School newsletter 24/25 – Term 1, newsletter 7

Hi All

Here is an overview of our week at Nursery School:

Wow experience – This week the children started the week by tasting sweet and sour foods with Jenny, surprisingly more children than we thought actually quite liked the sour taste. This interest stemmed from our poem last week when we explored the word ‘sour’ and what it meant. As the week went on the children enjoyed making baby chinos, the children investigated cinnamon in different forms and if keen they mixed it with some warm milk to taste the flavour.

Indoor focus – The children have been finding out about hibernation this week, they have been keen to find out information to gain a better understanding of what animals do in the winter. In the creative area the children have been printing with left over vegetables. This was a good opportunity to discuss likes and dislikes, recall any key vocabulary used when the children made soup last week and see if they could name all the different vegetables. We also used autumn colours – red and yellow and discussed mixing the two colours to create orange. In the block area the children had the opportunity to build towers and compare which had more and less blocks linking with our maths focus of comparison.

Outdoor focus – The children helped to create a cosy den linking to hibernation. There were lots of discussions around how some animals hibernate in the Winter where it is quiet and they feel safe, secure in a warm temperature. This was a great way to model, explore and encourage key vocabulary linked to hibernation.

Maths focus – This week the children have continued looking at comparison and for group times we explored one more and one less, they all had a 5 frame and were asked to show one bear, then add one more to show two and so on until they reached 5. Then we asked them to take one away to show 4, 3 etc. We also looked at longer and shorter by comparing pairs of objects to see if they understood this concept. Next week we will go back to recap on counting and cardinality to see what they have remembered.

Phonic focus – We had some fun experimenting with sounds, we played a game where we passed an animal sound around (by whispering) and then linked the sound with a animal when the last person revealed the sound they heard. We also played a game of ‘Simon Says’ where they had to listen and join in with given action.

NSPCC Pants (The Underwear Rule) – This week we have been talking PANTS to help children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. Discussing such topics helps children to understand that they have a right to say no and that if they need to speak out about something someone will listen. Here is the link to the NSPCC online page which gives you tips and advice to help keep your children safe. At school the children have particularly enjoyed the ‘Pantosaurus’ video / song, we have also discussed the ‘PANTS’ rules – https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/ 

Core Song – Hickory Dickory Dock

Poem – 5 little Pumpkins

Five little pumpkins sitting on a gate.
The first one said, ‘Oo, it’s getting late.’
The second one said, ‘There are witches in the air.’
The third one said, ‘Well I don’t care.’
The fourth one said,
‘Let’s run, run, run.’
The fifth one said,
‘Let’s have some fun.’
But oooh went the wind, and out went the light,
And five little pumpkins tumbled out of sight.

Reminders / Information

– Last day of term Friday 25.10.24

– Inset Day Monday 04.11.24

– Term starts Tuesday 05.11.24

– I need to let you know we have had a case of threadworm reported at Nursery school this week, please do keep an eye out for any signs / symptoms and treat accordingly. Here is the link to the NHS guidance –https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/threadworms/ 

– Lost property – If you have lost any of your child’s items of clothing, we have put anything we have found without names on the lost property table (by the back door in the lobby). Please do have a look as you walk past. If they are not claimed by the end of term we will put the items into our spare clothes or donate to charity. Thank you.

– Parking – Thank you for all your cooperation with the parking situation, it is very much appreciated. Can I remind you that, if you have permission to park in carpark due to having a disabled badge, you should park in the car park and not in the neighbours private drive way. Alison in the office will be issuing badges shortly that you can display in your car at drop off and collection, this will make it clear to all that you have permission. If anyone has a problem with anyone parking or believe that parents are not following the procedures in place, can I ask that you please speak directly to the school and we will sort it out. Please do not approach individuals as this can cause unnecessary upset to all and especially if children are present.

– Last call for voluntary contributions of £10 for this term, you can hand an envelope into the office or send a payment via a bank transfer to:

  • Account name: ACE Centre Nursery School Special Purposes Account
  • Account number: 30269247
  • Sort code: 20-03-84

Thank you to those of you who have already done this. It is very much appreciated. We use these donations towards cooking ingredients, playdough ingredients, to enhance areas of the environment and to top up snack if needed throughout the term.

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

Kind regards

Zoe