Hello and welcome to the May 2001 Newsletter

Hello Everyone, I'm going to kick off with some fantastic news.....

We've won the Lottery!

Well, sort of. Last year I put in an application to the National Lottery Charities Board, which is now called the Community Fund, for a grant to pay the wages for a second member of staff. And we got it! The grant will be paid to us over 3 years to fund a full time playworker and the adverts are now in the paper and job centre. If anyone is interested please turn to the back page for details of the position and how to apply.

Now to the rest of the news,

August Playscheme

Bookings are now being taken for the summer Playscheme, unfortunately it will only run for 3 weeks this year. Please take a poster or car flyer to promote the Playscheme if you can display one anywhere. Bookings forms (slightly different this year, separate ones for Playscheme and Play Sessions), are available on the Playbus, or download a copy from the website. Book early to take advantage of the 10% discount (for all bookings paid for by June 30th) and be sure of getting the dates of your choice.

Term dates
Mon April 23rd - Friday 20th July
Nursery Grant sessions:
Tues 24th April - Fri 25th May
Mon 4th June - Friday 20th July
Back on the road: Wednesday 5th September (tbc)

Soft Room
Once again a reminder about the Soft Room. It is very important to monitor the children so that everyone gets a turn to enjoy safe play in the ball pool. Please make sure that you watch what is going on if you are upstairs, and look out for other peoples children as well as your own.
Please follow these safety rules:

Shoes off in the Soft Room.
Maximum of 4 children at once.
Use the sand timer to ensure everyone gets a 5 minute turn.
Do not allow balls to be thrown.
No toys in the Soft Room.

Outdoor Play
Please keep an eye on the children outside and make sure the fences are always kept closed. Also keep a watch out for other children if you are outside and their parents are inside with siblings, The weather is now improving and Gill will bring the outdoor toys, but as the ground is still likely to be quite damp remember to dress the children in suitable clothes and footwear. Also please help Gill to put away the outdoor toys and fences at the end of the session if you can.

Fundraising
Palgrave held their 5th Sponsored Easter Bonnet Parade, we don't know the total raised yet but 40 children with their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles walked and the weather was kind to them.
Stonham Aspal made a collection of activities and ideas for entertaining young children which is on sale on the bus at £3 a copy, well worth the money for those wet days when you can't go out. Dennington raised over £100 with their sponsored matchbox treasure hunt.
Tostock are holding a Coffee Morning on Friday 1st June in The Gardeners Arms garden on Tostock, all welcome.
Bardwell are having a BBQ at the pub again on Thursday 26th July, 11.30 -2 p.m. If you are planning a fundraising event please let me know and I will help in any way I can.

Free Sessions
As mentioned in the last newsletter nursery sessions are being extended to include 3 year olds this term which means that all children will soon be entitled to 4 terms of free sessions before starting full time education. These free sessions can be taken on the Playbus. By using your funding at Playbus sessions you will get a guaranteed place for your child at the session/s of your choice and your child will also get an extra half an hour linked to the Desirable Learning Outcomes. If you would like to have free session/s for your child on the bus please let Gill or myself know as soon as possible, as there is a deadline, called the Count Day, for us to return forms to receive the payment for these free sessions.

To work out when your child can start claiming free sessions look below:

Website
We have now had 1,000 hits on our website from as far afield as Birmingham, Bath and even U.S.A. And you can now register to receive the Newsletter by e-mail. Just go to www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk Also, while you at the website have a look at our new affiliation with Amazon.com, all orders to their website via ours will generate a 10% donation to the bus.

A.G.M.
The Pyramids Playbus Annual General Meeting this year will be on Monday 25th June at 8pm in the Art Room at Kerrisons Training Centre, Thorndon. Everyone is welcome and if you interest in joining the committee come along. There is no obligation to become a committee member but all are welcome to witness the voting and stay for refreshments afterwards.

Dates for your Diary
Thursday May 31st
Last day of 10% discount for playscheme bookings
Friday June 1st
Tostock Coffee Morning, all welcome
Thursday July 26th
BBQ at The Dun Cow ph, Bardwell
Friday July 20th
Last day of term
August 6th - 24th
Summer Playscheme, Thornham Field Centre, Thornham Magna, Eye
Wednesday September 5th
Playbus back on the road (tbc)
Monday 7th and 28th May (Bank Holidays)
No Playbus

Vacancy
Full time/Job share Playworker on the Playbus
Candidates must hold a level 3 Childcare qualification, full driving license and be willing to undertake training to drive the Playbus. Applicants should ideally be age 25+ with 3 years experience in a childcare setting.

Apply in writing with C.V by May 11th to;
Sue Stanislawski,
Pyramids Co-ordinator
3 Charles Terrace,
Fair Green,
Roydon
DISS IP22 4BH

Post funded by the Community Fund

Newsletter MAY 2001 - Registered Charity No. 283401 - www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk

Gill Telephone 07836 745050 - Sue Telephone 01379 650746