School’s newsletter 24/25 – term3, newsletter 21

Hi All

Here is an overview of our last week of term at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – The children enjoyed experimenting with the ball drops that had been initiated using the large Numicon, guttering, tubes, and ramps. Many of the children have been engaged in mark-making, and it has been lovely to see so many masterpieces being created where the children are proud of their creations. One of our focuses this term has been around the children developing their fine motor skills and encouraging hand eye coordination. The children have been mastering how to use scissors, using tools, treading, using tweezers / pipettes / pegs within in their play. We also set up a small hospital following the children’s interests, this was a great chance for children to engage in role play, learn new vocabulary and discuss their own knowledge, understanding and experiences linked to hospitals / the human body.

Outdoor focus – The children have had lots of opportunities to practice and develop their aiming skills by throwing and catching balls / beanbags, and playing / making up their own aiming games. They have also enjoyed developing the smaller mud kitchen where they have been imaginative and creative within their play. There are many mark making opportunities available to the children outdoors such as large chalks, clipboards, paper, white boards and mark making tools. The large blocks have been used to create dinosaur and animal enclosures, the children created many different scenarios in their small world play. It has been lovely to watch them become more and more independent in their play this term.

Forest School – Our older children enjoyed having a fire and cooking some popcorn, we discussed the 3 elements of the fire and all the children remembered how to keep themselves safe around the fire. We sang a poem called ‘Popcorn’ while we were waiting for the popcorn to cook which went like this:

Popcorn, Popcorn, sizzling in the pan.
Shake it up, shake it up,
Bam, Bam, Bam.
Popcorn, Popcorn, now it’s getting hot.
Shake it up, shake it up,
Pop, Pop, Pop.

We then all enjoyed sampling the popcorn along with a warm chocolate around the fire 😊

Maths focus: Shape & Measure – During group times the children identified a range of shapes by exploring them and explaining which shape was which by discussing each shapes unique properties using mathematical terms / language. The children also explored measure by ordering different length socks from longest to shortest / shortest to longest. There were also many opportunities within provision to recall their learning of shape and measure which has been our mathematic focus this term. Next term we will be focusing on ‘number’.

Phonic focus: Body Percussion – During group times the children played one game called ‘Follow the sound’ where the adult began by producing a body percussion sound which was then ‘passed’ to the child sitting next to them such as clap, clap, clap. The sound was then passed around the circle until it is returned to the adult. We asked the children if they thought the sound stayed the same all the way around, what changed, did it get faster or slower etc. Another game we played was called ‘Listen to the music’ where we Introduced one musical instrument at a time. We then asked the children to perform an action when each instrument was being played (e.g. Clap, wave, jump). The children then took it in turns to be the leader where they had to decide which instrument to play indicating which action the children had to do / remember.

Library Trip – On the last day of term we took the last 2 groups of children to the library, the children had a great time it was so nice to be out and about in the community. Thank you to those of you that were able to come and help on the trip, I hope you enjoyed our little adventure.

Core Song – Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Poem – A Little House

I’m going to build a little house,
With windows big and bright,
And chimneys tall with curling smoke,
Drifting out of sight.
In winter when the snowflakes fall,
Or when I hear a storm,
I’ll go and sit in my little house,
Where I’ll be snug and warm.

– See if your child can remember this poem and the accompanying actions.

Information / Reminders

* Library Books – If your child took a library book home that we took out on the nursery card if you could please return them after half term.

*Chipping Norton Theatre will be visiting on Monday the 24th of Feb in the morning and afternoon.

*Chipping Norton Theatre Trip – We are planning on taking the children to the theatre for a short visit on Monday the 3rd of March. The children will experience sitting in the auditorium, then will be invited to go on the stage where they will be read a book with lights and sound effects. To be able to do this we would need a considerable amount of parental helpers. We are planning two trips in the morning (if your child attends in the afternoon or does not attend nursery on a Monday you are welcome to join us for either trip). We are planning for the first group of children to leave at 9.45am (parents would need to arrive at 9.30 to go over risk assessment) and then the second group of children to leave at 10.45am (parent to arrive at 10.30 to go over risk assessment) once the first group is back. If we do not get enough helpers we may have to split the group and just take our older children this time (the ones leaving in the Summer) as our younger children will get to go next year. Please let me know if you are able to help and at which time, if you could help with both that would be amazing.

*Snack donations – Please continue to bring in your weekly snack contribution, any day of the week if fine. We welcome all fruit / salad and savoury snacks such as crackers, rice cakes and bread snacks.

*Termly voluntary £10 contributions are now due. You can make a cash donation at the office or pay directly into our bank account. I will confirm bank details next week. These donations go towards buying ingredients for cooking, playdough, sensory enhancements, woodwork essentials and extra snack if ever needed. Thank you in advance as these donations really do make a difference.

I hope you are all having a good half term and we look forward to seeing you all next week.

Kind regards,

Zoe 😊

 

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School’s newsletter 24/25 – term3, newsletter 20

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – We have been exploring weight by weighing different objects and asking the children to identify which objects are heavier, lighter, and the same in weight. The children have been completing and making their own mazes which they have enjoyed. We have provided many opportunities for children to develop their cutting skills where they have persevered and succeeded in what they have set out to do. Some of the children have completed electric circuits, the children were keen to do this independently and went on to add switches to their circuits. At the playdough table the children have been measuring length by making caterpillars and comparing which is the longest, shortest and recognising if any were the same in length.

Outdoor focus – The children have been busy washing some of the toys / resources this week and thinking about the best methods to clean them – lots of warm bubbly water, cloths, sponges and brushes seem to be the best solution for getting them nice and clean. We have continued to measure objects by drawing around them and asking the children to predict which will be the longest / shortest in length before comparing them. In additional to this we had fun building a range towers using the blocks / loose parts and comparing them height. The children have enjoyed having stories outside and playing games such as ‘duck, duck goose’. The top of the garden has been very muddy so we have been encouraging the children to put on their wellies independently. They have been busy on the climbing frame, wooden obstacle courses and in up in the mud kitchen where we have seen lots of imaginative role play / scenarios.

Wow activity – The children have continued to use hammers / nails and screwdrivers / screws in woodwork sessions. The children followed safety instructions and wore safety glasses and gloves to keep themselves safe while using the tools. The children have loved using real tools and have developed their skills over the term. we will continue with woodwork sessions next term.

Forest School – This week groups C & D had fun making a rope bridge at Forest School, most children were willing to have a go and mastered how best to travel along the rope bridge safely to the other end. Lots of team work was seen and the groups came together to support and encourage one another to succeed. It was evident the children felt a sense of accomplishment and were proud of themselves for having a go.

All being well we aim to have a campfire next week at Forest School. For some of our younger children we may suggest they need more awareness and to be able to show us they are ready to participate in the campfire this time. Every week we include aspects of fire safety at Forest School but for some children this takes time to master. So, if they do not do this time hopefully they will be ready by the end of next term. If you have not seen or signed the risk assessment for ‘Fires at Forest School’ I will get you to do this next week so we know you are happy for your child to participate.

Maths focus: Measure – During group times, the children were challenged to identify capacity by matching words to pictures and building their own towers and comparing them to others.

Phonic focus: Body Percussion – This week we recapped on action songs where we actively encouraged the children to join in with the words and actions.

Core Song – 2D Shape Song

Poem – Spring Wind

When the spring wind blows,
In her gruff and growly way,
She’s saying keep your mittens on,
I’m blowing cold today.
But when the spring wind blows,
In her soft and gentle way,
She’s saying take your jumpers off,
I’m blowing warm today.

– See if your child can remember this poem and the accompanying actions.

Information / Reminders

*If able would you take the time to look at the stars and moon with your child, we have been discussing light and dark and many children have said they have not seen the stars and the moon (I’m sure they have but just can’t remember). Our core book this week has been ‘Why is it Dark at Night?’ this book has generated many questions for some children which will continue to discuss and explore next week to help develop their understanding.

*Library Trip – The children who have not yet visited the library will be going on Friday the 14th either in the morning or afternoon. We ideally need one more parent helper in the morning and afternoon to ensure all the children can go this term. Please let me know if you can help and I will let you know the plan, timings etc. Thank you to everyone that came and helped with last weeks trip, we really do appreciate it and hoped you enjoyed it too. It really is great to get out in the community.

*Last day of term – Friday the 14th of February (normal time).

*Start of term 4 – Monday the 24th of February

Enjoy your weekend and we look forward to seeing you next week.

Kind regards,

Zoe 😊

 

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School’s Newsletter 24/25 – term 3, newsletter 19

Hi All,
Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – We discussed how some people are celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year this week and shared these clips to help with the children’s understanding of this celebration – https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/watch/chinese-new-year. We had lots of enhancements around the room to support the children’s interest in this celebration such as Chinese writing, pictures, a Chinese kitchen, and lantern making.

We have also been exploring and naming our emotions which links to our core book this week ‘The Colour Monster’. The children have also been busy comparing and measuring quantities in many different ways. They have been recognising and recalling 2D and 3D shapes within their play. We also added some loose parts to the home corner for the children to use in their play. Sally from the library came to see the children on Friday, they enjoyed listening to a story and joining in with some action songs with her. This links to our visit next week where the children will go in groups to the library as part of our big experience programme.

Outdoor focus – The children have been filling up and comparing measures in the water tray, threading pasta onto pipe cleaners and making bracelets, some children went on to paint their bracelets thinking about what they could differently. We enjoyed playing traditional games such as ‘hide & seek’ and ‘what’s the time Mr Wolf’. We also constructed shelters, obstacle courses, car ramps and mazes.

Wow activity – The children enjoyed tinkering with hammers and nails this week in woodwork. The children followed safety instructions and wore safety glasses and gloves on their non-hammering hand to keep themselves safe.

Forest School – Groups A & B had fun making a rope bridge at Forest School this week, most children were willing to have a go and mastered how best to travel along the rope bridge safely to the other end.

Maths focus: Measure – During group times the children used scales, where they measured and compared a range of items recognising which item was heavier, lighter or the same. We also measured the children using masking tape and compared, discussed who was the tallest, shortest or the same in height. Some of the children went on to measure the tape with objects to see how many blocks / gems tall they were.

Phonic focus: Body Percussion – This week we discussed and made opposite sounds we can make with our bodies such as loud & quiet, long & short, slow & fast sounds. Then we went on to explore the types of sound we can make we can make with our bodies such as clicking, stamping. Then finally we experimented with different types of movements we can do such as rocking, marching and skipping. This generated lots of lovely discussions about they different types of sounds they hear and can produce themselves.

Core Song – Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Poem – Carrot Nose
A cute little snowman with a
long carrot nose.
Along came a rabbit and
what do you suppose?
That cute little rabbit,
looking for his lunch.
Ate the snowman’s carrot nose,
nibble, nibble, munch
– See if your child can remember this poem and the accompanying actions.

Information / Reminders
*Library Trip – We still need to 2 more additional parent helpers for Tuesday & Friday (pm) from 1.15 – 2.30 (approx.). If you can help please do let me know. Thank you to all of you who have already offered.
I hope you are having a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Kind regards,
Zoe

 

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School’s newsletter 24/25 – Term 3, newsletter 18

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – We have continued with our term’s theme of Winter and Investigation, the children enjoyed doing another science experiment (Walking Water) with Marlena where some children helped to prepare the experiment, then watched in awe as the red water ‘walked’ up the paper towel and into the empty jars and stopped when it was level with the remaining red water in the middle jar. The children continued to be interested in shapes in the environment and were challenged to name shapes and to prove how they knew the shape name by giving explanations about the shapes properties. The children continued with creating cold pictures and collages. Some of the children enjoyed relaxing with cushions and blankets while listening to calming music, especially when coming in from the cold. This led on to having great discussions about the weather, season and how we feel if we get too cold. Some of the children are not independently choosing books and sharing them with one another. The home area is still popular where more and more independent role play is being seen. The children continue to be imaginative in their play and act out many scenarios throughout the day. The dinosaurs have also been a hit this week where the children have asked questions and shared their knowledge with others.

Outdoor focus – The children have been busy up in the mud kitchen, this week it was turned a ‘Pancake Cafe’ for the dinosaurs. The children used clay and natural ingredients to make some tasty treats for the dinosaurs. The windy weather created excitement and sensory experiences for the children. The children enjoyed playing ‘hide and seek’, creating with the large blocks, making a range of new obstacle courses, throwing and catching games and discovering new ways to make ball runs using loose parts available to them.

Wow activity – This week we started woodwork, we began by using nuts, bolts and tinkering blocks. By the end of the week some of the children were confidently using the nuts and bolts to attach the tinkering blocks to make their own creations. This activity was so good to develop the children’s hand, eye coordination and strengthen their fine motor skills. Their concentration, perseverance and determination was incredible.

Forest School – Groups C & D did Forest School this week. We had fun deciding how to build a shelter as a group and what materials to use. We modelled and encouraged the children to learn and use key vocabulary such as shelter, frame, rope, pegs, strong, tarpaulin & waterproof. For the next two weeks we continue to use ropes and make a rope bridge for the children to use. Then we hope to have a camp fire for the last session where we will cook popcorn.

Maths focus: Shape – This week the children used lolly sticks to create shapes and enjoyed playing shape bingo. The children were encouraged to talk about and explore the 2D shapes and mathematical vocabulary such as sides, corners, straight, flat etc.

Phonic focus: Body Percussion – We played a game called ‘Listen to the music’ where the children were Introduced to several musical instruments. They were then asked to think of an action to be assigned to each instrument (e.g. Clap, wave, jump). The children then took turns at being the leader and selected one of instruments to play and all the other children had to remember and do the correct action for the chosen instrument. Another game we played was called
‘Follow the sound’ where the adult produces a body percussion sound which is then ‘passed’ to the child sitting next to them such as clap, clap, clap. The sound was then passed around the circle until it is returned to the adult. The adult then asked the children some questions such as do you think the sound stayed the same all the way around? What changed? Did it get faster or slower?

Core Song – I Can Sing A Rainbow

Poem – I Can Build A Snowman

I can build a snowman,
I can build it high.
I can build a snowman,
Up into the sky.

– See if your child can remember this poem and the accompanying actions.

Information / Reminders

* Library visits – Sally from the library will be coming in this Friday (31st of Jan) to visit the children at nursery to talk about her job and our trip to the library, she will then read a book to them. Sally will come in the morning and afternoon. Then the following week we will go down to the library on Tues am, Tues pm and Fri pm, thank you to all of you who have offered to help with the trip and sorry to those of you who have offered to help on different days that we are unable to go, this is to do with the library not being able to accommodate us on those days and the days we have limited staff. To make these trips happen on a 1:2 ratio we need 3 more parents for Tuesday am (4th of Feb), 4 more parents for Tuesday pm (4th of Feb) and 2 more parents on Fri pm (7th of Feb). if we cannot get enough parent helpers we may have to extend the visits into the following week. . If you do not wish for your child to come on the trip or have any questions the please do let us know. Timings for the trips in the morning will be 9.45am – 11am (approx). and in the afternoon will be 1.15pm – 2.30pm (approx). I will send a separate memo to those of you who have offered to help to confirm your availability and details.

* Packed lunches – We are a nut-free school, please do not send any nut products in your child’s lunchbox. We also would like to encourage healthy eating and would ask you to not to include any sweets, chocolate and to limit crisps. We suggest a healthy lunchbox would contain the following items:
– Starchy foods like bread, rice, potatoes or pasta
– Protein foods like meat, fish, eggs or beans
– A dairy item, like cheese or yogurt
– Vegetables or salad and a portion of fruit

* Illness – We have had quite a few children off this week with coughs, colds and temperatures. Please do keep your child at home if they have a temperature (over 37.5). For general coughs and colds if your child is generally okay in themselves then they are fine to come into Nursery. We have also had a couple of cases of conjunctivitis, please see the NHS guidelines for signs and symptoms and how to treat – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/conjunctivitis/ 

* Lending Library – Please don’t forget we have a lending library at school. Your child can choose a book, we just ask that you to sign the book out and then back in once you return it. You can keep the book for as long as you wish.

I hope you have a nice weekend and we will see you next week.

Kind regards

Zoe

 

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School’s newsletter 24/25 – Term 3, newsletter 17

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – The children have been busy creating cold pictures and linking this to the current weather and season. They have enjoyed discussing temperatures and sorting out hot and cold pictures to show their understanding. The children have been role-playing in the Chinese Kitchen, and identifying different foods and talking about their own preferences. The investigation station has gone down well where the children have spent time exploring and experimenting with the materials and resources available to them. Some children have been curious about the shapes in provision and have named shapes, asked questions and created pictures using the shapes. In the water tray the children have been investigating coloured ice cubes, where they have discussed the texture, asked questions, and observed what happens over time to the ice cubes.

Outdoor focus – The children created a stage to dance and perform on using the large wooden blocks, and requested to listen to a range of music where they experimented with their movements depending on the tempo of the music. The children were keen to draw shapes and include them in their play, such as when creating an obstacle course they had to identify and jump in different chalked shapes. Also, when riding the bikes / scooters they followed a chalked line where they had to manoeuvre between different shapes that had been drawn. Up at the top of the garden they have been enjoying using the wooden obstacle course, practising on the monkey bars and using the climbing frame safely. The large sandpit has also been very popular this week where many of the children have engaged in imaginative play. The children have also liked apprenticeship type work such as helping to clean the mud kitchen and resources.

Forest School – Groups A & B did Forest School this week. We encouraged them to be independent in getting into / out of their waterproof clothing and to put on / take off their own wellies. This term we will be building shelters / dens and using ropes and for our last session we hope to have a campfire where we will cook some popcorn. All the children were keen to build a shelter using roles, tarpaulins, a large stick and some pegs, they enjoyed standing under the shelter and listening to the rain as it made ‘pitter patter’ sounds on the tarpaulin. As always we came together at the end of the session to share a warm drink and a biscuit where we discussed the session. Group B decided as it was raining it would be good idea to have their snack under the shelter and helped to roll the wooden logs to the shelter to sit on.

Maths focus: Shape – On Tuesday we played a game at group time where each child had the chance to put their hand in to a bag and choose one of the shapes inside. We encouraged them to explore the shape with their hand while it was still in the bag, and then asked them what shape they thought it was and why. We went on to identify each shape and discuss its properties. On Thursday the children recalled the shape names and then went on to create their own shape picture using a range of shapes. The children were encouraged to talk about their picture and were asked questions to support their mathematical thinking and reasoning.

Phonic focus: Body Percussion – For both group times we did action songs where we supported the children to develop their awareness of sounds and rhythms, distinguish between sounds, remember patterns of sounds and talk about the sounds they can make with their body.

Core Song – On a Cold and Frosty Morning

Poem – Let’s Put On Our Mittens

Let’s put on our mittens,
and button up our coats.
Wrap our scarves snuggly around our throats.
Pull on our shoes and fasten the straps.
And tie on tightly our warm woollen hats.
Open the door, and out we go.
Out, into the soft and feathery snow.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.

– See if your child can remember this poem and the accompanying actions. I have also attached the Poetry Basket ‘Autumn’ and ‘Spring’ poem booklet for you to recall poems with your child.

Information / Reminders

– It has been lovely to welcome Lynn back this week, she has enjoyed seeing you all and spending time in session reconnecting and getting to know all the children.

– Parent helpers needed – We are planning on going to the library this term in small groups (we have swapped the theatre to next term). To do this we will need parent helpers. If you are available to help throughout the week commencing February the 3rd please do let me know your availability and I will sort out the best sessions / times to go and let you know.

– Thank you for all your snack donations, this has been greatly appreciated.

– If you have any large carboard boxes hanging around please do bring them in and we will use them in provision.

– We still have a position for a parent Governor on our Governing board. If this is something you are interested or would like to know more about please do let me know.

I hope you have a great weekend and we look forward to seeing you next week.

Kind regards

Zoe

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School’s newsletter 24/25 – Term 3, newsletter 16

Hi All

Happy New Year and welcome back. I hope you all had a lovely break and are ready for the year ahead 😊

Our returning children have come back and it is like they have never been away, which is a really positive sign. This term we are welcoming eight new children to Nursery School, some of whom have had their first settling-in visits, these have gone well and will continue to happen this week. Our older children have been great at helping to settle the new children by showing them around and helping them with the routines in place.

Inside focus

This week some of the children enjoyed doing an experiment with Marlena where they placed yellow roses in different coloured pots of water to see what would happen. They were amazed when the roses changed colour, this allowed for children to be curious and ask questions to help deepen their understanding.

We introduced a ‘reading rocket tent’ in our book area which has gone down well with the children. The wrapping station has been transformed into a Chinese Kitchen where the children have engaged in role play and have been busy cooking and pretending to eat a range of foods.

Outside focus

Outside the children have building with the large blocks, concocting potions with ice, powder paint and other natural resources. We have some new bikes and helmets which the children have been keen to test out amongst many other learning opportunities.

This term

Our overarching theme will be ‘Winter & Investigation’. We will be introducing woodwork as our ‘Wow’ activity, our maths focus will be ‘Shape’ and phonics will be ‘Body Percussion’.

Please see our website to see the Medium term plans – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-2024-25-Term-3.pdf  and for our key curricular experiences and cultural capital – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-Term-34-2024-25-Key-Experiences-Cultural-Capital.pdf 

Information / Reminders

– Please do bring in your weekly snack donations if you can, any day of the week is fine to bring in your donation.

– Please name all items of clothing, if you have lost any items of clothing please do look on the table in the reception area (by back door), any items of clothing remaining at the end of the week will be placed in our spare clothes or donated.

– Focus Children: Please do look out for memos for when it is your child’s focus week, it is really helpful to get your viewpoints before the week and then your child’s key person will arrange a parental call for the following week to discuss how your child’s progress, this is also a good chance for you to ask any questions or discuss any worries you may have around your child’s development.

– Forest School groups will commence this week, please find updated lists. Your child will partake in Forest School once a fortnight, please ensure you child has sufficient layers on and a pair of wellies in school for forest school days. We have waterproof’s but you are welcome to bring in your own for your child to use.

– Applications for Primary School: If your child is due to start primary school in September 2025 you have until this Wednesday (January the 15th 2025) to apply. Please do ask if you need any help. Here is the link to the application page – https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/schools/apply-school-place/reception-applications/make-application 

We all look forward to seeing you next week for a another busy and fun week.

Kind regards

Zoe

 

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School’s newsletter 24/25 – Term 2, newsletter 15

Hi All,

What a busy last week we have had here at Nursery School!

On our trip to visit the local shop, we learnt a new song:

Stop, look, and listen before you cross the road.
Stop, look, and listen before you cross the road.
Use your eyes and your ears before you use your toes.
Stop, look, and listen before you cross the road.
Stop, look, and listen before you cross the road.

Thank you to all of you that came and helped out with the trip, as I said last week we would not be able to do these trips without your support.

Christmas Performance – All the children did incredibly well during the performance, we were so impressed and proud of them all, as I am sure you were.

Information / Reminders

– Thank you for all the kind words, Christmas wishes, cards and gifts.

– First Day of Term: Wednesday the 8th of January.

– New starters: We will be welcoming 9 new children in January. The first day back will be for just our existing children and then we will be gradually settling in the new children in.

– Jenny – Is making good progress in her recovery from pre-planned surgery and is hoping to be back with us after Christmas.

Our theme next term will be ‘Winter’ and ‘Investigation’

Please see our ‘Medium Term Planning’ for term 3 – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-2024-25-Term-3.pdf  and our ‘Medium Term Planning for ‘Key Curricular Experiences’ and ‘Cultural Capital’ for terms 3 & 4 – https://www.ace-chipping-norton.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Medium-Term-Planning-Term-34-2024-25-Key-Experiences-Cultural-Capital.pdf 

Our ‘Wow’ activity will be woodwork next term. We will be doing this weekly with the children.

We would all like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. We hope you have chance to reset and enjoy all of the festivities. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year.

Kind Regards

Zoe

 

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Schools newsletter 24/25 – Term 2, newsletter 14

Hi All,

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – We have been busy comparing quantities when making reindeer food, and making pirate punch by mixing different colours to create new colours. We have had a focus on emotions and encouraging the children to express how they are feeling throughout the day. We have been identifying letter sounds in play and when writing names. We have had Sarah in from ‘Brave Kind Minds’ to do some Christmas mindful movements sessions with us, wrapping presents, designing and writing labels in Santa’s workshop. The children have enjoyed making and identifying patterns with the Numicon and have had fun with the playdough using the Christmas modelling dough mats.

Outdoor focus – Following the children’s recent interest in pirates we have been using the large blocks and loose parts to build pirate ships, listening to and singing pirate songs. We created a stage where the children continued to enjoy dancing and exploring new movements to a range of Christmas Songs. Some children were keen to design and complete obstacle courses, and some children have been learning how to use the monkey bars safely. We have also been up in the Forest School area looking for minibeasts and making more bird feeders.

Forest School – This week all the children had a camp fire at Forest school. We were SO impressed by how all the children listened carefully to instructions and kept themselves safe around the fire. Every child toasted a marshmallow and enjoyed trying / eating them along with some toasted chocolate chip brioche.

Big Experience Programme – As part of our big experience programme we started taking the children to the Coop in small groups, they had a lovely time discussing what they could see and sharing their own knowledge. They all had a shopping list and were responsible for getting one item from the list. We also learnt a new song about keeping safe when crossing the road:

Stop, look and listen before you cross the road.
Stop, look and listen before you cross the road.
Use your eyes and your ears before you use your toes.
Stop, look and listen before you cross the road.
Stop, look and listen before you cross the road.

Thank you to all of you that came and helped with the trip, we could not do these trips without your support. The last group will go to the Coop on Tuesday afternoon.

Core Song and Poem – We have been recalling all of our Christmas Songs and Poems this week ready for our performance on Thursday.

Information / Reminders
– Snack – We have quite a lot of savoury items and fruit for next week, so please don’t worry about donations this week. I know a few of you have asked about party food for Friday, we will be having a festive snack in the morning and afternoon. I will put up a list with some food items on that you can bring on the day, but we will not require everyone to sign up as in the past we have always had a lot of food left over.

– Christmas Jumper Day: Thank you to all of you who have already donated. So far we have raised £25. There is still time to donate, here is our fundraising page  https://christmas.savethechildren.org.uk/fundraising/cjd240030766

If you would prefer to just give your donation to us, that is fine I will have a pot out by the gate and then we can pay it into the account at the end of the week.

– Christmas Performance: We will be holding this on Thursday the 19th of December at 11.20am and 3pm. If your child can wear Christmas clothes / jumpers to school this day that would be great. I will also be asking you to let us know which performance you will be coming to and who is coming so we can do a register and tick you off when you arrive. When you arrive if you could wait outside the front entrance, Sarah will let you in from 11.10 am and 2.50pm, just before the performance times. If your child does not normally come to school on a Thursday please speak to me, send me a message and we
can arrange for them to come in for the session that fits in with their attendance pattern.

– Christmas Party: This is on Friday the 20th of December. If this is not a day your child attends they are more than welcome to come in for a session that fits with their attendance pattern. The children can wear party clothes this day.

– End of Term: The children will finish Nursery on Friday the 20th of December at 11.50am and 3.30pm.

I hope you all are having a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing you tomorrow for our last week of the term

Kind regards
Zoe

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School newsletter 24/25 – Term 2, newsletter 13

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – Well, Christmas has arrived including two little elves who the children have been finding each day as they move around during the night. The children have enjoyed making reindeer food, they have been comparing quantities and identifying the ingredients. The Santa smile has been a hit, this has been a great sensory experience for many children where they have been exploring and describing the texture. The children have been busy mark-making, lots of Christmas cards and labels have been written. We have also enjoyed a few Christmas yoga sessions this week, where the children (and staff) have been naming and learning different poses. In Santa’s workshop the children have been busy mastering how to wrap a present. The children have had the chance to create and explain Christmas patterns using colour pompoms. The playdough this week had a Christmas smell, we asked to children if they could identify the spices that may have been used (ginger and cinnamon), lots of imagination and creativity observed at the playdough station this week.

Outdoor focus – The children have enjoyed being outside this week despite the weather. We had a Christmas ornament balance race using scoops and baubles, we marked out with chalk some lines / zig zags for the children to follow. We then challenged the children to complete the balance race without dropping the baubles. The children also loved creating a stage and listening to a range of Christmas music where they sang and danced using ribbons and scarves to move in many different ways.

Celebrations

Sri Lanka – Isuri (Brianna’s Mum) came in on Monday to talk to us about the country ‘Sri Lanka’, the children looked at the world map, located Sri Lanka and were interested in the National flag. Isuri explained that she, Brianna’s Dad and Brianna are from Sri Lanka and showed us a beautiful video of Sri Lanka, the children identified many landmarks and animals found in Sri Lanka. Isuri explained as part of the Sinhalese New Year which happens in April they recently celebrated the end of the harvest. Isuri shared photos, discussed and demonstrated some rituals and traditions. Some of the children were also keen to cook a Sri Lankan national dish – Kiribath / milk rice. At the end of the morning the children all had the chance to try the kiribath / milk rice and many of them loved it. I have attached the recipe from Isuri. Thank you SO much for taking the time to come in and teach us all about your home country.

St. Nicholas – Sarah (Elina’s Mum) shared some photographs of Elina and her brother washing their boots to show the other children. In Germany where Sarah is from it is a tradition to put a boot called Nikolaus-Stiefel (Nikolaus boot) outside the front door on the night of the 5th December. St. Nicholas then fills the boot with gifts and sweets overnight, and at the same time checks up on the children to see if they have been good, polite and helpful over the last year. Thank you for sharing these photos Sarah, it was lovely for Elina to share her tradition with all the children and staff. Marlena also shared a similar tradition that happens in Poland with the children.

Core Song – When Santa Got Stuck up the Chimney

Poem – His Hair is White

His hair is white, his suit is red.
He wears a hat to cover his head.
He laughs like this, “Ho, Ho, Ho.”
And drives his sleigh through sleet and snow.

– See if your child can remember these and the actions. We will be performing this song and poem amongst others to you at the end of the term.

Information / Reminders

– Trip: Thank you to everyone that has offered to come along and help take the children to the Co-op, looking at your availability we will go to the Coop on Wednesday the 11th (am only), Friday the 13th (am & pm) and Tuesday the 17th (pm only). This will allow all the children the chance to go on the trip in small groups. It will be great to get out into the community, discuss what we can see and focus on road safety.

– Christmas Jumper Day Thursday the 12th of December: Christmas Jumper Day is Save the Children’s annual event which raises money for the children who need it most. Every December, millions of people across the United Kingdom (and beyond!) join in with fundraising activities. So, if you can, please send your child in wearing a festive knit and make a donation to help give children the magical future they deserve. Here is our fundraising page https://christmas.savethechildren.org.uk/fundraising/cjd240030766 

– Back Gate: The top back gate (by carpark) will now be locked from around 9.05am, if you arrive after this time please can you use the front entrance. It will be opened at 11.45am and 3.25pm for collection times. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

– Christmas Performance: Thursday the 19th of December at 11.20 and 3pm.

– Christmas Party: Friday the 20th of December. If this is not a day your child attends they are more than welcome to come in for a session that fits with their attendance pattern.

– End of Term: Friday the 20th of December.

– Father Christmas: Does anyone know anyone that would be willing to fill this role? We are looking for someone to be available on Friday the 20th in the am & pm for around 45 minutes per session. We have got a suit!

I hope you all have a great weekend, despite the weather and we look forward to seeing you all next week for more Christmas Festivities.

Kind regards

Zoe

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School newsletter 24/25 – Term 2, newsletter 12

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Indoor focus – The children had fun exploring and investigating the changes when playing with the gloop (cornflour & water). In the water tray we had some dinosaurs that had been frozen and the children had to think about how they could rescue them. They added warm water, salt, and attempted to break them out using a range of tools. Last week, the children enjoyed making footprints in the snow so in the creative area we put out some animals / dinosaurs and trays of paint so they could create more footprints 🐾 As the weather was windy some of the children were keen to make kites, we discussed what a kite needs to fly and had fun seeing if there was enough wind to make them fly. One of our books this week was ‘Dear Zoo’ so we set up area with a copy of the book and the animals from the story where the children could recall and act out the story. Some children challenged themselves with a world map puzzle (50 pieces), this was a lovely activity and really got the children asking questions about the world. We also had snow dough out which is a different texture from normal play dough, this was a good opportunity to ask children about textures and opposites – is it hot / cold / dry / wet / rough / smooth / soft / hard?

Outdoor focus – We had a great time in the mud kitchen, mixing up concoctions using natural materials such as sand, water, mud, leaves, pinecones etc. This was also another good opportunity to discuss textures. We had fun acting out favourite stories and making up new ones, I particularly enjoyed going on a skeleton dinosaur hunt. During some of our outdoor sessions we had ‘Frozen’ music playing where the children danced and sang along to the words. On the decking we had some fake snow in a tuff spot tray was some animals that live in the arctic regions along with some factual information about these animals.

Forest School – Groups C & D enjoyed listening to nature, checking in with one another’s feelings, making some bird feeders and of course having a warm drink and a biscuit this week. We hope to be having a fire for a last session this term. I will send you out a risk assessment beforehand to read, I will then ask you to sign it to say you have read it and are happy for your child participate in the session.

Maths focus: Preposition – We talked about prepositions at group times thinking about what we were sitting on, who we were sitting next to and which children we were in between. Then the children were asked to demonstrate a range of prepositions to show their understanding. During another group time the children were asked to place an object in different places around the room – in, on, under, beneath, next to, beside, on top of, behind or in front.

Phonic focus: Instrumental Sounds – We continued to develop our awareness of sounds made with instruments and noise makers. We played ‘Adjust the Volume’ where we experimented and discussed a range of sounds. We also played ‘Which Instrument?’ Where the children had to identify which instrument had been played by just listening to the sound. We also looked at rhythm by adding a song to accompany each instrument.

Core Song – Robin is My Name (a Christmas song)

Poem – Five Little Reindeers

Five little reindeers playing in the snow,
The first one said, ‘Can you see my nose glow?’
The second one said, ‘Listen to me sing.’
The third one said, ‘I can hear the bells ring.’
The fourth one said, ‘Let’s eat some pie.’
The fifth one said, ‘I’m ready to fly.’
Then clomp went their hooves,
And the snow fell white,
And five little reindeers flew out of sight.

– See if your child can remember these and the actions. We will be performing this song and poem amongst others to you at the end of the term.

Information / Reminders

– Parent helpers needed – We are planning on taking small groups of children to the Co-op before the end of term but we will not be able to do this without your help as we go down to a 1:2 ratio for trips. We would be looking for 3 – 4 parents per trip. You would need to be able to offer an hour and quarter of your time. Morning visits would be from 10.15 – 11.30 and pm visits would be from 1.15 – 2.30. The dates we are hoping to go on these trips are Wednesday the 11th, Friday the 13th and Tuesday the 17th of December. When you arrive we will go over the risk assessment before heading off, you will be responsible for holding your child’s hand and one other child’s hand. Please comment on here if you are able to help and for which session.

– When phoning into school – Can you please select option 2 for Nursery School Office and not option 4 for Pre-School. If nobody answers then please do leave a message. If it is urgent and nobody is answering then you can select another option to leave a message with Ace Childcare or Ace Pre-School. Thank you.

– Christmas Performance: Thursday the 19th of December at 11.20 and 3pm.

– Christmas Party: Friday the 20th of December. If this is not a day your child attends they are more than welcome to come in for a session that fits with their attendance pattern.

I hope you have had a lovely weekend.

Kind regards

Zoe

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