Investigation Hub, Discovery Hub at Deckham and Sensory Hub

We have had a lovely couple of weeks at our Deckham nursery, with lots going on.

Last week, as well as our Stay and Play session which was enjoyed by lots of our families, we also had a visit from Helen who works for the NHS dental team. She spoke to the children about looking after their teeth. Helen told us that we need to brush our teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day and that we should brush in small circles. The children then had a try brushing some giant teeth! We also learned about healthy foods and which foods are best for our teeth. We learned that if we have orange juice, we should only have a little amount as it contains lots of sugar, but that milk and water are very good for our teeth.

Last week we also released our butterflies! It was a wonderful experience to see them fly away, after we have watched their lifecycle from caterpillar, to cocoon, to butterfly. There was much excitement as they flew off into the sky!

This week we have continued to enjoy our core story ‘The Gingerbread Man’. The children are beginning to learn key refrains from the story and join in with them as we read. The children in the Investigation Hub drew their own representations of the gingerbread man, thinking about the features they could add.

Imaginative play around familiar themes has continued to be a key interest. Some of the children have been pretending to have babies this week, using footballs to represent the babies in their tummies! Our mud kitchen is a popular area of our outdoor provision, and this week the children have made delicious imaginary creations using natural materials from the garden.

Some of our children will be moving on to school in September, and many have been having transition visits to their new classes. We have really enjoyed hearing about the children’s exciting visits to their new settings.

The children have continued to amaze us with their creativity, curiosity and wonderful ideas. This week they have been busy constructing, painting, drawing, building train tracks and experimenting with water, all whilst leading their own learning through play. It has been lovely to watch them work together, share ideas and build on one another’s play, developing their confidence, communication and problem-solving skills along the way.

We have also continued to care for our garden, with the children showing a real interest in checking on our sunflowers and noticing how much they have grown. These first-hand experiences encourage the children to observe changes over time and develop an appreciation for the natural world.

With the recent hot weather, we all enjoyed taking some time to cool down and relax in the Jungle Room. The children took part in a calming mindfulness session where they lay quietly, closed their eyes and focused on taking slow, deep breaths while imagining themselves floating away to a peaceful place, holding a balloon. It was wonderful to see how settled and relaxed everyone became—we nearly all fell asleep! It was the perfect way to end a busy summer’s day.

Parents as Partners

A reminder for parents and carers whose children will be leaving us for Reception in September- you can download their learning journeys digitally on a PC or laptop. Please be aware that you will continue to have access to Famly until 31st August 2026, after which, access will cease. Please see the additional photo with instructions on how to do this.

Our children leaving for school will also receive an individual end of nursery report, celebrating their learning and achievements. If you haven’t picked your child’s up yet, please see their key worker who will happily pass it on.

As always, thank you for your continued support. We hope you have a wonderful weekend and look forward to a final week of learning, laughter and adventure before we close for summer.

The Nursery Team