your teacher for advice. We try to encourage children to become independent: by putting on their own clothes, socks, shoes, coats, hats etc. If the shoes have laces or are tight the children can not put them on by themselves, if they have Velcro they have a much better chance. The sense of pride they have at this achievement is fantastic to watch. So please parents when choosing clothes for the crèche, remember Velcro is easier than laces, and zips on coats are easier than buttons etc. We encourage all children (age appropriate) to put their coats on by placing them on the floor, ask your teacher to show you how! We do offer ‘assistance’ but try to let the children dress themselves. If you could try this at home too.
Also parents, have you checked out the GP Now service in Sandyford, you pay a monthly Direct Debit and get free GP visits.
We will be introducing our ‘Tell a friend’ Promotion where you receive a gift voucher towards your childcare fees for any new children joining where you have recommend us.
We are joining the 21st century and are setting up a Facebook page, more details to follow. (Hopefully!!!!)
We will also be conducting a customer survey, we’d love to hear your feedback on how you feel we are doing and where we can improve.
Parent participation, we didn’t ask but……….
If you would like to come and share something with us that you and the children would enjoy we’d love to hear from you, so please talk to Rachel. We are being deliberately vague on the but…. bit as we don’t want to limit your suggestions.
Some tips for driving on Icy roads, fingers crossed we wont need them this winter, but the main thing is to stay alert
1 Turn on your lights and decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
- Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills, do not use neutral.
- Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads.
What to do if you do find yourself skidding
- If you do begin to skid, remember to steer into the skid until you regain traction.
- Most modern cars have ABS – anti-lock braking system – and many also have Electronic Stability Control. It means that the car automatically releases the brakes and regrips them many times per second. This means the driver can press the brake pedal and keep it pressed – the car does the work for you.
- Non-ABS brakes on older cars are different. They simply stop the wheel completely and that means skidding. You will need to pump the brakes, but its best to not break quickly at all.
- Don’t brake fast under any circumstances – if it’s too late and you have already braked, release them immediately, then reapply, quicker but gently.
- Reduce acceleration but don’t take your foot off the accelerator completely.
- Use the highest gears possible under the conditions, and as you gently brake, move down in your gears to come to a gradual halt.
- If you have an automatic, then under normal driving conditions (motorways, etc) it’s best to select ‘Drive’ and let the gearbox do the work throughout the full gear range. In slippery, snowy conditions you can make driving much safer by selecting ’2′, which limits the gear changes and also makes you less reliant on the brakes. Many modern autos have a ‘Winter’ mode which locks out first gear to reduce the risk of wheel spin. Check the handbook if you’re not sure.
Check out our webpage www.jellystoneparknursery.ie
Many thanks, from Rachel and all the staff @ Jellystone park!!!
March 4, 2014
