2-3: The Discovery Hub

As we continue exploring Autumn in the indoor and outdoor environment the children are beginning to use language to describe what they can see. We have added autumn resources to the indoor environment such as various sized pumpkins, woodland animals, leaves and pinecones. The children have been exploring these resources as they create their own collections in containers, making arrangements by lining them up and exploring grouping them into baskets. We have also been exploring with real pumpkins in nursery as the children explore lifting and rolling them. During their explorations, the children have begun to use language to describe such as “heavy” “hard” and “big”.

Following this initial exploration, we have explored opening some of the pumpkins. We discussed what we may find inside of the pumpkins and the children were curious to find out. Once it was open, the children were curious to have a look inside before exploring further. Some of the children moved to areas to collect resources such as spoons and bowls as they explored scooping all of the insides out.

This week we have been exploring using the “crunchy” leaves to use in the sticking area. The children have been exploring using the glue spreaders to spread the glue before adding the leaves. Thank you for the children who have brought in some leaves, they have been very keen to show their collections during group times and have explored using them in the sticking area.

The children have enjoyed exploring in the sensory tray as they explore scooping and pouring the rice and lentils with pinecones and leaves. Some of the children noticed the sound created when pouring the rice and lentils from a height comparing to the sound of “rain”.

During explorations, we have been thinking where our food comes from. The children have suggested “shop” and “supermarket”. We have looked at photos to see where some fruit and vegetables grow from such as in the ground or on trees. We explored feeling and lifting various fruits and vegetables. Some of the children explored cutting and open some of the fruits and vegetables and suggested how we may be able to open them such as “rip it” for a banana and “cut it…need knife” for the apple.

Outdoor learning

This week the children noticed a noise in the garden, they moved around the garden to follow the noise and found it was the grass cutters in the park. The children were keen to observe the grass cutters on the vehicles. They were commenting on the movements of the grass cutters such as “he turning the wheel” and “he going up and down”.

The children have helped to collect resources and take them down to the garden as we created a music wall. They suggested where to put the pots and pans pointing “here” with excitement. Lovely music was made as the children were keen to have a go with the new music wall and they were so proud of what we had created together.

Physical Development

As the weather has been changing and we have had some rain we have been exploring dressing in waterproofs and wellies to access the garden spaces. The children are persisting with helping to get themselves dressed and undressed with the waterproofs. Staff are modelling the steps to follow in the process and the children are beginning to make some connections. It has been wonderful to see the pride the children have had with their achievements commenting “I did it!” and “I put my shoes on!”.

Staffing update

Cerys is on Annual Leave on Monday

Deborah is on Annual Leave on Friday

Parents as Partners

We will be exploring the season of Autumn and Harvest food and growth with the children this term. As a Nursery School we will be collecting any food donations that you may like to make. If anyone would like to contribute, can we kindly ask for donations to reception. We will be taking collections for the whole month of October and will deliver them to St Chad’s within October Half Term. We can accept dry foods, tins and fresh produce but ask that fresh produce is donated as late as possible within this window of time to ensure it is still suitable to donate.

Just a reminder for the children who access Term Time only sessions, Nursery will be closed for the October half term. Nursery will be closed from Monday 26th October to Friday 30th October. Nursery will re-open for Term Time only children on Monday 2nd November

Many thanks

Nursery Team