NURSERY

What a whirlwind of a half term it has been! We've had so much fun in nursery, learning and growing together. We've become quite the digital whizzes, further developing our skills by using Chrome tabs to access Seesaw and upload our learning. The children have particularly enjoyed recording their own stories using the Tales Tool Kit prompts – so much creativity on display!

Number Day was a huge success, with lots of fabulous outfits and costumes on show. We certainly love numbers in nursery! Our role play area was transformed into a pizza restaurant, a choice made by the children themselves. They've loved taking on the roles of customers, waiters/waitresses, and pizza makers. We even had the opportunity to make our own pizzas, choosing from a wide range of toppings. This was a great opportunity to develop our oracy skills and discover what our friends like to eat on their pizza. We even debated if pineapple should go on a pizza! This, of course, led us nicely to discussing healthy eating and learning about different fruits and why fruit is healthy. The overall vote was that yes, pineapple should go on a pizza!

We've also been learning about the zoo and the animals that live there through our book 'Dear Zoo', discussing whether we could have a zoo animal as a pet. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, we've been sharing the love in nursery, making kind gestures for our friends and teachers. Lots of creative activities have helped us create loving and meaningful artwork for the ones we love and appreciate. We've been investigating the effect of torches and coloured blocks to create shadows, making them big and small. In maths, we've been exploring pattern, not just making AB patterns but looking for patterns in our everyday environment – the stripes on Mrs. Reddington's trousers, the flower pattern on a Year 5 teacher's cardigan, for example! We've been developing teamwork skills in the construction area, making amazing buildings and cages to keep our zoo animals safe.

It has been a joyous half term, and we very much look forward to Spring 2, seeing so much more progress from the children, and hopefully some sunshine too! Wishing you all a very restful break.

RECEPTION

Wow, what a whirlwind of a first half term for Reception! The children have dived into learning and exploratory play with enthusiasm. Numbers Day was a blast, with everyone sporting number-themed outfits and taking part in fun activities like Numberblocks, number hunts, and exciting mathematical challenges. 

Our animal theme continued with a chilly trip to Antarctica, where we discovered all about penguins and their icy world. "Lost and Found" inspired conversations about what makes a good friend and the perfect recipe for friendship. Creative juices flowed as the children made their own habitat pictures and adorable penguin crafts. Building igloos was a blast for our mini architects this week! They used magnetic tiles to create perfect homes for the small world penguins.

Dinosaurs invaded our classrooms this week, leaving behind giant footprints and mysterious eggs! This exciting discovery launched our exploration of the prehistoric world. Learners donned their paleontologist hats, carefully excavating fossils and bones while learning about various dinosaur species. Our brand new dinosaur museum provided a fantastic backdrop for role-playing and discovering fascinating dinosaur facts. Literacy activities included designing dream dinosaur pets, with learners drawing and writing vivid descriptions of their chosen creatures.

Our learners experienced the thrill of a Now Press Play story, immersing themselves in the world of dinosaurs. With headphones on, they were transported back in time, participating in an interactive tale where they helped a lost dinosaur reunite with its mummy.

Love was in the air as the term drew to a close! This week's activities focused on the special people in our lives, from family and friends to favorite foods and toys. Our creative area buzzed with activity as learners crafted heart-themed cards and pictures for their loved ones.

What a fantastic half term it's been! Enjoy a well-deserved break. We're excited for all the fun and learning in Spring 2, and we can't wait to see the children's continued growth and progress.

EARLY YEARS