2-3: The Discovery Hub

This week in the Discovery Hub we have been exploring Autumn in the indoor and outdoor environment through various explorations.

Within the indoor environment we have been exploring leaves across many areas. The children have explored painting and printing with them on paper, exploring using the leaves to spread the paint across the paper. We also added pine cones to the painting area as the children explored stamping with them and rolling them across the paper.

During group times, we have been exploring grouping and sorting leaves into groups. The children explored grouping the leaves by size and colour. We then explored using the leaves on our light panel as they explored moving them around and turning them over to look closely at the stems. They took turns investigating how to change the brightness of the light panel and how to turn it on and off. They all showed lovely focus with their exploration as they explored labelling the leaves “big” and “small” and compared the colours of the leaves.

We have added some sticky plastic to the environment, the children showed curiosity with the sticky plastic testing out touching the material and laugh “me stuck”. We explored selecting leaves to add to the plastic, showing persistence trying to stick the leaves on again making sure to press harder so they do not fall off.

Outdoor learning

We have been creating lots of marks in the outdoor environment this week. The children have explored painting with various materials using paint sticks and paint palettes. During the explorations there has been lovely turn taking and language used. We have heard the children asking each other to swap colours and the children have asked for “more” water and paint for their brushes. They have continued to explore using the rollers and paint brushes to create marks on the walls and chalk board.

The children have begun to notice insects in the garden and have shown great curiosity in their movements. They made sure to take care with them, using leaves to pick them up and move them to a safer area.

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.

Many thanks

Nursery Team