Weekly Roundup - 3 May 2024

Welcome to the Weekly Round Up, just a little later than usual. Hopefully the sun has started to shine after a rather wet week!

The children have put their wellies back on and splashed their way to the undercover area for some wet play sessions outside. What a lovely start to the bank holiday weekend. The Honeys enjoyed some physical fun in the foyer by taking part in an obstacle course. This allowed them to exert some energy and take some risks while using equipment inside. As we come to end of our 'Busy Bodies' project, funded by Active Essex, we've looked at ways to carry on and implement regular activity sessions so all children can benefit from daily exercise at Pre-School. It is easy for us to simply allow the children to 'have a run about' when we use the outdoor facilities and this does have its advantages. For instance, it allows children to freely choose what they would like to do, who and what they would like to play with, supporting their independence and allowing them to make choices.

As practitioners we have to consider all children's health and wellbeing and we know that not everyone will have the confidence to engage in experiences that they may find challenging. Some of our children with SEND (Special Education Needs and Disability) need assistance with accessing and using some equipment to support their physical and sensory needs. At two years old, children typically prefer to engage in their own activities and are usually content to play alongside others. By setting up opportunities that appeal to children at various stages in their development, we can be sure we are supporting their individual needs by differentiating what is on offer For example, a simple obstacle course will appeal to a three year old who has confidence and would benefit from advising on what equipment to use and perhaps directing the play, supporting their physical and personal, social and emotional development. The same activity can also help a child with postural difficulties by including some resources that provide opportunities to practice core stability exercises. By knowing their Key Children's needs well, the staff can deliver sessions that are inclusive and available to everyone. Using ideas and knowledge learnt from the professionals delivering Moo Music and Superstar Sports sessions, practitioners will continue to provide physical development opportunities every day at Pre-School.

For more information about supporting all children to be more active click on the following links - https://www.activeessex.org/children-young-people/children-with-disabilities/  https://www.activeessex.org/find-your-active/ 

A popular way to be active and get outside is by gardening. We've been very lucky to receive a donation of wonderful gardening resources by Longacres Garden Centre which the children put to good use this week. They have planted seeds and bulbs using the new forks, trowels and gloves which is helping their understanding of farming, our current topic. Our caterpillars are getting bigger by the day and we are expecting them to have reached the third stage of their lifecycle (Chrysalis) when we return next week. The children have been thinking of some interesting names which we'll share next week. 

Our featured artist this half term is John Constable and the Bumbles used paint to recreate his famous landscape picture - The Hay Wain. Be sure to look at one of the children's version's on our easel in reception. 

Next week we'll be continuing with the farm topic and engaging in some school transition activities. All schools have now been contacted and invited in to come and meet the children at Pre-School. Hopefully all will respond and work with us to support their transition.

Have a lovely long weekend and see you all on Tuesday.