Hello and welcome to the Spring 2003 newsletter,

there’s lot’s of news, especially on the fundraising front, so a big thankyou to everybody involved and here it is.........

Fundraising
The grand total raised by the 'Playbus collecting buses' has now reached almost £300, well done everybody who took part. If you still have your bus at home please bring the money to the Playbus, if you want to keep the box just empty out the pennies.

The Playbus is now part of the Book Link book club, this is another easy way to support the Playbus and once again it involves shopping! All you do is take home a copy of the magazine and complete the order form with your choice of books, return it with payment to the bus and the books will be delivered free ready for collection from the Playbus early next term. There will be a new catalogue approximately 5 times a year and the deadline to return orders will be displayed on the bus. All orders earn commission for the Playbus.

The Easter Bonnet Parade is always a popular event and this year it will held on Sunday 5th April. The same as in previous years, the walk will start from the Rainbow Foodstore car park, Victoria road, Diss and parade along The Lows footpath to the Playbus in Palgrave wearing Easter Bonnets. Sponsor forms are on the bus and the children will be making bonnets during sessions or you can get creative at home.

This years Grand Summer Draw tickets will be for sale on the bus after Easter, with £50 for the first prize, please take a few books to sell family and friends as this is one of our best fundraisers. It will be drawn 11.30 a.m on Friday 1st August at the Playscheme.

Registration Cards
Please make sure the information on your childs registration card is up to date, perhaps you have changed your emergency contact or mobile number or your child has developed an allergy. If appropriate we can access grants to pay for new equipment or toys, or medical/other training for our staff to cater for your child at Playbus sessions and would be more than happy to do so.

Nursery Grants
If your child was born on or before 31st August 1999 they are entitled to 5 free sessions of nursery education per week. These can be divided between a number of providers as long as each is registered to accept this funding. The Playbus is one such provider and by bringing your grant to us we will guarantee a place for your child at the session/s of your choice during term-time. Your child will also get an extra half an hour of activities linked to the Early Learning Goals and we have made special arrangements for siblings who wish to attend the same session.

Please speak to Gill or Sara if you would like your child to have their free ses sion/s on the Playbus and they will give you a form to complete.

Toy Hire Library
Toy Hire Library We now have lot’s of new items as we recieved a grant to spend on extra equipment, do have a look through the folders which Sara has overhauled, anything can be pre-booked to hire for 2 or 4 weeks at a time, charges start at 50p per item.

Summer Playscheme
Following comments about last years Playscheme we are running it slightly differently this summer. There will only be Play Sessions for younger children with their parent/carer on Wednesdays. On the other days there will Playscheme where children age 3+ can be left, plus Play Sessions for chidlren with their parent/carer. Extended hours are available for children aged 3 and over on Tuesday and Thursday (with an extra fee payable). There will be no half day sessions (child/ren can be collected late/early by arrangement) and fees this year are:

Playscheme
10am- 3pm booked by 30th June £10 booked after 1st July £12
extra hours on Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 a.m and 3-4 p.m £3 p.h.

Play Sessions
10-12 noon

Under 12 months FREE
12 months-3 years £2.25
3 years + £3.75

Details of how to book will be on the Playbus in May.

Term dates
You will notice from the timetable that we don’t seem to be running on Mondays in the early part of next term, this is due to the Bank Holidays, if Monday is your day you won’t be left our though as the terms average out so everybody gets a fair number of Playbus visits. There will be no Play Sessions during the Easter holidays because the bus needs to go in for work on the new generator and other maintenance.

Dates for your Diary

Sunday 6th April
Easter Bonnet Parade

Friday 11th April
Last day of term

Tuesday 29th April
Playbus back on the road

Monday 26th - Fri 30th May
Half term holiday

Thursday 24th July
Last day of term

Monday 29th July-Friday 22nd August
Summer Playscheme

Sunday 21st September
Car Boot Sale, Stonham Aspal

Newsletter SPRING 2003 - Registered Charity No. 283401 - www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk

Gill Telephone 07836 745050 - Sue Telephone 01379 650746