Story time with Barbara

May I start this blog by saying a massive thank you to the children and families who compiled and sent such a lovely video to all the nursery team. Believe me when I say it brought tears to our eyes. We are missing you all so much.

I hope you enjoy this weeks story. It has been chosen by our friend Phoebe.

Let me know what you would like me to read next week and keep your ‘learning at home’ photos coming!

If you click here Bea it will take you to Little Rabbit Foo Foo. Enjoy!





A happy 4th birthday to our nursery friend. Look at all those lovely balloons!

A happy 4th birthday to our nursery friend. Look at all those lovely balloons!

Now for this weeks ‘learning at home’ photos.

I hope the sunshine comes back for the weekend. We may be able to enjoy some extra time outdoors, maybe even a picnic?

Barbara

This weeks learning from home photos

There seems to be more and more learning happening at home! This week we have a record number of photos to show. Well done everyone and keep up the good work.

I hope everyone received their newsletter and other attachments. Please let me know if you didn't. I trust everyone is managing to access Purple Mash, I can’t wait for you to share your learning. Just drop it into my tray.

This week I have some other websites for you to explore.

Click here for some early years ideas from Edge Hill University

Click here to find our how to garden without a garden

Click here for activities for creativity and critical thinking

Click here for a lovely collection of ideas

Click here for activities at one with nature

Don’t forget to click on the eBooks button at the bottom of the nursery web-page. There are lots to choose from.

I have also heard from some of our families about a good app called ‘Teach my Little Monster to Read’. It may be worth a look but alas it does incur a small subscription fee. Click here to find out more.

Click the button below for a story about how to explain Covid-19 to small children

Finally, if you are still struggling for ideas Click here

Keep safe and I will be in touch soon.

Barbara

Now for the photos!

Introduction to Mini Mash

In school, we use Purple Mash to help the children learn and to help them present their work in lots of different ways. Within Purple Mash, there is a Mini Mash section - just for Foundation and Nursery Children. Your children have been using Mini Mash in nursery alongside the team to help them to learn and to play lots of different games along the way.

Read more

Hello from Nursery

Just a few words to say we are missing you loads! Nursery is very lonely without you.

Barbara and Clare have been very busy getting everything ‘just right’ for when you come back to nursery. Let’s hope it won’y be too long.

In the meanwhile keep checking the website for more links for learning at home. You may also like to check out what Miss Bassett is posting on the Reception blog…if you are up for a challenge?

Here are this weeks sites to explore:

Click here for updated Hungry Little Minds

Click here for a virtual tour of Chester Zoo

Click here for Oak National Academy. Follow the links that take to Reception learning. You will find a whole weeks learning and activities here for you to follow. Enjoy!

One of our friends has sent a lovely video of building and an assault course in the garden. Fabulous! Mrs. Gregan was very impressed that he managed to complete the ‘Wacky Races’ PE challenge. If you want to get involved check out the PE button on the home page. Mrs. Gregan posts new activities each week…get involved.

I’ve also posted below this weeks learning from home photos. I’m so impressed to see how hard you are all working. Keep the photos coming. If you have not yet returned your consent form don’t worry, just send me an email.

I look forward to hearing from you next week. Have a lovely weekend and stay safe.

Barbara

Learning at home photos

A big ‘thank you’ and ‘well done’ for all the fabulous learning that has been happening at home over the past few weeks. The photos that you have been sending in are wonderful! It’s so lovely to see the children having so much fun.

For anyone who is running out of ideas click here.

May I remind you that before I can upload your images I must have your written consent. Just drop me an email.

Keep the learning going and send me more photos to post, it’s a fabulous way of staying in touch.

A very Happy Birthday to two of our friends at nursery. We are sending you lots of good wishes and hugs.

Bea bday.jpg
Myles 3.jpg

Learning outdoors

Here are some website to support learning outdoors. Do be mindful when choosing activities to follow Government guidelines.

https://naturedetective.woodlandtrust.org.uk

https://www.naturallylearning.co.uk/50-outdoor-activities-toddlers/

https://creativestarlearning.co.uk/c/early-years-outdoors/

https://lovemybeach.org/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/7-tips-for-gardening-with-children

https://www.rspb.org.uk/fun-and-learning

You may also like to try the following ideas…

Please continue to stay safe and keep fabulous home learning pictures coming.

A Happy Easter to you all

Barbara







Ideas for mathematical learning

Mathematics

Online counting games and suggestions for mathematical home learning: ( 3-5 years) ·

https://famly.co/blog/inspiration/10-creative-early-years-maths-activities/ https://www.familymathstoolkit.org.uk/5-years-old-and-under/around-the-house http://www.helpmykidlearn.ie/activities/0-2/detail/around-the-house

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/3-5-years/counting https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/topics/numeracy · http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/help-your-child-with-maths

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/shows/numbersblocks

I hope you enjoy some of the mathematical games on these websites. The children particularly enjoy ‘Numberblocks’

Communication and Language

We know , for our youngest children, that every hour they spend in nursery makes a difference. With that in mind I will be posting regular information that might support you in providing learning and development at home.

There are a range of apps based around communication and language on the ‘Hungry Little Minds’ website.

Click here for Hungry Little Minds

Also, why not visit the ‘small talk’ website? click here

Enjoy!

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.

DSCI0394.JPG

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!!