2-3: The Discovery Hub and 3-4: The Investigation Hub at Deckham

Play and Exploring

We have continued observing the changes to the cycle of the caterpillars as the children observe the cocoons, patiently waiting for them to hatch into butterflies. During the week, we have explored the story The Hungry Caterpillar exploring counting the pieces of fruits and ordering the pieces of fruits in order of the story. The children are keen for the butterflies to hatch and cannot wait to see which colour they will be. Following the song of the week last week, we have explored signing this song as well as our new song 5 little caterpillars.

On Thursday morning when we arrived at nursery, there was much excitement when we discovered that 3 butterflies had emerged from their cocoons! We observed them in group time and noticed the colour difference between when their wings were closed and open. We put some pieces of orange in the butterfly net, hoping that they might enjoy this treat. A few minutes later, we were amazed to find another butterfly had also emerged from its cocoon! Its wings were tightly curled initially but they soon opened and became straighter and the butterfly quickly began to move around the net.

Some of the fantastic observations and questions the children discussed were:

“Ooh, it’s moving.”

“It’s sticking its tongue out.”

“It’s wiggling like a jelly.”

“We’ve got 4 butterflies at nursery.”

“Do they have eyes?”

“Is that one looking at the orange?”

“It has orange and black wings.”

“When can we let them fly in the garden? They might land on our hands!”

Some of the children chose to draw pictures of the butterflies using vocabulary such as wings, head, and legs as they drew.

Thinking Creatively and Critically

Our Investigators have been exploring following instructions by moving a car from one space to another on the grid. We have explored counting the number of spaces we needed to move the car. Some of the children noticed that we needed to turn the car to change direction before moving the car forward again. We then followed up with using apps on the iPad where we had to count the number of spaces to move the character.

Active Learning

On Monday, we explored painting when in the garden. The children enjoyed using the paints as we explored representing painting flowers. We discussed the various features to include when painting, labelling the “stem” “leaves” and “petals”. Some of the children explored mixing the paint colours together to see which new colour they could make. “red and blue make purple” “I made green…yellow and blue” the children commented proudly which their achievements.

This week the children have been enjoying exploring moving our bodies. The children joined in with Miss Goodrick and Jodie as we explored Yoga and dancing in the garden. We explored following the Yoga positions watching the videos on the large screen. Following the interest with the caterpillars we explored creating positions to represent the stages in the life cycle.

Communication and Language

Our Investigators have been exploring filling and emptying containers of sand this week. During group times, we have been exploring filling containers and using language to describe such as “full” and “empty”. The children then followed up continuing to fill and empty container and the children used the language to describe the amount of sand in the container. We explored using funnels to pour the sand into the containers to control our pouring movements. Within group time, Miss Goodrick asked “what will happen if I pour the sand in the big bowl to the little bowl?”. Some of the children said “it will be full” however some children commented “it will be too much…it will spill”. We then tested this out and poured the sand into the smaller container and the children commented “stop it full…look still have some left”.

Staffing updates

This week Amy has been completing Paediatric First Aid training.

Parents as Partners

This week’s song of the week is 5 little butterflies as we observe the life cycle of the caterpillars to butterflies.

A reminder – Please can we ask that there are no toys, bottles and snacks brought into Nursery or left in bags as we have children with allergies.

Just a reminder Nursery will be closed for the Summer Holidays from Monday 21st July. We have a staff training day Monday 1st September. Nursery will re-open on Tuesday 2nd September.

We hope you have a lovely weekend.

The Nursery Team