Mud, mud, glorious mud! That is the song which came to mind this week. The visits to the Junior Boys site for Forest School has consisted of lots of fun in the Thicket especially when Mr P took them to a different part where there was a slope. Children and teachers were challenged to climb up and down the muddy slope, (from the photos, children definitely fared better than the staff.)

It's almost the end of this term and what a term it has been! We’ve celebrated different festivals like Diwali, the Chinese Moon Festival and Hanukkah. These gave us the opportunity to investigate, create, explore, question… the list goes on! Our newly refurbished Nursery School has been a pleasure to work in during this term too and the children have really enjoyed our free flow to the outside enclosed garden space. In January we are set to welcome our first two year olds to the Nursery. The amazing space which has been specifically created for them to play and thrive in is readily awaiting them. We know that Miss Carree and Mrs Pemberton can not wait to see them all. 

This week the children have been learning about the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights and usually occurs in December. In 164 BC, the Jewish reclaimed their land and rebuilt, cleaned and rededicated their temple. The oil that they found to light the temple was only a small amount but they managed to make it last for eight nights. To celebrate these eight nights, people light candles on a branched candlestick called a Menorah which is why it is also known as the Festival of Lights.

This week the children have been looking at reflection and this has been taught through a variety of areas including maths, expressive art and design and communication and language. The Early Years Foundation Curriculum is brilliant for enabling topics, objectives and activities to blend and cross over and for the children to have deep and enriched experiences.

I can’t believe we’re at the end of our first half term; it has flown by. It has been an amazing term of discovery for both children and adults alike; getting to know each other, exploring our new refurbished environment and enjoying new adventures in a variety of ways.

Whilst I write, the Busy Bees class have gone for their local Autumn walk. I went with Beehive earlier and everyone was very excited. Just going for a short walk locally, gave the opportunity to practice a wealth of vocabulary and conversation; something which the new Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum is wanting to see more of.