Our Blog

Welcome back to nursery, we hope that you all had an enjoyable and restful holiday and enjoyed the wonderful weather. It was lovely to see the children return so happily full of news about their holiday activities.

This week the children will be learning all about growing. Today they were busy weeding the garden, preparing the flowerbeds, hanging up the baskets and planting seeds.

It is so exciting for children to watch things grow and then harvest their own crops. We usually plant tomatoes, beans, strawberries, potatoes and an assortment of herbs and then we use our home-grown garden produce in cooking activities.

Today Chris and Guthsna went for training at the UNICEF headquarters in Stratford. The nursery is starting the journey to become a Rights Respecting School. There will  more information coming soon and we will be looking for parent volunteers for the working party.

Many of you will have received your primary school offer over the holiday. If your child is due to leave in July and you have not received, an offer please let your class teacher know.

Friday 5th April 2019

A wonderful end to a very busy and productive term. We have done so much over the past 14 weeks and the children are all making excellent progress and are happy and settled in Nursery.

We finished the term off with a spectacular Easter Hat Parade. Children/Parents/Carers/Staff all excelled themselves with the ingenuity and creativity of their hats. We were delighted to welcome Christine McInnes Director of Education and Sarah Ndagire School Governor to join parents in judging the hat competition. A big thank you to them both. The prize for best Staff Hat voted for by the parents went to Shakila and the best staff hat voted for by the Governors went to Chris with Karla a very close second. We also welcomed Fiona Stokes from the Parental Engagement Team who presented us with our QISS and QES Awards. Again we thank Fiona for her ongoing support of Children’s House.

The children also enjoyed hunting for chocolate eggs in the garden and everyone went home tired but full of treats.

We wish you all a safe and happy holiday and look forward to welcoming you back to nursery on Wednesday 24^th April.

Thursday 4th April

Today children were busy finishing their Easter Baskets ready for the egg hunt tomorrow. There was also an exciting trip to the Museum of Childhood where children learnt about pirates, climbed aboard a pirate ship and explored pirate related toys.

They also looked at toys from the past, parents, and teachers and parents were able to point out the things they played with children.

If you were not able to go on the trip today, the pirate exhibition is open until the end of the Easter Holiday. A bus from the Mile End Road will take you straight there and admission is free. It is well worth a visit.

Wednesday 3rd April 2019

Wednesday was a very busy day in Nursery. We welcomed twelve teachers from Newham who are on the Outstanding Early Years Teachers Programme; the nursery hosted a training day on personal, social and emotional development. The teachers listened to a presentation about our work and then spent time observing lessons in the nursery. The evaluations were outstanding and the teachers really enjoyed their visit.

In addition to this, we had two trips, the two year olds visited the farm and other children headed off for the Discover Centre.

In the evening, Chris and Guthsna went to Morpeth School to hear about the new Tower Hamlets Educational Partnership Peer Review Model.

Tuesday 2nd April 2019

Some of the children had a lovely treat today when they were invited to the Radisson Hotel for afternoon tea. This is something the Radisson Hotel and the DLR offer to Tower Hamlets children every year and we would like to say a huge thank you to both the DLR and the Radisson for their hospitality. The children enjoyed delicious sandwiches, fancy cakes and scones with jam.

I’m not sure who enjoyed the treats more the staff or the children! After tea the children had the opportunity to play games with children from schools all across the borough.

Back in nursery children were designing and making Easter Bunting and writing cards as well as cooking up treats in the mud kitchen.

The day finished with a full meeting of the governing body.

Monday 1st April 2019

Today is April Fool’s Day, this day has been celebrated in the UK since at least the 19^th Century and originally it was children who were the “victims” of pranks and jokes. Today even the media get involved publishing fake news to see if they can “fool” the public.

The interesting thing about April Fool’s day is the fact that not everyone agrees with where the festival comes from. There are a number of different theories; the most popular one is that Geoffrey Chaucer a 14th Century poet started it. He told a story about a wily fox playing a trick on a rooster. In the tale, Chaucer says 32 days “since March began” which is of course April 1^st.

Children were making Easter baskets today, when we have a project like this its important that each child gets to think about what type of basket they want to make and what materials they will need. We never do “conveyor belt” activities where all children end up making the same thing i.e. the adult’s idea of a basket.

It is amazing to observe how when they given the right support children are able to problem solve and come up with their own original ideas.

The day finished with Dance Club. Remember on Friday we will be having our Easter Hat Parade. Do help your child to make a hat to wear.

Friday 29th March

Mother’s Day started early at Children’s House as we invited all our mums, aunts, grandmas and carers into nursery to spend time making gifts with their child.

There was cake decorating, jewellery making, bulb planting, relay races and obstacle courses, and all kinds of fun activities. Everyone went home with a card and a bunch of spring flowers.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful parents and carers for the work they do not only as parents but also as partners with the nursery. Together we are making sure that the children in Bow get off to the best possible start.

Have a lovely weekend

Thursday 28th March 2019

Today we had an open day in nursery, we were pleased to welcome teachers and head teachers from other settings who were all impressed with the children and the work we do. It is a privilege sharing good practice with others and always reassuring when other professionals praise the work we do in nursery. We strive to give the best education and care that we can, therefore; it’s always good to receive positive feedback.

A large group of children, parents and staff headed off for Mudchute Farm today, they had a lovely morning making friends with the sheep, goats, pigs, llamas and chickens and finished the morning with a picnic in the field.

We are very fortunate in Tower Hamlets to have such lovely City Farms right on our doorstep and everyone really enjoyed seeing the live animals that they have been learning all about.

In the evening, Chris and the other nursery school head teachers went out for dinner at Verdi’s Italian Restaurant on the Mile End Road to say goodbye to Kath Beck. Kath has been the Nursery School Improvement Partner for a number of years and we all wish her a very happy retirement.

Wednesday 27th March 2019

Today Harry the school photographer was in nursery. He was busy all day with family and individual portraits. These will be available to purchase after the Easter Holiday.

Children enjoyed a trip to Forest school where they spotted many spring changes and in Nursery children were industriously making their class farms and learning all about caring for animals. Many children will be visiting the farm tomorrow; we visit regularly so everyone will have an opportunity to go.

In the evening Chris went to a workshop on the new Ofsted Framework and the staff had their weekly “talking about children meeting”

Tuesday 26th March 2019

At Children’s House, we introduce children to board games almost as soon as they start nursery. Board Games are a wonderful way to encourage children to play together, learn about winning and losing in a safe environment and develop turn taking, concentration and language skills. Children play simple matching games, lotto, snakes and ladders, and often make their own games to share with friends.

Today children were playing animal sound lotto. They listened to a tape of animal sounds and matched the sound to the animals on their cards.

Everyone enjoyed the game especially practicing animal sounds themselves.

Quick reminder, tomorrow the school photographer is in school. All family photos will be taken between 7.30 and 8.55 to allow older children to get to primary school on time.

Monday 25th March 2019

The Big Pedal starts this week, so if your child has a bike at home why not try cycling to nursery in the morning. You can leave the bike safely on site during the day and then your child can cycle home.

As a walking school, we expect all children to walk, scoot or cycle to nursery.

This week children are learning about farm animals. Today children were looking at pictures of farms and making their own enclosures. This involved working out how many animals could be kept in each area. Children also wrote their own labels for the enclosures. If you want to know more about how we teach writing at Children’s House do read the policy on the website or ask for a copy in the school office.

At the end of the day Salma led an energetic dance club.

Friday 22nd March 2019

Children followed on from their visit to the Natural History Museum today by making 3D models of some of the animals they had seen at the museum, these models inspired other children to make a zoo with special enclosures for the animals. They built this on a large scale in the front playground using the community-play construction materials.

All the children have shown interest in wild animals and have been using the internet and reference books to gather information. We are continuing this topic next week with a focus on farm animals to further develop children’s knowledge and interest. We have planned a trip to Mudchute Farm on Thursday 28^{Th March} so do tell your key person if you and your child would like to go.

In other news there has been great excitement caused by a visiting duck, who flies in every morning to sit on the flat roof in the playground. We have fed the duck lettuce and peas because bread is bad for their digestion. The duck appears to be in perfect health; however; oddly has decided that it loves to sit on the roof.

Have a lovely weekend and remember that next week we have the school photographer on Wednesday and Mother’s Day Celebrations on Friday.

Thursday 21st March

Today a large group of intrepid explorers set off with their mums, dads and uncles for an indoor safari at the Natural History Museum as part of our work on ourselves and other animals. These “explorer activities” are specifically designed to develop children’s skills of observing, comparing and communicating. The skills were developed through role-play; with the children dressing up as explorers and carrying out learning activities in the mammal’s gallery, for example children were given pattern cards and had to find the animal with a similar pattern on its fur or hide.

Back in nursery, children were preparing their own healthy smoothies for snack time and it was impressive to observe how all the children were able to prepare a simple fruit smoothie independently.

There was also plenty of activity out in the garden as spring has arrived with some glorious weather.

Guthsna was out in the afternoon as she represented the school as a Judge for the 2018-2019 Shine a Light Awards. Which is a lovely honour for the school.

https://www.pearsonclinical.co.uk/Educationnews/shine-a-light.aspx?tab=3

Click on the link above to read Guthsna's Biography 

Wednesday 20th March 2019

Today we had our annual peer review, the peer review programme that Children’s House is part of gives school leaders the chance to work together and “peer review” each other’s schools and then plan together for further improvement. We work in a group of three schools and today were joined by the head teachers and deputy head teachers of Lansbury Lawrence primary school and St. Peter’s Docklands primary school. Louise McCardle, an Executive head teacher from Huddersfield, facilitated the review.

We have found this system-led improvement process to be highly effective. We learn a great deal from working with our review schools and their feedback today will help us in our drive to offer the very best education and care.

The focus of the day was children’s early writing. We started at 8.30 a.m. with a review of our policies and performance data, then there were staff interviews structured to enable staff to talk about how we teach writing in the early years, this was followed by classroom and outdoor observations of children’s learning, then children were invited to talk with the visitors about their learning journeys. Once again, we were so proud of the children’s good manners, confidence and behaviour.

Following on this from this we were extremely fortunate to have three of our parent volunteers talk about their work as volunteers and the Early words Together Programme. The heads and deputies were so impressed with the high quality of support they give to the school so a huge thank you to them.

We find that being part of a peer review programme provides us with an objective review of our current performance and helps to create sustainable skills and expertise for the ongoing benefit of each school.

Have a good evening and if you are going on the trip tomorrow please be in school by 9.15 at the latest.

Tuesday 19th March 2019

Sabiya and Sam will be out of school for the next three days as they renew their first aid certificates, however we are happy to welcome back Saida who will be covering in the ground floor classroom. All staff at Children’s House receive paediatric first aid training however; Sabiya and Sam are out trained first aiders for everyone.

Children’s interest in animals continued, with many children choosing to paint their favourite animal. They looked at models and pictures online and in reference books and then painting on a large scale. Have a look at the wonderful paintings they produced.

All staff had their British Sign Language lesson at the end of the day and everyone is making excellent progress.

Monday 18th March 2019

Back to nursery after a blowy, blustery weekend.

This week the children are learning about animals, there has been a great deal of curiosity recently about wild animals therefore; our planning has followed on from this interest.

Some children spent time sorting animals into different categories, others painted on a large scale and other children wrote their own version of the classic children’s book Dear Zoo (Rod Campbell). They had to suggest other animals that the zoo might send as a pet and then think of a reason to send “it back”.

Some of the ideas were better than the book, for example “they sent me a crocodile but he was too bitey”.

We also had a visit from the educational psychologist and the day finished with dance club.

If you would like to go to the Natural History Museum with your child on Thursday do please let Salma or Shakila know. The children will be going on an indoor “safari” and having a picnic.

Friday 15th March 2019

Red Nose Day

Thank you everyone for your generous donations to Comic Relief. We will let you know on Monday how much we raised once we have collected all the money in.

The children had a great day; everyone dressed in red wore a funny nose and took part in lots of fun nose related activities!

Indoors children made red nose cupcakes to sell on the door, painted faces with funny noses, and learnt about why we give money to charity and how it’s important to help people.

In the garden children had Red Nose Day Olympics, there was an obstacle course, pin the red nose on the donkey, throw the nose in a bucket and many other fun games.

I am sure we’ve raised lots of money for Comic relief.

Have a lovely weekend.

Thursday 14th March 2019

Today was the last session of the six week Emotional First Aid Course. A big thank you to Sharon and Ayesha our course leaders and all the parents who participated.

In nursery our scientists were busy exploring ice. Melting ice activities are perfect experiments for young children. Not only is ice play a fun sensory experience but it also teaches children about change, temperature, and properties of water.

Yesterday children froze objects in ice cube trays ready for today’s experiment. Many of the children were fascinated to see how water turned to ice, as it got colder. Today the children used their ice cubes and had to think of ways to free the object i.e. melt the ice.

This entailed lots of discussion. Children tried heat, salt, sand, wrapping ice in material and foil, and used timers to see which was the fastest method for melting the ice, and turning a solid back to a liquid.

There was some deep learning happening as children thought together how to melt the ice.

Outdoors children are still fascinated by chemical reactions so volcano making and slime production continued.

We also welcomed the architects who came to show us the final designs for the new washrooms. We finished the day with planning for next week.

Remember tomorrow is “Red Nose Day” children are invited to wear something red. We have lots of fun activities planned to raise money for Comic Relief

Wednesday 13th March 2019

Our scientists have been experimenting with potions today, for a moment you might have thought that you had entered a “herbology” lesson at Hogwarts as children measured, poured, mixed and carefully observed the reactions.

In one experiment, children added washing up liquid and food colouring to milk and observed the beautiful swirling patterns of colour they created and in another experiment children were mixing vinegar and bicarbonate of soda, which made a pleasing volcanic eruption.

In the playground, Kamran was showing children how to launch rockets using air pressure. The children observed how high and how far the rockets travelled and were able to make the connection to the amount of force used.

Some parents in Orange Class attended the seven-week reviews. We also had a visit from the head of the speech and language therapy service.

Tuesday 12th March 2019

Science weeks continues, today children were exploring chemical reactions and what better way to do this than by making slime. All children seem to love slime, it provides an amazing tactile sensory experience. A squishy, stretchy treat for the senses.

Slime is produced after a chemical reaction between two main ingredients PVA glue and baking soda. Very simple but utterly fascinating for the children. They enjoyed mixing the ingredients and as they stretched, pulled, and mixed staff could slip in scientific language such as rubbery, viscous, molecule, polymer and reaction.

If you would like to make slime at home here is a simple recipe which will keep children occupied for hours. But do please be careful that children do not put it in their mouths. We have discussed this with children as anything can be a choking hazard with little ones.

100ml PVA Glue

½ tsp baking soda

Food colouring

1tsp contact lens solution

Mix it all together and enjoy

Monday 11th March 2019

This week it is British Science week. At Children’s House, we always encourage the children to explore and discover things for themselves. However, for five days we will look in greater depth at the role of a scientist and turn our classrooms into laboratories. Everyone has heard of scientists, but what do they do?

 Well, scientists are people who love figuring out why things happen. We want our children to think of themselves as inventors and discoverers and staff have been exploring with children what scientists do. For example, scientists do things like learning about living organisms (biologists), studying rocks (geologists), or studying animals (zoologists).

Scientists are curious people who like to solve problems. They solve these problems by doing science projects called experiments. What are some of these problems? Well, they can be about keeping our air clean or finding a way to cure people when they have certain diseases.

Specifically scientists observe measure and communicate three vital skills children need to develop.

Today Shakila set up an investigation where children could do all three of these things. Firstly, they talked about how different materials melted when heated, and then they explored different substances such as butter, chocolate and wax, and hypothesised which would melt first. They then observed and used timers to see which melted first (tested their hypothesis) and then they communicated their findings. So in one simple experiment children were able to predict, observe, measure and discuss.

We will be experimenting all week so watch this space….

In other news, Chris together with Nursery head teachers from across the country attended an all parliamentary party group meeting in Westminster and then marched to Downing Street to present a petition asking for nursery school funding to be safeguarded so that nursery schools can continue the excellent work they do for many generations to come.

Friday 8th March 2019

Today is International women's Day. The children were looking at the series of books Little People- Big Dreams which tell the stories of famous women who have made huge contributions across all areas of life.

Today we would just like to remind everyone how we communicate important events to parents/carers, firstly your child’s key person is there to remind you of upcoming events and answer any questions you may have.

Secondly, we send letters home; thirdly, there is a daily noticeboard, and a diary on the website. So do check all of these things so you can keep up-to-date with what is happening in nursery.

This week our  two year olds in orange class have been very busy, they received a new doll’s house, made playdough, visited the big garden and joined the older children to watch the Gingerbread man. We are very happy with the progress they are making and a big thank you to the parents and carers for being so helpful.

Have a lovely weekend and please remember that next Friday we will be raising funds for Comic Relief. Children can dress in red on Friday 15^th.

Red Noses will be on sale in the school office priced £1.25 from Monday.

Thursday 7th March 2019

A huge thank you to everyone who helped to make World Book Day 2019 such a huge success. The children had a wonderful day coming dressed as their favourite book characters, listening to and telling their own stories and acting out favourite tales for each other. Thank you so much for supporting your child with such lovely costumes.

The highlight of the day was the performance of the Gingerbread Man by our parent literacy champions. They put on an amazing show. The children loved it, especially when all the hungry people and animals chased the Gingerbread Man all around the classroom. We definitely believe that some of our parents should have a career on stage, as it was such a professional show.

We are looking forward to what they will do in the future. Watch this space…

Each child went home at the end of the day with a book token, which can be used in any bookshop or major supermarket to purchase the World Book Day Books.

There was also a book sale in the garden. If you missed this, we still have plenty of new children’s books available to purchase.

We would also like to thank the three parents who represented the Nursery at the Tower Hamlets Parents Conference. Thank you for attending and we look forward to hearing all about it tomorrow.

Have a lovely evening and thank you for all the support you give to nursery.

Wednesday 6th March 2019

Today in preparation for World Book Day, we welcomed Nicole Gurvidi a borough advisor to the school. Nicole led a session on early literacy and how parents can support their child’s learning at home.

This session was well attended and everyone remarked about how informative and useful it was. Nicole spoke about how to encourage children to develop their speaking and listening skills so that they are ready for reading and writing. Two key messages were “talk to your child” and “listen to your child”

She said it was important to talk and listen about each other’s day, what you can see out of the window, what you might be having for dinner, things you might like to do at the weekend and pictures in books and magazines. She said introduce your child to rhymes and environmental sounds by going on listening walks and she went through the seven aspects of phase one phonics giving plenty of ideas to try at home.

 Copies of her advice will be sent out to all parents, as it is such useful guidance.

Outdoors children were exploring shapes in the environment and indoors they were making flat breads. This week there is a focus on bread making following on from the story of The Little Red Hen.

The day finished with parents evening for new children to discuss the seven week assessments. It’s always a pleasure to share the great progress children are making.

Tuesday 5th March 2019

If you came to nursery, today you would certainly have known that today is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, as it is known in Commonwealth Countries and Ireland.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (The first day of Lent) and is often celebrated by eating pancakes. In other countries, it is called Mardis Gras or Carnival. It is traditionally the last day of feasting before giving up something for the fasting period of Lent. The date is determined by when Easter falls.

Today children made two types of pancakes, crepes with Salma in the garden and American Pancakes with Lauren indoors.

They then enjoyed their hot pancake with a choice of toppings.

Out in the garden staff and children enjoyed the Children’s House traditional Pancake Race. This race is a tradition in many parts of the country. Competitors must attempt to toss a pancake as they run to the finishing post. For the children it was enough to try to keep the pancake in the pan, Many of the staff however were quite competitive.

If you would like to make pancakes at home. There are many recipes you can try but here is a simple one.

Ingredients

For the pancake mixture

110g/4oz plain flour, sifted

pinch of salt

2 eggs

200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water

50g/2oz butter

To serve

caster sugar

lemon juice

lemon wedges

Or experiment with different toppings, banana, Nutella, berries etc.

Recipe tips

Method

Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Then begin whisking the eggs - any sort of whisk or even a fork will do - incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.

Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Now melt the 50g/2oz of butter in a pan. Spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round before you make each pancake.

Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. I find 2 tbsp is about right for an 18cm/7in pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife - the other side will need a few seconds only - then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate.

Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest.

To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, then in half again to form triangles, or else simply roll them up. Serve sprinkled with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon.

Tuesday 5th March 2019

If you came to nursery, today you would certainly have known that today is Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, as it is known in Commonwealth Countries and Ireland.

Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday (The first day of Lent) and is often celebrated by eating pancakes. In other countries, it is called Mardis Gras or Carnival. It is traditionally the last day of feasting before giving up something for the fasting period of Lent. The date is determined by when Easter falls.

Today children made two types of pancakes, crepes with Salma in the garden and American Pancakes with Lauren indoors.

They then enjoyed their hot pancake with a choice of toppings.

Out in the garden staff and children enjoyed the Children’s House traditional Pancake Race. This race is a tradition in many parts of the country. Competitors must attempt to toss a pancake as they run to the finishing post. For the children it was enough to try to keep the pancake in the pan, Many of the staff however were quite competitive.

If you would like to make pancakes at home. There are many recipes you can try but here is a simple one.

Ingredients

For the pancake mixture

110g/4oz plain flour, sifted

pinch of salt

2 eggs

200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water

50g/2oz butter

To serve

caster sugar

lemon juice

lemon wedges

Or experiment with different toppings, banana, Nutella, berries etc.

Recipe tips

Method

Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Then begin whisking the eggs - any sort of whisk or even a fork will do - incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.

Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Now melt the 50g/2oz of butter in a pan. Spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round before you make each pancake.

Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. I find 2 tbsp is about right for an 18cm/7in pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife - the other side will need a few seconds only - then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate.

Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest.

To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, then in half again to form triangles, or else simply roll them up. Serve sprinkled with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon.