To Infinity and Beyond!

 

Blast Off to the Moon! 

Excitement has filled the classroom this week as the children discovered that a rocket has landed on the moon in our brand-new role play area! The children were amazed to see the rocket arrive after its very long journey through space.

However, the astronauts have told us that the rocket is still too hot from travelling through space and needs time to cool down and settle safely on the moon before the children can begin their mission adventures. The children will officially be able to explore the rocket from Monday, and the anticipation is already building!

The children have loved peeking inside, discussing where the rocket may have travelled from, and imagining all the exciting space adventures that await them. We have already heard lots of wonderful ideas about moon landings, alien discoveries, and space missions!

Exploring Space Through Play 

Role play is such an important part of learning in EYFS, and our moon landing theme has inspired rich opportunities across all areas of development. The children have been:

• Developing their language and communication skills by discussing their missions, giving instructions, and sharing ideas with friends.

• Building social skills and confidence as they worked together as astronauts, engineers, and space explorers.

• Using their mathematical skills to count down for take-off, compare sizes of planets, and explore shapes linked to rockets.

• Strengthening their creative thinking through imaginative storytelling and problem-solving during their missions.

• Learning about the wider world by exploring concepts of space, planets, astronauts, and exploration.

The children will be learning  how rockets work and why they are important. We will explore how rockets use powerful engines to launch into space and travel beyond Earth. We will discuss how astronauts explore space to discover new information about planets, stars, and the moon.

The children have also shown great curiosity about famous moon landings and how astronauts need special suits, equipment, and teamwork to stay safe in space. We cannot wait for the children to begin their official moon missions on Monday! 

I have included a short film made during lockdown. Mrs Sheehan and Mrs Robinson go to the moon.

 This week in EYFS, we celebrated the birthday of the wonderful naturalist and explorer David Attenborough by learning all about mini beasts and the amazing world around us.

The children were excited to explore our outdoor area, looking carefully for insects and tiny creatures living in different habitats. We discovered worms, ladybirds, ants and spiders, and talked about why these mini beasts are important for our environment. The children used magnifying glasses to observe closely and described what they could see using lots of new vocabulary.

We shared stories and videos about nature and discussed how David Attenborough helps people learn to care for our planet and living things. The children showed great curiosity and asked thoughtful questions about where mini beasts live, what they eat and how they move.

Through bug hunts, creative activities and nature exploration, the children developed their understanding of the world around them. They demonstrated kindness and respect for living creatures while building confidence in observing, investigating and talking about nature.

It has been a wonderful week full of discovery, curiosity and appreciation for the natural world!

Sadly we are saying goodbye to our swimming pool. Learning to swim is an important life skill for children in EYFS. Swimming helps children to stay safe in and around water while also building their confidence and independence.

Through swimming activities, children develop their physical strength, coordination and balance. It also supports their overall health and wellbeing by encouraging active movement and exercise in a fun and enjoyable way.

Swimming lessons help children to listen carefully, follow instructions and try new challenges. They learn perseverance and gain confidence as they practise new skills and celebrate their achievements.

Most importantly, learning to swim teaches children how to stay safe and feel comfortable in the water, giving them valuable skills they can use throughout their lives.

Have a lovely weekend! 

Mrs Robinson

  This week, we were very lucky to have such lovely weather, which meant we could spend lots of time outdoors in our back garden. This area of the garden does not have fixed equipment, giving the children a wonderful opportunity to explore nature freely, use their imagination, and engage in creative play using natural materials. It also encouraged lots of communication, cooperation, and shared discovery.

We used these outdoor experiences to support our learning about bugs. The children showed great curiosity as they carefully observed worms and centipedes in their natural environment. There were many exciting moments as they discussed what they could see, asked questions, and shared their ideas with one another.

To extend this interest, the children also enjoyed listening to The Very Hungry Caterpillar . They were fully engaged in the story and talked about caterpillars, even though we did not find any in the garden. This helped to spark their imagination and deepen their understanding.

Please make sure your child has sun cream and a sun hat on as the sun has finally arrived in force. Please apply the cream before school and send some in clearly labelled if you want your child to reapply it at lunchtime.

“Hola y bienvenidos a nuestra diversión española.”

 This week in EYFS has been full of energy, enthusiasm, and wonderful progress across all areas of learning.

Our swimming sessions are continuing, and the children have been incredible. It has been fantastic to see how much they are improving each week—not only in their physical skills but also in their confidence in the water. They are showing great determination, listening carefully to instructions, and supporting one another, which has made these sessions especially rewarding.

We have also had a brilliant Spanish Day! The children fully embraced the experience, enjoying lots of flamenco dancing and learning Spanish songs. It was lovely to see their excitement as they explored a different culture through music, movement, and language.

We are so pleased with how the children continue to grow in confidence and independence. Well done to everyone for such a positive and engaging week!  

 

Swimming

  What an Amazing Week in the Pool!

Dear Nursery and Reception Parents,

What an amazing week we’ve had – our very first swimming sessions have begun, and what a splash the children made!

The excitement was contagious as each child had their first opportunity to experience the swimming pool. It was such a joy to see their faces light up with confidence and enthusiasm as they took to the water. For many, it was their first time in a pool, and they truly thrived – splashing, kicking, and moving around with growing independence and smiles all around.

We were incredibly proud of how brave and adventurous they were. Whether it was getting used to the water, floating with support, or just having fun with their friends, every child gave it their best – and it showed!

These swimming lessons will continue over the next three weeks, and we’re so excited to see how the children progress and grow even more confident in the water.

Just a gentle reminder: please remember to send your child’s swimming clothes in every day so they’re ready to jump in and enjoy their sessions.

Thank you, as always, for your support.

Mrs Robinson 🌊🌊🌊