“I don’t tell untruths. I think it’s being a coward if you don’t tell the truth – and I’m not a coward.” ―Enid Blyton, The Famous Five Collection

Seedlings:

This week, our Seedlings embraced their new ‘on the farm’ topic. 

The children loved moving animals around a farm they made out of natural resources. They had cleverly reconfigured their bug hotel to effect ‘pens’ for the animals and spent time sorting them into groups to inhabit the different pens.

As she played, Penelope sang Old MacDonald at the top of her voice, ever so proudly.

Story time was great fun, as always. A practitioner read Old MacDonald Had a Farm and the children pointed out the different creatures mentioned in the plot. Otis spotted the ducks and Daneyal found the dogs, saying: ‘Woof woof!’. Kit was able to tell the Seedlings what noise a horse makes, telling his friends ‘Horsey, neigh neigh’.

Later on in the week, the children took part in a craft activity where they made tractors from a variety of shapes.  When asked by a practitioner what a tractor looks like, Annabelle acknowledged that wheels are circular. This activity was brilliant for shape recognition. 

Our sheep-inspired sensory Tuff Tray complete with shaving foam was one of the week’s highlights. The Seedlings used paintbrushes and toothbrushes to explore the foam’s soft texture.

Star of The Week:

Penelope – For confidently singing in-front of her peers. 

Saplings:

This week, the Saplings have been learning about space. Maeva has shown a particular interest in the subject and she said she likes the moon.

We read the book Peppa Goes to The Moon and Finneas told us that astronauts ‘live in space’, before adding: ‘The moon is made of rock.’

The Saplings crafted their very own rockets using toilet roll holders, glue and tissue paper. This activity was wonderful for enhancing the youngsters’ fine motor skills. Once they were dry, we hung them on the arch in our book corner.

Everyone had a blast making space-themed Play-Doh by mixing in drops of pink and blue food dye to give a galaxy effect.

We also painted our own planets for a fun space game. This saw the children run to the planet that had been called out by a practitioner. Activities like this are an excellent way of helping little ones to develop their gross motor skills, while also strengthening their physical development and use of critical thinking as they assessed the practitioners’ instructions.

The Saplings loved singing along to Zoom, Zoom, Zoom, We’re Going to The Moon and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star throughout the week.

Star of The Week:

Finneas – For good listening and his outstanding knowledge of space.

Acorns:

This week, the Acorns’ learning was focussed on fathoming the different types of farm animals. 

We kicked off the week by creating pig and chick collages. To do this, the children dipped forks into pink and yellow paint before stamping them down onto paper. It was lovely to see the children give meanings to their marks. 

This arty activity was so popular we decided to challenge the children to a second. They selected their favourite small world farm animals and gently placed them into paint. Their creations – and impressions of the noises the animals make – were marvellous.

During another activity, the children washed cows, pigs and sheep among other animals using toothbrushes, cloths and sponges. The youngsters babbled away to each other as they got to work with warm soapy water.

Star of The Week:

Alba – For having a great visit to the Seedlings’ room and making new friends.

Oaks 1:

This week in Oaks 1, we celebrated Catherine’s birthday by making a delicious chocolate sponge cake and singing all of her favourite songs. 

As a group, we chatted about what birthdays are and thought about how the earth travels around the sun each year. We also looked at the festivals that are celebrated by different religions.

Our indoor tomato plants are growing nicely, and Raul is looking forward to eating them! He’s done a fine job of looking after them, diligently topping them up with water.

Using natural materials, Oaks 1 built themselves a den in the garden. As a group, the children decided it was a look out to keep pirates away. This sparked a conversation about how some people choose to live at sea. Kiyan and Ronnie went on to construct a ship and sailed us around the seven seas to look for treasure.

Star of The Week:

Ophelia – For her understanding of allergies and her helpful attitude. 

Forest School:

The children worked so cohesively and we have enjoyed listening to the interesting conversations they have between them, Freddie and Adrian, Charlie, Ottie and Mia, Ralph, Raife, Bodhi and Raul all chatted about their various ‘plots’, (by that we mean trapping baddies, setting sail and capturing pirates), menus (whipped up in the mud kitchen), treasure and very special ‘finds’ which they have found during exploration of the site. Their inventiveness and creativity know no bounds and we are often obliged to become part of the plot or the game.

At times there is incredible peace as the children work together forging great friendships, bartering and taking turns when the need arises. Well done everyone.

Oaks 2:

The arrival of the sunshine has made the children and staff in Oaks 2 very happy. We’ve certainly made the most of it and have spent lots of time outside.

The children have been getting very good at helping with their suncream, enhancing their independence and understanding of the importance of skin protection. Many of the youngsters even asked the adults if they had their sun cream on too which was very sweet.

Space has been Oaks 2’s main focus this week and we’ve heard some brilliantly intellectual comments from the class including ‘The solar system is made up of all the planets’ and ‘The solar system is very hot and will burn us’. This we will research!

As a team, we worked together to make a junk modelling rocket that could zoom us into outer space. It was a joy to see the children collaborating to ensure their vision came to life.

With Zoe off on holiday soon, Oaks 2 told us about trips they’ve been on and revealed whether they travelled by car, boat, plane or train to reach their destinations. The children told each other about their excursions very confidently. 

Star Of the Week:

Jacob – For settling into Oaks 2 so well and for continuing to be more vocal with new people. Keep up the great work, Jacob. 

Until next week …