Kennford Playbox

LIVING EGGS - DAY 4

2012-02-26T01:48:00.004-08:00

MORE EXCITEMENT!

More chicks had hatched overnight. We counted them as we took them one at a time from the incubator. Their fluff was very soft. The children gently felt the chicks with one finger as we transferred them to the brooder. There were 5 more!

8 chicks and 5 more is 13.

The children took photos of the chicks and named them all. (See pictures in the lobby)

Another egg had a hole in it and we could see the little chick inside. The little chick was peeping! At lunch-time this little chick hadn’t made any progress and we were worried that it wasn’t going to make it. Michele helped the chick by chipping its shell all the way around.

At going home time, Dawn helped the chick hatch. It was a little smaller then some of the others and quite weak. She left it in the incubator to recover. When Michele returned to collect the chicks this little chick looked much better. A bit wobbly on its feet but chirping strongly.

13 chicks and 1 more is 14! (The last one has been named Tiny Pita (Toby chose Peter...but it was a girl!)

We have 10 girls and 4 boys.

3 eggs haven’t hatched.

The chicks are going home with Michele for the weekend, but, we are looking forward to next week, when we will be able to handle the chicks more.

SOME OF THE CURRICULUM GOALS COVERED INCLUDE:

• PSE: dispositions and attitudes – Have delight in new experiences
• CLL: Language for thinking – Talk about what is happening
• CLL: Reading - We are reading lots of egg stories! We like “Dora’s Eggs” and “Where’s my egg?”
• CLL: Naming chicks....favourite book characters: Lola; Rosie; Charlie etc etc.
• PSRN: Calculating – how many now? Practical problems to real life mathematical scenarios.
• KUW: Time – develop understanding of growth and change over time.
• KUW: ICT – taking photographs of our chicks
• PHY: Movement and Space – can you be a chick...balance on one leg? Stretch a leg? Peck the floor with your beak? Stretch your wings?
• PHY: Using equipment and materials – using pincer movement to tear and place tissue paper in making chicks.

LIVING EGGS - Day 3

2012-02-26T01:37:00.005-08:00

WE'RE MUMMIES - GREAT EXCITEMENT

When the children arrived they found chicks in the incubator. We counted them as we took them one at a time from the incubator and put them into the brooder. SIX CHICKS.

A further egg was in the process of hatching. The children could see the chick through a hole in the eggshell. Its little beak was chipping away. At lunch-time this little chick finished breaking out of its shell and it hatched. We stopped eating lunch to watch it. It was wet when it came out of its shell. It soon began to move around.

The children compared the stage of development against the lifecycle of a chicken on the wall. “Next it will do that one....” one child informed the others looking pointing to the next stage of development.

6 chicks and one more is 7

Another chick hatched in the afternoon...7 chicks and one more is 8!

We carefully gave the chicks some chick crumbs. The children watched the little chicks in the brooder. They slept a lot. They liked bundling together under the light where it was warm! Some nodded off on their feet...their heads slowly dropping.

More eggs had cracks. Will we have more chicks tomorrow?

SOME OF THE CURRICULUM GOALS COVERED INCLUDE:

• PSE: dispositions and attitudes – Have delight in new experiences
• CLL: Language for thinking – Talk about what is happening
• CLL: Reading – Using materials provided (poster) to gain information and inform understanding
• PSRN: Calculating – how many now? Practical problems to real life mathematical scenarios.
• KUW: Time – remember what they saw yesterday; today; tomorrow
• KUW: Place – taking an interest in the lifecycle of an egg.
• PHY: Movement and Space – pretending to be different animals that come out of eggs.
• CD: We started making large models of chicks. The children mixed paint to make new colours. Some made dark and light colours.

LIVING EGGS - Day 2

2012-02-26T01:31:00.003-08:00

The children all checked the incubator as they arrived, but no chicks yet. Michele changed the water under the eggs. The water keeps the eggs moist and makes it easier for the chicks to hatch from their eggs.

At lunchtime, we had great excitement. The children noticed that 5 eggs were cracked. Were the chicks going to hatch? Everyone kept a close eye on the eggs...but no chicks today.

It was amazing what the children remembered from yesterday. An incubator (egg warmer/chick warmer) is used to keep eggs warm...you must not touch etc.
As the children were leaving we could hear the chicks peeping inside their eggs. One of the eggs had a tiny hole in it.

We prepared the brooder by putting paper in the bottom; followed by wood chips; filling up the water reservoir in the drinker & checking that the light worked. We need a light to keep the chicks warm after they’ve hatched.

SOME CURRICULUM TARGETS COVERED INCLUDE:

• PSE: Behaviour and self Control – the children didn’t touch the controls of the incubator. They were careful not to knock it or touch. They showed awareness of the rules and followed them.
• CLL: Language for Communication – The children recalled what was said the day before in their language use.
• CLL: Linking sounds and letters – The children were quiet for a period whilst we all listened to see if we could hear chicks peeping inside their shells.
• CLL: We tried to think of other words that rhymed with chick: tick: Mick: Dick: lick: flick. We thought of some alliteration strings – Charlie’s Chicks Cheep Cheerily
• PSRN: The children estimated the number of chicks that might hatch overnight
• KUW: Exploration and Investigation – Showing interest in the world in which we live.
• CD: Being creative – The children painted pictures of what they thought that their chicks might look like

Living Eggs Arrive

2012-02-26T01:25:00.002-08:00

This week has been absolutely amazing. The children are abuzz with news about their chicks. We’ve had lots of extra visitors arriving just to take a peek, and lots of very excited and animated children. Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of our first chicks and the next instalment of events as they unfold.

DAY 1
On Tuesday 21st February, a delivery man arrived with our eggs, incubator and brooder box. We turned the incubator on, waited for the temperature to rise and put the eggs in.

The children had to be careful. They could look but not touch. Everyone learnt that if the incubator was turned off (there was an on/off switch) then the eggs would get cold, and the chicks wouldn’t hatch...they would die. Also, if they turned the temperature dial up, then the eggs might get too hot, and again the chicks inside the eggs would die.

The children counted the eggs inside the incubator – There were 17.
Periodically, everyone checked the eggs – no chicks today!

SOME OF THE CURRICULUM GOALS WE'VE MET INCLUDE:

• PSE: Dispositions and Attitudes - The children showed their interest in the items that arrived.
• PSE: Making Relationships - The children were polite and well –behaved, responding to adults asking them to stand back whilst they watched.
• CLL: Language for Communication – The children are learning new words.
• CLL: Language for Thinking - The children asked lots of questions
• CLL: Writing – ascribe meaning to the marks that they see – this time the sign saying “DO NOT TOUCH”
• PSRN: Numbers for counting - The children counted the eggs in the incubator – 17 eggs in total
• KUW: Time - The children had to wait patiently for the eggs to hatch
• KUW: Exploration and Investigation – The children learnt about an incubator
• KUW: Place – The children learnt about other animals that came out of eggs, including: snakes; lizards; crocodiles; swans; owls; ducks; spiders; butterflies; snails; fish etc. They drew an animal in an egg.

OUTSTANDING AGAIN!

2012-02-17T11:47:00.005-08:00

Preschools get NO NOTICE, so it came as a bit of a shock to find an OfSTED inspector on the doorstep first thing on a very cold and blustery Monday morning in January wanting to complete a comprehensive setting inspection.

I was really proud of everyone: the children; the staff and committee who all pulled together to show the inspector what we get up to everyday.

It takes a lot of hard work to get any setting to an OfSTED “Outstanding” level, which is awarded to around 1:30 (3%) of settings nationwide for exceptional and consistent good practise, so we are really pleased, that not only have we done this once, but TWICE IN A ROW, which is an achievement in itself, and to be celebrated as fewer settings are awarded this accolade twice in a row!

There are many positive statements in the report which is available at: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/CARE/EY366991

Below are some exerts taken from the report:

“Children are thriving because their learning and development is extremely well supported and, as a result, they make exceptional progress overall.”

“Children enjoy an extensive range of activities which are particularly well organised and consider the individual needs and interests of all the children. They have an exciting balance of adult-led and child-led activities. Each child is extremely well supported to progress at their individual stage of development; more able children are challenged, so they progress quickly.”

“Children are curious and inquisitive learners. They remain highly engrossed in activities and play a full role in their learning. Children are learning valuable skills for their future development in an extremely happy and caring environment.”

“Children's behaviour is exemplary. Staff manage behaviour exceptionally well. They have high expectations that are clearly conveyed to children and implemented consistently; as a result, children play happily, either independently or co-operatively. All children interact very well with others; they confidently introduce themselves to visitors and talk about what they have been doing. Children contribute successfully to the routine of the pre-school and tidy up after themselves eagerly, developing independence as they do so”

As manager, I'd like to thank you (staff, committee and parents) all for your support. It takes teamwork and a lot of care and hard work to maintain "outstanding" and "exceptional" practises.

Christmas Party

2011-12-30T13:22:00.000-08:00

On the last day of term we had our Christmas Party.

A disaster was adverted! A volunteer, in true Brit Fashion, rescued our entertainer who had broken down en-route. Neil (from the Really Wild Show) bought some giant hissing cockroaches; a huge spider & a skink with him on this occasion. I don’t think that Jen would have been so keen to collect him, if she’d known what might have potentially gotten loose in her car!

Many of the children enjoyed the opportunity of holding these creepy crawlies. We were told about the important job they do in cleaning up after other animals in the jungle.

After playing with their balloons, party food and dancing, the children enjoyed a story...and settled down. We heard a noise! What could have possibly made the clip clop, jingle jangle and Yo Ho Ho noises we heard? After creeping out, the children found a big sack of presents that Father Christmas had left....there was great excitement while we all opened our small pre-Christmas gift.

I’d like to thank all the parents who attended the party for blowing up balloons; setting up the party table; preparing the food; clearing up and helping out, especially Jen for “rescuing” our entertainer!

Open Day - Carol Singing

2011-12-30T12:58:00.000-08:00

For the first time this year, we decided to have a Christmas Open Day giving parents an opportunity to come into the setting and admire the displays of art and crafts that the children had completed over the term. Thank you all for coming – your children really did enjoy showing you around!

Parents were given the choice of a mince pie or apple pie; cream or no cream; water or squash. It was very serious business, taking the order; preparing and then taking the order back.

The children enjoyed dressing up in Festive Costumes and singing to our visitors. It was all very spontaneous. OL gave the morning crowd a solo performance singing the second verse of Jingle Bells – IMPRESSIVE

In the afternoon, those present got even braver, and several children plucked up the courage to sing their favourite songs as solo performances...I think the whole day was very delightful. I was so proud of your children!

Harvesting Jack's Beans!

2011-12-30T12:40:00.000-08:00

In the spring of 2011, as part of our Jack and the Beanstalk theme.... we grew some runner beans!

Many of the children took beans home to grow...but, we kept some to grow, for the first time at the setting, in buckets. The beans grew very tall...it wasn’t long before the beanstalks were as tall as the tallest child and then the tallest adult. These beans had pink flowers that soon changed into baby beans.

The children all helped to water their plants, using water from our new water butts (we learned about saving water – using water that fell on the roof)

We harvested loads of beans (and mange tout) that we ate (Yummy). Some of the pods we left. These got fatter and fatter, and then eventually started to go brown.

One sunny day...it was time to harvest them. We picked all the beanpods, took them inside and investigated. Inside all the pods were new bean seed. It was hard! The children carefully saved the bean seed so that we can plant it next year!

Term Dates 2012-13/Happy New Year!

2011-12-30T12:00:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR (2012)

Spring Term 2012 – 12 weeks
First Day of Term Thursday 5th January
½ Term Week 13th February – 17th February
Last Day of Term Wednesday 4th April 2012

Please Note: The following dates are subject to review (we may need to change them to reflect changes to the rules governing Early Years Funding)

Summer Term 2012
15/4/12 until 23/7/12 (1/2 term 4/6/12)...

Autumn Term 2012
4/9/12 until 21/12/12 (1/2 term 29/10/12)

Winter Term 2013
7/1/13 until 25/3/13 (1/2 term 18/2/13)...

Mamhead Viewpoint Walk

2011-12-30T11:55:00.000-08:00

We really enjoyed our autumn forest walk this year. The children enjoyed racing and chasing around the forest with their friends. This was a lovely opportunity for children to learn ABOUT the natural environment.

We all enjoyed kicking through the crunchy leaves...listening to the sounds that millions of browned leaves make under 20 pairs of feet. Some children tried to hug a tree...it took three to complete the full circle. Others sat along a bench...7 could sit along this one, but all of us on another. One child found a hole in the ground...we thought that a rabbit might live there. When we stopped and listened... we heard two different birds sing. The children enjoyed clambering over logs and other obstacles (and much more)

Whilst the adults stopped and admired the amazing view and had a well earned rest....some of the children ran around the obelisk...to their surprise there wasn’t a door or a window...so how could we get in? (BY MAGIC)

We crossed some rough & spiky terrain and found a Gruffalo’s dwelling... about 15 squeezed inside. It was as dark as a cave!

Afterward, The children enjoyed making leaf rubbings and prints; building their own obelisks; and, exploring all the natural materials we had collected using magnifying glasses and bug boxes.

I’d like to thank our parents and grandparents for coming along and escorting the children on this excursion, without whom, it wouldn’t have happened.

A party for Eid and other celebrations

2011-11-13T13:34:00.000-08:00

A mum offered to come in and tell us all about Eid... We learned to say hello “Salam” in Urdu. She told us how their family celebrate Eid, the second biggest festival in the Muslim calendar.

(R) told the children they celebrate Eid just like we celebrate at Christmas, wearing lovely clothes and jewellery; (R) wore a lovely, intricately decorated long tunic to preschool; lots of jewellery and sparkly shoes...); having family meals; giving presents to children etc etc. It is a very happy time. Some children told Reema about their jewellery at home.

(R) told us that they keep animals in their houses and look after them well to thank the animals for their meat – just like us keeping Turkeys for Christmas! Can you imagine having a turkey or a sheep running around the kitchen!

Muslims like to give gifts of chocolate and other foods like meat to their friends and family and to people less fortunate than themselves. (R) gave all the children some chocolates and a balloon to take home. The children all said thank you in Urdu to (R) and (R). I was so proud of them all, but especially of a little 2 year old, who attempted to say Shukriya independently to his friend when given his goodies. (They were given a choice – Shukriya in Urdu or Thankyou in English) before carefully hanging their goody bags on their pegs to take home later.

On Thursday we had a party for Eid. The children all dressed up as animals; had their faces painted (we had monkeys, cats, horses, pigs, mice, dragons, dinosaurs, lions, bees, dogs, ladybirds and many more) before we decorated the setting with streamers and had some musical games. The children enjoyed trying new foods as well as having their Eid sweet treat – chocolate fingers & chocolate gold coins!

Other activities for our “Celebrations of the World” week planned include: colouring rangoli patterns; making and piping our own mendhi hand patterns; making paper chains (for decorations); exploring different ways of carrying (Small World Book); making diva lamps (to bring good luck to the setting)and lots more!

Halloween Party

2011-11-07T11:03:00.000-08:00

The Halloween Party was held on Sunday 30TH October in The Kenn Centre.

The preschool committee put a great deal of thought and planning into this fun event. The hall was decked in spooky decorations; there was atmospheric music; scary stories; as well as the DARK (the clocks had just gone back).

There were lots of fun games and activities for the children to do - pumpkin competitions; pass the parcel; fish for a bug in gloop and many more.

45 Preschool/Tots Children arrived (with siblings) and had a whale of a time. (Mums and Dads took the chance to talk to friends and make new aquaintences). There were some very scary costumes – witches, mummies, zombies, pumpkins, wizards, cats, ghosts. All the children sat down and polished off a hot dog, before wrapping a mummy. We had some very well loo-roll-wrapped mums and dads! Great fun!!!

Whilst this event was held to have fun, not to raise lots of money, a small profit of around £50 was made, which will be put towards new equipment for the Tots; and a new playground safety surface for The Playbox. Many thanks to all those who attended.

A big thank you goes especially to Jill Taylor (chairperson) Jane Lewis (treasurer) Louise Bevan (secretary), Sukhi Benning, Rachel Houghton and other committee members and their families, who donated so generously to our Halloween Party, and for making it the success that it was.

The Playbox Pirate Ship!

2011-10-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Today, we built the playbox pirate ship, (which arrived recently courtesy of TESCO - thankyou for saving your tokens for us)

ALL the children thoroughly enjoyed taking turns, eagerly helping to construct The Playbox Pirate Ship. They helped to put the counter sunk washers into the holes; put the screws in and tighten them up with the Allen Key. The children found each piece needed after looking at the instructions, and sorting through the different numbered pieces.

It was very exciting, especially when it began to look like a boat! XH proudly said “I’m a real builder” The children found that they could all fit inside, some sat on the bow (front), others on the stern (back) and port (left) and starboard (right) sides.

RW said “It looks like a tent”...noting that the triangular bow piece looked like that as we fixed both sides together, before it was joined to the rest of the ship.
OL said “this is really hard work” as he struggled determinedly to tighten the screw up (he only needed a little bit of help)

NB took a turn to hold a plank in place whilst his friend did up his screws...he asked “up or down” raising or lowering his end just enough to help out
There was great excitement as we constructed the mast; put the sails up; and, put the flag on the back, which completed the job just before we all had to go home!

The children dragged their parents to the playground to show them what they had accomplished. GL told her dad proudly... “I did the flag as well as this piece” ZH told his mum.... “I did the steering wheel” and then showed her how it worked.
The parents were impressed.

This was a rare opportunity for the children to actively help construct something with real purpose, and really own their new play equipment – our pirate ship sandpit.
The children were able to “read” the instructions with me...RW looked at the plans, and was able to pick out the right piece by matching the shape as indicated on the plan, others found the right piece by finding it’s identification number.

We ALL had a lot of questions (especially as at times I had to puzzle out the instructions myself!)

Every child put their own washers and screws into place and did them up, first using their fingers and then finally, with the Allen Key provided....lots of fiddly bits, so lots of fine motor control required as well as using unusual tools.
The children could all climb aboard, and they took it in turns at the ships wheel, or sit in the stern of the ship. Lots of new words!

We are looking forward to using our pirate ship in the days to come.

Words of wisdom !

2011-10-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

A big discussion was debated at snack time this week, the children were deciding who was a girl and who was a boy......I was informed that I wasn't a lady, I was a teacher! how can you answer that! out of the mouth of babes.......

Kennford Playbox Committee 2011-12

2011-09-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Tuesday 4th October
7.30pm

We had a successful AGM.

Although we said Goodbye to some of our long serving members as their children have now moved onto school, we also said welcome to many new members, who are always very welcome.

Our 2011-12 committee are as follows:

Jill Taylor - Chairperson
Alex Long - Vice Chairperson
Jane Lewis - Treasurer
Louise Bevan - Secretary
Anna Lovell - Tots Liason Officer
Rebecca Grost - Committee Safeguarding Officer
Emma Lishman - Committee member
Michelle Nash - Committee member
Nicki Murphy - committee member
Rachael Houghton - committee member
Richard Frost - committee member
Sharon Matthias - committee member
Sukhi Benning - committee member.

Jill Taylor

Powderham Castle, July 2011

2011-09-19T14:09:00.000-07:00

The staff donated up to 6 hours of their time earlier in the year and these were auctioned off during the VERY SUCCESSFUL auction dinner and dance. At the end of July we took the successful parents children to Powderham Castle. It was a beautifully sunny day AND it was DRAGON WEEK (an unexpected bonus)

We started the day with a nature walk along a meadow edge, taken as we made our way toward the secret, walled garden. What a fantastic children’s play area. You open the door to a children’s adventure. We enjoyed seeing all the different animals in the petting corner. The children had plenty of space to run around in safety and flit between different areas as new interests caught their attention. The children enjoyed running around and climbing the turrets in the new play-castle that has recently been erected in the Garden. Some of the older children learnt to travel down a zip wire following friends that “had done it all before”.

We had our picnic lunch in the secret garden (where we were joined by some hungry hens that flew up onto the bench beside us) before making our way back for an ice-cream before a tractor and trailer ride around the deer park. The children excitedly went from side to side spotting the deer. We especially enjoyed finding the stags that were hiding in the longer rushes. On our return a KNIGHT opened the gate for us and saluted with his sword! We returned “just in time” to see a barn owl. The children really enjoyed feeling the soft feathers. They were amazed when the owl turned its head to look behind it – it turned its head right around (we can’t do that)

The dragon sounded a bit big and a bit scary at first...our hearts were pounding and one or two children were quite frightened. However, when we eventually found it...it was “a not so scary dragon” and some of the children were brave enough to give it a cuddle. We went on a magical walk to help the dragon find its eggs. We found a witch. Some of us were a bit scared of the witch...but she wasn’t very mean, and gave all the children chocolate gold coins and magical ribbon.
Finally, we took a walk around the garden looking for dragon eggs. During this walk, we found a mulberry tree (we tasted mulberries) and lots of roses (we smelled the roses). The views were fantastic from the garden, overlooking the deer park.
Definitely a fantastic trip to do again!

Leavers Party and Ceremony – July 2011

2011-09-19T14:05:00.000-07:00

On the last day of The Summer Term we had our leaver’s party and ceremony.
For children, parents and staff alike, this is an event of mixed emotions.
For eleven children, this was their last day attending the preschool, and we celebrated their achievements with us, and thank them for spending time with us. We make this day as joyous and as positive as possible to mark the event and to recognise that the children are ready to move onto their new settings. It is an exciting time!

One little lad gave me a last great big hug, as he left, and said proudly “I did enjoy myself Michele – I didn’t cry”....marking the first time he’d attended a party without lots of support. I said “I know. I’m so proud of you” acknowledging that he’d learnt something about himself that day. It really is true – children do learn all the time.

For Parents, their children’s last day at preschool is one of those life-landmarks. This one marks the end of their child’s preschool days and the start of his/her’s school days. Their children are growing up – some might say “changing before their eyes”. The staff would like to thank all our “old children’s parents” for the vouchers that we were given toward a meal at “Harry’s Place”. We had our meal ahead of the Autumn Term - delicious. It was very kind of you all – thank you.

For the Staff, the last day is always a time of very mixed emotions. We become very fond of all the children whilst they attend the preschool, so these events are tinged with a little sadness as we say “goodbye” to all those unique little characters - but we are also extraordinarily proud of each child and their individual learning journeys that document their time and progress with us.

The children enjoyed a mixture of party games; traditional songs and dances; bubbles and party food, before our traditional leaver’s ceremony, when each child collects a folder of all their work and a gift from the staff.
I hear that there might be “a video-nasty” circulating of Dawn and I doing the Okey Cokey! Dear-oh-dear!

NEWSFLASH! GRUFFALO spotted on Haldon Today!

2011-07-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

NEWSFLASH – Didn’t you know...a Gruffalo was spotted on Haldon today!

Didn’t the children look cute with their whiskers, little white teeth, ears and long tails! We have to give a massive thanks to Laura who stepped in at last moment to wear our Gruffalo costume...I think that the whole trip was a roaring success...and great fun.

Although it did rain in the morning and we felt a few spots...the weather was good. We had a lovely group picnic first..and recharged all those empty tummies!

The children enjoyed finding the gruffalo’s paw prints which led them around the walk and to all those important stops – the underground house, the treetop house, the logpile house & THE GRUFFALO’s HOUSE!

The children were quite scared initially...but the Gruffalo ran away...he was quite shy, and a little bit frightened by all the children....we kept spotting him, and eventually found him, asleep, at home in his hut.

It was all very exciting, racing after The Gruffalo!

Laura said that she gave one cyclist a fright, the lady didn’t see her at first, and when she looked up, and saw Laura hiding in the bushes, she jumped! Another asked her if he could take a couple of photos, so that he could show his children...he didn’t think that they would believe him! One gentleman asked Dawn what Laura was supposed to be – Dawn answered “Why the Gruffalo, of course!”

I think that a Gruffalo Chase will become an annual event!

Parent's Open Day

2011-07-20T11:33:00.000-07:00

Thank you everyone for coming to our parents open day.

This year the children enjoyed showing our visitors around. They enjoyed showing them their art work and explaining how they made each piece; they also showed their visitors all the important areas of the setting. One little boy showed his dad the toilets; the digging area and the computer (random, or what!)

Parents were served a choice of treats by their children – a cream tea; cake; orange or blackcurrant squash or water! It was serious business, taking the order, doling out the cream and carrying it from the kitchen!

Sports Day

2011-07-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

This year’s sports day was BRILLIANT!

We need to thank Kenn Primary School for allowing us to hold our sports day, this year in the school grounds. The weather was perfect...not too hot nor too cool!
Thank you for supporting this event and turning up at the school on a Sunday Morning...There were so many present...which I’m sure helped to make the event such a success!
The children really did well didn’t they?...they ran really fast, jumped BIG jumps in the sack race and carried off the egg and spoon race with aplomb!
I loved our new, very colourful equipment that Haven Banks sent to us just in time!

The barbecue was lovely – cooked to perfection courtesy of Alex. The strawberries & cream were yummy too. We made about £80.....It was a lovely, fun day.....full of thrills and spills.

We have some very competitive mums, dads, and grandparents!

I hope that you enjoyed it too!

Dora the Explorer Competition

2011-07-09T06:18:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone

This week we started a new theme: Underwater.

We are linking this theme with an entry to Help Dora Help Award Fund. The children have thought of many things that they would pack into Dora's BackPack, and have been drawing and taking photos of them to put onto the poster which will eventually be uploaded to the Dora website.

The second part of the entry requires us to describe how we would spend the grant...the children have many wonderful creative ideas about what we could build in the playground for them to explore!

I think that we are going to have a lot of fun and laughs just entering this competition. The other day the children tried on a wet suit! They had a lot of laughs squeezing into it! Unfortunately it wasn't big enough for me!

Does anyone have any underwater equipment (flippers/snorkel/face mask etc) that we could borrow/look at next week?

Michele

Update Diary Dates 2011

2011-07-03T06:29:00.000-07:00

To the Kennford Playbox

Last Day of Term - Tuesday 26th July 2011.

Autumn Term 2011 – 14 weeks
First Day of Term Monday 5th September
½ Term w/k 24th October – 28th October
Last Day of Term Friday 16th December

SUNDAY 10th July – Sports Day.
This year we hope to hold our sports day with a bar-be-cue in the school playing fields.
Sports Day will start at 11 for 11-30am race start.
All family members welcome.

TUESDAY 12th July – Parents Open Day
The children have been working hard over the past few weeks, we have lots of new art work to display. We thought that you might like the opportunity to drop into the setting; spend some time with your children and look around at their creations – some recent topics have been space; bees; firestation; spiders.

TUESDAY 19th July – Gruffalo Picnic
This year we thought we would do something different....and have a Gruffalo Picnic (end of year party) in the forest. We envisage that the arrangements for this event will be similar to that of the Firestation, in that you will need to collect your child at 12.30, meet up in the forest, and accompany your child for this event.
The children could go in fancy dress – perhaps as the little brown mouse?

TUESDAY 26th July – Leavers Ceremony
This year will take place at 2.30 – at the end of the afternoon session...
Leaver’s who don’t generally attend Tuesday afternoon’s will be invited to attend this afternoon and the leaver’s ceremony.

SUNDAY 21st August
Bumps n’ Babies event - CANCELLED

TUESDAY 4th October – AGM
New committee members are ALWAYS needed.
A vibrant committee of dedicated volunteers is needed EVERY YEAR to keep the preschool open.
NO COMMITTEE = NO PRESCHOOL!

Bee Week

2011-07-02T11:57:00.000-07:00

Following a group of children's interest we based a week of activities around bees!

The children had lots of fun learning about bees producing lots of lovely stripey art work; pretending to be bees doing a waggle dance (giving others directions to the best flowers); climbing around the bee hive (on the climbing frame); making thumb print bees for a group beehive picture; tasting both runny honey and set honey and surveying which we liked best; tessellating hexagons; making paper strip bees; buzzing like bees....AND LOTS MORE

Rhyme of the week: Here is a beehive, Where are the bees? Hiding away where nobody sees. Soon they come creeping out of the hive – 1.2.3.4.5

The children built different beehives and posted their bees into them through tiny doorways.

Quotes of the week: "It's difficult to know whether you like bees or not. I don't like it when they sting you. But I do like it when they give you honey. Well...they actually share their honey because they give some to their babies." PR aged 4.

"I'll ask my Daddy to catch a bee so that I can look at it. He won't mind if he gets a bite!" RL aged 4 (Daddies are invincible aren't they?)

Does anyone have a copy of Rimsky Korsakov’s “Flight of the Bumblebee?”

Fire Station Trip

2011-06-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

We all had a lovely time at Middlemoor Fire station, the firemen on Red watch showed us their fire engines, the emergency pole, rest room and helped us squirt water, finishing off with a look at the uniforms we even got to try on the big heavy helmets!