Dear parents,
It has been a busy start to the second half of the summer term. On Monday we welcomed many of our youngest children back to Kindergarten, Reception and Nursery. The children arrived with a mixture of emotions. Some children bounced out of their cars and did a little dance of excitement, while others were clearly being very brave as they left their Mummy or Daddy to come into the school building. The teachers were shown children’s recent news, such as a lost tooth, new school uniform or the skill of hopping on one leg. The children spent the day hearing about new rules and routines, discovering what ‘bubble’ they are in and which outdoor area belonged to them.
After the first day in Kindergarten and Reception I am pleased to say that the children and teachers were able to quickly move on to the business of being in school. In Kindergarten the new sound ‘z’ was being written alongside practising the letters they already know. In Reception, after learning how to tell the time in their Maths lessons at home the children have been practising counting in 5s ready for the next stage of telling the time.
The creativity of the teachers and the children’s ability to adapt in such a positive manner has led to some successful, fun and recognisable learning experiences. Using hoops as bumper cars to learn about changing direction, writing letters with paintbrushes and water, and most importantly having the opportunity to collaborate with their friends. We have seen the children negotiating, building on their ideas through discussion with a friend and learning from each other a different approach to solve a problem.
In our Dame Bradbury’s and Salisbury Villas Nurseries the children have quickly remembered Nursery routines, such as trying to buckle themselves in at meal times to emptying boxes of toys and sleeping soundly in the sleep rooms. The children are certainly feeling comfortable in their surroundings. This week’s messy play was spaghetti and a popular outdoor game was Hide and Seek and peekaboo with the babies.
In these uncertain times we have been able to find a way to create some clarity and an environment that is recognisable and familiar for the children and as a result it has been a happy, fun filled week. I wish all of our early years families an enjoyable weekend.
Kind regards
Mrs Sarah Holyoake
Head of Early Years
