LITTLE BEARS PRE-SCHOOL AND BEAR CUBS TODDLER GROUP NEWS

June 2008

The end of March saw two days of OFSTED inspections for Little Bears and we were extremely pleased to achieve a result of good in all aspects of the pre-school.  This indicates that the provision is strong, organised in keeping children safe, helping children to be healthy, helping children to achieve well and enjoy what they are doing with a positive contribution. 

On the last day of term we had a teddy bears picnic followed by parents and carers coming in for our annual celebration of songs, dance and rhymes.  This was all performed by the pre-school children who all joined in and showed their wonderful talents.

During May our topics have been alphabet letters, making sounds, rhyming and letter recognition.  We have also had a lovely visit to the Gnome Reserve and wildflower garden at West Putford.

During June our topic will be about different countries around the world.  On the 17th June we will be having our fun afternoon of games and races with a sponsored obstacle race raising money for Barnardo’s.

Bear Cub toddlers have also been having great fun painting butterfly pictures, playing with dough, making windmills and especially being able to get outside on the slides, rocking horses and playing in the sand pit – lets hope the weather stays good so they can continue to enjoy the outside activities – all babies, toddlers, mums, dads, grandparents, careers are welcome to join us – Wednesday afternoons from 1.30pm to 3.15 pm in the pre-school.

Forthcoming events19th July 08 – Car Treasure Hunt and B-B-Q – Shebbear Village Hall   
From Jane Elston, Erika Winch & Linda Quance

December 2007

 Little Bears have been busy over the past few weeks with a wide variety of activities.  They have visited the recycling shed to learn about what can be recycled and made into other things.  Also one of the children brought in their pet guinea pig for the others to touch and hold and to find out what they need to be looked after properly and what they eat.  They also investigated some nibbling caterpillars, touching and watching ice melt and they have also been making their own pot-pouri – mixing together dried flowers and oils ready for Christmas.  During December the topics will be food from other places including Caribbean juice, Japanese noodles, Italian pizzas, Greek yoghurt and Scottish shortbread as well as lots of Christmas activities.  The children will be rounding off the term with a Christmas party with a special visit from Father Christmas.  

We will also be saying goodbye to three of our children who will be moving up to Shebbear Community School in January.  We wish Chole Caudwell, Jessica Ley and Billie Powell a very happy future there.  Fundraising  By the time you read this we will have held our bingo at the end of November, thank you to everyone who supported it.  Also thanks once again to everyone who donated items for our curry night and auction of promises.  It proved to be a very successful event and raised well in excess of £800, a fantastic amount.  It proved to be a very enjoyable evening – no one went home hungry anyway!  Also thank you to everyone who helped decorate the village hall – it looked amazing.  

Also further thank yous must go to the Marmite Shoot and Buckland Filleigh Parish Council who have also donated some money to help keep our pre-school and toddler group running.   

Forthcoming events * 2nd February 2008 - Wine & Wisdom – Shebbear Village Hall – more details or to enter a team contact Linda Quance on 01409 281797 * 15th March 2008– Easter Bonanza – more detail to follow   

May we also take this opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas season, a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2008 and add a very big thank you to everyone who has helped and supported our pre-school and toddler group over the past 12 months.  Special wishes for a relaxing Christmas break also go to Jane Elston and Mel Stevens who do such a fantastic job of teaching the children who attend Little Bears and also to Erica who runs the Bear Cubs toddler group and makes it so enjoyable for them – many thanks from all the committee. From Jane Elston & Linda Quance

February 2007

Our Christmas nativity at Shebbear's St. Michaels church was beautifully performed by the pre-school children and we had a wonderful Christmas party during which we were lucky to have Father Christmas visit all the children. Thank you to the Friends of St. Michaels Church for the delicious refreshments after the Nativity.

In January we welcomed three new children to the pre-school. Twins Rebecca and Mary Miskovic were joined by Molly Larkin. Molly stayed with us only briefly while she was staying with her Aunt in the area. We hope that she is now enjoying the arrival of her twin siblings!

We were very sorry to have to cancel the New Year's Eve party in Shebbear Village Hall. Unfortunately we didn't sell enough tickets to support the bar we had organised. Our apologies to anyone who was let down. Little Bears is a CHARITY and we can only survive if the pre-school is supported by both children attending the pre-school and the community supporting the fund raising events we organise. Please help us keep this very valuable service alive. On the fund raising subject, we are postponing the Winter Wine & Wisdom that was due to be on Saturday 17th February in Shebbear Village Hall. The new date will be at the end of April (TBC) and will blossom into a Spring Wine & Wisdom! We also plan to hold a summer BBQ on the playing fields. Look out for the dates in the next newsletters and on the village website.

In early January, we unfortunately discovered that some toys had been taken from the pre-school garden. They were later found damaged and broken on the other side of Shebbear village. These are the children's' treasured toys and we cannot afford to continually replace them. Whoever was responsible, please respect this in future and if you would like to make an anonymous donation to replace the broken bike we would be very grateful.

Little Bears Information: Located in the grounds of Shebbear Community School, Little Bears takes children from 2½ years old up to 5 years old and is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 11:45am, with a lunch club option until 12:30pm. On Tuesday and Thursday there is an afternoon session from 12:30-3:15pm. For further information about Little Bears or Bear Cubs please call 07890 814564.

***Calling all Babies & Toddlers*** There is a new parent and baby/toddler group session (Bear Cubs) on Wednesday afternoons from 1:30pm-3:15pm in the pre-school room. The session has a play leader, organized activities and refreshments for both parents and children. Just turn up! Please come and support this wonderful new service.