Last week, we went to the park to practice our football skills. We took turns kicking the ball, aiming towards the goal net, and counting the number of goals scored.

This past week, we had a special picnic lunch on the nursery field. Everyone helped set out the blankets, and we sat together. We’ve been learning some new ring games to play together, such as Duck, Duck, Goose (a simple chasing game). To finish the term off, we held egg and spoon races, carefully balancing the eggs on our spoons while running and going over obstacles.

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The camps are open to children aged 5-12. Activities will include a variety of sports, crafts, and games, with lunch provided daily for all participants. The camps will also feature a special egg hunt! This is completely free for children who receive benefit-related free school meals. Learn more here.

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See the flyer below for further information. These events will take place every Wednesday, from 30th April to June 25th 2025.

Email [email protected] to register.

Cassandra has been telling tales for 30 years, using storytelling for Communication, Speech and Language Development – especially for children with Additional Needs.

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Community Culture Day at Meadow Vale

Join in the celebration on Saturday, March 22nd, from 12 to 4 p.m. at Meadow Vale Community Centre (Speedwell, BS5 7RF). This free event offers a vibrant exploration of different cultures through food, music, dance, art/design, and fashion. Family-friendly activities include a bouncy castle and face painting. Everyone is welcome to this Bristol Community Festival event!

From Roots to Routes: A Community Fun Day

On Saturday, March 29th, from 12 to 3 p.m., The Haven (378 Speedwell Road, BS15 1ES), will host this lively all-age celebration of community past, present, and future. Activities include storytelling, singing, crafts, games, seed planting, outdoor exploration, circus play, and refreshments with a BBQ.

These events are wonderful opportunities for families to connect with our local community. We hope to see many Little Hayes and Speedwell families there!

For more information, please check out the posters below.

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The Bristol Children’s Centres run several programs to support parents at every stage of their journey:

For expectant parents, “Welcome To The World” and “Rockabye” antenatal programs help prepare for parenthood in a supportive group environment. After birth, programs like “Rockabye Postnatal” provide support for parents with babies up to 6 months old.

Parents of toddlers and young children can benefit from evidence-based programs such as “Circle of Security,” “Parenting Puzzle,” “The Incredible Years,” and “The Nurturing Programme.” These focus on understanding child behavior, building strong relationships, and developing effective parenting skills.

All programs are facilitated by experienced Bristol Children’s Centre staff, with some sessions offering crèche facilities. Free online learning options are also available for families who prefer self-led courses.

Photo by bady abbas on Unsplash

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Understanding Your Child’s Sleep Needs

Toddlers and preschoolers need between 10 to 14 hours of sleep every day. Finding the right balance of daytime naps and nighttime sleep is crucial for your child’s well-being and development. Each child is different, so it’s important to observe when your child naturally gets tired and build your routine around these times.

Creating the Perfect Bedtime Routine

A consistent, calming bedtime routine is the foundation of good sleep habits. Start your wind-down routine about 30-60 minutes before your child’s intended sleep time. Keep the sequence the same each night to help your child understand that bedtime is approaching.

Your evening routine might begin with switching off all electronic devices, as the blue light from screens can interfere with your child’s natural sleep patterns. A warm, relaxing bath can follow, then help your child change into their pyjamas and use the toilet. After brushing your teeth together, settle down for a story or two. Some quiet colouring or gentle play with toys can also help your child transition to bedtime.

End your routine with a calming cuddle and a consistent bedtime phrase such as “night night, I love you” or “sweet dreams, time for sleep.” Using the same phrase each night signals to your child that it’s time to rest.

You can find some more tips here.

Creating the Perfect Sleep Environment

Your child’s sleep environment is crucial to their ability to rest well. The bedroom should be kept at a comfortable temperature, and your child should have access to their favourite comfort items, such as a special toy or blanket. Some children find soft, calming music or white noise helpful for relaxation. If your child needs it, consider using a dim night light to provide reassurance in the dark.

For children who use a dummy to fall asleep, you might want to consider gradually replacing it with a comfort toy. This can help prevent night wakings that occur when the dummy falls out during sleep.

Managing Daytime Naps

Naps are essential for young children, but timing them right is crucial for good nighttime sleep. Try to schedule naps before 3:00pm to ensure your child is tired enough at bedtime. Create a shorter version of your bedtime routine for naps, maintaining consistency with timing and sleep cues. If you read a book at bedtime, for example, include a short story before nap time too.

You can find some more tips from the NHS here.

Tips for Better Sleep Habits

Physical activity during the day can significantly improve sleep quality, but timing is essential. Encourage plenty of active play and outdoor time, but avoid energetic activities close to bedtime. A walk in the fresh air or time in the garden can be perfect ways to burn off energy earlier in the day.

Be mindful of what your child eats and drinks, particularly in the hours before bed. Large meals close to bedtime can interfere with sleep, as can caffeinated drinks like fizzy sodas, which should be limited to before lunchtime if consumed at all.

Encourage your child to use their bed only for sleeping, providing comfortable alternatives like beanbags for daytime rest. This helps your child associate their bed specifically with nighttime sleep.

When Sleep Challenges Arise

Remember to stay calm and minimise engagement if your child resists bedtime or wakes during the night. Quietly lead them back to bed without starting conversations or arguments. Some parents find using a simple visual reminder like a “STOP, return to your bedroom” card helpful. Whatever approach you choose, consistency is key – it may take several nights to see results. Sometimes, all that’s needed is a quick, reassuring cuddle before returning to bed.

Find some additional helpful tips here.

Supporting Children with Additional Needs

We understand that children with long-term health conditions or disabilities might face extra challenges with sleep. If your child needs additional support, please know that you’re not alone. Specialized resources are available through organizations like Contact and Scope, which offer specific sleep advice for parents of children with additional needs.

When to Seek Further Help

While sleep challenges are common, sometimes additional support can be helpful. Your health visitor can be an excellent resource and may be able to suggest local children’s sleep clinics if needed.

Remember, every child is different, and what works for one family might not work for another. Trust your instincts about what feels right for your child, and adjust these suggestions to suit your family’s needs.

At Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery School, we’re here to support you and your child’s wellbeing. If you’d like to discuss your child’s sleep patterns or any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s key person.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

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We are looking for two SEND Support Early Years practitioners who:

• Are committed to building warm, respectful professional relationships with 2, 3 and 4 year olds and their families
• Have experience of working with children with additional needs
• Can scaffold children’s learning and lead learning in a range of SEND intervention groups
• Can work with the team to create and maintain an inspiring learning environment
• Have excellent communication skills and can work positively in a team
• Are observant to all children’s attempts to communicate and can foster children’s skills to express themselves.

• Can work with the team to ensure all children’s safety in our busy nursery environment
• Are committed to work inclusively to promote the well being and development of children with additional needs

In return we can offer

• A leadership and governor team that is committed to improving outcomes for children and their families
• High quality professional learning opportunities
• A warm, encouraging and welcoming team
• A fabulous purpose built indoor and outdoor learning environment
• Term time only working with 4 weeks paid holiday plus 8 bank holidays (pro rota)

Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery Schools Federation is a learning community where children, families and staff learn with and from each other in a spirit of mutual respect.  We have a fabulous outside learning environments and dedicated indoor spaces for our two, three and four year olds.  This year we are entering an exciting new phase in our development and we are looking to recruit new team members to build on our long tradition of high quality nursery education. 

Visits are encouraged and very welcome. We will be happy to show you around and talk in more detail about the requirements of the roles available.

Closing date: Monday 3rd March 2025

Interviews to be held: Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th March  2025

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for a more detailed overview of the key elements of the job.

How to apply

Download the BCC Application form and email directly to the Nursery.  For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.  To be shortlisted for interview, you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential/desirable criteria in the Person Specification. 

We are keen to develop a staff team that reflects the community we serve, at present, male colleagues and black and minority ethnic colleagues are under represented on our staff team and we would welcome applications from these groups with relevant qualifications and experience. 

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.  The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.

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See the flyer below for further information. The next event, We ALL are Special – Celebrating Difference National Storytelling Week, is happening tomorrow, Tuesday 4th February.

Email [email protected] to register.

Cassandra has been telling tales for 30 years, using storytelling for Communication, Speech and Language Development – especially for children with Additional Needs.

The post A Fiesta of Stories with Cassandra Wye appeared first on Little Hayes and Speedwell Nursery Schools.

These free weekly sessions provide a wonderful opportunity for children aged 0-4 years to learn and interact through play in a safe, stimulating environment. Each session features themed sensory experiences presented in a structured yet exciting way, allowing children to explore and participate in various sensory activities.

Learn more on their website.

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We are looking for someone to join our small, friendly administration and finance team to support the smooth and safe running of our Nursery Schools.

The role includes

• Being the welcoming face of the nursery and ensuring that all children, families and visitors enter and leave the building safely.
• Liaising with families to collect and record accurate induction information.
• Accurate ordering and invoicing
• General office and administrative duties and being IT literate.

You will

• Have great interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
• Take delight in working with diverse communities and teams
• Keen to learn and implement use of Local Authority ordering and invoicing systems (full training given)
• Thrive in a busy environment with lots of variety

We can offer

• Committed, supportive and friendly leadership and staff team
• Full induction and ongoing mentoring
• Term time only working with 4 weeks paid holiday plus bank holidays

Please feel free to contact us to visit the school and discuss the role.
Little Hayes Nursery School Tel: 0117 9030405

Closing Date: Wednesday 5th February 2025
Interviews: Week commencing 12th February 2025

How to apply

Download the BCC Application form and email directly to the Nursery.  For further information, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.  To be shortlisted for interview, you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential/desirable criteria in the Person Specification. 

We are keen to develop a staff team that reflects the community we serve, at present, male colleagues and black and minority ethnic colleagues are under represented on our staff team and we would welcome applications from these groups with relevant qualifications and experience. 

We are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment.  The post is subject to enhanced DBS clearance.

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