AK Pre School Parent Newsletter – Sept 2022
We have enjoyed welcoming the new starters and seeing those returning. We wish all our amazing
Preschoolers who have moved onto the school this year, the best of luck! We will be starting the
term by playing lots of games to make our children feel welcome and to secure and build those
important friendships, which will help them flourish throughout the year. Already, the children
have enjoyed playing lots of games together, talking about their families, playing in the sunshine
and splashing in puddles. Our monthly every child a talker (ECAT) is ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’,
you can join in with the suggested weekly activity that will be handed out by the Pre-School each
week.
Hear what parents say about the Preschool:
“My child has thrived at this Preschool both socially and academically, I could not have asked for
a better, more positive environment”
“Amazing staff, happy and welcoming – simply the best!”
“Good range of activities”, “Great use of outdoor space”, “Good relationship with the children”
“Happy and safe children who are being nurtured and responding to their needs and wellbeing”
“I think you all do an amazing job with everything, the staff are all legends”
“Structured weeks for the children”
“Recognising children who require extra help” Teaching the children independence with everyday
things e.g. toilet training, putting on coats etc.
We are still taking new registrations for September 2022
We still have spaces available if you know of anyone who would like to join this wonderful
Preschool.
AGM Meeting & Committee Information
We welcome you all to attend the Preschool’s Annual General Meeting which has been changed to
Monday 26th September 2022 at 19:30 in The White Hart Pub Function Room, Ashton Keynes due to the
Queen’s Funeral. Our AGM meetings are open to everyone to attend and a great opportunity to find
out what goes on in the background.
What happens at an AGM?
– Electing new members of the committee replacing those who have moved on.
– Review of the groups account for the previous financial year.
– Any other appropriate matters arising.
We are currently looking for volunteers to join our committee. Can you help us?
Our committee is predominately made of up parents/carers and members of the local community.
We are seeking the following roles: Secretary, Administration and General Committee Members (Please
see our ‘Volunteers Needed!’ Poster for more details).
If you interested in joining our committee team please contact us:
ashtonkeynespreschool@yahoo.co.uk
Returning to Preschool
We cannot predict this weather! We kindly ask that you apply suncream to your child on sunny days
and pack a bottle in their bags for top ups. Please also pack a sun hat, raincoats, spare clothes,
wellies, etc. so we are all prepared rain or shine!
Fundraising News
Our next fundraising event is scheduled in and ready to go!
Bags2school booked Tuesday 18th October
– Please start saving your textiles!
Our events are hugely important to us, we need to raise £4K a year just to break even.
More events to be announced!
If you would like to help out at any of our events, able to give donations or have ideas for any
fundraisers, please contact our Fundraising Team: fundraisingakpreschool@gmail.com
We are currently looking for members to join our Fundraising Team.
Driveway Sale
Thank you to all who helped and contributed to the Driveway Sale, it was a great event to kick off
the year and have a clean slate in our cupboards. We raised £285 which will go towards resources
for the children and enrichment activities.
Inset/Teacher Training days to add to your diaries
• Thursday 1st September 2022
• Friday 2nd September 2022
• Wednesday 19th October 2022
• Tuesday 3rd January 2023
• Tuesday 23rd July 2023
Amazon Wishlist
We rely on fundraising and kind donations to update the children’s toys, equipment and resources.
COVID restrictions sadly reduced our fundraising opportunities so we have set up our wishlist for
anyone wishing to donate a gift to us.
This has been a huge success following the launch of our Amazon Wishlist. Thank you to everyone who
has kindly selected and brought items from our list, we have already made good use of all the
amazing items and most importantly the children are enjoying opening the special surprises that
arrive!
Just follow the 3 easy steps below and the item will be delivered to us safely:
1. Visit https://amzn.to/3a3TmEh
2. Choose the item you would like to gift to us
3. Select to Preschool Gift Registry Address Thank you very much in advance 😊
Snack Box
Thank you to everyone that donated to our snack box last year, it is hugely appreciated. If you
would like to donate any healthy snacks/fruit, please bring them along at the Preschool drop off.
Thank you 😊
Ashton Keynes Website
We have a website where you can view important dates for your diaries, including events, policies
and more!
Please take a look! ashtonkeynespreschool.co.uk
Garden cleanup
Thank you to those who came to cleanup the garden at the end of last term, it looks much better for
a freshen up and is ready to be played in again for the new term.
With Amazon Smile
This is another great platform we use for raising additional funds for the Preschool.
Visit smile.amazon.co.uk instead of amazon.co.uk when you do your shopping. The first time you
visit you need to set up your chosen charity, searching for ‘Ashton Keynes
Preschool’. Amazon then donate 0.5% of all your purchases, which will be greatly received and
benefit the Preschool.
Final Note
With Easy Fundraising
It is super easy to sign up and you literally generate free donations for us as you shop online at
places like John Lewis, Next, Sainsbury, Ebay and over 4000 other retailers. Previous years have
seen us receive over £2,000 from supporters, we would love to achieve this again! Sign up today at:
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/cause s/ashtonkeynespreschool/
Tough Toddlers
Thank you to all who came to take part in our tough toddlers fundraiser. It was a great event and
was wonderful to see so many involved.
Preschool are in need of some new cabinets and a carpenter to install these. Are you able to help
with this?
As a committee, we are keen to be accessible to parents and show you the work that is done behind
the scenes. Please let us know if there’s any other information you would like to see in this
newsletter.
Any questions/comments please email communications@ashtonkeynespreschool.co.uk Many thanks,
Ashton Keynes Preschool Committee ☺