June 2023

Searching for Minibeasts

A minibeast hunt is a great way for children to get up close to nature.
It gets them out in the fresh air, encourages them to use their observation skills, and it gives them a chance to get hands-on with wildlife. 
The garden at Children's House is alive with minibeasts and wildlife.
Children have been encouraged to look for minibeasts living in the garden respectfully. 
Children worked together, using special equipment such as a magnifying glass, information books and spotter sheets.
Children showed true awe and wonder and supported each other in being gentle and calm when they spotted creatures. 
Please check out the Woodland Trust here to find ways to encourage wildlife to your balcony, window sill or garden. 
See the Minibeast Search List below to help you identify the creatures common in UK parks and gardens.
Maybe you and your family could go no a hunt together?
Do you know the names of these minibeasts in other languages?

Minibeast Search Guide

minibeast-search.pdf
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How does a spider make its web?

Children have been discovering minibeasts in our garden over recent weeks: many spiders have been found and lots of webs in our garden.
Staff and children have shared talk about how spiders make webs: using information books and the iPad for research.
Children have been supported to create their own webs: weaving fabric and cotton across structures including gates, frames and hoops.
Children worked collaboratively, problem solving and developing fine motor skills to thread, weave and knot. 
They have been displayed around the garden and many children returned to work independently with resources.
We also talked to children about our Children's House Values: respecting spiders and their habitats as well.

​Creative Modelling with Clay.

Children have been working this week with clay: exploring the clay's texture, which was very hard at first. 
Children and staff submerged it in water overnight and the transformation was incredible. 
Children shared talk about their observations: the new slippery, slimy texture encouraged lots of descriptive vocabulary.
Children used their hands then to sculpt, mould and shape the clay.
As there has been a focus on Minibeasts in school over the past week, children made their own minibeast models.

Positive Male Role Models at Children's House

To mark Father's Day on Sunday, we invited dads, grandads, cousins, brothers, uncles and mums into nursery to spend some time playing and learning with children.
It proved to be a very popular day with visitors joining children to draw, read, climb, dance, dig in the sand, bake and play sports together. 
Children were so excited to share their school life with their special guests: joy in abundance. 
Thank you to our visitors: please remember to borrow your child's Special Book to share their learning and you can add your own photographs and things from home. 

​Learning about Life Cycles

Last week we got a delivery of 10 eggs to each classroom at Children's House.
The children were intrigued and shared ideas about what they thought might hatch: would it be dinosaurs, chicks or snakes?
Some children thought they might be to eat!!!!
The children were encouraged to share their ideas and predict what might happen next by talking and listening to each other.
We waited patiently and 2 days later some beaks tapped their way out and a chick appeared. 
Once they dried off and were strong enough to stand, we moved them into a bigger container with a light to heat them, water to drink and seeds to eat.
We continued to watch as all 30 hatched.
During this time, children used books and posters to find out what chicks needed to help them grow and what they might look like as they got bigger.
Children excitedly showed their friends and families each day.
Children were able to closely observe and talk about the changes they could see.
Once the chicks were strong enough, we took them out to clean and for some exercise.
Children had the opportunity to gently handle them too.
They felt so soft and fluffy - some of them were very lively too.
They have all gone to live in their new homes now but it has been a wonderful experience of awe and wonder for the children.

The Day The Queen Came to Children's House Nursery School 

We were so lucky to welcome the Queen to Children's House Nursery School today for a few hours.
Children had been preparing by choosing party food (cucumber or jam sandwiches), painting portraits, making bunting, designing flags and writing invitations.
The sun shone and we had dancing, singing and we got to say "Hello" to the Queen and she gave everyone a flag to wave and take home to continue the celebrations. 
The children were so excited, they really enjoyed our garden party and showed some amazing dance skills. Staff also joined in.
Sadly Debbie couldn't be with us for the party but we did notice she had the same shoes as the Queen and the same handbag! How strange. 
Children left for the day full of talk and joy.
Happy Jubilee to you all. 
There are more photographs and they will be in your children's Special Books.