Newsletter Spring 2025

        🎄 Samuels Nursery News 🎄

Christmas Special 2025 Edition

👋 Hello Samuels Families!

Welcome to our Christmas special newsletter! The festive season is here, and we have lots of exciting activities planned for the children and families! Here’s what’s coming up:

🧸 What We Have Been Up To:

We’ve been learning about:

• 🍁Changes in weather: As the weather grows colder, we have experienced water turning into ice in the outside play area, splashing in puddles in our wetsuits and pretending to fly in the wind

• 🐿️ Arctic animals: We have looked at animals, such as, penguins and polar bears who live in colder climates and created snowy homes for them

🎨 Activities We Loved:

• We have introduced a large suitcase full of sand inside the nursery.  Everyone has loved exploring this

• Exploring seasonal natural resources such as pinecones, conkers and learning about natural forces, such as, gravity 

• All the preschoolers have thoroughly enjoyed attending Forest school and engaging in fun activities with our Forest School qualified Practitioner, Sarah

📚👶🌟 Learning about the Nativity story:

Throughout December, the children will explore the Nativity story through:

• Books and Storytelling: Learning about the Nativity story

• Christmas Role Play and Small World Activities: Making our very own Santa’s sleigh  

• Dressing-up as characters: Role play helps them understand the meaning of Christmas in a fun and engaging way

• Christmas Tree: Decorating our very own Christmas tree

• Christmas Crafts: Creating cards and decorations

📅 Upcoming Events and Dates: Mark your Calendars!

•  Christmas Jumper Day on Thursday 11th December 2025
  Join us in spreading festive cheer by wearing your favourite Christmas jumper! Children and staff are encouraged to come dressed in their most colourful and fun jumpers

• Live Nativity at Broadmead Church on Wednesday 10th December 2025
  Tickets: Book online to secure your spot. Come and enjoy a magical evening celebrating the Christmas story a live animal experience.

📅 Term Dates

Nursery Closes on Thursday 18th December 2025 at 3.00pm

Nursery Reopens on Monday 5th January 2025 at 9.00am

🎟 Christmas Raffle

• We welcome any donations for raffle prizes

• Tickets on Sale: From Wednesday 26th November at the nursery office.  50p per ticket or £2.00 per strip

• Raffle Draw: Thursday 11th December – Winners will be announced during the day. Lots of fantastic prizes to be won – don’t miss out!

📮 Launch of Our Christmas Post Box

We’re excited to announce the Christmas Post Box is now open!  Children can send Christmas cards to their friends at nursery.  This is a lovely way for children to share festive cheer with their friends

• Location: Outside the entrance to nursery

• Dates: Available from Monday 1st December 2025 until Monday 15th December 2025
  This is a lovely way for children to share festive cheer and practice writing skills!

🧒📖 Family Book Project: Celebrate Your Child’s Roots!

For all our new parents, we are excited to share with you that we will be creating family books for your child! This will help your child learn about their family members and heritage in a fun, creative way.

How you can help at home:

• 📸 Email photos of family members (parents, siblings, grandparents, etc.)

• ✍️ Share names and fun facts about each person (e.g., “Uncle James loves cycling 🚴”)

• 🌳 Talk with your child about your family tree and special memories

We’ll combine your contributions to make a unique book for each child. Encouraging storytelling, strengthening family bonds, and helping to build relationships with others.

Thank you for your support!

👚👕 Introducing Our Clothes Swap Community Wardrobe!

We’re excited to introduce our brand-new Community Wardrobe at Samuels Nursery that will be launching in January 2026! (Details to follow in an email)
This is a simple, sustainable way for families to share and swap gently used children’s clothes, helping each other and the environment.

📖 How it works:

• Bring in clean, outgrown clothes your child no longer needs (ages 0–8 years).

• Take what you need from the wardrobe—no cost, no obligation!  (Limited number of items per family)  

• All families are welcome to participate at any time.

By swapping and sharing, we reduce waste and support each other as a community. Thank you for helping us make Samuels a greener, more caring place!

🌟 Important Reminders

• ✏️ Please label all coats, hats, spare clothes, water bottles, and lunchboxes

• 🥜Please refrain from putting nut products in lunch boxes and bags due to allergies

• 🤒 Please keep poorly children at home if they are feeling unwell

• 🧤🧣 Please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.  As the months grow colder, we recommend a waterproof coat, hat, and gloves

💡 Parent Tips for a stress-free Christmas

Here are some helpful tips for the Christmas period:

• ⏰ Keep Routines Where Possible
  Children thrive on routine, so try to maintain regular meal and bedtime schedules even during the festive excitement

• 📝 Plan Ahead for Busy Days
  December can be hectic! Use a family calendar to keep track of events like parties, nativity plays, and school activities

• 🎁 Budget-Friendly Gift Ideas
  Homemade gifts or experiences (like a family movie night) can be just as special as store-bought presents

• 🍎🍪💧 Healthy Balance
  With all the festive treats around, encourage a mix of healthy snacks and plenty of water to keep energy levels steady

• 🧁 Involve Children in Preparations
  Let them help with simple tasks like decorating, baking, or wrapping gifts. It makes them feel included and teaches responsibility

• 🎬 Take Time to Relax Together
  Read Christmas stories, watch a festive film, or go for a winter walk. These moments create lasting memories

• 🌟 Talk About the Meaning of Christmas
  Share the Nativity story and discuss kindness, giving, and gratitude to help children understand the spirit of the season

💌 Stay Connected

Thank you for your continued support.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please speak to a member of our team or email us at admin@samuelsnursery.co.uk.  Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1GocsGWUbH/ to see regular updates, crafts, and seasonal fun! We would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Warm regards,
Samuels Team

🙏 Christmas Blessings

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” Isaiah 9:6