I belong
Nursery School has been busy welcoming children – both new and those returning from last year or moving from Early Years 2 – helping them to develop a strong sense of belonging.
Welcome ALL!
Our Curriculum Promise “I can belong and contribute to a group” is all about how we help children feel secure and settled, attached, and claimed, their emotional well-being supported by strong relationships with special adults.
Welcome Times, family boards, familiar songs and stories and special objects all help the children feel claimed and connected.
We spend lots of time looking at our family photos on our family boards, holding our families in mind and noticing similarities and differences.
Our Welcome Time photos help us to remember all of the people in our key group, and notice who is here today!
We have been playing name games, such as ‘Roll the Ball’, to support growing relationships.
Our Core Song, Ka-La-La, helps us to learn each other’s names.
We have been returning to our visual timetables throughout the day to help us remember routines. Now and Next boards help us feel really safe, always knowing what’s coming next.
Some children have been using transitional objects, which help us learn about each other, as well as helping children to feel safe in their new environment.
Our Core Story – Walking Through the Jungle, has helped us ‘tune in’ to sounds in our environment.. can you hear the soft, slithering snake? Or the massive, marching, elephant?! Children have been imitating noises and joining in with rhythms.
We are Scientists! We are Researchers!
Did you know there are so many different species of ladybirds?
There may be as many as 5,000 species around the world!
Do you know how long ladybirds live?
They can live up to 3 years, even through the cold of winter – brrr!
Did you know that ladybirds have two sets of wings?
Their outer wings are hard and protect the softer inner wings which they use for flying!
We have been on BUG HUNTS!
The children have been showing fascination in each others’ interests and ideas.
We have planned big group bug hunts all around our garden, searching for insects that are still alive through all the rain and cold!
The children have felt so purposeful in this ‘group-learning’.
Our Curriculum Promise “I use all my senses to engage in scientific enquiry” supports children to observe, notice, talk about and record their explorations of the world around them – however tiny the minibeasts are!
This promise also supports children to use all their senses in first-hand, hands-on exploration of natural materials, helping them to wallow in resources, to become absorbed by what they see, smell, heat, touch and taste.
Sensory experiences, such as water, shaving foam, cornflour, have offered us chances to wallow and feel soothed. Our big, round playdough tables are very busy hubs of connection – we notice children sharing personal experiences and asking questions of each other here.
Go Outdoors!
We have noticed the ‘pull’ of the outdoors – with some children to be in our enormous garden every day, whatever the weather!
Challenging themselves to test out climbing equipment, bikes and the treehouse pole!
Returning children in Green Group have found challenge and wonder in the woods! ‘Out and about’ experiences have helped strengthen existing relationships, as well as offering exciting new inspiration.
Our Curriculum Promise “I connect with the wider world” helps us plan all sorts of experiences that support children to take risks, try out new experiences, develop perseverance and resilience, using Big spaces and actively contributing to their city and world!
