Amazing – we found caterpillars in our garden!

The children (old and new) are beginning to settle into our routines once again.  It’s amazing how quickly our garden has grown.  Our beans are so tall now...We need new bean-sticks to support the weight of all the beans – they make quite a tunnel!

Our wild garden has flourished.  I don’t know where the nasturtiums came from (probably reseeded from last year) but, they seem to be popular food stuff for lots of caterpillars.  It’s been very exciting watching them grow.

The first topic of the term was based on the caterpillars that we found (our first interest).  Some of the learning intentions that we included:

·         Lifecycles of butterflies (UW)

·         Counting caterpillars (Math)

Caterpillars Galore are Munchin' in our Wild Garden

·         Matching butterfly wings (math – symmetry)

·         Sucking nectar (using straws) - Phy

·         Books (fiction & non-fiction) Literature

·         Caterpillar collages (Creative Arts)

·         Butterfly printing (Creative Arts

·         Lifecycle movement (physical)

·         IWB butterflies (understanding of the world -ICT)

·         Talking about butterflies – where do you find them etc. (Communication & Language)

·         Minibeast games (taking turns) PSE.

·         Story sack (various)

·         Butterfly and caterpillar drawings (Lit)

The day bunnies visited – Wednesday 18th July

We grasp every opportunity that comes our way to give children different experiences – so when Ruth (Phoebe’s Mum) offered to bring in her NINE baby bunnies into the setting for a visit...I said YES PLEASE.

Although some children were reticent at first, (one little boy wasn’t sure, and after a quick stroke was heard to encourage his bunny off his lap saying “hop – hop – hop” giving appropriate actions) everyone had the opportunity to cuddle a “kitten” (baby rabbit).

After a stroke, we put the bunnies on the floor and watched them hop around the circle...when it was time to leave, we counted EIGHT into their cage – one was missing! A little black rabbit had hopped into shady cubby hole!

Debbie Tarbett (author & illustrator) – 11th July

What a fantastic opportunity!

When Debbie offered to come and read some of her stories to the children I took up her offer with both hands.....Debbie then settled on the floor and drew some of the characters from her book for the children to colour in.

The children thoroughly enjoyed their visitor. They learnt a lot. Listening to different people read stories; taking turns to ask questions; learning words like “author” “illustrator” “artist”; joining in a drawing activity are all foundation skills.

I even twisted Debbie’s hand and she drew some of her characters for the window mural!

About 10 days ago we spotted hundreds of ladybirds sunning themselves in a sunny spot at preschool. Taking the opportunity, some children took their bug boxes outside to see what they could find and found lots. It was very exciting.

Last week we did several activities based on ladybirds, including the following:

• We learnt about ladybirds – lifecycle; colours; insects; beetles; 6 legs; wings; spots etc etc (KUW)
• We made ladybird aeroplanes (KUW)
• We found ladybirds (KUW)
• We drew ladybirds (CLL)
• We made ladybird repeating patterns (Math)
• We read lots of ladybird stories (CLL)
• We said Ladybird Ladybird...using puppets to illustrate the rhyme (CD)
• We played ladybird dominoes (PSE/Math)
• We made a ladybird flapjack (Phy/Math
• We made clay ladybirds (Phy)
• We made paper plate ladybirds (Phy/CD)

OUTSTANDING AGAIN!

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.

A party for Eid and other celebrations

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!

Words of wisdom !

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.......