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D
ear All,
It has been a busy few months again at Pitcairn Under 5s. At the start of this term we welcomed Nikki to the
team as relief support. She has been parachuted straight in and doing three days a week, helping with the rising
numbers of children coming to join us. We extend a warm welcome to her and thank you for coming on board!
Our new opening times on Tuesdays and Thursdays have proven popular with parents and children and we are
pleased to say that they are to continue next school year. If you are interested please get in touch with Linda.
We now have business cards and car stickers for PU5s. We need to advertise for next year and are hoping that
these will put us on the map. Lots of people in the nearby villages don’t know about us and we want to get the
word out there – please take some!
The all important AGM will be on Friday 5th June at 12 midday and I look forward to seeing you all there! There
are a few of us stepping down this year and we need a new committee. As I have said on numerous occasions,
there is no playgroup if there is no committee.
This term we are going to do a car boot sale at Errol. This will be on Sunday 7 th June and would ask for helpers
please. The children will be doing a show on Wednesday 1 July, with the presentation for the older children
moving up to school. The committee are also planning to make a morning of it with tea, coffee and some
interesting stalls with lovely things for us to buy!
Since this is my last newsletter I want to take the opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone for the last two
years. Thank you to the staff for educating the children and being lovely human beings, and to all the other parents
for their support and friendship. We have come a long way and I feel we are leaving this wonderful playgroup on
firm ground, fit for years to come!
Cat (Chairperson)
Afternoon Sessions for 2015/2016
Following a successful trial of opening Tuesday and
Thursday afternoons during the summer term, we are now
happy to announce that we are continuing this service in
session 2015-16.
We require a minimum of 7 children per session to make it
viable and at the moment Tuesdays are almost there. We
do need a few more to come in on a Thursday so if you
would be interested please get in touch with Linda. Please
pass the word around your friends.
It is our intention to keep the fees as competitive as
possible and the figures noted across, are based on the
current fees.
NB: They will be reviewed at the AGM on 5th June.
Standard hours Monday to Friday
Monday to Friday from 9.15am to 12.25pm
Early Learners: £10.00 per morning (Incl snack)
Funded children: £2.55 per morning (Admin
charge & Snack)
Extended hours on Tuesday and Thursdays
9.15am to 3.00pm (Packed lunch required)
Early Learners: £20.00 per day (Inc snack)
Funded children: £12.55 per day (Includes Admin
charge & Snack)
The Parent and Toddler group is a
parent supervised session and is an
opportunity to let your child play and
for you to have a coffee and meet
others. The cost is £2.00 for the first
child and 50p per additional child. We
meet on Wednesday mornings in the
Village Hall during term time.
There is no need to register however
we do require some information
about you and your child. This will
also allow us to keep you up to date
with events. Forms are available on
the noticeboard.
Eliza Cargill is your representative on
the committee so if you have
anything you would like discussed at
committee meetings or have any
ideas for activities or visitors she is
the person to speak to. You can also
contact her at
[email protected]
REGISTRATION FOR
SESSION COMMENCING AUGUST 2015
Early Learning and Childcare (ELC).
Children over the age of three are
entitled to 600 hours of ELC,
equivalent to 16 hours per week across
the school session. Our standard
hours are Monday to Friday 9.15am to
12.25pm with extended hours on
Tuesday and Thursday to 3.00pm
These sessions take place during
school term times, excluding in-service
days, school half term breaks, and
public holidays etc.
Registration guidelines for admission
for the 2015/16 session are now
available from our Administrator.
Perth & Kinross Council recognises
that families have a variety of different
needs and preferences with regard to
early learning and childcare. Parents
are entitled to apply to any local
authority managed nursery class and
or partner provider centre for their
child’s funded nursery place.
Neve
13 June
Fundraising
Some of you will know
Vikki Coull and son Ben.
Vikki gave birth to a baby Boy in
April. His name is Murray.
Best wishes to all the family.
Registration
Children may start at the staff led
sessions from the age of 2 years .
Early registration is recommended and
forms are available from our
administrator Linda MacPherson.
Alternatively you can download one
from the downloads page on the
website which can then be emailed to
Linda.
Pitcairn Under 5s is a Scottish
Registered Charity and we are
required to fundraise. This helps to
buy much needed resources for
both the playroom and the Parent &
Toddler’s group, and also to keep
our fees at an affordable rate.
You are more than welcome to join
in on any fundraising event that
takes place. (see the committee and
fundraising page for details).
Dates for Your Diary
3 June
Summer
Trip.
Coach
leaving the hall at 9.25am.
Returning for 3.00pm
17 June Sports Day
24 June Teddy Bears Picnic
Application takes place directly at the
relevant centre. Parents should apply
for a funded nursery place for session
2015-16 irrespective of whether their
child currently has a nursery place.
The following is the criteria for funded
places:
Pre-school Year
 Children (deferred from school)
who will be aged five between
19 August 2015 and 29 February
2016 to start on 18 August 2015.
 Children who will be aged four
between 1 March 2015 and
29 February 2016 to start on 18
August 2015.
Ante-pre-school Year
 Children who will be aged three
between 1 March and 31 August
2015 to start on 18 August 2015.
 Children who will be aged three
between 1 September and
31 December 2015 and eligible to
start in January 2016.
1 July
Coffee morning/
fundraiser including
Pre-schooler’s
presentation. A chance to
see what the older
children get up to at the
group. All welcome
 Children who will be aged three
between
1
January
and
29 February 2016 and eligible to
start in April 2016.
Early Learners
 If you will not require a funded
place but would like your child to
continue attending the group then
you must re-register. See Linda.
 Children who will attain the age of
2 years during 2015/2016.
Group fees and the snack charges for
the 2015/2016 session are detailed
on the Policy and Guidelines for
Allocation of Places Policy. (See our
Website). Please note that fees will be
reviewed at the AGM in June.
Will is learning to swim and can
ride his bike with stabilisers
Kerr, Ruby
and
Isabel
Andrew
23 April
Eva
7 May
Jessica
20 June
Jack
22 June
Alex
27 June
Douglas
20 July
Summer
3 August
Staff Training 2014/15
Continual Development for each staff member is an important part of being able to provide a quality service from the group. Here are
just some of the training the EYPs will take part in this session.
SVQ Level 3 (Perth College UHI)
HNC in Childcare
Birth to Three
Leadership and Management Skills
Infection Control
Asthma and Epi-Pen Awareness
Risk In Play
Emergency First Aid at Work
Potential for I-Pad
Self Regulation
Child Protection
Developmental P.E. for nursery
Keeping Your Child Safe
Talk, Listen and Communicate
(TLC)
Developing Creativity in the
Early Years
Key Issues at the Early Level
with 2 year olds
Core Toothbrushing with CHILDSMILE (NHS)
Risk in Play course in the Community Wing at Perth Grammar School
This course highlighted how careful everyone has become about allowing children freedom. In my day we spent all day with
the dog up the woods, splashing in the burn with no thought of any danger or strangers doing you harm other than the
farmer yelling at you to get out off his corn etc.
As Shona stressed, the safest place now is probably the park as strangers do not have to hang around when they can do all
their ground work unnoticed on the internet.
She asked how many of us would let children climb a tree splash in the
burn, toast a marshmallow one childminder admitted she let a five year
old make eggy bread from start to finish and I thought some of the other
participants were going to pass out by the looks on their faces. If an
activity is properly assessed and the children understand the rules and
are able they is no reason they should not be allowed to push the
boundaries and experience a cooking session such as this especially
when you get to eat the end result.
Children should be allowed to be children, get muddy, splash in the
puddle, climb a tree, dig in the garden, run about a field, go out in the
wind and rain and get soaked it is part of growing up. However they
should be taught the basic rules for their and others safety .
The responsibility lies with the parents and what they are comfortable
with and how they see the world . As in all situations if you have had a bad experience you will want to wrap your child in
cotton wool but that may not be the best thing for your child. Let them enjoy their childhood but be aware of where they
are and who they are with, they might even thank you when they are older !
Important Dates Not to be Missed
Sports Day—Wednesday 17 June 2015
Family members welcome to join us on the
green at 10.00am—weather dependant
Teddy Bears Picnic—Friday 26 June 2015
Children to bring their favourite teddy/dolly
all dressed up for the occasion.
Summer Show—Wednesday 1 July 2015
All welcome to join us in the hall at
11.00am. (Includes fundraising stalls)
(Don’t forget your cameras and tissues)
Pitcairn Under 5s is a registered Scottish Charity SC003575
Fundraising Fridays
We get together for coffee and to plan the next fundraising events on the
last Friday of every month at 9.30 am. We would love you to come along if
you can make it. Please just speak to someone on the committee to find
out the venue. Everyone is welcome to get involved with organising
fundraisers or just come and join us for the coffee and chat!
Forever Living Raffle
The winner of hundreds of Forever Living products was Gemma Willoughy.
The sum of £110 was raised. Thanks to Lisa Watkins for donating the
products. You can check out the product range at www.foreverliving.com
Easter Hamper
Sunday 7 June 2015
The winner of the hamper was Charlie Geddes. Thanks to Maz and
Shelley for donating the contents. The sum £132 was raised.
If you have anything you would like to
contribute please bring into Maz or Shelley
by Friday 5 June 2015.
Cash4Clothes
Items can be brought in and stored prior to
this date if required.
We will receive 50p per kilo for Belts, Blouses, Dresses, Hats, gloves &
scarves. Jackets and coats, jumpers and cardigans, jumpsuits and
playsuits. Knitwear, leggings, nightwear, polo shirts, shirts, paired shoes
and boots, shorts, skirts, paired socks, sportswear, suits and soft toys and
handbags.
We will receive 5p per kilo for Bed linen, curtains and towels. (No duvets,
pillows or blankets).
Please note that we can only accept items that are in good, clean and
re-useable condition.
North Inch Trundle raised £500. Well done!
Raised So Far in 2014/2015
Perth Show
£382
Alex’s sponsored climb of Schiehallion
£300
Race Night
£150
Pub Quiz Night
£200
Peal to Save
£115
RAG BAG
£24
Ladies Night
Fundraising Links
Sponsorship and Gift Aid
Help us raise funds when you buy from Yellow Moon
http://www.yellowmoon.org.uk/
Group’s code WPI14354
Help us raise funds when you buy from any
organisation supporting easy fundraising
http://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/panel/
Register Pitcairn Under 5s as your preferred charity
Remember to click on our name before you start
filling your basket. .
Did you know that if you take
part in an event such as a
Marathon or bungee jump, or
anything you want to do
really, you can be sponsored
by your friends and family and
choose Pitcairn Under 5s as
your preferred charity.
£149
ASDA Tokens
£50
Christmas Cards
£82
Christmas Show & Raffle
£210
2015 Calendars and Show DVD
£215
Christmas Fayre at Pitcairn PS
£58
Pub Quiz Night (Dec)
£67
Valentine Disco
£119
Fund matching from Dalcrue 4 x 4
£119
Bridgeton Stores counter tin
Miscellaneous Donations
£50
£3
Forever Living Raffle
£110
Easter Hamper Raffle
£132
Cash for Clothes
North Inch Trundle
For more information please
contact Linda MacPherson.
TOTAL
£56
£500
£3091
SESSION 2014/2015
Ongoing
Registration for session 2015-16 commencing Tuesday
18 August 2015
Wednesday
3 June
Summer Trip to Camperdown Park
Departure times:
Hall - 9.20am
Bridgeton Stores—9.30am
Main Street Post Office—9.35am
Returning to Pitcairngreen for 3.00pm
If you are travelling by car please meet us at Camperdown Park
car/coach park at approximately 10.15am.
Otherwise we will be around and about the play area.
There are a few seats left on the coach. Please contact Linda
for details.
Children start
Tuesday 18 August 2015
to Friday 9 October 2015
Friday
5 June
Annual General Meeting - 12.00pm
All parents/carers welcome.
Autumn Holiday
Monday 12 October 2015
to Friday 23 October 2015
Wednesday
17 June
Sports Day—Weather dependant.
Parents/carers should meet on the green at 10.00am
Friday
26 June
Teddy Bears picnic—Children to bring their favourite teddy/
dolly all dressed up for the occasion.
SUMMER TERM
In-Service Day
Monday 20 April 2015
Tuesday 21 April 2015
to Thursday 2 July 2015
May Holiday
Monday 4 May 2015
SESSION 2015/2016
AUTUMN TERM
In-service Day
Monday 17 August 2015
WINTER TERM
Monday 26 October 2015
to Friday 18 December 2015
Wednesday
1 July
In-Service Days
Thurs & Fri 19 & 20 November 2015
Christmas Holiday
Monday 21 December 2015
to Monday 4 January 2016
Thursday
2 July
Last day of Summer term
SPRING TERM
Tuesday 5 January 2016
To Friday 1 April 2016
For updates visit the news page on the website
Rona and the team would like to thank the Committee
members, parents and carers who worked exceptionally
hard this year to promote and support the group. This
resulted in growing attendance and financial stability. You
are all stars.
In-Service Day
Wednesday 17 February 2016
Half-Term
Thursday 18 & Friday 19 February 2016
Spring Holiday
Monday 5 April 2016
To Friday 15 April 2016
Pre-schoolers farewell summer show/fundraiser
11.00am
We wish all the children who are starting school good luck
and hope you come back to see us sometime.
For those who will be joining us again - see you in August where we’ll do it all again.
Have a great holiday!
E-mail Addresses
Chairperson & Fees
Catriona Christie
[email protected]
Secretary
Claire Patterson
[email protected]
Treasurer
Steve Stalker
[email protected]
Parent & Toddler
Eliza Cargill
Manager
Rona Lofthouse
Website: www.pitcairnunder5s.co.uk
Fundraising Team
Members.
Eliza Cargill
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
Maz Stewart
You can join them on
the last Friday of every Shelley McKenzie
month to contribute
Tina Fairlie
your ideas.
[email protected]
Administrator
[email protected]
E-Mail:
[email protected]
Linda MacPherson
[email protected]
[email protected]
Pitcairn Under 5s is a registered Scottish Charity SC003575