Welcome to our Christmas ’17 Newsletter! Please see below for end of term closing times and some news of our Christmas collection for the Food Bank. We have decided not to do our traditional hamper raffle this year but instead focus on helping others.
Our numbers at Hyndland remain steady – we are still full Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but have places on a Monday and Friday. If you think your days might change in the new year, please let us know now so we can add you to the waiting list.
As with our sister services at Notre Dame and Thornwood, please register now any siblings due to start in August 2018.
Holiday Dates
We will be open on the last day of term, with an early start to accommodate the early closing of the school – Wednesday 20th from 2.30pm until 6pm . We will then be closed over the festive and new year period, and re-open on Thursday 4th January 2018 , back to normal from 3pm – 6pm.
Please remember to let us know if you are collecting your child early on the last day of term!
Afty Foodbank Collection
After the success of last year’s foodbank collection, we are again looking for donations of non-perishable foods, toiletries, baby foods and clothing and small gifts.
We all love receiving presents at Christmas, but we also want the kids to enjoy all the positives that come with giving to others, and learn that there are people out there who’d appreciate their help.
If you have anything to spare, it would be greatly appreciated, and we will deliver it to the Trussell Trust who will make sure your donations will be distributed to those who need it.
Winter Play
We are encouraged by the Care Inspectorate to give the children the opportunity to play in the dark. As the early, dark nights come in, we have kept the outdoor play area open until 4:30-5pm. This allows the children who want to play in the dark the chance to do so, however there are lots of other activities and play areas for the children to play in.
We have been using the upstairs area to watch some festive movies, and have, thankfully, had access to the gym again this winter after last year’s closure due to refurbishment, where the kids can remain active if they aren’t a fan of the dark. We have also been making use of the ICT suite in the school, as well as the space in the school dining hall, to ensure there are plenty of different play spaces and opportunities for the children to get involved in.
If you would rather your child not play in the dark, please let us know and we can encourage them to make use of the other play spaces.
Staffing
We have managed to retain most of our great staff this winter, with the addition of Judi and Struan in the last few months.
We now have two Level 2 SVQ Playwork qualified staff, and seven Level 3 SVQ Playwork qualified staff, with plans for more staff to start SVQ courses at the start of next year.
Board of Directors
We are delighted to welcome new parents Katherine, Fiona, Alison, and Michael to our Afty management Board of Directors. Amanda, Angela and Natalie will also be joining in January.
Thank you to Jen for all her efforts whilst part of the board, and to Pauline for her fantastic contributions to the club.
If you are interested in joining the board, or would like more information on what it involves, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Notre Dame Kids Club
Massive congratulations to John and his team at our Notre Dame (Notre Dame Kids Club) service for their excellent Care Inspection report. With an improvement on the last report, it shows the hard work and dedication of all the team there, so well done!
Notre Dame Kids Club is still at capacity every day. Don’t forget to register now any siblings due to start school in August 2018!
Thornwood
A good year too for our service at Thornwood (Thornwood After School Club) despite changes in the staff team. Places are available at Thornwood – please call Arlene on 0141 334 1797. Don’t forget to register now any siblings due to start school in August 2018!
We wish everyone involved with the Afty a lovely festive period, and all the very best for 2018!