We’ve made it to half-term, in one piece! Seven weeks sounds like a long start to the year but it seems to have flown by.  It has been a half-term full of exploration and discovery and all of the children have come on so much since that first day of term.  It is great to see them so comfortable and confident now.

This week we have looked again at the very hungry caterpillar story.  This has helped with our counting skills and developed our vocabulary.  It has be an inspiration to some art work that we have done.  You can see some of the fantastic paintings produced in the photos below. The story has also inspired the children to put on a puppet show with their own handmade puppets.

Foundation have also had a new addition this week, with the introduction of a wormery.  The children have looked at how the worms burrow into the soil, going between the different layers.  We have also read the book Superworm, which the children have enjoyed.

I have sent home your child’s learning journal so that you ca have a look at some of the learning done. There is also a small half-term activity for you to try and complete.  Please see the instructions stuck inside the book.  

You will also find a sheet included with some basic Makaton signs that we have been learning here in Nursery. This is yours to keep at home and practise with your child, if you have time.

And a little reminder that upon their return, winter uniform should be worn by the children.

I was due to be saying goodbye to Little Heath (again) but those plans have changed and I will be back after the break for a couple more weeks.  I will see you all then and I hope you all have a great half-term week, whatever it is you end up doing.  .

Mr da Rocha

 

We’ve had another fantastic week here in Nursery.  It has been great catching up with you all to discuss how your children have been getting on.  It has been wonderful to see how much they have developed since their first day here and very comforting to see them all fully settled in. 

Autumn has now made its appearance and this has inspired this week’s learning.  We have looked at the changes in the environment, discussing the different colours that have started to appear.  We had a great learning walk around the school field and surroundings, collecting the Autumn leaves, conkers and acorns. We have created Autumn themed art, printing with paint and leaves.

At the end of next week, we will be sending your child’s learning journal home with them.  This will be a chance for you to see some of the things they have been doing over the term.  It would be great if you could create your own half-term entry for the journal.  A picture of something you have done together would be great and maybe an explanation of what it was.

Thank you for the return of spare school uniforms, our stocks have replenished nicely.

Another reminder about our family picture wall as it is still looking a little bare.  Please could you send in a photo of your family to be added to the wall.

Have a lovely weekend and I will see you all next week.

Mr da Rocha

Quite a changeable week in regards to the weather.  As ever though, this hasn’t stopped us and we have made the most of both in and outdoor exploration this week.  The excess amount of water has given the children the chance to work out ways to transport water from one place to another using all the resources available to them.  It was lovely to see the myriad of approaches and the tenacity shown to make things work!

This week has had a science theme.  The classic story Funnybones has sparked the children’s curiosity and we have been learning about the bones in our body.  Magnets have been a big part of play this week, the children have been using these and their imaginations to create structures and objects and we have looked at the science behind magnets.  We have also looked at the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

As you my know, parent consultations will be done via a phone call this year due to COVID19 related restrictions.  Nursery’s will take place on Wednesday 15^th October and you can book your preferred timeslot here.  A link to login was emailed to you earlier this week and I can see most of you have already reserved your slot.  If you are having problems using the system, please contact the office and they can add you in manually.

There are occasions where we have had to send your child home in spare school uniforms.  If this does happen, could we ask that you please wash and return those items of clothing as we do rely on having spares in the unit.

Unfortunately, our family picture wall is still looking a little bare.  Thank you to those that have sent pictures in and if you haven't done so, please could you send in a photo of your family to be added to the wall.

One final reminder, if you haven't sent them in already, please could you complete and return the settling in forms that were emailed out to you earlier in the term.

Enjoy your weekend and I'll see you all on Monday.

Mr da Rocha

A slightly damp end to the week but spirits are high.  It has been another wonderful week in Nursery full of exploration and play.  Wellies have been put to good use with the children getting more used to changing in and out of their shoes, and getting their coats on and off.  Hopefully, you might see your child becoming more independent with this, if they aren’t already.

This week, we have looked at the Gruffalo and the Gruffalo’s child by Julia Donaldson and lots of their play has been inspired by these stories.  We have been looking at reading and writing the numbers 1-5 and also recognising and drawing basic 2D shapes.

The kitchen has resumed the serving of hot lunches, so those children who have school dinners are now going across to the main building to eat.  They have all been fantastic at adapting to the new environment and actually set a great example to other children in the school.  If your child is having a school dinner, please see the school meals page for the options through the week (next week is week 3, I’m looking forward to Chicken Pie on Thursday!).  I will then take your child’s order at the gate each morning.  Payment of lunches is done through School Gateway

Our family picture wall has had a couple of new additions, thank you to those of you that have sent these in.  For those of you who have yet to, please could send in or email a family photograph to add to our wall.  It is a lovely resource that sparks curiosity and discussion in the children.

And finally, next week is Walk To School Week, celebrating ‘Clean Air Day’ on Thursday 8^th October.  We are encouraging as many of you as possible to walk, cycle or scoot to school throughout next week.  If your journey is too far to walk, then you could try to drive partway then walk the rest.

Have a lovely weekend and see you next week.

Mr da Rocha