June 2004 newsletter:

Welcome to the summer newsletter!

Unfortunately there will not be a Playscheme this summer but we have got a couple of events lined up to help occupy the children in the holidays. The first is a teddy bears picnic and teddy trail in the first week of the holidays that will kick start the summer for you then there’s the BBQ to look forward to in August. Read on for more details.

Nursery Grant

In September all children who were age 3 or over by August 31st are entitled to 11 free sessions per term at the pre-school of their choice, one of which is of course the Playbus. If you would like to have free Playbus sessions for your child please speak to Sara and she will give you a short form to complete. If the term is longer than 11 weeks which it is in the autumn you are required to pay for any extra sessions attended. This means that you will have to pay £2.75 if you stay with your child or £4.50 if you wish to leave them with the playbus staff for our normal session which lasts for 2 hours. And just a reminder please let us know if your child will not be attending a Playbus grant funded session for any reason.

Job Vacancies - Welcome John!! We are pleased to welcome John as a permanent member of staff on the Playbus but we still need some part-time or sessional staff on Monday and Tuesday. If you have ever thought of working on the Playbus, or know anybody who might be interested please have a chat to Sue or Sara.

New Fees from September After lengthy discussion the committee decided to alter the fees for children aged 12—24 months which actually give you a discount on the current rate! The rates from September are;

Under 12 months £1

12—24 months £1.50

age 2+ with parent/carer £2.75

Age 3+ left on playbus £4.50

Sickness In accordance with Suffolk health Authority guidance please do not bring your child to the Playbus if they have suffered with an infectious condition, in particular vomiting or diarrhoea within 72 hours. In the case of conjunctivitis please give regard to the Playleaders decision depending on the severity of the condition. If your child develops symptoms of an infection during a Playbus session you will be contacted and asked to collect him/her. We hope you will appreciate that this is to reduce the spread of infection and minimise the risk to everyone on the Playbus. Please feel free to ring the Playleader if you are concerned about your child's health before coming along to a session.

Register In order to meet Ofsted standards it is essential that the register is always accurate during sessions, Please ensure that the Playleader in charge (Sara or John) is aware that you have arrived so that they can mark you in, and out again when you leave.

Route Review

We are currently considering the Playbus routes so if you have any suggestions please let us know, you can talk to Sara or John or ring Sue on 01379 650746 or e-mail sue@pyramidsplaybus.org.uk Timetables are always available from the Playbus or our website at www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk

Fundraising We have received grants from Mid Suffolk District Council and Suffolk Health Authority but all your fundraising efforts are still essential to keep the Playbus running. Thankyou to everyone who supported the chocolate quiz organised by Dennington which raised £22 and Wyverstone Playbus users who filled smartie tubes and have raised £13 so far. The Playbus collecting boxes are still coming back so there is no total yet, please return yours as soon as it is full so that the money can be counted. We are holding a Teddy Bears Picnic and Teddy Trail at Thornham Field Centre on Tuesday 26th July from 11 a.m. Tickets are £1 per teddy with owner and are available on the Playbus. There will be raffle, refreshments and cake stall etc. plus a doctor on hand to give the teddies a check-up and certificate of health for 50p each. Caps for sale, legionnaire style sunhats which protect the back of the neck are for sale again this year for just £4 each, when these sell out there will be no more so snap them up while stocks last. There will be BBQ on Wednesday 17th August organised by playbus users at Thwaite starting at 11a.m. It will be at the Bucks Head p.h. and is open to everybody, it doesn’t matter if they have never been to the Playbus before. Tickets are £1 each and the Playbus will be there plus BBQ food for sale and other stalls etc .

Toy Hire As we are not doing the Playscheme this year the fences will be available to hire for £5 per week and large toys are just £3 for the whole holiday, items are available to collect on Tuesday 19th and Thursday 21st July and must be returned on Monday 5th September.

Birthdays party toy hire package is £10 for a weekend for as much as you can fit in your car, must be returned on Monday morning between 10.30—11.45.

AGM, Pyramids will be holding its annual general meeting on Wednesday 29th June 2005. It will be at Thornham Field Centre and everyone is invited. The business is usually quite brief and afterwards we serve refreshments and take the opportunity for a chat. If you are interested in how the Playbus is run it’s an ideal opportunity to find out what’s involved and you are still welcome to come along if you don't want to join the committee.

Dates for your diary

Friday 15th July; Last day of term

Tuesday 26th July; Teddy Bears Picnic and Teddy Trail, Thornham Field Centre,11 a.m.

Weds 17th Aug; Bar-B-Que The Bucks Head, Thwaite

Wednesday 7th September; First day of autumn term

Half term holiday; Mon 24th - Fri 28th Oct inclusive

Friday 2nd December; Christmas party

Friday 16th December 2005; Last day of autumn term

Regards

Newsletter June 2005 - Registered Charity No. 283401 - www.pyramidsplaybus.org.uk