Sunday 13 December 2015

Nativity

During this last busy week of term we'll be talking about the Nativity and why we celebrate Xmas day.
We'll be using  small world figures, colouring sheets, books and role play to retell the story.

We'll continue putting the finishing touches to our Xmas arts and crafts activities, which the children have enjoyed, as they tell us all about their Xmas trees etc

Don't forget that it's our Yr 1 Xmas party this Thursday 17th ( sorry children only ) !!
If it's not your child's normal session day. please drop your child off at the main front door at 10am and collect promptly at 11.30am, again at the front door. If you wait at reception your child will be brought to you by a member of staff.
If you would be able to bring in some party food that'd be great, the list is on the right wall next to our classroom entrance.
Party clothes or fancy dress welcome but not essential ! Oh, an appeal also, has anyone got the Frozen CD we could borrow just for the party ? The children are always singing songs from it!

We must of course take this opportunity to wish Mr Farrington, Head Teacher of  P of W School the very best wishes for his retirement.

Finally all that remains is to wish you all a very Happy Xmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing you all again at the start of term on Monday 4th January.
                                                                         
                                                                                          Helen and Kathryn.


                                                               


Sunday 6 December 2015

Xmas continues!

It will continue to be a flurry of Xmas activities again this week.

If you have time, do take a look at the children's super work on display.

We've been  making baubles, stars, Santa boots and Xmas trees using different media and materials, which the children have really enjoyed doing.

We can also take this opportunity to fill in speech bubbles recording the children's thoughts and recollections about Xmas ( UW and C&L ), and always a hot topic is how Santa gets down the chimney!

At song time which we do every day, we'll be singing Xmas songs accompanied by bell shakers etc.

In the kitchen we'll be making Xmas shaped shortbread to have as a treat at snack time, and hopefully take home if there's any left!


                                                           

                                                         

                                                               

Sunday 29 November 2015

Xmas Crafts

Yes, Xmas is upon us, so the remaining three weeks of term will be all about it!

Crafts and activities will include spongepainting, cutting and sticking to make lots of decorations to put on display. We'll be emphasising shapes, textures colours and making patterns, as well as focusing attention and and managing one handled tools.

The build up to the Xmas break is always an exciting time for the children so please fill in a wow slip to tell us what you've been doing. Some children may have already met Santa!

Books we'll be enjoying this week will be The Very Special Xmas, Baby Christmas and Spot's Magical Xmas.

                                                       
                                                           

Friday 20 November 2015

The Five Senses

This week we'll be talking about the five senses, touch, smell, sight, hearing and taste.

As well as exploring textures with " feely " bags, we'll be playing listening games, using our noses to sniff different foodstuffs and describing what some food tastes like.We'll be looking in mirrors and talking about our reflections.
We'll also continue to play "Find The Missing Object," looking at observational skills.

Books we'll be enjoying are Ears, Eyes, Mouth and Nose, Whose Nose and What's In The Bag?

                                                               
                                                               

                                                             

Sunday 15 November 2015

Games and Activities

This week is all about learning to listen,observe, take turns and following directions.

We will be playing different games which will require these skills including "spot the missing object", which the children always enjoy.

As well as board games there'll also be more active ones , such as What's The Time Mr Wolf, Musical Statues and Hide and Seek.

Every child this week will be making their own jigsaw to take home and put together.

All of you should have received a daffodil bulb planted by your child by now, they were all excited about following it's progress.

Just a reminder that, should your child be absent from pre-school, you need to ring and let us know prior to the session, Many Thanks.

                                                             












Sunday 8 November 2015

The Blue Balloon

As mentioned last week if any of you saw fireworks last week, in between the rain, please do let us know on a wow slip! Often the children's recall of such events make for great speech bubbles which we put in their learning journeys - do take a look also at their firework art on display as well.

This week we'll be looking at and exploring the book The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen.
We'll be having some fun with some real balloons, talking about shape, things that float, heavy or light etc.
As we read the book throughout the week, we'll be focusing on the ability to recall characters and story line (Literacy).

For our adult focused activity, children will be marble painting blue balloons - look out for them in the clouds around the room !

As it was a short week last week we didn't get time to plant our Spring daffodil bulbs, so will try again this week!


                                                               

Monday 2 November 2015

Fireworks

We hope you had a good half term week with maybe some Halloween fun included!
As  it's Bonfire night already on Thursday, we'll be discussing fireworks, making firework pictures using plenty of glitter and sparkles!

Whilst making them we will also talk about colours, patterns, shapes, describing the sounds we hear, in addition to the importance of keeping safe whilst having fun ( including pet safety as well ).

Please do fill in wow slips if you attend any firework displays, these slips can then accompany the children's artwork.

On a completely different subject this week we'll also be planting daffodil bulbs for Spring next year.


                                                                 

Sunday 18 October 2015

Autumn continues!

Many thanks to those of you who brought in conkers for our counting activity, we now have plenty which is perfect!

The children all enjoyed going on a walk around the school grounds, last week, looking for different coloured leaves etc. Photos can be seen on display and in the learning journeys.

We will be continuing to do our pumpkin threading and leaf stamping this week. In addition to this the children will all be visiting the main kitchen to make some yummy blueberry muffins to take home.

This half term has flown by, just to remind you that we break up on Thursday 22nd next week, as Friday is an inset day, as well as Monday 2nd. We hope you all have a lovely half term break and look forward to seeing you all again at the start of term on Tues 3rd November.  Helen.

                                                         


                                                             

Sunday 11 October 2015

Autumn

For the next two weeks we'll be discussing Autumn and all the changes that we see happening around us.

We'll be going on a nature walk collecting leaves etc, looking at the different colours and putting them on display.We would love it if you too could bring in anything you find when out walking, particularly conkers, which we can use for a counting activity next week. Please do accompany this with a wow slip if you'd like to telling us where you found them.

All of the children will be doing leaf pattern printing with Autumn colours, as well as pumpkin outline threading, look out for them hanging in the classroom!

Books we'll be enjoying this week include Ferdie and The Falling Leaves and The Wind Blew.
                                                                                                                             Helen

                                                                   

Sunday 4 October 2015

Music

This week we'll be listening and moving to music, as well as playing musical statues. This is always a popular theme!

Extending our topic of kind hands we'll be encouraging the children to take turns using various musical instruments.We'll talk about the different sounds they make as the children shake, tap and play them. As part of our Sounds and Letters observations we'll be playing them loudly and quietly, copying sounds etc- do approach us if you'd like to see these guidelines.

All the children will be making their own music shakers to take home.

At story time we'll be looking at the books Ding Dong Bag, Noisy and Sounds.   Helen.

                                                           

Sunday 27 September 2015

Kind Hands

This week the emphasis is on kind hands encompassing being kind to our friends, taking turns and sharing.
These are the principles behind Jenie Jigsaw, a learning aid we use, which you can read about in the book corner room.

Games and activities will focus on taking turns. We will also be making a friendship circle using the children's hand prints to put on display.

We have already witnessed some lovely acts of kindness between the children, which are recorded in the relevant learning journeys. Maybe you have an example to share with us on a wow slip.

This week I'll be arranging and meeting with parents on an individual basis to update you on your child's progress after the initial four weeks have passed. If you have any queries in the meantime, just ask!
                                                                                                                                                    Helen

                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                   

Sunday 20 September 2015

Teddy Bears!

Last week we had fun learning about our favourite things, please do take a look at your child's work on display.

This week we we'll be looking at teddy bears, discussing texture and carrying out activities to identify different sizes. There'll be a spongepainting and sticking activity and plenty of opportunities to play with different bears. Story and songtime will also be bear related!

For snacktime all of the children will be choosing and making their own sandwiches.

If you want to tell us about what your child's been doing, please do fill in a wow slip, found either on the parents noticeboard or by the main entrance door. This is an important link between home and pre- school which we initially put on display, and then stick in the respective learning journeys. It can be about absolutely anything so do join in!

Thank you to those of you have returned the All About Me forms, these are so useful in helping us to get to know your children. We've been so impressed already at how well they have settled in.

                                                                                                                        Helen.


                                                                 

Saturday 12 September 2015

Welcome!

A big welcome to all of our new children and parents.It's been lovely to see how well the children have adjusted to their new environment.

Hopefully any questions should be answered in the introductory pack which you'll find in the pigeon holes, shortly after your child commences. Please do ask though if there's any other queries you have.Just a reminder to bring spare clothes and snacks, drinks etc are not necessary as we provide our own.

As everything is so new we'll be focussing on helping the children to settle down, getting to know each other and helping them with new routines. Above all we want them to learn whilst having fun in a safe environment.
All parents will receive a letter with regard to their child's keyworker and reminders of this are on the parent noticeboard. Please do take a look at your child's learning journey, at any time, and after an initial four weeks we will ask you in to discuss your child's progress in more detail.

Last week we were reading and looking at books about starting pre- school. We did painted handprints which are now on display so do take a look.This week we'll be discussing our favourite things. Please do fill in and return the All About Me form which also gives us further insight into your child's preferences or dislikes, many thanks.
                                  Helen.
                                                     
                                                         

Saturday 11 July 2015

Going On Holiday

Time has absolutely flown as this last week of term is upon us.

To get us all in the holiday mood we'll be talking about where and what we might be doing during the Summer break.

We'll think about and play out what we might need to put in a holiday bag or suitcase, discussing items we might need for different weather conditions.

Modes of transport to get there will also be explored as the children play with trains, aeroplanes, cars, boats etc

Books we'll be reading include Postman Pat's Holiday and Spot Goes On Holiday.

Just a reminder that we will be spending the morning in Pre School Yr 1 on Wednesday 15th in preparation for September.

All that remains to be said is that it has been a real privilege getting to know all of  your wonderful children, watching them progress and grow in confidence.

We wish them all the very best as they move into Year 2 Pre school, and wish all you lovely parents a relaxing and enjoyable Summer holiday.

Term will recommence on Thursday 3rd September.

                                                                          Helen.

                                                        

Friday 3 July 2015

Platypus

We're reading and exploring the book Platypus by Chris Riddell this week.

This is a fun book with the underlying message of being kind to creatures and leaving things as you find them!

To match the content of the book we'll have a pretend rock pool with shells, crabs and sea creatures to play with. The children will also paint sandcastle pictures.

As we look at attention and recall , we'll be encouraging the children to anticipate what comes next as we read the book throughout the week ( C&L 3:3 30-50 mnths ).

As we prepare for the transition to Year 2 Pre School in September, all of the children will be spending time in the play room areas next door, to familiarise themselves with their surroundings. The dates for these introductions are Mon 6th, Tues 7th and Wed 15th July mornings.

With the end of term fast approaching please may we ask all parents to check the lost property tray, as we seem to have accumulated quite a few things! Many Thanks
                                                                          
                                                                                 Helen


                                                                     

Sunday 28 June 2015

Healthy Living

The importance of being healthy is emphasised this coming week.

We will be discussing how to maintain a healthy body with exercise, hand washing, healthy foods, brushing teeth and getting a good night's sleep.

We'll look at the difference between fruit and vegetables, and learn why eating too many sweet snacks isn't good for us.

In the kitchen we'll be making fruit kebabs to enjoy at snack time.

Whilst practicing scissor skills, the children will be cutting out and sticking pictures of healthy foods to make a collage.

Books we'll be enjoying at story time include The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Olivers Fruit Salad and Beautiful Bananas!                                         

                                                          

Thursday 18 June 2015

Teddy Bears Picnic

This is always a popular topic which we are revisiting for all the children to enjoy.

We will be discussing what food we might take on a picnic, and also making our own sandwiches with the choice of jam, honey , cheese or marmite fillings to have at snacktime.

All with a bear theme, the children will be threading, doing puzzles and using pegboards which require a good pincer grip (PD). There will also be bear related matching and sorting games (M).

Every child will be doing a colouring and sticking activity, to decorate a bear picture, to go in their respective learning journeys.

The books we'll be reading at story time are Having A Picnic, The Teddy Bears Picnic and Where's My Teddy.

As ever,do let us know, on a wow slip, about any picnic you've been on and what food you enjoyed!
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                          Helen
                                                                                                                                      
  
                                                         

Tuesday 16 June 2015

Boats

This week we'll be looking at boats and their different uses eg fishing, rescue, houseboats etc.

Maybe some of you have recollections of being on a boat which you can tell us about on a wow slip, or perhaps you could bring in some photos for us to share with the other children.

Every child will be creating their own boat card in time for a special day at the weekend! We will also discuss the shapes we see eg triangular sails.

We'll have a floating and sinking activity, trying to guess what will happen when we put heavy and light objects in the water tray.

On a different subject, we'll also be looking at pincer grip and pencil hold, either using threading or pegboards, which, in turn, is helpful towards developing more control when drawing or writing.


                                                         

Saturday 6 June 2015

Bodies

The children all had a hand in creating our Summer seaside display last week, and we heard some lovely recollections of what they did during their beach visits. Thank you to those of you who brought in shells for us to look at.

This week we are looking at ourselves, our eye and hair colour, what similarities and differences we have from each other, and naming and pointing to various different body parts. We will play Simon Says and be singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes! We'll be reading the book Let's Look At Bodies.

We will be looking at our reflections in the mirror, doing a drawing activity, and also talk about the five senses. Finally we'll be doing a life size body outline and labelling the body parts together.

In the kitchen we'll be making strawberry and banana smoothies.

Should the weather continue to warm up please could you tick the suncream list, by the entrance door, to let us know if you've already applied cream to your child, many thanks, Helen.

                                                              



Sunday 31 May 2015

At The Seaside

Welcome back! Hope you all had a good half term break.

As we commence the final half of Summer term we'll be concentrating on a Seaside theme, as we create a seaside display scene using different media and materials.Alongside this we'll be exporing textures and colours.

We would love it if you have any seaside recollections to write up on a wow slip, and would also welcome any shells etc you would like to bring in to show us.

We'll be reading The Bears Who Went To The Seaside and Grandma's Beach.

Sun safety is always paramount in our minds at this time of year so we'll also be talking about sunhats, suncreams etc. On that note can I remind parents to ensure their child has a named sunhat in their bag. We are still having confusion over unnamed school jumpers and who they belong to! Many thanks for your co-operation with this.

As this term progresses we'll be informing you about transfer days into year 2 pre-school, to familarise your child with this change in September.       
                                                       Helen.
                                                
                                                       

                                                       


Saturday 16 May 2015

People Who Help Us

During this last week of half term we'll be talking about people who help us eg doctors, nurses, firefighters, lifeboat crews, lollipop men or women etc.
There will be role play opportunities to dress up as some of them and small world related play, do feel free to have your child come in one of their own costumes if it reflects this topic too!
We'll be reading and looking at the book Emergency which depicts many of these occupations ( UW )

On a different subject, some of the children will also be practising their cutting skills, using scissors to make snips in paper ( PD ).

We will also be in the garden transferring our plants into grobags; you will have already seen how well they've grown in the classroom, and we've all been following their progress regularly.

Term will recommence on Monday 1st June. Enjoy the half term break.
                                                         Helen.
                                                  
                                                         

                                                         

Saturday 9 May 2015

Music

Thank you to all of you who brought in scooters etc for our Scootathon last week. The children did so well, especially those who took part on blustery days! You will all be receiving slips stating the number of laps completed. Thank you so much for your support and sponsorship.

This week we move onto music, always a popular topic!
We shall be focussing on instrumental sounds, in accordance with Letters and Sounds Phase 1.

There will be a variety of musical instruments for the children to help themselves to and try out.

In small groups, activities will include stopping and starting; guessing the instrument; repeating a rhythm; copying loud and quiet sounds, and playing for others.

Photos of these music groups will be put on display.
                                                                         Helen.


                                                          

Friday 1 May 2015

Shark In The Park

We hope you all enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend.

This week we'll be reading and exploring the book Shark In The Park. ( As a follow on from this we'll also read a Percy The Park Keeper book ).

This is a book the children always enjoy shouting out " There's a shark in the park " to !!

We will be using cardboard tubes as telescopes, and take turns using them to spot different coloured items. If any of you could bring in old kitchen roll tubes we'd be very grateful.

Some of the children will be using scissors to cut out zig zag shark teeth using folded paper plates.

There may also be a shark lurking about in the playmobile park!

Lastly, we will be emphasising rhyming words which occur throughout the book.

Just a reminder that it's Scootathon week , so please bring in your child's bike or scooter on the date given on slips. Please just ask if you haven't received one as yet.

A polite reminder also that if your child stays for lunch club, please can all food items be kept within the named lunchbox or bag.We've recently had yoghurts, bananas etc given in separately which can become very confusing working out who they belong to! Many Thanks, Helen.

                                                               

                           
                                                     


                                                                
                                                  

Sunday 26 April 2015

Board games etc

Last week the children made fluffy birds, please do look around the room and admire their work!
We will continue doing this activity with the remaining children this week.
Every day we're looking out of the window to see if we can spot any birds on the feeder we set up.
The seeds that we planted are coming on well, and we're hiding tiny dinosaurs in the grass we've grown!

This will be a busy week as we also plan , in small groups, to visit the kitchen to make cheese scones to take home.

In the meantime we're going to concentrate on the childrens's individual needs. Within small groups, we'll be playing board games etc which involve turn taking and concentration. We'll be practising copying letters, setting number problems etc, this is ongoing.

We will also be welcoming two new children to our setting.

As ever, please do approach one of us if you have any queries or concerns.
                                                                      
                                                                                                          Helen.
                                               

Sunday 19 April 2015

Birds

Firstly a big thank you to all of you who returned wow slips telling us about your Easter holidays, as well as updating us on what your child has been doing at home.These slips will be displayed and then be put in your child's respective learning journeys.
Due to the surprise hot spell last week, we were grateful for the speedy return of sun protection request forms. We still have some outstanding, and would appreciate if these can be returned asap, so that your child can safely enjoy outside play when temperatures rise again.On these days you will find a tick list by the entrance door so you can inform us if you've already applied suncream to your child.
Just a reminder, can all sunhats and  sun creams be clearly labelled to avoid confusion, thank you.
Last week the children all took part in planting grass,courgette,pea and squash seeds. Over the coming weeks we will be following their progress ( UW ).It was lovely to hear about the vegetables some children grew at home as well.
We also had a visit from Julia who brought in baby chicks, which the children all had an opportunity to individually hold ( of course we took photos! )
Appropriately then we're turning our attention to birds this week.
We'll be setting up a bird feeder tray with which we hope to glimpse the birds feeding .
We will also go outside and use binoculars to spot any birds in the vicinity, and discuss the noises they make, and the textures of feathers ( EAD ). We'll also mention flightless birds ( UW )
Every child will be making hand print wings for their own bird artwork.
Books which we'll be looking at are Goodnight Owl, I'm Not Cute and The Chuckling Ducklings. Song time will also take on a bird theme! Helen.

                                                     

Sunday 12 April 2015

Watch Them Grow

Welcome back to the first half of the Summer Term.We do hope you all had a lovely Easter break and enjoyed the weather and a few Easter eggs! Please do fill in the wow slips which were given out at the end of last term, to tell us what you did during this holiday period.As well as putting them on display and sticking them into your child's learning journeys, we also link them up to the Early Years Foundation Stage criteria.

This coming week we will be discussing the process of seed growing. All of the children will be planting grass seeds in a large tray. On a daily basis they will be looking after, and watching them grow, whilst we discuss what conditions seeds need to grow in (UW).When the grass has been grown we will use it to place toy animals in etc for the children to play with.Please do let us know on a wow slip, if you and your child grow anything at home.

For our craft activity we will be painting sunflowers and sticking real seeds in the centre of them to put on display (EAD).

At song time we will be singing One Little Daffodil, accompanied by a visual display on a Velcro board.This encourages counting as the children anticipate the next number, as we add another daffodil to the board (M).

At snack time we will be looking at the seeds within the fruit we enjoy eg oranges, apples and grapes ( UW).

During story time we'll be reading Ten Seeds, Watch Them Grow and The Enormous Turnip.

This term we will be joined by staff member, Carol, who will be working on a one to one basis, and our student , Iffy , will be with us on a Thursday and Friday .
                                                                                   Helen

                                                            


Friday 20 March 2015

Easter

It's hard to believe that it's already the last week of this busy term! We have welcomed several new children to pre-school and are looking forward to getting to know them all as next term progresses. As we always  say , please do approach us if you have any further queries or concerns.

Naturally we will be continuing with our Easter crafts and activities.

We will be going on an Easter egg hunt around the outside play area, with a little treat for all those participating!

As some of the children finish decorating their fluffy chicks, others will start stamp printing designs on their egg decorations.

During the week all of the children will be visiting the kitchen to make Easter cakes to take home.

We are still waiting for the return of some session request forms for September. Please could these be handed in asap to facilitate planning.

We hope you all have a lovely Easter holiday and look forward to seeing you all again at the start of term on Monday 13th April.

                                                          

Saturday 14 March 2015

Here comes Easter!

All of the children enjoyed participating in creating our Spring display last week.
They also loved sponge painting butterflies for their Mothers Day cards.We hope you liked them.

As we approach Easter we will be making bunny rabbit ears decorated using paint stamping .

We will also be sticking feathers onto our Easter chicks!

Individually we'll be recording your child's observations about Spring.

As we have become busier please may we ask that all backpacks, lunch boxes and drink bottles are clearly labelled to avoid any confusion, as we have had a few duplicates!

Just a reminder also that we would prefer if favourite toys were kept at home to avoid upset over sharing issues, or loss. Thank you for your understanding.


                                                    

Saturday 7 March 2015

Spring

This is always a welcome time of year as the days become warmer and lighter and Spring changes occur.

This week we will be discussing these changes, looking at the trees and Spring flowers cropping up. We will be talking  about new growth ( UW ), and also the baby lambs and chicks etc that we associate with Spring.

We will also be playing a Spring related counting game ( M )

On this note we'll be busy using different media and materials to create a Spring display.This also gives us an opportunity to look at  and explore textures and colours ( EAD ). Look out for chicks, daffodils, butterflies and lambs!

Just a reminder to all parents to please return your child's September session request slips asap, to facilitate forward planning. We would also be grateful if you could let us know if you are able to attend our coffee information session, Many Thanks.

                                                           

Sunday 1 March 2015

Butterflies

This week we will be learning about butterflies.

The books The Crunchy Munching Caterpillar and the much loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar are super books to get us started. Within  them we can talk and learn about colours ( EAD), counting (M), fruit and foods and days of the week.We can then move onto the the growth cycle of a butterfly , from egg to caterpillar , to cocoon to butterfly ( UW ).

All of the children will be making their own butterfly creations to keep.

In addition to this we'll be visiting the kitchen every day to make fruit cookies to take home.

                                                    

Sunday 22 February 2015

Goldilocks And The Three Bears - Sizes

Welcome back! We hope you enjoyed the week, please do let us know what you did on a wow slip.
This is always an enjoyable term as Spring is on it's way and we have fun exploring the changes that occur.

This week we are looking and learning about sizes ( M: Shape and space ). Goldilocks and the three bears is an excellent example of telling the difference between big, medium and small.We will read and look at the story every day this week ( L: Reading )

The children will all be playing a matching game, identifying sizes of the bears and then choosing the matching size bowl of porridge, chair etc.

The number three is featured throughout the book so we will look at this numeral by sight and then play a number game. This will involve counting out bears and matching them to the numeral and number of squares available ( M: Numbers ).

In small groups we will also be going on a bear hunt, collecting up as many as we can find and counting them as we go along!

Finally all of the children will be taking turns doing a bear sponge painting activity ( PD ).


                                                   

Sunday 8 February 2015

Farm To Fork

This is Farm to Fork week and all year groups will also be looking at this subject .

We will be talking about growing, where food comes from, looking at different foodstuffs, and more importantly eating some of it!

Activities will be apple threading ( PD ) to put on our painted wall tree and vegetable printing.

We will have the shop and farmyard to play with, to further encourage discussion.

The children will be making their own cheese sandwiches for snacktime, as we talk about how cheese is made.

We'll be reading the book Produce From The Farm and Ten Seeds.

Please feel free to bring in any foodstuffs to add to our display !

We will break up for half term on Friday returning on Mon 23rd, enjoy the week and tell us what you got up to on a wow slip!

                                                   

Saturday 31 January 2015

The Rainbow Fish

As a fun way of looking at and identifying colours this week, we shall be reading The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. Many of you may know this book already, which also talks about sharing and friendship.

We will be emphasising the importance of being kind to others and how we can be a good friend.

Every child will be creating their own rainbow fish with a combination of sponge painting and sticking. Please do look at the fish on display with your child.

As we always say please do take time, if possible, to look through the learning journeys with your child. Many of the children like to help themselves to their own journey and talk to us about the photos and drawings they've done, which we always encourage.

Thank you to those of you who have brought in wow slips, giving us an insight into life outside pre-school!

As we have become busier, welcoming new children, our staff colleague, Matilda Jackson, has joined us for three mornings a week.

As mentioned in the recent newsletter, please can we dissuade parents from letting their children bring in their own toys, books etc Unfortunately loss of items or sharing issues often occur leading to upset, which we are obviously keen to avoid. Thank you.

                                                             

Sunday 25 January 2015

Construction

We move onto the theme of construction this week, letting the children use their imagination to create their own ideas ( EAD )

Throughout the week there will be big and small construction pieces available to play with and explore. We'll be making a construction  number line with photos to display. There will also be workbenches with lots of hammering and fixing going on ! ( PD )
Our adult focused activity will be junk modelling encouraging the children to pick and make what they like.

The books which we'll be looking at are  I Can Build A House  and Toolbox Trouble. No doubt Bob the Builder will also feature!

As of this week, any child staying for lunch only, will need to be picked up from our first classroom ( book corner room ) as we'll be using the main classroom for lunches, rather than going in the main hall. Many Thanks.                                                 
                                                  
                                                      

Sunday 18 January 2015

Kipper's Birthday

This week we continue to look at Kipper stories by Mick Inkpen.

 The story Kipper's Birthday gives us an opportunity to talk about everything you would need if you were having a party, paying special attention to the cake!

All of the children will be visiting the kitchen to make their own cakes to take home. We hope they turn out better than Kipper's attempt! We will be asking  about what ingredients you might need and take turns to add and stir them together.

Using playdough, we will make pretend cakes and ask the children to think about how many candles they need to put on them, according to their age.

Obviously at story and songtime we will be singing  Pat a cake, Pat a cake Bakers Man! As one of our children also has a birthday this week we will be, as always, singing Happy Birthday at snacktime!

As the weather continues to be cold, please can we remind parents to provide warm hats and gloves for any outside play, thank you.


Sunday 11 January 2015

Kipper's Toybox

It was so nice to hear the children recalling what Santa had brought them for Xmas, together with other tales of what he'd eaten and footprints etc left behind!

As we discussed Winter and how to keep warm last week, the children produced some lovely work, now on display. With a combination of stamping, sponge painting and handprints they decorated mittens, scarves and hats.

This week we will be reading and exploring the book Kipper's Toybox by Mick Inkpen. Kipper books, as many of you will know, are always popular with the children and we will be focussing on another story  next week.

The Toybox story enables us to look at counting ( Mathematics: Numbers ) as we encourage the children to count up the toys in the box each time. To accompany the book we have the matching soft toy resources to re-enact the story, which will no doubt prove to be great fun.By the end of the week we will be listening to your child  individually, recalling some of the story and characters they can remember ( Literacy: Reading 30-50mnths ) Please do look at the photos and observations in your child's learning journeys in the coming weeks.
               

                                                            

Sunday 4 January 2015

Winter

Welcome back and Happy New Year! We hope you all had a lovely time during the festive season.

With this in mind,we will be reflecting on what we did in the holidays and discussing any presents received! These discussions always result in great written observations and speech bubbles to put in your child's learning journey.

Our theme this week will be Winter, discussing what we wear, if the weather is cold, to keep us warm.We will be doing  spongepainting and finger painting activities, decorating and identifying different clothes we may choose to wear eg hats, gloves, scarfs etc
We will also find out where wool comes from to make these clothes, and discuss and explore the texture of wool.

At story time we will be reading and talking about the books One Rainy Day and Let's Look At Clothes .

This term we extend a big welcome to our new children and parents - staff member, Kayley, will be joining  us every morning now ( inc. Friday now ) to accommodate this increase in numbers.

                                                         Helen and Kathryn