We welcome Alfie to the Acorns group and hope he will be very happy here at Broughton whilst we say good bye to Adrian and wish his family all the best for the future.

This week, the Oaks have been developing their fine motor and concentration skills. As the summer has come to a close and we are very much into Autumn now, the sunflowers have now died and developed their seeds. Taking tweezers and different pots, the children concentrated for considerable amounts of time, picking out the seeds and categorising them into small and large groups. To extend this, the children discussed how some of the sunflowers had changed in texture as well as colour, how they have changed over time to a dull brown colour rather than a vibrant yellow. They also used their problem-solving skills to work out the best strategy to remove the seeds deciding whether the use of tweezers was more appropriate than using their fingers.

With some children in the group expecting siblings, we have been focusing on how to support this big transition. Theo has very kindly brought in two books to share with his peers that explain the important responsibilities of being a big brother. To support this, these children will be joining the younger groups for a visit to encourage them to share toys as well as understanding the necessities of their new roles.

The Oaks have also been discussing nocturnal animals and hibernation and questioning which animals this might relate to. The children determined that hedgehogs were one of these. Following on from this, we have used our fine motor skills and scissor skills to cut out our own hedgehogs, which were made using our own handprints. The children then coloured the hedgehogs in autumnal colours, which allowed for categorisation of colours. To further this, the children have also taken part in a number ‘matching’ activities making accurate associations by ‘pegging’ to corresponding numerals printed upon their hedgehogs. This allowed the children to develop their mathematical and fine motor skills.

This week the Saplings have been learning all about ‘Room on the Broom’ by Julia Donaldson. The children have enjoyed a range of activities. Here are a few we have been exploring…

Reading ‘Room on the Broom’ and looking at the words and sounds within the story in order to encourage communication and language and sounds involving repetition. The Saplings have also been discussing the main theme of the story and contemplating what might happen next to the characters. To extend this, the children have been making potions, using a range of materials and natural objects such as leaves, pinecones, and twigs. To help visualise this, the children reviewed the potion in the story and used some of the key elements, however adding many of their own ideas. We spoke about some of our favourite objects and what we hoped our magic ingredients would create! The Saplings have also explored ‘Room on a Broom’ inspired playdough, using creepy crawlies that the children picked out to match the story. They felt the different textures and also added a range of glitters where the children could practice colour identification.

The Saplings have been exploring their emotions and how these can be managed. The children have been encouraged to recognise and express their feelings as well as their peers’ feelings. When reading ‘Room on the Broom’, the children have examined how the witch might feel when she drops or loses some of the objects on her broom and how the characters might help her.

Meanwhile the Seedlings and Acorns took part in a scientific experiment where the children created Autumn coloured scenery. Using food colouring, bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, the Saplings watched as the reaction took place, getting very excited at how it fizzed. Oscar was very impressed with the outcome and Flynn was amazed by the discovery of the colours that erupted. They later added leaves to the concoction which in turn created lots of lovely feathery leaf prints.

The Seedlings and Acorns have also learnt about their colours this week, creating our own colour matching game as well as a colour-sorting box. Ottie, Sophia and Thomas helped to colour the box with little help from a practitioner, holes were then cut and objects placed inside in order to aid the children with shape identification.

To further the Seedlings and Acorns’ sensory experience, the children have been searching for various objects in moulding foam. They felt the different textures and thought how they might be crunchy, knobbly, soft, rough or hard; Ottie really enjoyed playing with the foam, rubbing her hands together in a hand washing motion. This has also supported the children’s’ social development, encouraging them to explore new experiences as well as interacting with their peers.

Messages:

It has been brought to our attention that breakfast times are becoming more complicated due to some children arriving part way through the meal. We ask parents to consider what time they arrive at nursery, either arriving by 8:30 before breakfast or coming at 9 or later, so as not to disturb the rest of the groups.

As Halloween is not far away (and mindful that not all children attend every day), the children are invited to dress up whenever they attend. Please label the costumes and also consider the costumes you put them in as some make it difficult to attend to their personal needs.

Thank you everyone for being so patient as our new parking arrangements bed in and become second nature; we applaud you.

We have been discussing those who are less fortunate than ourselves and the children decided that they could help by bringing in donations such as food and health care products to send off to food banks so if you are willing and would like to donate items, please feel free to bring in products – mainly long life, i.e. tins, pasta, rice, nappies, wipes etc.

Stars of the week:

Oaks: Theo E. – This is because he has really progressed as the week has gone on, remembering kind hands and being extra kind to the rest of his friends.

Saplings: Theo J. – For doing super well with his potty training this week.

Seedlings: Daisy – For her impressive social skills and drawing others into her play.

Acorns: Alfie – For settling really well in his first week and joining in with activities.

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend.