As Gemma wrote about in this blog post space (and the use of it) is a key factor in children's play. The overall question that arises time and time again to my mind is: what is space?
Read moreThe Burrowers routine
In childcare it is very important to have a good routine that you will follow every day, this is to help the staff to know what’s next and it also helps to support the children, enabling them to feel safe in that they know what’s next and where they are within the day.
Read moreLean on me….
This week in the Burrow we have been exploring the paddock and focusing on the children’s physical skills and development. Our 2-3 year old's are at a very exciting stage of their development when they move from being babies into children.
Read moreWe're going on a pine cone hunt
This week’s forest school activity in the Burrow is pine cone painting. So last Friday we set off around the nursery grounds looking for a pine tree. We started our adventure in the paddock having a sneaky go on the assault course, we climbed and crawled up our mud hill, searching for the pine tree at the top!
Read moreBoris and Sid
A few months ago we were given some books from a mum who was having a good sort out. There were two books that the children took a real shine to and they were "Calm Down Boris" and "You’re Not So Scary, Sid!"
Read moreEncouraging Independence
"Babies must learn to trust and depend on their parents and teachers before they can learn true independence”
The truth of this statement can be seen as soon as you step up into ‘The Nest’. Within the baby room you can clearly see the bond between each child and their key worker.
Read moreMeeting New Animals
This week we have been meeting some new friends which are two Guinea Pig’s called Coco and Pops as well as a Cockatiel called Bobby. Meeting new animals supports the children’s learning as it can encourage communication and language as some children were using language such as “Guinea Pig”, “Bobby”, and “Bird”.
Read moreRisk Benefits for the children
This week on Forest School we have been focusing on climbing with confidence and being able to manage their own risks. This is found in the early year’s foundation stages under physical development.
Read moreThe Lion and the Mouse - Imagination Adventures
Our latest book from IA has been a version of the wonderful Aesopian fable about friendship, helping and how even the smallest characters can do their bit for the largest. My aim for the story this month was to read the book regularly and slowly put the book down to transform the tale into one of actions.
Read morePotty Training
Potty training is a big step for our children (and of course parents!!). Each and every child is different and will be ready at different times. Potty training depends on your child's emotional and physical readiness.
Read moreOur Planet - Imagination Adventures
Our second book from IA was an absolute surprise for me. Until it dropped into my hands I had never come across 'Our Planet' before and I feel like I have been missing out on what is a truly unique and thought provoking book.
Read moreMy Five Senses
I have recently become a new and obsessive customer of Pinterest. Pinterest is a visual discovery tool that people use to collect ideas for their different projects and interests. People create and share collections (called “boards”) of visual bookmarks (called “Pins”) that they use to do things like plan trips and projects, organize events or save articles and recipes.
Read moreKey person
In the warren every child is allocated a key person this is either Cat, Laura or me Louise. We make it our mission to bond and form a strong relationship with our key children, being about to understand all their needs and interests in order to be able to further their development according to their individual interests
Read moreHow we plan in the Burrow
In the Burrow we help to plan for your children’s interests and needs, whether they enjoy jumping into our ball pool or sitting down and reading a story. As one of our roles when working with children, we have to plan for every child as an individual.
Read moreDeveloping our Outdoor Play
As our parents in the Nest will know we have made the most of the good weather taking the indoors outside and spending many lovely afternoons in the baby garden. The Baby Garden gives us a chance to get away from the main hustle and bustle of the nursery into our own peaceful paradise where each child have the chance to explore, climb, crawl, walk, enjoy water play, messy play, have a snooze or quietly sit and investigate at their own leisure.
Read moreStory time!
This week in the Burrow I decided to do something different at story time to make it more interesting and engage the children in a new way. Often when we have a bigger group, listening to a story can be tricky for two year olds, so in the Burrow we like to find new ways to capture the children’s interests.
Read moreMark Making Matters
Firstly I would like to say a big Happy Birthday to many of our Nest babies who have turned 1 in the last few weeks, it seems time really does fly! I would also like to take this opportunity to inform parents of staff changes within the Nest.
Read moreThe jaw dropping secret life of Babies
Hello I'm Jemma, I have recently re-joined the gorgeous babies and Lisa in the Nest, I would just like to bring your attention to a fantastic and eye opening documentary on the secret life of babies. It was about the first two years of human life, a time when we grow and learn.
Read moreGoodbye Butterflies
A couple of weeks ago Wilf arrived at Free Rangers with some caterpillars “They will turn into butterflies” he exclaimed! The Burrow explored the caterpillars, which openly lead to a discussion about their life cycle.
Read moreMake hay while the sun shines
The tractor had been mowing in the fields nearby , behind it lay long curving lines of cut grass; stalks and stems piled together forming pillowed ridges across the the hillside. After forming together a team of willing volunteers and finding a wheelbarrow we set off across the farmyard to collect some grass for the garden.
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