Busy Week as usual

This week has seen some of our new starters after the Easter break starting to settle in now.  Our children have, as usual, been fantastic at helping the new children, whether its showing them the routine and what to do during snack times, being a friend, or somthing as simple as remembering their names to include them.  

We have also done more baking! This week, Steph has made heart shaped shortbread biscuits with added chocolate chips.  The children get to do everything other than put them in the oven, so it's really all down to them.  

It is important to have activites that are for all children at all different stages of development, but one of those activites that works for all children is threading.  We used pasta and cheerio hoops, so there was a difference in hole size.  This is great for fine motor skills.

Diddi Dance was back again, and we have been salsa dancing, ribbon twirling and learning some big stretches. It's great to have Alison back again teaching dance!

Outside, we have been really busy.  We have been making potions in the mud kitchen using different herbs and flowers, bird watching as usual as well.  In fact, we saw the return of the ducks.  3 Boys and 1 Girl.  The children are getting very good at learning which is male and felmale in ducks and blackbirds.  

We also had loads of seagulls today come to get the bread we put out that the ducks left.  

In circle times, we have been looking at the letter A with the pre school children.  We first watch a little video which they will use in school, then look for examples of the letter in the room on lables etc.  We then practiced writing the letter. Link to the video.

The younger children have been looking at living things in the garden and how to look after and protect them.  We've been talking about all the fruit that we can grow in the garden (apple tree, pear tree and cherry trees).

The children have really been enjoying the swing Hannah made and getting better at climing up themselves.  We've also been talking a lot about turn taking from this activity. 

We have been practicing our name writing on the tough tray in chalk using their name cards too.

Some of the children may have mentioned Ryan this week, he's been helping out over lunch time.  The children know him anyway from Kids Club, and he'll be back next week, too!

Last thing, a reminder for the pre school leavers, that we will be having the graduation photos taken on the 14th of May.  If you don't come on this day usually, you are more than welcome to come and have your childs photo taken.  For more information, speak to Jean, and consult your newsletter. 

Enjoy your long weekend!
​Joe 
​