Autumn 2009 Term Newsletter

Merry Christmas! We’ve come to the end of the Autumn term. I can’t believe how quickly December has come in! Only a year ago, I was going on maternity leave (all five weeks of it) to have a baby, and now here I am, preparing to celebrate Isla’s first birthday and another year of TinyTalk!

First Signs and Birthdays
This term we awarded First Sign certificates to three babies. Congratulations to Rose who began signing ‘milk’, ‘rain’ and a few others over the summer break. Congratulations to Eva for getting a certificate for signing ‘milk’. And congratulations Matthew, for also signing ‘milk’.

There were lots of first birthdays this term too. Happy first birthday to Eva, Rose, Connor, Logan and Isla. And happy third birthday to Cerys!

NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal
Over the coming year, TinyTalk UK will be raising money for the NSPCC’s Child’s Voice Appeal. To kick-start our fundraising in Inverclyde, we had a fancy-dress day at the Christmas party, the last day of term. There will be other small fundraising events over the next year. TinyTalk has a national goal of donating £5000 to NSPCC in 2010. I hope we as a region will be able to help a little towards this goal! We may have only a small number of TinyTalk classes throughout Scotland, but I’m convinced we can still help make a difference. For more information on the NSPCC, visit www.nspcc.org.uk.

New Payment Policy
Beginning in January, there will be a change in payment options for classes. I have always preferred giving parents the option of drop-in classes, as I know life with a baby is unpredictable. Unfortunately, however, I have found it very difficult over the years to make the hall hire payments using this system. I do not want to ask parents to start booking for the full term since this is not always suitable, so I’ve come up with a compromise I hope will work for us all. The new payment options are as follows:

-‘Drop-In’ will change to paying for four classes upfront at the start of each month* (£16 per month = £4 per class)
-12 week block payments will still be £42 (£3.50 per class)

*Regardless of how many weeks we meet in the month, it will always even out to paying for four classes, even if they run into the following month. Does that make sense?

As always, if you want to take advantage of the block payment discount, but need to book for fewer classes, please talk to me about adjusting the price. I understand the need to be flexible, so if you have holidays booked or work part-time, I am willing to work with you on the number of days paid for.

Spring Term Class Details and Dates
Term details for Spring are:
Mondays @ Wemyss Bay Community Centre
11 Jan – 29 March
10 – 11 am (*Note time change)

Fridays @ Kilmacolm Guide Hut
15 Jan – 2 April
11am – 12pm

To book ahead, you can fill out the booking form overleaf and return it either by post or on the first day back. The advantages of booking ahead include the discounted rate (£3.50 per class) and no need to remember cash each month. The full session is 12 classes at £42.

Happy Holidays!
Whatever holidays your family will celebrate this year, I hope it will be a time of joy, happy memories and great company. And all the best for the new year. For those who will be headed back to work, we will miss seeing you and your babies each week. As for anyone returning in January, I look forward to seeing you again and watching your babies grow into lovely little children. Happy holidays!