Dear Parents,
We hope you are all keeping well as we head into the winter months. We would like to share an update on what has been happening at Banana Moon Caterham and what exciting events are coming up for the remainder of the year.

The Halloween Pumpkin Hut and carving afternoon was a great success. Both the children and parents fully embraced the activity, getting hands-on as they scooped out the pumpkin pulp and created a variety of expressive pumpkin faces. It was lovely to see everyone working together and enjoying the experience. We ended the day with a delicious, orange-themed tea, which the children found exciting and enjoyable. Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the event so memorable.

Welcome to the team
 We are pleased to introduce our newest staff members who have recently joined the Banana Moon Caterham team.
 Anthony has joined us to work with the older children. He brings over 15 years’ experience within the childcare sector, and we are delighted to have someone with his level of knowledge and enthusiasm joining the team.
 Sydney has also recently joined and is currently supporting within the baby room. With over 2 years of experience in early years settings, she has already settled in brilliantly and is forming strong relationships with the children. We are very happy to welcome both members of staff to our nursery community.

Exciting news
 As many of you are aware, from 13th November and every Thursday morning thereafter, the children will be taking part in weekly Music and Movement sessions. These classes are a wonderful opportunity to encourage creativity, rhythm, self-expression, physical development and confidence. The children are already showing great enthusiasm, and we look forward to seeing their skills and enjoyment grow as the sessions continue.

We are also pleased to confirm that our Mini Moon room will be opening on 5th January 2026. As we move closer to the opening date, staff will be in touch with any families affected by room or key worker changes. To support a smooth and comfortable transition, the children will gradually begin spending time on the upper floor over the coming weeks. This will help them adjust to their new environment at a calm and gentle pace.

Upcoming events
 24th–28th November – National Tree Week
 Throughout the week, the children will be taking part in a variety of nature-based activities. These will include bark rubbing, leaf printing, exploring natural textures, and learning about different types of trees. The aim is to help them develop an appreciation for nature and enjoy hands-on outdoor learning experiences.

15th December – Christmas Craft Afternoon
 Parents and carers are warmly invited to join us from 3:00 pm for a festive craft session. Together with your children, you will have the chance to make salt-dough Christmas tree decorations, which the children can proudly take home or hang on our nursery tree. We look forward to sharing a creative and enjoyable afternoon with you.

18th December – Christmas Dinner
 We will be serving a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for the children. Parents are welcome to join us for the meal if they wish. To help us organise catering, please confirm your attendance in advance. It is always lovely to have families join us during the festive period, and we hope many of you will be able to come along.

23rd December – Christmas Party
 We will be holding our Christmas party from 3:00 pm. The celebrations will include party games, a special festive tea, and a visit from Santa himself. Families are invited to join in the fun, and we kindly ask that you confirm your attendance by 12th December so we can plan appropriately.

Holiday closure
 Please note that the nursery will close at 1:00 pm on 24th December for the Christmas break. We will reopen on Friday, 2nd January 2026 at 8:00 am. We wish all our families a very happy Christmas and a joyful New Year, and we hope you enjoy a restful break together.

Other information
 We would like to remind parents to provide a named water bottle for their child each day. These should be taken home every evening for cleaning and returned the next morning. Having clearly named bottles helps us ensure each child has access to their own water throughout the day.

As the weather has become very cold, please ensure that your child comes to nursery with a warm coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. We continue to take the children outside for garden play and outdoor learning activities, as fresh air and physical activity are important for their health and development. It may also be helpful to provide wellies and a spare pair of warm socks, as outdoor play can sometimes get wet.

Please also ensure that all clothing items are clearly labelled. This includes jumpers, coats, hats, gloves, and spare clothing. Labels can be ordered online, or you may use a laundry-safe pen to write your child’s initials on the clothing label. Clear labelling significantly reduces the chance of misplaced items and helps staff keep belongings organised.

We are currently creating a family-themed wall display for the children. If you are able, please provide a family photo for your child to add to the display. These can include any pets or other special people who play an important role in your child’s life. The children really enjoy talking about their families, and the display will help support conversations, comfort and connection throughout the day.

Late payment of fees
 A reminder that nursery fees are due in full on the 1st of each month. If you are experiencing any difficulties with payment, please speak to the nursery as soon as possible so we can support you where we are able.

We would like to thank you for being such an important part of our Banana Moon Caterham family. We truly appreciate your support, and we look forward to sharing more fun, learning, and special moments with you and your children as we head into the festive season.