Update on nursery closure

It is important that all parents read the latest post regarding nursery and school/nursery closures which has been posted today on the school’s main web page.

It clearly explains what will be happening from Monday 23rd March. If you have any questions please do give me a call. As always the nursery team will be happy to help and advise you.

May I also tell everyone that throughout these uncertain times I will be making regular postings online with activities to continue your child’s learning at home. Additionally after the Easter holidays I will be emailing ‘Getting ready for school’ booklet and ‘Supercroccy’s mission activity book’ . Newsletters will continue to arrive each month from your key person.

We would love for you to keep in touch with us to let us know what you have been doing.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding and we hope to be back together soon.

Daffodils

This week the children have been very busy making pictures of daffodils through observation. The children chose whether they used paint, collage or a computer paint programme to create their picture.

First, we picked some of the daffodils which were growing in the nursery garden and then looked closely at the flower stem, stamens, the trumpet and petals. Everyone interpreted what they saw in their own unique way. I am sure that you will agree that each picture captures the spring beauty of this these lovely flowers.

Try and pop in to take a look at our displays.

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When Goldilocks went to the house of the bears, oh what did her blue eyes see?

Welcome back! I trust everyone has had a restful week and are raring to go?

We started this with great enthusiasm as we started exploring traditional stories. The children decided Goldilocks and the Three Bears would be a good place to begin our journey. We read the story and thought of a plan.

Everyone said that the bears liked porridge and we should make some at nursery. One friend suggested that as Goldilocks made lots of bad choice we shouldn’t allow her into nursery. The children then made signs for the door saying 'No Goldilocks allowed’!

Other ideas ranged from making honey sandwiches for a teddy’s bears picnic to putting a video in the tree house to make sure Goldilocks didn’t come into nursery when we weren’t here. Watch this space……..more news on this to follow!

Next week we will be following all the children’s ideas to see which direction they take our learning in. It’s all very exciting!

Don’t forget Lenten Mass will begin next Friday at 8 am in the school hall. Please come along and join us.

Finally, a reminder that the Book Fair will be in the school hall (after school) on Thursday 5th March, Friday 6th March and again on Monday 9th March. Try and pop in.

Time to take a break!

Half term already, it’s hard to believe!

I am sure you will agree that since Christmas the children’s learning has soared. We have learnt so much about our solar system we could rival Professor Brian Cox! It sparked a fascination in the children to keep finding out more and more. Learning knows no bounds!

Likewise, our understanding of number has progressed to the point we are now solving quite complex mathematical problems. We plan to continuing our ‘maths mastery’ journey after the half term.

The children have started to use their knowledge of letter sounds (thanks to Read, Write Inc.) to both write their names and to try and spell out three letter words. We are truly amazed at everyone’s thirst for learning.

As always, we are very grateful for the support you give your child and nursery. Working together really does make a difference.

Finally, may I remind everyone that parents’ evening is Wednesday 11th March and the appointment booking form will be available when we return after the holidays.

I hope you all manage to have a restful half term, full of family fun!!

The fire service came to visit!!

On Wednesday afternoon we had a visit from the fire service. It was great fun, everyone got to go inside the engine and find out what equipment is kept in all the compartments. We even had a turn of squirting the hoses, it was so exciting!

The children continue their passion of learning about the planets and the solar system. This week we have designed our own rocket and using computer technology to make ourselves into astronauts and visit our favourite planet.

Sarah has started a display using recycled materials. She is creating planet earth to emphasis how single use plastics are damaging our world. We all watched a short video about how plastics find their way into the seas and hurt the animals and creatures who live there and it was sad to see. After a short discussion we decided to do something about it! The children throughout the week have become more aware of wasting resources such as paper and now notice how much plastic we throw away each day. To help us in our quest to take care of planet earth we are asking you to join us by not using single use plastics in lunch boxes etc and instead use reusable pots. Together we can make a difference.

Finally, could I please ask, if your child brings show and tell to nursery could you ensure that it is named, not too large and only one item. At the moment we are struggling to accommodate some of the life size toys that are arriving. As always we are grateful for your support.

Gustav Holst- The Planets- Mars

This week we have continued finding out about the planets in our solar system. To help our thinking we listened to Gustav Holst’s differing movements of ‘The Planets’. We also watched the CBeebies character ‘Melody’ on her trip to the planet mars. The children have asked if could share the link with you to enjoy at home. Click here to listen and watch.

Happy New Year and welcome back!

I trust everyone had a lovely Christmas are are well fed and rested? I think both the children and the nursery ladies were ready to come back to see their friends and start learning again!

This half term our learning thread will be all about ‘space and the planets’. We started ‘finding out’ on Monday and just cannot stop. The children have thoroughly embraced the topic and have learnt so much already. We are learning a poem to help us remember all the names of the planets and some of their characteristics. It is truly amazing how quickly the children are able to recall facts and information as well as making observations and connections; for example, if Jupiter is a gas planet or rock planet?, or, if Venus is hot or cold and why that might be?

Groups of children have been painting pictures of the planets and have created a fabulous display. In the garden we have pumped up the inflatable planets and hung them under the nursery canopy. See if you can spot them when you come to nursery and if you can name any of them.

On Monday, after finding out that Saturn had icy rings a small group of children wanted to think about how we could make ice. After much discussion we decided to place a toy astronaut into a bucket of water and put it in Jacqui’s very cold freezer. On Wednesday the children discovered the astronaut was trapped inside the solid ice. The water was no longer a liquid…how would he escape? Eventually we discovered that the ice returned back into a liquid when it melted in our warm nursery… we could then rescue the astronaut. As some of you will be aware I then challenged the children to recreate this experiment at home (with mummy and daddy’s permission of course!). I am glad to say that we have had lots of toys trapped in ice coming back to nursery! Well done everyone!

It is all so exciting, learning knows no bounds!

Wishing you a Happy and Holy Christmas

We have reached the end of the Autumn term already! It has been the most wonderful time, full of fun, learning and friendships. We thank everyone for their continued support of everything we do at nursery and look forward to continuing our journey together in 2020.

The nursery team would like to wish everyone a very Happy and Holy Christmas, we will see you in the New Year!

This week...

Another busy week at nursery full of festive fun! Everyone has designed their own Christmas card (they are all very lovely), and made a special bauble to take home for your Christmas tree.

The children have continued to sing the Nativity songs throughout the week. I am sure we could take it to the West End they are so good! They have also been creating Bethlehem in all areas of the continuous provision from wooden bricks and every other type of resource.

Next week, we will be baking a splendid birthday cake for Baby Jesus. The children have chosen to make a gooey chocolate cake covered in sweets! We will all share it at the Christmas party on Thursday. We can’t wait. We sent home your child’s party invitation this week, keep a look out for it, and don’t forget Christmas party clothes are a must!

We are so proud!

I am sure you will agree that the children told the story of the birth of Christ splendidly in their Nativity play this week. Everyone was so proud of their achievements. Clearly their confidence knows no boundaries!

I would just like to remind you that the Foundation/KS1 Christmas party is on Thursday 19th December 9.30-11.30 am. All the children are invited to join us…party clothes are a must!! However, if it is not your child’s usual session we would be grateful if you could bring your child at 9.30 am and the collect them promptly at 11.30 am.

Also, we break for the Christmas holidays on Friday 20th December at 2 pm.

This week....

This week we have been busy rehearing our Christmas Nativity. Everyone has enjoyed singing the Christmas songs…you are certainly in for a treat!

I trust everyone has received their requested tickets for the performances? If not pop into nursery a.s.a.p. We would not want anyone to miss seeing their child’s debut.

With regards to children who do not normally attend nursery on the ‘Nativity’ sessions; if you could collect your child immediately after the play has finished from the nursery entrance we would be most grateful. All children on these days should be at nursery no later than 8.45 am

Finally, can we say a big’ thank you’ to all our families who managed join us for Advent mass on Friday. Please come again next week we would love to see you there. Also, there is tea and toast afterwards!!

Pyjama Day and Advent Alms giving

Last Friday the children came to nursery dressed in their pyjamas and donated £1 for Brian House Hospice. I am sure you will agree this is a worthy cause. We are hoping to continue to build this fundraising total as part of our Advent Alms giving as we donate all Foundation and KS1 Nativity ticket sales along with the collection at the back of church during KS2 Reflection.

We are hopeful that we will reach that magic £1,000 with your help!

Curriculum Evening

Curriculum Evening on Thursday 21st November. It starts at 6pm and will be taking place in several areas around the school.

This years focus is on Maths Mastery. Teaching maths for mastery involves employing approaches that help the children to develop a deep and secure knowledge and understanding of mathematics at each stage of their learning, so that by the end of every school year or Key Stage, they will have acquired mastery of the mathematical facts and concepts.

The Mastery-learning model forms the basis of our approach to traditional teaching. This means spending greater time going into depth about a subject as opposed to racing through the things that all children should know.

It will be a fun evening with lots of activities and information that will help you support your child’s learning of mathematics at home…please do come along and bring your children!

We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Christmas Nativity tickets

On Monday 18th November Nativity ticket request letters are being sent home sent home. It will clearly explain how to purchase your tickets. Please note, as in previous years, each family can only request up to a maximum of four tickets over both performances.

The children have started to learn the Christmas songs already and are doing extremely well. We will be sending the words home for you to support your child perfect their performance!! It’s all very exciting!

Please do not worry about Nativity costumes we have most of the items here. You may however need to provide your child with white leggings and a white t-shirt, but we will confirm this over the next couple of weeks.

This week...

Such a busy week!!!

All the children have designed a firework picture on the computer and then printed it out. We then decorated it using lots of sparkles!! They look fantastic!

During the week we have also been finding out about the Remembrance Day poppy. We watched a short video about why we commemorative on the 11th November. The children then printed their own field of poppies.

Click here to watch the video.

On Friday we intend to make Gingerbread Men. The children have reminded me that I said we would after the holiday...!! We will eat them for snack!

Currently at nursery we are very short of socks, underpants/knickers and trousers. May I ask, if you have any of our spare clothing at home could you please return them, if not donations of the above would be greatly received!

Happy to be back!

Everyone was excited to be back at nursery this week. It was lovely to catch up with all our friends and find out what we have been doing during the holidays.

We have had an extremely busy week!

On Monday we began to explore the number 4 in all its entirety!

On Tuesday the children wrote their own story! It’s all about a wellie getting stuck on a foot! Ask your children to tell it to you! It was also ‘Danceathon’ day…..it was very exhausting! Well done to everyone who managed to get to nursery for 8.15 am!!

On Wednesday we made pumpkin pie for snack, and found some fun facts all about pumpkins. We also read a story about building resilience. It is called ‘The most magnificent thing’. Afterwards we all decided to make our own ‘magnificent things’. Click here to listen to the story!!

On Thursday the children have been practicing their fundamental movement skills in the hall. We focused on over arm throwing…they are getting very good!

On Friday…maybe a restful day? That rarely happens in nursery!

The rest of the term is equally frantic. Keep checking the dates on your September newsletter. I will update you on the Nativity on a later blog.