Weekly Roundup - 15 January 2026

🧑‍🚒 Our topic is People Who Help Us this week. We have been discussing who helps us and the roles they play. Examples the children gave included parents, doctors and hospitals. We have incorporated this into craft activities and the role‑play area.

🧸 This week in the Bumbles circle time we spent time with Freddie, our persona doll, who helped the children explore the idea of making choices. Through Freddie’s stories and discussions, we talked about how our choices can affect ourselves and others, and reassured the children that it’s okay to make mistakes. We focused on what we can do if we make the wrong choice, such as asking for help, saying sorry and trying again. The children were very thoughtful and engaged, sharing their own ideas and experiences.

🎨 During the week the children have been observing our artist of the term, Vincent Van Gogh, and his artwork Starry Night, they have used this art as inspiration and we have had masterpeices created! It was so lovely to see the children so proud of their creations.

🌦️ We have enjoyed seeing some sunshine this week, along with a lot of rain. The children are practising their independence by putting on their coats and boots before going outside, and then jumping in muddy puddles!

💛 At preschool we place a strong focus on helping children manage their emotions, develop regulation and self‑regulation skills. This means supporting children to acknowledge their feelings, understand what is happening in their bodies, and learn ways to calm themselves or ask for help when emotions feel big. These skills are the foundations for learning, friendships and wellbeing. By practising self‑regulation through play, routines, stories and adult support, children gradually learn to manage frustrations, take turns, solve problems and make positive choices. We know these skills take time and develop at different rates, so we offer gentle guidance, reassurance and consistent strategies to help every child feel safe, confident and ready to learn.

For further information and tips on this please see www.tlc-essex.info/resource/managing-emotions

🥕 Please could you check Tapestry for your snack contribution invoice and make payment as soon as possible. This contribution helps us to provide a range of snacks at each session, including fruit, vegetables and crumpets. Thank you to the parents and carers who have already made their payment - it is very much appreciated.

📚 Please feel free to borrow books from our library outside the office to share at home.

🗓️ Our AGM will take place on Monday 27th January from 7.00–9.00pm at the preschool. All parents and carers are very welcome to attend. The meeting is run by our committee and is a great opportunity to hear more about the preschool and how it operates.

If you are interested in joining our committee, please speak to Sophie or Debbie to collect the forms and for further information. If you would like to vote, please collect a membership form from the office and return it before the meeting.

🗓️ Our parents’ evening is Tuesday 10th February from 19.00-21.00. We will begin booking appointments on Wednesday 21st January please speak to your child's keyworker, Sophie or Viktoria to book these in.