September 2012-Easter 2013 in brief
Dear all.
We would like to provide a brief synopsis of how we have spent last year and what our ‘Squirrels’ have achieved since September 2012. On a previous visit to the setting I noticed that the children not only sung out the days of the week at registration time, before deciding which day it was, but that they were also learning the days of the week in sign language.
The children have celebrated Halloween with pumpkin carving, decorating witches/wizard hats and making capes. Christmas was celebrated with a Children’s Christmas party and a visit from Santa after the children put on a little
sing-song nativity for parents. Mother’s day did not pass unrecognised and the children made their own cards, and cut out photos of themselves which they glued to the front before decorating how they wished. On the last day of term the children had made little cakes decorated with ‘easter chicks’. At Easter we were fortunate with the weather and had a good turn out for our annual easter egg hunt. We would like to thank everyone who supported this.
Our approach to our children’s learning is very much by allowing them to explore toys and activities and develop their robust imagination. We find this relaxed approach through play enhances the atmosphere and allows for individuality and creativity. As we are trying to bridge the gap between staying at home and school we do have some structure to the day and we try to follow a loose timetable over the day. Each term there is a theme that we follow and we encourage the children to talk about.
Please note that all this pales into insignificance compared to the normal ‘pulling power’ of messy play areas, such as the sand and water table, play dough and painting. Frequently my daughter comes home with pieces of artwork
such as sponge painted flowers, light catchers, and other things with lots of ‘sparkly things’ glued down. Our indoor activity climbing frame is also extremely popular. There is a dressing up area and indoor playhouse too. We are
also lucky enough to have a sizeable outdoor play area, where the children have access to outdoor toys, scooters and bikes.
Last year my daughter came back very excited after wellie walk with a pocket full of conkers. We have since planted these and are pleased to report that currently there are two very small horse chestnut trees growing in our garden.
New this year, which has been a great success, has been giving the children little jobs to do. The two most coveted positions (book monitor and lunch box monitor) are chosen on a daily basis. Great care is taken by the children with
their special tasks. We are extremely lucky to have such highly qualified and dedicated staff which makes the children’s time with us a joy.
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Easter Egg Hunt.
Our current opening hours are Monday 9.15 – 3pm, Tuesday 9.15 – 3pm,
Wednesday 9.15 -1.30, Thursday 9.15-1.30pm. Squirrels can be contacted on 07531 424170.
VickyYoung, on behalf of Shapwick Squirrels Committee.
We would like to provide a brief synopsis of how we have spent last year and what our ‘Squirrels’ have achieved since September 2012. On a previous visit to the setting I noticed that the children not only sung out the days of the week at registration time, before deciding which day it was, but that they were also learning the days of the week in sign language.
The children have celebrated Halloween with pumpkin carving, decorating witches/wizard hats and making capes. Christmas was celebrated with a Children’s Christmas party and a visit from Santa after the children put on a little
sing-song nativity for parents. Mother’s day did not pass unrecognised and the children made their own cards, and cut out photos of themselves which they glued to the front before decorating how they wished. On the last day of term the children had made little cakes decorated with ‘easter chicks’. At Easter we were fortunate with the weather and had a good turn out for our annual easter egg hunt. We would like to thank everyone who supported this.
Our approach to our children’s learning is very much by allowing them to explore toys and activities and develop their robust imagination. We find this relaxed approach through play enhances the atmosphere and allows for individuality and creativity. As we are trying to bridge the gap between staying at home and school we do have some structure to the day and we try to follow a loose timetable over the day. Each term there is a theme that we follow and we encourage the children to talk about.
Please note that all this pales into insignificance compared to the normal ‘pulling power’ of messy play areas, such as the sand and water table, play dough and painting. Frequently my daughter comes home with pieces of artwork
such as sponge painted flowers, light catchers, and other things with lots of ‘sparkly things’ glued down. Our indoor activity climbing frame is also extremely popular. There is a dressing up area and indoor playhouse too. We are
also lucky enough to have a sizeable outdoor play area, where the children have access to outdoor toys, scooters and bikes.
Last year my daughter came back very excited after wellie walk with a pocket full of conkers. We have since planted these and are pleased to report that currently there are two very small horse chestnut trees growing in our garden.
New this year, which has been a great success, has been giving the children little jobs to do. The two most coveted positions (book monitor and lunch box monitor) are chosen on a daily basis. Great care is taken by the children with
their special tasks. We are extremely lucky to have such highly qualified and dedicated staff which makes the children’s time with us a joy.
Thank you to everyone who came along to the Easter Egg Hunt.
Our current opening hours are Monday 9.15 – 3pm, Tuesday 9.15 – 3pm,
Wednesday 9.15 -1.30, Thursday 9.15-1.30pm. Squirrels can be contacted on 07531 424170.
VickyYoung, on behalf of Shapwick Squirrels Committee.