Christmas Parties & Concert!
What an amazing week we have all had at nursery, with Christmas Parties, roast turkey dinners and the preschool Christmas concert! The children were brilliant and thank you for all the parents for providing their wonderful costumes and coming along to support the children!
We’d like to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2024. We look forward to welcoming you and the children back on January 2nd!
Santa's Grotto & Exploring Textures!
Over the last couple of weeks, the toddlers have begun their festivities with all things Christmas, from singing Christmas songs to making beautiful hand crafted decorations. They made some scented play-dough, by adding some spices, cinnamon and ginger to the mix. The toddlers then took part in our play-dough disco which involves playing with the dough in various ways along with music, all working on their motor skills. The toddlers couldn’t wait to get stuck in and all gave it a go. During the disco, Amelie used two fingers to prod the play dough, whilst she helped and encouraged her friends to do so too. Joseph just couldn’t contain his excitement and had to stand up and have a little boogie which made everyone laugh. Sadie stood up and used her hands to play the piano on the play dough, she said, “I playing piano, beautiful song” as she also had a little dance!
Outside in the garden, the toddlers are still not fazed at all by the wet weather and use the rain water within their play. They were in the mud kitchen pouring muddy water from one container to another. As India used a spoon to scoop out her last few drops of water, she said, “Oh no, it’s all gone, we get some more!”and with that she picked up a bowl and marched on over to a big puddle in the garden. She scooped up the water into her bowl and carefully carried it back to the mud kitchen to make mud puddings and cakes; the possibilities were endless!
Over the last couple of weeks, the under twos have been doing lots of winter activities using their senses to explore paint, shredded paper, tissue paper and feathers. Excitedly, they watched as adults tore up the tissue paper and threw it into the air. Rafe copied this and picked up the paper immediately throwing to the floor whilst smiling. Megan and Max both came to investigate and began to tear the paper as Rafe then started waving pieces of paper as if he was showing it to Max, and they were both giggling at one another whilst the paper was swishing through the air.
The little ones have also enjoyed exploring different textured paint, some mixed with sand and some mixed with porridge oats. Hugo was using kitchen utensils to splatter the oaty paint all over the tray, smiling away to himself as he looked at the marks he was making on the paper. George watched on intently and then approached, using his hands to let the paint squish between his fingers and letting out a little laugh. Hugo then began to scoop it up using his spoon pretending to eat it, making George laugh even more.
Out in the garden, the babies had a play with some of the musical instruments that were set out in the builders tray. First over was Cora, quickly grabbing one of the many instruments and immediately started to wave it around, catching the attention of a few of her friends. They sat down beside her and picked a couple instruments each. In unison they started tapping, banging, shouting and waving and really laughing amongst themselves. Megan was particularly interested in the multiple shakers set out in front of her shaking each in turn, discovering their own unique sound.
The preschool children had such a lovely visit to Santa’s Grotto this week. They enjoyed hearing about all of the different elves in the Grotto and looking into each elf’s house for their hidden items and marking them off in the booklet they were given. The children were then very lucky to meet Father Christmas and discuss what they would each like for Christmas. Santa then let each of the children choose an ornament from his Christmas tree as a reward for being so good this year and being on his Nice List. It was then time to say a big goodbye and thank you to Santa and his elves!
Winter walks and Christmas Preparations!
The preschool children have been enjoying the colder weather , wrapping up warm and playing in the nursery garden and going for walks on the Imber court site grounds. The chilly temperatures have made everyone feel very Christmassy! Work has started on the decorations including the Christmas trees in each room and the Santa’s Grotto in preschool! The children have been very excited to write their wish lists and posting them in this area. Rehearsals are under way for the Christmas concert on Wednesday 13th December. Parties and Christmas dinner and lots of activities mean a very busy and fun time ahead!
We have arranged a visit to Momentum Children’s Charity Spirit of Christmas Grotto, in Bridge Road East Molesey 12.45pm-1.30pm on 8th December. We will walk the children there and back as we do with all local trips. Sadly we are unable to take children that do not attend on a Friday due to staffing and ratios, but you may wish to book a trip yourselves as a family!
The nursery will bear the cost of the trip as our donation to the charity. This is a very worthwhile cause helping seriously ill children and their families https://www.momentumcharity.org/
We are hoping that, especially at this time of year when we think of others less fortunate, that you are able to help this cause by making a donation no matter how small as all contributions will be greatly received: https://www.momentumcharity.org/get-involved/donate/
