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Exploring the slime.

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A beautiful and warming story about a little girl and the relationship she has with her Grandma and her very special purse....

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👛 Kids Books Read Aloud: Grandmas Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

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Some children designed and painted their own purse and/or bag.

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Grandmas purse prompted lots of discussion about our own families. We looked at similarities and differences of who make up our own families.

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Staff are supporting children to become more independent and try to do things for themselves.

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Preparing snack further supports children's independence skills.

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Testing out some new climbing equipment proved challenging at first. But with great determination the children perfected their skills!

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A trip to the mud kitchen will ensure that everybody gets one of their five a day!

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The summer term is all about independence and for some children preparing them for their next school journey.

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The children have been looking through a selection of hide and seek books to find particular characters hidden within a bigger scene. Activities such as this support children's eye tracking skills and visual perception, allowing children to see things in much clearer details.

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Millie and her team worked hard to set up multiple mini wildlife ponds across the garden. The aim was to encourage all types of wildlife to come and access the garden more.

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Looking our environment was a focus topic that supports the idea of sustainability. The children were keen to make a difference by helping tidy and de-weed the wildlife garden in the nursery.

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Rescuing the veggies from the ice block! This proved challenging but with great determination and a goal in sight the veggies were rescued and set free! Great Success!

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Some children had great fun drawing their favourite characters from the story.

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Children designing their own supertatos.

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We are now well underway with our school transition preparations in Olive Class. A selection of activities and class discussions are being planned for with all the children. Contact with children's new schools has been made and some teachers have already come for a visit to meet the children in class. This can be a very exciting time for the children but also a time for worries to set in as they begin to understand that their nursery journey is coming to an end and a new adventure awaits. The class team are extremely mindful of such emotions and are available to explore these feelings with the children when they arise. If you have any concerns about your child's transition to school, please come and speak with your child's key person.

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Once the worms had been collected and processed they were then sent to the 'measuring team'. This team is crucial in monitoring the lengths of each individual worm. This season has provided lots of wriggly worms that have required very specific detailed fingers to ensure they are measured safely and to the highest standard!

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A very keen group pf excavators were out in full force to try and extract as many worms as they could from the digging area.

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Some children have been really engaged in building their own dens and shelters.

Den making is a crucial activity that supports children's development in various ways. It encourages physical development, as children engage in physical activities such as lifting, carrying, and balancing materials. It also promotes teamwork and cooperation, as children work together to create their dens, learning to communicate and negotiate. Additionally, den making enhances problem-solving skills and mathematical thinking, as children explore concepts of size, shape, space, and measurement. It also supports communication and language development, providing a natural context for rich language growth. Furthermore, den making fosters creativity, allowing children to experiment with different design concepts and test their boundaries. Overall, den making is a holistic activity that contributes to a child's physical, cognitive, and social development.

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Many children dressed up in their very special cultural clothes; looking very smart and proud of themselves.

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Valentina designed a 'very special church'.

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We were exploring different places of worship for many different religions/cultures. Sophie took inspiration from the mosque and created her own version.

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Anisha and a small group of children have worked very hard to plan and design a bird house for the garden. The children were independent in using a selection of tools and equipment to join and piece together sections of wood to form a solid frame- fit for any bird to nest in over the coming months.

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Extreme make-over was at the top of our agenda today when brightening up the wall.

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Millie took a small group of bird watchers out onto the patio to see what type of birds visit our garden. We identified some pigeons, a magpie, a robin and some blackbirds.

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Working together to find the hidden treasure in the sand.

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The children have been busy learning about the life cycle of a seed and what we can expect to see over the coming months.

We have planted lettuce [for shelley], beetroot, cucumber and carrots- now we just have to wait and see what happens next....

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We tried to use oats in multiple recipes when baking. Flapjack was certainly the most popular amongst the children! However one big question was left unanswered.... who's been eating Ayeshers flapjack and left all the crumbs behind?.....

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Sorting objects by size- small, medium and large. This linked closely with the core book of Goldilocks where different sizes are explored. Children were able to link their learning from literacy out into the classroom.

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Using a selection of tools to make marks and patterns in the paint.

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7 Benefits of Reading to Children

Whether you’re reading a classic novel or fairy tales before bed, reading aloud to children can significantly benefit your child’s life. Some benefits of reading with your child include:

Supporting their cognitive development [understanding].

Improve their language skills.

Preparing them for academic success.

Develops a special bond with your child.

Increases their concentration and listening skills.

Improving their imagination and creativity.

Encouraging a lifelong love of reading!

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Supertato is the title of our core book for summer 1 and has proved to be a successful read with the children. We have created lots of opportunities to explore a wide selection of fruits and vegetables as well as explore our own unique superpowers.

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The children had many opportunities to see and hold the ducklings up close. All the staff were so proud of how kind, gentle and caring the children were during these times. A few children were naturally apprehensive about stroking the ducklings. However their worries soon disappeared when their friends gave them words of encouragement and reassurance.

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To celebrate Science week with the children, we carried out an experiment everyday. Alongside this we created opportunities for children to further explore a range of activities that reflected a STEM theme- science, technology, engineering and maths. This has had a real positive impact on the children's learning from extending their vocabulary with new and exciting words to being able to articulate their observations and share their new found knowledge with others.

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To conduct a Skittles color-changing experiment, follow these steps:

1. Gather Materials: You will need a pack of Skittles, a white plate or dish, and warm water.

2. Arrange Skittles: Place the Skittles in a circular pattern around the edge of the plate, ensuring they touch each other.

3. Add Water: Slowly pour warm water into the center of the plate until it just touches the bottom of the Skittles.

4. Observe the Colors: Watch as the colors of the Skittles dissolve and spread towards the center. This process demonstrates the principles of dissolution and diffusion.

5. Experiment with Variables: You can try different liquids (like vinegar or soda) and arrange the Skittles in different patterns to see how the results change.

This experiment is a fun way to explore basic scientific concepts and is perfect for kids of all ages!

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Regular woodwork sessions are proving popular in the class. This term the children have been tasked with the challenge of designing and making their own cars.

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Love was all around when celebrating Valentines Day in class- making Love Potions was top of the agenda.

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The children created their own story maps that sequenced all the main characters and events that occurred in the book.

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Yoga has many benefits for young children, including:

1. Enhances Flexibility, Balance, and Posture

2. Boosts Brain Function and Concentration

3. Increases Energy Levels and Reduces Fatigue

4. Supports Overall Health and Well-Being

5. Improves Sleep Quality

6. Builds Self-Esteem and Confidence

7. Encourages Emotional Control and Reduces Impulsivity

8. Strengthens Immunity and Supports Physical Health

9. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

10. Promotes a Positive Mindset and Emotional Well-Being

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Goldilocks and the Three Bears - Give Us A Story!

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The children have been working hard to create their own small world scenes to help support their play.

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Dance for the sun - Sun salutation for kids yoga

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Exploring how the digestive system works. Millie introduced an experiment that replicates what happens in the body as we digest food. Using bread as 'food', vinegar as the 'stomach acid' and a bag acting as the 'stomach'. As the bag is squeezed the vinegar gradually breaks down the food to a mushy consistency. The contents are then poured out into a tee-towel where the liquid is squeezed out. This represents the food travelling through the intestines and turning into waste ready to come out of the body! The children and adults were all in awe at what popped out of the end of the tee-towel.

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Olivia spent a longtime constructing a very complex structure out of magnetic tiles.

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The second book of the term is The little red hen. It has been very well received and the children have picked up the key phrases very quickly. Staff can often hear children say aloud 'then i will do it myself'. It has also supported the value of being helpful and kind to those around us.

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The Little Red Hen (US English accent) - TheFableCottage.com

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We have been practicing our subitising skills in Olive Class. Subitising is the ability to look at a small set of objects and instantly know how many are in the set without counting them.

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Jan carefully took his time to scoop water into the pot. Upon putting the scoop back into the water, he realized small bubbles were being created. This was then the next focus on his agenda, catch and collect the bubbles!

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We have been practicing our funky finger skills in class, using a selection of hole punchers to create different shapes in the paper.

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We opened a baby clinic in class. Here the children carefully tended to all of the babies wants and needs.

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Working collaboratively to create a canvas with a wide selection of small loose parts.

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The children made vegetable soup with Kayleigh outside in the garden. It was a very warming welcome to come inside to.

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Millie's slime station proved challenging when all the ingredients used were simply not working how she intended them to be. Together with the help of some slime experts they problem solved their way to successful slime!

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creating 2D and 3D shapes using cocktail sticks and midget gems.

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STEM challenges are engaging activities that promote learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on projects and problem-solving.

Overview of STEM Challenges

STEM challenges are designed to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration among children. They often involve building, designing, and experimenting with various materials, making them both educational and fun.

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Superheroes assemble!

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Creating shapes in the slush!

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Exploring the unexpected snowfall we were lucky enough to receive.

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In Olive Class we like to use the smart board to enhance and offer further learning opportunities. This week the children have been using their knowledge from what they have been taught in their Maths groups and then applying this at other times in the continuous provision.

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The cold weather prompted lots of opportunities to sit and have cosy stories with hot chocolate.

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Superhero week proved popular with the children and back by popular demand was Millie with the face paints!

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Volcanoes were a point of great interest for the children. Collectively the children made their own volcano using various materials. Once painted, children took it in turns to create their own volcanic eruptions.

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The first book of the year is The Enormous Turnip.

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Annie's workshop - Books Read Aloud for Kids

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The Enormous Turnip (Retold by Irene Yates) I Read Aloud I Classic Tales

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We shared some delicious party food with friends

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It's not a party without a game of Pass the Parcel.

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Exploring bones and fossils to help identify dinosaurs.

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When to talk PANTS?

Every family is different, and when and where you have these conversations may depend on your child's age, or how grown up they are - it's all about whatever feels natural for you and them.

Some examples of times you can talk PANTS are:

After school – if they've had a lesson on personal relationships or Talk PANTS at school, ask them what they remember when they get home.

Bathtime – you could start a conversation when you're running your child's bath, or helping them get dressed.

Car journeys – this can be a great time to talk, and your child will have plenty of time to ask questions if they need.

Reading our new PANTS storybook together.

Singing – sing along to our PANTS song with Pantosaurus!

Swimming – a great time to say that what's covered by swimwear is private.

Walking – walking home from school, or a weekend walk to the shops can help you both feel more at ease as you stroll and chat.

Watching TV – if a TV show features a sensitive storyline, you can encourage them to talk about anything that upsets them.

For more information please go to the NSPCC website and look up PANTS.

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The Pantosaurus Song! | #TalkPANTS | NSPCC

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Pantosuarus and the Power of PANTS with Signalong

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The first book of the half term is Dinosaurs love underpants. The key vocabulary that we are teaching the children is: embarrassed, mystery, cavemen, history and itchy. In the continuous provision the children have been exploring dinosaur bones/fossils. Looking at footprints and investigating their size and height. Looking closely at animal fur, skins and patterns. Creating their own volcanoes and very importantly discussing the importance of PANTS with Pantosaurus.

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CHILDREN'S BOOK | Dinosaurs Love Underpants by Claire Freedman & Ben Cort | READ ALOUD

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Woodworking Benefits

Fine Motor Skills by holding nails or screws in place

Persistence

Focus

Large Motor Skills by using arm muscles

Sharing and teamwork

Social/Emotional development through confidence, respect for materials and those working around others.

Understanding Math's through engineering skills, measurements, and size

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Talking boxes

Is an intervention to support EAL children and those children who would benefit from speech and language support.

Our talking box groups are led by Millie.

We have been doing talking boxes at nursery for several years and the format has proved successful. These groups aim to support children to learn English in a planned and progressive way.

The groups are held twice a week with a maximum of six children in each group. The sessions run for five weeks each half term.

During this group we sing a Hello song, introduce activities, introduce book and character, have an attention activity, read the story and have another activity (related to key words), reward sticker and say Goodbye.

The books and activities are simple; teaching the children the basic words. Homework is also provided so you can support your child's learning at home.

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Scooping out pumpkins proved successful gooey fun for some!

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Squeezing coloured water into pipettes and then squirting it onto canvas, takes careful hand-eye co-ordination skills.