After school club
We started the New Year wrapping up warm and enjoying playing outside in the dark. The children enjoy playing in the dark with torches and lanterns around the site and have enjoyed exploring the site finding hidden reflectors and reflective material. We are also noticing now how the light is starting to return in the evenings with Spring almost upon us.
We marked Imbolc which passed on the 1st and 2nd of February which is exactly half way between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It symbolises when the earth is starting to warm up and the first flowers are beginning to stir and the birds, squirrels and foxes become more active again.
We have welcomed some new children to our club this term and have now begun to collect children from both Horfield c of e primary school and Henleaze infant and junior schools. The children have enjoyed making new friends and play and explore together. If you know neighbours who attend the opposite school to your child then why not arrange to meet at The Hideaway?
Planned activities
At the end of each session we chat about what the children have enjoyed and if there is anything they would like to try. We also observe the childrens interests and speak with their teachers in school so we can plan activities and resources that build upon the childrens learning. We have a new planning board on site by the cloakroom. Do check it out and add any interests that your child may have. This term we have been:
- Investigating the slippery properties of ice when walking to site, then playing and exploring blocks of ice and the frozen pond.
- Feeding and looking after our worms in the wormery, counting how many we can see and talking about what happens to the food we leave for them.
- Making bird feeders to help look after the birds in the cold weather
- We read and acted out the story of the chinese new year and enjoyed tasting some noodles and eating these with chopsticks.
- We enjoyed playing with a kite and making our own in the windy weather we have been experiencing.
- On our walk and in The Hideaway we have been looking for the first signs of spring including snowdrops, daffodils and new blossom.
- We have started planting summer flowering bulbs and will continue with this next term. The children have asked to share their flowers with their families and came up with the idea of a 'family day' where they would like to share what they do at The Hideaway with you. So watch this space for an upcoming date!
Our Staff
The staff at the Hideaway are all experieced Forest school leaders and childcare practitioners who LOVE to work and have fun outdoors in all seasons. Each newsletter we will be shining the 'spotlight' on one of the members of our team so we can share a little bit more about us:
Vicki is the founder of The Hideaway Forest School and many of you will have chatted with Vicki on the end of the phone or email. Vicki leads the Young Explorer forest school sessions through the day and Henleaze Infant school after school club. The children at the hideaway asc know Vicki as she often pops her head in to see what everyone is up to or covers sessions when needed.
Absence and Clubs
Please let us know on 07895 407542 if your child won’t be attending After School Club. Where possible please leave day to day messages on the phone number, rather than by emailing Vicki who may not pick up your message in time.
There is a 48-hour exclusion period for children (and staff) after the LAST episode of sickness or diarrhea. We have your children and our staff’s best interests at heart by enforcing these exclusion periods. By bringing your poorly child in you are putting other children (and our staff) at risk. Thank you for your support.
You Said, We Did!
Each newsletter we will share with you how we have responded to feedback from either an adult or a child. Your feedback is very important to us, and we welcome your comments.
You Said: “Can you provide additional clothes if needed”
We Did: We now hold a large collection of trousers, jumpers, socks, underwear, wellies and waterproofs. If you do borrow some items please ensure that you return the items on your next visit.
THANK YOU for your continued support.
Facebook/ Instagram
If you don’t already, please follow us on Facebook and/or Instagram. We post lots of useful information, such as when we open for bookings, any last-minute places that are available in Holiday Club, as well as lots of photos of the children playing.
We would also appreciate any reviews or tags, thank you!
Spread the word!
Please can you share your experiences about The Hideaway after school club with friends and families who attend Horfield C of E primary school. You can attend 1, 2 or 3 days a week and we now have the flexibility for ad hoc days of chilcare. Do get in touch at the hideawayfs@gmail.com or book via our webpage https://www.hideawayforest.com/hideawayafterschoolclub
Recommended winter kit list- (Which can be left on site in a named bag, if you wish)
Full Waterproofs
Top Base layer - vest
First top layer - school t-shirt or thin jumper
Second top layer - school jumper
Third top layer - fleece jacket
Bottom layer - fleece, tights, leggings or other warm tracksuit bottoms
Neck scarf/ snood (preferably not long scarf)
Hat and gloves (plenty of spares to be packed in backpack)
Two pairs of socks. Two pairs to wear (on the bottom, one thin school cotton sock or tights and the top, a thick wool or fluffy bed sock)
Extra jumpers to be packed in backpack for really cold days
Snow boots or sturdy warm outdoor boot
Summer term
This is a reminder that all Summer term bookings (term 5 and 6) need to be confirmed by Friday 20th March. All families who currently attend the after school club will recieve their summer term invoice in the week commencing 9th March.
We hope all our children and families have had some half term fun, we can't wait to hear all about it.
We look forward to sharing more adventures with you next term.
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