 | | A recent trip to the library |
| |  | | Lambs visiting the nursery |
| |  | | Sheltering from the rain. |
| |  | | The two well behaved pigs from our farm visit |
| |  | | Looking at the chickens and ducks on the farm visit. |
| |  | | Stroking the donkeys |
| |  | | Dancing with a chinese dragon. |
| |  | | Waiting for a turn in the cab of the tractor. |
| |  | | Face painting |
| |  | | Enjoying puddles after a storm |
| |  | | Healthy eating?! |
| |  | | Building defences |
| |  | | Peace and quiet in the garden |
| |  | | Using the balloon pump. |
| |  | | Making play-dough |
| |  | | Enjoying the recent sun shine |
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We are beginning to prepare for the very busy and hectic days ahead at Westfield in the springtime. We have lots of gardening to do, planters that need re-vamping, raised beds to plant up and seeds to get planted. The children grow lots of flowers and a large variety of vegetables, some of which are a success and some which are not! A trip to the local garden centre is always a good place to start, though on past experience we end up coming back with more crazy garden ornaments than seeds and plants!
And this is all on top of learning about all the fabulous new life springing up around us! And then it will be Easter..............!
For the past two weeks we have focused on bringing the children's knowledge of number and shape upto date. The older children have also been gathering together all sorts of objects begining with the letter 'M'. We are ending tthe week covered in glue, feathers, ribbons, buttons and jewels whilst making gorgeous and very individual Mother's Day cards.
On Friday 15th February we took a small group of children out for a walk to Mr. Snowden's farm. The children had a fabulous time stroking the donkeys and goats and talking to two pet pigs who will sit down on command! They also saw chickens, ducks and peacocks. A welcome 'pit stop' back at member of staff Lisa's house, and everyone was too tired to walk home! 'Thank You' to Sue Ash who came to the rescue in Maureen, the nursery minibus. And 'Thank You to Mr. Snowden for inviting us to talk to the pigs!
February 7th saw the beginning of the Chinese New Year celebrations and Westfield was no exception. This gives us an excellent opportunity to teach the children a little about the chinese culture. The children will be making chinese dragons, fans, and characters, tasting chinese food and giving gifts to friends and family,as well as learning where abouts China is on the globe, how far away it is from our country and how much bigger it is compared to Britain.
The children have been 'travelling' all over the globe during the past couple of weeks. Previously they were learning about where their food comes from and had some suprises when they learnt that chocolate, oranges and bananas do not come from the supermarket.
This tied in very nicely when wehad a visit from local farmer Steve Hudson with his tractor and Jack Russell terrier Jess. The children spent a good half hour climbing all over the cab, pulling levers and pressing buttons. Let's hope when Steve set off home again they hadn't done too much damage!
As lots of our customers, and especially the children, already know, we have been involved in daily re-cycling at Westfield for almost 2 years now. We have our own plastic and metal recycling bins which the children enjoy using. Jenny, who works with the older nursery children, has reported this week that she has noticed a marked increase in their knowledge of re-cycling compared to children in previous years. Jenny has put this down to not only Wetfield's own re-cycling activity, but also the children being involved in the council's 'blue box' re-cycling scheme at home with their own families.
We have already begun the new term with lots of very enthusiastic children!
We have some lovely new displays which the children have made, inspired by the weather.
The recent snow came just at the right time to inspire some lovely snowmen pictures from all the children and these have been displayed for everyone to enjoy.
There is also a fantastic rainy day display with some real characters sheltering under their umbrellas!
We have already been on a Nature Walk, peering down rabbit holes, playing with sticky burs, talking to horses and collecting things to bring back to nursery to use on collage pictures.
We have been reading traditional rhymes and stories and making lots of super props to support our learning such as Incey Wincey spider, and porridge for Goldilocks.
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