March Newsletter 2026

Hello everyone and welcome to our March newsletter!

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Sessions after Easter
If you are thinking of changing any sessions/hours for after Easter- please let me know asap.If any changes will affect nursery funding claims- I would prefer to knowby Monday 9th March please.

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Learning Topics this month
We will start the month off with books and stories as its World Book Day
on Thursday 5th , and then we will be looking at the first signs of Spring
and then Easter ahead of breaking up on Thursday 26th March for the Easter holidays! Time is ‘marching’ on and so much yet to do!
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Pencil hold and control
We will also be focussing on pencil hold and control skills especially for those children who will be going to school in September. A good or mature pencil hold is most commonly called the tripod grip. It is widely considered the most effective, functional, and efficient way to hold a pencil, as it allows for precise finger movements without causing
hand fatigue. This is where the pencil is held between the tips of the thumb and index finger, while resting on the side of the middle finger. To achieve this hold, children will go through various stages of pencil hold
development.

Here in preschool everyday- we have lots of activities planned to help develop their pencil hold which in turn helps the control of the pencil, other writing implements and various tools. Activities for this don’t always involve a pencil, but many are planned to help develop the muscles in our bodies. Developing muscles for pencil hold and control requires strengthening the core, shoulder, and arm muscles with lots of large physical activities, followed by refining small hand muscles for that eventual tripod grasp. Of course -fine motor skills are not just needed to hold a pencil but also to allows us to accomplish lots of everyday tasks. Key activities to help develop these finer motor skills include playing with play-dough, using spray bottles, playing with tweezers, tearing paper,
picking up small items such as peas, peeling oranges, using pincers and pegs and so much more. Just before the Easter holidays we will be sending the children who are heading for school in Sept home with a “Peter Pilot” Booklet. This booklet shows correct pencil grip in a fun way. We will have looked at this already with them so I’m sure they will be able to tell you what to do!There will also be a 3-sided pencil which helps children with their grip
along with some pencil control work sheets. Please have a look at this with your child and have a go at completing the worksheets.

World Book Day Thursday 5th March
Come dressed as a favourite story book character! We would also love them to bring in a favourite book which hopefully we can all share.

Friday 20th March Red Nose day
Come in something red! There will be a donation box if anyone would like to donate to this worthy cause

Guinea Pigs‍

We are looking for Easter accommodation for our delightful 2 guinea
pigs. Let us know if you would be interested for any time during the 2-week break

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Easter Fun Event Sunday 22nd March 12.00-2.00

At the Cricket Club. We would love to see lots of you at this fun event on the afternoon we break up for Easter. The cost is £3 per child (all must be supervised by a parent or responsible adult) and everyone is welcome -so please spread the word. There will be: An Egg Hunt, crafts and Easter themed activities (these are included in the entrance price). Also- children’s chocolate tombola and an adult bottle tombola, buns and biscuits for sale, as are BACON SANDWICHES! Not forgetting our Easter Raffle Draw! There are some absolutely fabulous prizes to be won! The tickets are being printed at the moment but once ready we will be sending some out for you all to try and sell please.
We would also be very grateful of donations of Easter themed chocolate bars/ mini bars for the children’s tombola, homemade buns and biscuits for the bun stall and bottles for the adult bottle tombola please. Any
bottle…. bottles of bubble bath, tomato sauce, Worcester sauce,
shampoo, olive oil- the list is endless! Not forgetting the beer and wine!
So- it is really the luck of the draw what you win! Pop your bottle in a wine carrier and then it’s a big surprise for the lucky winners! Bottles and chocolate can be brought into preschool anytime from now and buns and biscuits a bit nearer the time. Thank you!

Nell bank trip Wednesday 17th June
If you have not already done so- please let me know if your child will or will not be attending. Even if your child will normally be at preschool on that day- please confirm they will be attending the trip. A reminder of the details of the trip are below. Thank you
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Job vacancy
You may well already be aware we are recruiting! Closing date for applications for a role of a Support Assistant is Monday 3rd March. More details can be found on our website. Please also share with anyone who may be interested.
www.addinghampreschool.co.uk/recruitment

That’s it for now thank you for taking the time to read this!

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Nell Bank Extra Info:

Nell Bank trip 2026
Wednesday June 17th
10..00-2.30pm

We are already planning our annual trip to Nell Bank Outdoor centre in
Ilkley. We have been here lots and lots of times over the years and always an enjoyable day. Last year for the first time we booked the new Outdoor Explorers programme which proved absolutely perfect for our children. Our base for the day will be our own wooden hut situated in the woodland and from there we explore lots of outdoor learning activities. It really is a great day out! We travel on a coach from preschool to Nell Bank leaving around 9.30am and return to preschool for around 2.45pm. Every child is invited to come along with us regardless of whether they attend a Wednesday or not. We will be requesting a voluntary contribution for the trip (which includes the travel) of £20.
Nell Bank require numbers by 26th March at the latest and therefore we would appreciate you letting me know if your child would like to attend. More details once we have confirmed numbers. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask! Many thanks Penny