We have had a fantastic first half term and the children are completely settled into new routines and have built new relationships. This week the children have been absorbed in construction, this has come in many forms from Lego to junk modelling and also construction using wood outside. It has been fantastic watching them work together to create and build using their creativity and this has also impacted on their manipulative skills. Can you please continue to send in your recyclable bits from home they are very useful.

It was lovely to have our parent consultations this week and what a treat to see you all in the person. I hope you found the sessions useful, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any ongoing concerns about your child. Parent consultations contribute to our two way communication but you can also contact me with any queries you may have at: crobinson@littleheath.herts.sch.uk.

The weather is just starting to change and I think we will notice it more after the holidays. Please make sure that your child has the appropriate clothing on. We will be in our Winter uniform which is a navy school tracksuit with a white polo shirt. Please can you make sure that the uniform is labelled with your child's name printed clearly with a permanent marker or a label sewn in. It is very hard to identify lost uniform if it is not labeled as all the children's wear the same. 

I have given you  your child's learning journal, could you please put something in the book  to share with us. This could be something from your break from school or a family photo or drawing. I will leave this to your imaginations!

I hope you all have a great week.

Mrs Robinson:)

Autumn

 This week we have been looking at seasonal changes and collecting things that have fallen from the trees in our wildlife area. The children have been bringing things in for our Autumn table and it has become a hive of activity with lots of learning through communication and language.

We have been lucky again with the weather and had a great outdoor week, lets hope we get one more before half term.

The children have learnt about Stephen Wiltshire this week to celebrate Black History Month, I have included some of the art work that they produced which is amazing. Please ask them what they know about the artist as they should be able to tell you about his life.

I mentioned earlier on in the week about school bags. We have just had a few problems with big bags which have left no room for coats. If your child gets wet we will change them in our spare clothes so please don't feel you need to pack spares unless you have spoken to me. If your child comes home in school clothes could you please wash them and return them to us so that we can use them again. We are in need of spare socks so if you have any please send them our  way.

I hope you have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson

Harvest

 We have had another busy week in foundation with lots of learning inside and outside. The children have continued to spend time learning how to listen to each other and they are getting very good taking it in turns to speak and respond. We have used our carpet sessions to support this during fruit and snack time. 

It was lovely to see those of you who could make the Harvest morning and I am sure you were all proud of the performance your children gave. It is completely normal for the children to get upset when they see you in school but I would like to reassure you that when they return to the foundation unit they are completely ok. 

 

Next week we will be looking at the artist Stephen Wiltshire and creating art inspired by his works. This is part of our celebration of Black History Month. 

What is Black History Month? It is an annual monthly celebration of the achievements of Black communities and the remembrance of Black history across the world. It was first celebrated in the UK in 1987 and takes place throughout October. It is an opportunity to raise awareness of Black history, traditions and contribution through celebration, events and education. 

Stephen Wiltshire was diagnosed at the age of 3 with Autism. It soon became apparent he communicated with the world through the language of drawing; first animals, then London buses, and finally buildings.

I shall be displaying the work our children do on next weeks blog. Watch out Stephen you may have some competition!

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson:)

Sharing

 This week we have been learning to share and turn take. This can be quite challenging for young children but it is an important part of their development. We have  also been learning to listen to others when they speak. So far the children are doing really well and we will be continuing to practice these skills throughout the year. 

The children are really enjoying our daily singing and I don't think I have had a group so enthusiastic about music. Mrs Howe has been using the instruments with them and they have been following instructions just like a real orchestra although it sounds a little different! 

Our favourite rhyme is about Arabella and the caterpillar. Ask your child to teach you the verse, it is a great way of connecting what we are doing here with what you do at home. We have also been practicing  our Harvest songs and are looking forward to performing to you on the 8th November at our Harvest coffee morning.

Here is a link to our Harvest Samba, the children love this song and can do all the actions.

Harvest Samba (Cabbages and Greens) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Next week we will be learning about Harvest and the changing of the seasons. If you find any conkers around or Autumn leaves please let your child bring them to school. 

Have a great weekend

Mrs Robinson

Flamenco

 This week the children have enjoyed learning how to dance the Flamenco and we have also learnt how to say hello in 9 different languages. We have learnt this through a song so make sure you ask your child to sing it to you this weekend. We have  continued learning about little Red Riding Hood and we have introduced the Three Little Pigs. The children have been retelling the story using characters from both traditional tales. We are going to continue with this theme next week. 

We have had a great week outside as the weather has been kind to us but I think it is about to change. Please make sure your child has some wellie boots and a coat next week as we will still go outside if it is raining. 

We have been practicing our harvest songs for Harvest Festival which will be in school on the 8th October. Please read the newsletter for more information. The children will be singing the Harvest Samba and the Dingle Dangle Scarecrow.

As you are aware their has been lots of illness in the setting over the  last couple of weeks. Please make sure you keep your child at home if they are unwell. I know that sometimes children tell you they want to come to school when they are ill but the decision should be yours not your child's. 

I hope you all have a great weekend. Please continue to send in your recycled boxes for modelling, the children are loving using tape and scissors to create and construct.

This week the fire service came to visit the school to do a check. We were very excited and went up to have a look. I have not put many photos on the blog as I am waiting for some responses for permission, as soon as I have them all I will be able to upload more.

Mrs Robinson:)

  This week the children have enjoyed the story of Little Red Riding Hood. We have been singing songs and sequencing the story. The children were also able to create an alternative ending to the story which was far more sinister than the original. We have had a mixed bag of weather this week and I am sure you are now realising that the children will get dirty.  We always change the children if they are wet and we do teach them to not be frightened of getting dirty. If they are dirty it normally means they have had a good time. The sun is now shinning and it feels like Summer is still with us. We have been observing the children during the past 2 weeks and have noticed how well they are interacting with each other and settling into their new routines and environment. They have learnt so much all ready and it is wonderful to see the changes to their emotional behaviour as they become confident with each other.

Please do not hesitate to talk to me if you have any concerns or if you would rather you can email me at

crobinson@littleheath.herts.sch.uk

REQUEST

Could you please send in any recyclable boxes and pots as the children can use them to make models.

Could you please return your child's learning journal ASAP so that we can start to collate their observations.

Next week the children are going to continue with Little Red Riding Hood but we will also be starting to learn about the Three Little Pigs.

On the 24th of September the children will have their individual photographs taken. 

We will also celebrate Spanish Day at school on the 24th  September. The Foundation stage children will be learning the Flamenco dance and will learn to sing' Hello' song in different languages.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson:)

New Beginnings

 Welcome to our nursery blog. The children have had a very exciting first week and I think we are all ready for a couple of days rest. We are amazed at how quickly they have settled and  already they are beginning to form friendships. The children have enjoyed the outside area as well as inside as I am sure you can tell from their uniforms, which will never be white again. 

I have sent home their learning journals and I would like you to fill in the section about how you feel your child has settled. Can you also ask your child how they feel and fill in that section as well.

A FEW REMINDERS

• Please can you make sure you label all your child's clothing.
• Please make sure your child bring a bottle with water in and not juice.
• The children do not need any snack as we provide them with fruit throughout the day.

Next week we are going to be learning about Little Red Riding Hood.  By the end of the week they will be singing about naughty Mr Wolf.

Have a great weekend and enjoy the photos.

Happy Holidays

 We have finally made it! I would like to wish you all a safe and happy holiday. Thank you all so much for the wonderful gifts, we are very lucky and will be out spending very soon. We want to wish Miss Neal and Miss Maisie lots of luck in their new jobs and we thank them for all their hard work. We also want to wish the children who are leaving lots of luck in their new school.

See you all on Monday September 6th.

Mrs Robinson:)

 Well we have reached our final full week in nursery and the children are now realising that they will be reception children in September. They are looking forward to meeting new friends and have helped get the nursery ready for their visit today. We have talked about changes and new routines this week and the children have a good understanding of what comes next for them in the unit. We hope that the doors will be open in September and this part of their transition is the one they are most excited about. 

We want to wish the children who are moving to new schools good luck and we know that they will settle and have exciting opportunities in new pastures. 

Thank you for all your support through this hard year in school, as they say things can only get better.

I hope you have a great weekend, the sun will be shining.

Mrs R:)

Sights of London

 We have had a great week in nursery with all the excitement of football tournaments. We decided to make our own football pitch and we had lots of fun pretending we were England and Italy. Please look at the main page of the school website for the video of the match. 

We are counting the days down now before we have a long break which I think we are all ready for. The children are all excited about the new children who will be joining us in September.

After a discussion about London we decided to create some photographs that represent some of the things we had discussed.

Have a great weekend.

Mrs Robinson

                                      Afternoon tea at the Ritz

                                            

                                            The Shard

                                        

                                                Heathrow airport

                                             London underground

                                             London zoo

 Friday has arrived and I am very excited to know that we have come to the end of our isolation. I hope for those who have been doing our home learning that you have enjoyed the activities and the children have got some good learning from it. For those who have not please have a look as the activities I have selected as they are really easy to manage and can be done at home with  a bit of time from you. The activities will stay on Teams so you can access them at any time although after the end of today I will not be writing responses.

On Monday the children will be having their sports day that has been adapted this year. Normal uniform should be worn with some footwear for running. This can be trainers or anything sensible. Unfortunately I will not be with the children as I am having my induction sessions with the families of our new children. Mrs Custis, Mr Mills, Miss Neal and Miss Chandler will be with the children. Sometimes when the children see their parents at these events they get a bit upset as it is different from their normal routine. Please be reassured once you have left and we return to the unit they soon settle.

Have a good weekend out and about.

 I have my party clothes ready.

Mrs Robinson