Gatehouse Childcare

We understand the extreme mental health strain when people are affected by a and for the first time, we have been able to offer specialist counselling to people in Scotland*. This was made possible by funding from The National Lottery and expertise from . The response has demonstrated a definite need for this support in all regions of the UK, and we are striving to obtain funding for everyone to access these services. We won't stop until we get there!

*TNL Community fund stipulated these funds were for people living in Scotland

It is with great sadness that on Friday 26th May Gatehouse Childcare said goodbye to all our childminding families.
We have had the most amazing 2 and a half years and are extremely grateful for the presents cards and well wishes we have received this week .

We wish all the children the best of luck in their new settings and for their futures - thank you again we feel very privileged to have had you in our lives x

What a fabulous morning we had yesterday meeting Father Christmas.
The children had a Christmas sing along, mince pies and received a present from Father Christmas.
Thank you to all our families who were able to join us.

November marked our 2 year anniversary at Gatehouse Childcare. We celebrated with fireworks and pie and pea supper and Parkin - all kindly made at Ingfield farm shop, thank you Margaret.
Thank you to all families who came and made it a special evening.
The children helped with our party through the day -where we made a cake and played many games.
We have looked at signs of Autumn and the changes in the season and helping with jobs in the garden.

What an amazing summer we have had spending time with our little ones, saying goodbye to some who are ready to carry on their journey into school and nursery and welcoming our new families who are just beginning their time with us.

We wish all our families the best of luck in their new ventures, we are very lucky to be part of their lives.

Since we last posted we have had some wonderful celebrations including World Book Day, Mother’s Day, The Platinum Jubilee and of course, special birthdays. We have had the most wonderful opportunity of seeing the Caterpillars develop into cocoons. Unfortunately, the butterflies developed during the holidays and had to be set free with only Theo to watch. (We have ordered some more)

We have started developing our muddy sensory area, planting herbs and exploring our lovely garden. We still have a long way to go and will be continually developing this area to enable our children an amazing exploration area. Please ensure your children attend with wellington boots and waterproof coat or trousers and a change of clothing. As the weather is changing, we will also need hats and sun cream which are clearly labelled.
If you have any old containers or utensils which the children could use in the garden area, for digging, collecting, and transporting, we will be very grateful.

We have had trips around our local environment and on the bus which was very exciting!! We visited the Piece Hall, Halifax library and went shopping to Brighouse, choosing new toys for the water tray.

Now the weather is getting warm and sunny we have been able to start planting new flowers, herbs and vegetables. The children have loved this activity with Janet, our wonderful gardener, who has taught them so much about seeds and what plants need to grow and develop . We hope the lettuce which the children brought home is flourishing. We are looking forward to eating ours when they are ready and ripe!

Links to 50 things to do before you are 5
https://calderdale.50thingstodo.org/app/os #!/welcome
#4 make your mark
#9 mini beasts and bugs
#10 sharing books
#27 Little People Park Keeper
#28 The Wheels on the Bus
History
#44 The Piece Hall water features is the perfect place

Closure dates- closed for the full week 25th July 2022
Closed Friday 9th September and Monday 12th 2022

This week we have begun the Smiles Better oral health programme.
The children have enjoyed choosing their brush and talking to us about how they brush their teeth at home, the colours of their toothbrushes and the taste of the paste.

Locala’s work in Calderdale is part of the Calderdale Healthy Early Years with Calderdale Public Health; covering Health Visiting, Oral Health and Breastfeeding Support. To find out more visit www.healthyearlyyears.co.uk

Happy New Year to all our families. We hope you have all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

We have had a very busy last few months, exploring the cold weather, discussing Remembrance day and of course getting ready for Father Christmas.
We are very lucky to live so close to such a beautiful church. The children really enjoyed the walk to see the church, discussing safety on roads, watching and listening to the traffic, looking at the poppy displays and of course the beautiful structure of the church.

We have been singing, reading, and listening to traditional nativity stories, fiction stories and songs, we think Father Christmas needs a wee by Nicholas Allan was a real favourite.
The visit from Father Christmas and his 2 elf helpers was a fabulous afternoon. Thank you to all our families who were able to make it. Father Christmas commented "The most polite and chatty children I have ever met".

The building work on Ashday Lane continues. The children are extremely excited watching and listening to the wagons and tractors who are working hard to build new houses. The Builders are used to seeing us on our daily walks now, letting us see the vehicles close. The children are amazed by the size of the wheels and the cranes and continue the play with the toy diggers in the sand and mud once back at the setting.

We have said goodbye to 2 of our little ones, who have moved onto their new nurseries and would like to wish them both the best of luck. We have also welcomed a new child into the Gatehouse Family who will be starting with us very soon,

links to 50 Things to do before you are Five.
#2 Where am I
#4 make your mark
#6 Rhyme time
#10 Reading books
#12 Brrr Explore the cold

We thank you for your continued support and wish you all a wonderful 2022.