Supporting your school |
Little gifts |
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When the children arrive , why not give them each a little gift pack to remember the day ? You can purchase some inexpensive A4 plastic wallets and fill them with anything you want , such as : |
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• Parentkind ’ s Be School Ready magazine to help parents and their children prepare for their learning journey
• An information sheet about your PTA and how parents can get involved
• A reading book suitable for the age range of the new starters
• A laminated handwriting worksheet and a whiteboard pen so the children can practice before the start of term
• Some fun activity sheets for the summer holidays
• Any vouchers or discounts you may have from local businesses
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Safety first
You ’ ll need to carry out a risk assessment for your picnic . You can find out more about risk assessments and safeguarding on our website .
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A good way to wind down before the end of your teddy bears ’ picnic is to read a book to the children while they are eating – bear themed , of course ! We recommend that you speak to the school about a book ’ s suitability before your event . |
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Preloved and reloved
Does your school have a second-hand uniform stall ? Consider setting it up on the day ( and it ’ s a great way to let new parents know they can donate their child ’ s uniform at the end of the school year ).
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You ’ ll also need to comply with food hygiene legislation and have a good think about health and safety , especially if you ’ re going to be outside . This includes being aware of any allergies the children or parents may have , as well as special dietary requirements . For more information , we have health and safety and food hygiene guidelines on our website . |
Stay in touch !
Before wrapping up , ask the parents if they ’ d like to stay in touch . When gathering contact details , don ’ t forget you ’ ll need to comply with GDPR .
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Hungry bears
What delectable delights will you be serving at your picnic ? For the children , you could offer individual packed lunches . This will help cut down costs as you will know exactly how much food to buy . Alternatively , picky bits and nibbles are always enjoyable .
For the parents , you could have simple refreshments such as tea , coffee and biscuits , or go all out and have a more substantial fare of sandwiches and cake .
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Fun and games
There are many fun things you could do during your picnic . You could let the children mingle and play using what you have at school , such as the outdoor play equipment or toys and games from the classrooms .
You could also plan some activities , such as a treasure hunt , or singing some songs . Consider your space , how much time you have and the age of your little ones .
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Our ultimate PTA guide to teddy bears ’ picnics has everything you ’ ll need to host the bestest picnic ever , including adorable name stickers , activity sheets and more . Download it from our website : |
Illustrations / photos : Shutterstock |