Woodland adventures and musical painting!

The children had an amazing time at fantastic Strawberry Fields play area in Fulwell. They climbed wooden poles and posts and threw Pooh sticks into the stream. Joshua was very helpful and showed his friends how to throw their stick the furthest ' You throw it like this!' he said holding his arm back. They discovered a giant spider's web 'I'm a big big spider and I catch flies!' announced Douglas. The Fat Controller was there next to a train. ' The controller will tell us which way to go. Let's ask where the beach is!. All aboard the train!' shouted Ray.

The babies joined the older children for the train ride and even had a turn to drive it. The giant green spider was the next part of the adventure, ' We need to hold his ears so we don't fall off ' said Alex.  The children found a wooden owl and Oliver suggested they all make owl ice cream as in the Gruffalo story. ' Can we come back again soon?' wondered a very excietd Matlida - and yes we will!

The babies have also enjoyed musical painting! They were able to paint freely to music, with some eating the paint as much as painting with it! Emily on the other hand preferred to dance and dance before sitting down to paint. Painting was followed with bubbles which is always well received as you can see!

Obstacle courses and soapy mud!

The children designed their own obstacle course this week and decided the materials and best position for the most fun and challenge! They carried tyres together, and built up blocks and balancing beams and even positioned the cargo net to crawl underneath. Matilda practiced for a while and said' I am super fast!' I am really fast; watch me crawl under the net!' and so a very competitive edge to the proceedings! When areas fell down or collapsed, the children worked very hard to repair or redesign them ' This will make it stronger!' observed Alex. 

The babies have had great fun playing with and exploring the texture of the sticky mix. They added water to the shredded paper and soap, and mixed it and swished it around in their hands. The owl flew into the mud and back out again scattering the mud mixture everywhere as he hooted about the room! He landed on William's head briefly, causing him to laugh and laugh, and so the other little ones joined giggling and shrieking with the fun. 

This was followed by a very relaxing massage session with scented oils later in the day which was very soothing for the babies and the staff!

Forest schools and treasure hunts!

The children went to the Woodland Gardens in Bushy Park for a forest school pirate adventure! They worked very well together, finding large branches to make a den, lifting them up high ' Wow this is so heavy!' observed Sreya. Some of the children made an X spot on the floor with twigs, and other made the mark on paper which was dotted about the forest floor as a trail. 'X marks the spot!' said Robyn as they searched for the treasure.

as they children have been reading and discussing the story of Priate Pete and his smelly feet, the children decided to make their own smelly feet from card which was also hidden around to find. ' Just smell with our noses and we will find them!' said Amelia which was helpful. The children also found large red coins in the bushes 'Yay i found one!' shouted Avy very proudly. Great fun!

The babies spent a lovely time in the woodland area of the park, and picked blackberries to bring back to nursery. They were washed and then the children were able to explore the fruits. Some tasted them, and puckered their lips as they can be a little sour sometimes! they then mashed the berries with pestles and mortars, and fingers, and then used  the deep purple colour juice and pips mixture could be to paint pictures with brushes and their fingers. Some of the toddlers made fingerprints, and Zac decided to paint his legs! 

They have also been running through floaty material, which was suspended as a curtain, giggling all the time. William played peek-a-boo with his friends and Emily and Hlenhaze had great fun hiding behind it making a secret space where they had plates and cups and playfood, pretending to eat ad drink. 

Beetroot and ice cream!

As the weather as been so hot recently, the children were discussing ways to keep cool, including eating ice creams. They used ice cream cones and used shaving foam to fill them to sell in their ice cream shop. They added food colours for flavours and sold them to the staff team members ‘ 50p please ! ‘ said Amelia as she sat at the till.

They have harvested the beetroot, cutting and shredding it for afternoon tea. ‘ My hands are red !’ said Joshua. They have also picked a few raspberries which were promptly eaten, and added nasturtiums to the salad. Jonah wondered whether the beans were ready, and found out not just yet, and David was very interested in the snail he found.  ‘Snails eat the leaves!’ 

The babies and toddlers went to the park and enjoyed playing football. They kicked it as far as they could to have a chase! At one point Eve ran away with the ball to hide it from the others, and they laughed and giggled so much chasing after her! Some of the older children came over to greet them as they were in the park, and helped the toddlers find their way around.

They have colour mixed the paints on the large tray , before painting on the easel. They love to get messy as you can see! William even had a go at painting the floor! They then used cars to push through the paint and made marks on paper. Jenson was more interested at painting the whole car and did a very good job!

Pirates and plants!

The children dressed as pirates to listen to the story of Pirate Pete and his stinky feet! They chanted ‘Walk the plank! ‘. Amelia shouted ‘ Ahoy captain!’ and the others followed. They went on a treasure hunt in the nursery and garden, and used sequins as the treasure to share amongst themselves. They later made a boat using the large wooden blocks, crates and ramps and sailed the ocean far and wide.

The hot weather has meant extra attention to the plants this week. ” It’s too hot, the plants need lots and lots of water! ‘ observed Esther. The children then noticed the baby frogs in the pond nearby ‘ There are hundreds!’ said Robyn.

The babies and toddlers have been exploring plants and  fruits this week. They joined in with the older children to paint fruits as you can see, and have explored fruit soup and frozen fruit! They felt the difference between frozen and fresh fruit; very interested as the ice melted. Zach worked out that he could speed up the process by licking the ice stick as a lolly pop!

They have felt and smelt the fruit, with Henry very keen to start tasting. Zach loved to splash, and others kindly sharing. They have been busy visiteing the garden centre to explore the textures and smells of the plants and fruits there, and had such fun with the ingredients whilst making playdough. Ines sprinkled the flour in the bowl, and then all around the room!