Lyminge Pre-School's February 2026 Newsletter
Topic of the Term
Our Topic for Term 4 is Animals
Each week we will focus on a different book. Planning for the setting will also be focused on the ‘book of the week’. It would be wonderful if you could share these books at home with your children too, maybe the local library will have a copy.
Week beginning 23/02/26– What the Ladybird Heard - Farm Animals
Week beginning 02/03/26 – Monkey Puzzle - Jungle Animals
Week beginning 09/03/26 – Commotion in The Ocean - Sea Animals
Week beginning 16/03/26 – Mad About Minibeasts! - Mini Beasts
Week beginning 23/03/26 – Boogie Bear - Arctic Animals
Week beginning 30/03/26- Giraffes Can’t Dance - Safari Animals
Next Term’s Theme: Animals
We are really going to get stuck into this topic with lots of hands-on learning and exciting experiences for the children.
Chick Hatching Experience
We will be welcoming some eggs into Pre-School to learn all about life cycles and how to care for animals.
Eggs arrive: Tuesday 12th May
Expected hatch date: 13th/14th May
Chicks leave us: Friday 22nd May
During this time the children will observe the changes, learn about how chicks grow, and talk about caring for living things.
We will also be watching our caterpillars transform into butterflies, helping the children understand another amazing life cycle.
Creepy Claws Animal Centre Visit
We are delighted to welcome Creepy Claws back in the first week after half term on:
Tuesday 24th
Thursday 26th
The children will have the opportunity to meet a variety of animals such as rabbits, snakes, guinea pigs, spiders, cockroaches and more! This is always a fantastic learning experience.
If any children feel unsure or uncomfortable, they will not have to take part and can enjoy alternative activities elsewhere, participation is always optional.
We will be reinforcing good hygiene throughout, including careful handwashing after handling or being near any animals.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss anything further, please speak to Sophie or Karen.
Easter
We will be holding a sponsored bounce to raise money for the Pre-School on the week commencing Monday 23rd March. Each child will come home with a sponsor sheet, it would be great if you could get your friends and family to sponsor your child to see how many bounces, they can do on our trampoline in 1 minute.
During the last week of term, we will be having an Easter egg hunt in the Pre-School Garden. Where we hide coloured straws in the garden for the children to find and once, they have found them all they all get to enjoy one small Easter egg provided by the Pre-School. If your child has an allergy or intolerances please don’t worry, we will make sure we get the appropriate egg for them.
Half Term- Extended Hours/ Holiday Club
We will be running our Extended Hours/Holiday Club on Tuesday 7th April till Thursday 9th April (9am-3pm) Please email to book your place.
We will be closed from Friday 10th April until Friday 17th April. We will re-open on Monday 20th April.
As usual we will only be able to run the Holiday Club should we have enough children for it to be financially sustainable. Please let us know what dates you require.
Toys from Home
We’ve had a lot of children bringing in toys from home, we understand the children love showing their friends their toys however, it can cause a lot of upset due to them getting lost, damaged or children not wanting to share them.
Can we please ask that all toys are left at home, unless it is a comforter. Thank you.
Uniform
Don’t forget, our Pre-School uniforms are now available for purchase!
You can get a cozy jumper for £15 and a comfortable T-shirt for only £10. Dressing in our school colours not only fosters a sense of community but also makes getting ready for school a breeze. If you’re interested in placing an order, please let us know.
Allergies
Could we please ask that EGGS are NOT put in lunch boxes please. We have a child with us that is very allergic, and we need to be extra cautious. Products with egg in are fine but not whole eggs such as egg sandwiches, scotch egg, boiled eggs etc.
Also, a reminder peanut butter or whole nuts are also not to be in children’s lunch boxes.
Thank you!
Dates for your diaries
End of Term 4 – Thursday 2nd April
Pre-School Closed – Friday 3rd April – Monday 6th April – Easter Weekend
Holiday Club –Tuesday 7th April– Thursday 9th April
Pre-School Closed – Friday 10th April – Friday 17th April - Easter
Start of Term 5 - Monday 20th April
End of Term 5 – Friday 22nd May
General Reminders
• Please can all clothing and Tupperware be labelled.
• Please speak to your Key Person regularly about any changes at home or any achievements your child has made. Even small changes can influence behaviour or mood. You can use the direct message option on baby’s days also.
• Please make sure your child has a labelled water bottle with them. This is so the children can have access to a drink throughout the day.
• If your child has an item that will require heating for lunch, please place it in the hot lunch box by the front door. (We do not reheat rice).
• To reduce the risk of choking we ask that no whole grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives or Maltesers are in lunch boxes. These can cause a plug in a child's throat. When cutting fruit, please cut them length ways and grapes into four quarter strips.
Best Wishes
The Lyminge Pre-School Team