The Gruffalo at Molesey

This week the children have all been enjoying ‘The Gruffalo’ theme where they have taken part in many different Gruffalo activities throughout. Toddlers and pre school have enjoyed exploring our new water trays and mud kitchen In the outside area where they have been making Gruffalo Crumble. Ezra said “We need some chocolate chips” as he scooped up the bark placing it into the bowl stirring. Whilst Peter said “How about some porridge oats?” whilst using a bucket full of sand. They have shown great imagination whilst being very curious with the different textures they have been mixing together. The children have taken part in a Gruffalo walk around the garden where they noticed different footprints in the sand area and within the bark whilst trying to find the Gruffalo, fox and mouse. Albie said “I think he is being a cheeky one hiding!” as they all ran into the wooden house to hide! 

They have been for a lovely walk around Imber court this week enjoying the sunshine whilst they were collecting daisies, leaves and twigs to take back to nursery to make Gruffalo textured pictures. Ella counted “1,2,3” as she picked up the daisies smiling. 

The sound of the week is ‘I’ and the children have been sounding out the letter during carpet time and writing the letter in the air using their fingers to show great control. They found different textured letter ‘I’ in pasta and oats and had fun crunching them together while they searched. 

Babies have had a great week exploring and taking part in different activities throughout where they have been experimenting with different textures materials. Julien has really enjoyed painting with the cars pushing them back and forth on the paper to make wheel marks whilst getting extra messy. Some of the other little ones have enjoyed exploring within the farm Tufty tray picking out the hay laughing as they picks up the different animals. They have taken part in music and movement this week where they have been using different musical instruments, singing different nursery rhymes. 

Summer Concert and Graduation

The children participated in their school leavers/summer concert where they acted out one of their favourite stories 'Rumble in the jungle.' The children discussed what animals from the story they would like to be and Joshua shouted "I want to be a shark!" With help from the parents the children dressed up as the animals they had chosen from the book, they all discussed what face paint they would have and once it was finished the animals were ready. they looked fantastic as you can see! The children told the story very well, and when it was time to introduce the tiger the children roared scaring everyone in the room! The children sang their song's beautifully and everyone had a wonderful time. At the end the children whom were leaving for school were presented with their graduation certificate and a book about starting school to share with their parents. it is always sad when the school leavers move on , but we wish them every happiness and success for the future! We will miss you all ! After the concert the parents and children enjoyed some tasty food and drinks in the beautiful sun shine. Well done everyone!

This week the babies have been exploring the outside with some of the older children. The babies giggled as they followed them around and chased them, with the older children laughing  as well. When Xanthe caught them, she started to laugh and walk backwards. Freddie and James threw sticks into the river and went over the bridge to the other side. They both started to point at their sticks James and Freddie started to clap their hands and stamp their feet with excitement, with William saying "Wow!’ as he watched them float. The babies took part in some bark rubbing and Emily placed her picture on her tummy! Freddie tried to copy whilst he was still making marks on his picture. Rowan drew on some leaves, and then scrunched them tightly in her hands, enjoying the sound. She stopped as she noticed a bird, and began to point and babble.

Rumble in the Jungle at Molesey

This week the children have been focusing on 'Rumble in the Jungle' as the topic of the week. The children have been having lots of fun exploring lots of different textured materials making snakes using different coloured tissue paper. They have also been using different jungle animals to make animal foot prints. Henry said "Gorilla ooh ahh!" beating his chest showing the actions a gorilla makes. The children had fun recognising the paint colours whilst placing the animals feet into each colour and stamping them onto the paper. The children have also had great fun exploring the outside area investigating in the water tray where they have been adding bark, twigs and leaves and mixing it all together to make a jungle swamp using jungle animals and cars. Eddie said "ooo its cold" as he mixed together the bark with the water splashing.

The children took part in their first yoga class this week which they all really enjoyed, showing lots of control in movement. They followed all the instructions taking part in the different activities. 

The children have been focusing on 'T' for the sound of the week where they have been painting and sounding out the letter and thinking of different animals that start with the letter 'T'. The children have also been enjoying a jungle walk around the garden where they have been looking for different jungle animals. Thomas said "look it's a tiger in the trees" and ran away with his friends. 

Babies have had a great week painting and exploring different coloured paint using paintbrushes and their hands. They have been on walks throughout the week around the Imber court premises where they saw the police horses walking past. Oscar was smiling at the police lady as she was waving. 

Sport's Day!

This week the children participated in various games at our yearly Sports Day event. They were very pleased to see the parents had come to see them and cheer them on! The children made theri way from one activity to the next , for example weaving in and out of cones and waving the big parachute up and down with this parents and the staff. Darcey said "Quickly, don't let the balls roll away!", as the beach balls flew in all directions to much laughter. As the whistle blew, the children moved onto the next activity, with excitement to see what was to come. They took part in six fun games, with their Mummies and Daddies helping them along the way. Some of them showed off their brilliant skills, when kicking the balls and balancing bean bags on their head and shoulders.  At the very end, the children sat together for a refreshing glass of water and this time it was the children's turn to cheer ! Some of the Dads took part in the wheelbarrows race and the children cheered them on as they ran up and down. At the end the children clapped with joy and were given a medal, as were the Dads! They couldn't wait to show their Mummies and Daddies what they received for completing their sports day.

This week the babies have been involved in some physical activities such as playing on the obstacle course. Freddie balanced along a beam trying not to fall into the play foam below, when he got to the other side he said “Yay” and encouraged the other children to get join in. Rowan played in the water having a splash whilst James walked on the bricks above before he jumped into the water causing both children to laugh and Rowan clapped her hands.

Xanthe explored a slide which the older children had made out of wooden planks. She walked up the steps and slid down the slide saying 'Wee' before getting Ines to have a go. Great fun!

'Tanabata' at Molesey

This week the children have been focusing on the festival of ‘Tanabata’. They have been making Japanese drums using paper bowls with string and beads which they enjoyed using whilst singing nursery rhymes. Lily said, "It is very loud making big bangs!". The children have also been making dream catchers using paper circles with holes cut out to thread cotton through. The children showed great hand eye co-ordination whilst taking part in this.

They have all had great fun whilst playing outside in the sunshine racing the diggers up and down the decking listening to the sound it makes Henry said "It's a big noise" whilst pushing the digger up and down, they have also enjoyed going for a walk around Imber Court where they took part in making a camp fire placing the twigs and leaves on top of each other. Thomas said "let’s make dinner". 

The sound of the week is D and the children have been sounding out the letter during carpet time and writing the letter in the air using their fingers to show great control. They have also been singing '5 little ducks' where the children have been singing the song lining up together to be a duck. They found different textured letter D’s in cornflakes and had fun crunching them together while they searched. 

Babies have had great fun exploring in the baby room self selecting the different resources available to them whilst also having lots of fun using the rolling pins with different sounds and Oscar enjoyed rolling backwards and forwards. Archie showed great control and confidence whilst he played with the shape tower placing the correct objects on top. They have been exploring within the sandpit and mud area whilst playing outside in the baby area as you can see!