As we take a break for Easter we wish you all a peaceful holiday.

We welcome Annette Downs to the Broughton family as our Cook. We are very proud of the diverse meals we serve but if you have any suggestions of meals you would like us to consider adding to our menu we would love to hear from you.

Broughton have collaborated with the National Trust at Knole Park, Sevenoaks producing spring related pictures in the children’s image. They are being placed upon a wooden deer within the courtyards of the main house so please do go and take a look at the children’s contributions. 

We had a surprise visit from the Easter Bunny who had a set a treasure hunt for us. The children used teamwork and excellent problem-solving skills to seek out the treasure.

Oaks 1

This week, the children have been discussing the emergence of spring and how it symbolises new life. The children have planted a selection of vegetables and fruit plants around the garden, digging up the earth and levelling out the topsoil. They considered the elements needed for the vegetation to survive where it was decided that sunshine and water were most important. The children spotted a bumblebee flying around some flowers, which at first caused a little panic. Alba quickly calmed everyone and told them to remain still and the bee wouldn’t hurt them. This then led to discussions around pollination and how important bees are for the environment and in turn, human life. To develop this further, the children investigated a farmer’s kit, which entailed the children adding soil to a pot and using a dibber to make holes for the seeds. It was then the job of a few individuals to take a pipette to add droplets of water to the tray. 

The children worked together to build a volcano in response to discussions about our world. Felicity Aston, Polar Explorer sent Michelle some amazing video footage and photographs from Iceland of a volcano named Fagradalsfjall erupting for the first time in 6000 years which we have discussed with the children.

In order to strengthen their fine motor skills the children prepared vegetables for their lunch cooked by campfire. Using knives and peelers, the children diced onion and peppers, peeled carrots and crushed garlic before carrying them over to the fire. The children considered the elements needed to make a fire as well as the correct structure that would allow best airflow. The group discussed oxygen and how this ensures the fire can ignite and using fire strikers, the children attempted to create sparks by friction. Some were successful whilst others didn’t have the strength to make enough contact but persevered regardless and we shall work on this in the future. The children again discussed boundaries whilst near fire and why it is so important to stick to the rules.

Star of the week:

Oliver G – for showing excellent core values and for very good listening in group activities. 

Oaks 2

Oaks 2 had a very exciting start to the week with a visit from Cindy’s guinea pig. This supported the children’s understanding of the world as they were learning how to care for and be gentle to a pet. He got lots of treats throughout the day as Oaks 2 kindly fed him with pieces of spinach and an apple.

We also enjoyed many Easter activities including creating a handprint picture of a chick and decorating an egg with paint and glitter, as well as creating pretty wreaths. It’s safe to say Oaks 2 had a blast using their culinary skills to make Easter fairy cakes and cornflake cakes too. While making the latter, we spoke about the differences between liquids and solids.

This week’s Tuff Trays focussed on getting the children to use their senses and fine motor skills. They included exploring Easter eggs within foam and crunching cornflakes beneath small world pigs, chicks and sheep to recreate a base for their pen.

The Easter egg hunt we treated the children to in the garden presented a wonderful opportunity for Oaks 2 to show off their team working skills to ensure everyone had an egg.

Star of The Week:

Hassan – For attempting to go on the potty and beginning the toilet training process.

Saplings:

As we say good-bye to Thomas we wish him the very best for the future.

It’s been an eggcellent week for the Saplings.

Continuing our spring theme, the children have been super busy working on crafts by decorating eggs and adding the finishing touches to their cards and wreaths.

The Saplings also took part in an Easter egg hunt, using their negotiating skills to carefully search the woodland area to find eggs. The children were so excited when the first one was spotted, with many declaring “wow”.

The children went on to make Easter nest cakes, with fine motor skills used to crush shredded wheat between their fingers and thumbs. They then each took a turn to combine all of the ingredients. Each child selected a coloured case and helped carefully spoon in the thick and crunchy mixture. They personalised their nests with a selection of chocolate eggs and sweeties.

The warm weather has meant lots of fun in the garden. Water play was a popular choice this week, and the Saplings loved painting the fence with water. This activity encouraged the children to utilise fine motor skills to grasp the brush as they painted strokes on the fence.

Star of The Week:

James – For being so helpful at tidy up time.

Seedlings:

We’ve taken advantage of the sunshine this week by spending plenty of time outside.

The Seedlings enjoyed emptying and filling containers, exploring animals and splashing around in water. We also worked on building the children’s confidence whilst negotiating balance beams, with staff members offering words of support and encouragement.

Activities aimed at enhancing fine motor skills have also been a focus, with the Seedlings watering cress and building structures using different sized blocks. The latter allowed for the introduction of mathematical language and the concepts of large and small.

The Seedlings loved making Easter crafts too. They particularly enjoyed dipping their feet in paint to print carrot marks on paper, before using their fingers to create the leafy green fronds. We have also been developing our pincer and three-finger tripod grip in various ways.

Finally, the children had the chance to practice Makaton animal signs such as cow, horse, chick, pig and sheep while playing with our small world Easter farm.

Star of The Week:

To all our Seedlings – For showing such effort and concentration when demonstrating Makaton signs.

Acorns:

We’ve spent time furthering the Acorns’ understanding of Easter and spring this week.

When undertaking our Easter egg decorating challenge, the children showed high levels of energy as they dipped daffodils into paint to make marks on their eggs. And while crafting their own lambs, chicks and piglets in another activity, the Acorns had the chance to work on a number of developmental skills. In order to pick up the tools they needed to make their spring animals, the children were required to use their palmar grasp and pincer grip. This activity – which encouraged social interaction between the children as they sat together around a table – promoted the use of sounds and single words.

We’ve also continued our exploration of colour. Firstly, we put together a rainbow Tuff Tray decorated with bright sensory scarves. The Acorns were asked to find objects to match each bright piece of fabric. In a second colour-themed task, the children had a great time building (and knocking down!) towers made from stacked sensory bottles.

Outside in our courtyard garden, the Acorns giggled as they splashed each other while swirling water around a tray. They also enjoyed water painting the fence and playing with bubbles, watching and pointing in wonder as they floated up into the sky. A number of the children shouted “bubbles” and “pop, pop”.

Star of The Week:

Ophelia – For settling well into nursery life and interacting so well with everyone in the room.

Yours Sincerely

The Broughton Team