Saint Mary’s Church Nursery is now in its 8th year. Currently we are full until September and have a waiting list for the following year. At present we are open for four mornings and two afternoons per week. The afternoon sessions are specifically for the older children who will be going to school in September.

This past year has been very successful and interesting.

In connection with our topics we have been on outings had various visitors to Nursery.

These included:

• PC Neville Hayden with a police car. (The children had a wonderful time seeing how many could fit into the police car!)
• Phil Eckett brought various owls to SMR and was able to fly these in the hall and the children were able to stroke the owls
• Nature walks in the Churchyard
• Visits to see the animals on a farm in Bigods Lane and an arable farm in Great Easton
• A visit to Dunmow library

One topic was about day and night and so we had:

• Pyjama day!! Yes all the staff and children came to Nursery in their pyjamas and slippers

Our nativity play last December was The Innkeeper’s Breakfast.

During last summer Nursery staff, children and parents went to Walton. Luckily the sun shone and we had a great time on the beach.

Justine Clarke is now the deputy leader of the Nursery and our Special Needs Co-ordinator. We have another member of staff starting on 25th April as sadly after seven years Nicola Fudge has decided to leave Nursery to work for the Probation Service. We have valued her work and support and wish her well in her new job. Nicola will continue as secretary to the Management Committee.

We are also saying good-bye to Katharina who has been with us on student placement from HRS since last September. She came for one day a week as part of her course in Child Care.

As many people will know Nursery is in the process of obtaining its own Charity status and the paperwork is currently with the solicitor.

Once again we are grateful for the continued support of the PCC and the Management Committee.

We pray that God will continue to watch over the children and staff at nursery and that with His help and love we will continue to do His work.

Sue Berry