30/03/2009 by Ed.

                                    30th March – 3rd April 2009       

Monday:           Pasta al Bolognese,       Apple Snow  

Tuesday:          Spinach and Lentil Cannelloni,      Jelly    

Wednesday:    Curried Fishcakes with Crispy Potatoes,  Rice pudding     

Thursday:         Roast chicken with Roast Potatoes and carrot and swede mash,   Fruit Tart  

Friday:             Sausages and Vegetable Plait,   Sultana Sponge

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23/03/2009 by Ed.

Nurseries can be rated by local parents once a new price comparison website goes live next year. The plan is part of an ‘information revolution’ promised by the Prime Minister to help people ’share information and experiences’ about childcare, healthcare and police in their area.

In the document Working Together, Gordon Brown said, ‘People take it for granted that they will access other people’s reviews and ratings before buying something on eBay or Amazon, and yet we do not yet have systematic access to other people’s experiences when choosing a GP practice or nursery.’

A national price comparison website will be up and running early next year, which is to cover ‘the full range of childcare providers’.The site will also give information on quality from Ofsted, and include a message board where parents can give feedback on any provider to help other parents ‘make the best choices for their children, and drive improvement in quality’.

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22/03/2009 by Ed.

                                    23^rd - 27th March 2009             

Monday:           Beef Curry with vegetable rice and Poppadoms,    Fruit Salad 

Tuesday:          Turkey Meatballs and Anna Potatoes,        Rice pudding 

Wednesday:    Cottage pie topped with mashed potato,  Lemon tart and custard   

Thursday:         Roast cod with spicy vegetables, Pear sponge                             

Friday:             Chicken Risotto,            Rhubarb fool                   

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16/03/2009 by Ed.

                                    16th- 20th March 2009             

Monday:           Spaghetti  Bolognaise,   Banana and Ice Cream 

Tuesday:          Fisherman’s Fish Pie topped with Sliced Potatoes, Sultana sponge and custard

Wednesday:    Chicken and butterbean casserole,  Rice pudding

Thursday:         Lasagne, Garlic bread and Salad,       Manchester tart

Friday:             Lancashire Hot Pot,       Pineapple and Natural Yoghurt   

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06/03/2009 by Ed.

                                    9th -13th March 2009               

Monday:           Meatloaf and Bolognese Pasta,   Peaches & Natural yogurt

Tuesday:          Turkey and vegetable bake,         Rhubarb and Orange Crumble

Wednesday:    Shepherd’s pie topped with cauliflower mash,    Rice pudding and Raspberry Sauce

Thursday:         Spinach and lentil vegetable cannelloni,               Seasonal Fruits                        

Friday:             Salmon fishcakes with a barbecue sauce,      Banana custard

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06/03/2009 by Ed.

Early years practitioners should have training in how to communicate better with fathers so that dropping off children at nursery becomes less daunting for them, according to a new study. Researchers interviewed fathers who took their children to nursery and early years practitioners to find out how they related to each other.

The joint project between Derby University’s Early Childhood Studies department and the Pre-School Learning Alliance sought the views of around 40 fathers and early years staff at a range of settings, from small pre-schools to children’s centres and private nurseries, in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire.

Co-author and lecturer in early childhood studies, Andrew Sanders, said, ‘What we were asking was for views on the encounter between fathers and practitioners at the nursery door. It’s not about men in childcare or father-friendly activities, but about how practitioners feel about the everyday contact they have. Not surprisingly, fathers and practitioners felt settings were intimidating places for men. That definitely came through. And practitioners were conscious of the fact that it might be.

So do Dads feel intimidated when they come to Learning Curve? I doubt it very much, because our dads seem very relaxed with all things to do with children. We hope that none of our team will ever make you feel uncomfortable when you drop off or collect your child, but if they do, be sure to let us know.

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02/03/2009 by Ed.

                                    2nd – 6th March 2009              

Monday:           Steak Pie with Leek and Potato Mash,    Rice pudding

Tuesday:          Lamb Meatball Stew,      Fruit pie and custard                               

Wednesday:    Turkey bolognaise pie,    Pineapple and grapes    

Thursday:         Sausages with Cauliflower and broccoli bake,       Semolina

Friday:             Chicken and mushroom stir fry,               Chocolate sponge

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