Term 2 has been another lovely chance for the children to explore, learn through play and create friendships with one another. We are working on consolidating routines, encouraging them to join in and concentrate for short amounts of time during group time and in activities throughout the day. We have also been learning the ‘Days of the Week Song’, noticing the weather and singing hello to one another every day. 

Throughout this term, we have been exploring celebrations including: Bonfire Night, Diwali, Eid, Hanukkah and Christmas to widen perspectives on differences and similarities between families and people. Through the lens of celebrations, the children have loved exploring cooking latkes for Hanukkah and coconut ladoo for Diwali, which have been a chance for them to look at cause and effect; work on their fine-motor skills in pouring, mixing and mashing; follow a recipe and use their mathematical knowledge to fill containers or recognise numbers on the digital scales. 

The children have also enjoyed creating artwork in different forms. We have been exploring using different tools to make marks including potato, hand and fern printing. The children have also worked collaboratively on floor drawings and painting, which are on display in nursery. Through music, nursery rhymes have been an enjoyable way to practice counting and encourage turn-taking, manage patience and disappointment, but also experience the joy in singing all together.

Independence is an area the children have worked hard on, through cutting their own fruit, pouring their own milk, clearing up after themselves and spreading their own butter during snack. They have also been working on putting on their coats independently using the flip-flap method.

During our Forest sessions children have thoroughly enjoyed climbing, searching for leaves and other curiosities, as well as painting wooden poppies for Remembrance Day. Their physical development has thrived through use of the trikes and balance bikes, especially on the large playground, as well as our PE sessions.

Our Literacy highlights have been reading Stick Man for Christmas, which has been a firm favourite and the children creating their own books and stories. They have also found cosying up and looking through books independently thoroughly enjoyable in the reading corner. 

We are excited to see how they will continue their learning and creativity in Term 3!

Term 1 at Acorns Nursery has been a fantastic journey of learning, discovery and fun! Our children have settled in beautifully, getting to know nursery routines, exploring their surroundings, and building confidence with their key workers.

From the very beginning, children have enjoyed exploring all areas of the nursery. The mud kitchens, sand pit and nursery garden have been lively spaces for imaginative and sensory play, while train tracks and the car mat have encouraged collaborative play and problem-solving skills. Children have loved taking part in activities that help them recognise their names, follow one- and two-step instructions and develop early maths skills such as patterns, shapes and number recognition up to 3.

Autumn has brought exciting opportunities for outdoor learning. In the forest, children have enjoyed conker snakes, pumpkin hunts, conker drilling, climbing and playing on the tyre swing. These experiences have helped develop both physical skills and confidence, while fostering a love of nature and curiosity about the world around them. Back in the nursery, children have engaged in creative activities such as conker rolling to create art masterpieces, cutting and sticking to make Handa’s fruit baskets, playing with playdough, and exploring storytelling through books and nursery rhymes.

Term 1 also celebrated Black History Month, with children learning about different cultures and traditions through stories such as Handa’s Surprise. These activities have encouraged curiosity, discussion, and understanding of diversity from an early age.

Cooking and practical life experiences have been a highlight, with children making fruit kebabs and pumpkin bread. These sessions have encouraged healthy eating habits, independence, and teamwork. Fine motor skills have been developed through a wide variety of activities, including cutting, sticking, and playdough play.

Overall, Term 1 has been full of exploration, creativity and growth. Children have thrived in their learning, developed new skills and enjoyed meaningful play experiences every day. We are so proud of all their achievements and are excited to continue this journey in Term 2!