On returning to Pre-School after our half-term break, we reflected on the children’s own experiences. We recaptured pancake day with an interactive sensory session. The children used their expressive language to give directions with some messy results. We then tasted some pancakes that had been prepared earlier.

– Natasha

Therfield Pre-School has been pleased to offer a Positive Parenting course with the experienced parenting coach Helen Merridew www.meridewhub.co.uk. This has consisted of a free taster workshop and we are now running a 5-week course. Places have been eagerly taken up by the local community and we hope parents will show interest in future projects.

– Natasha

Our Music, Drama, and Stories theme for Spring Term One ended with visiting familiar stories. We listened to stories in a variety of forms including by CD, with props, acting out roles, and even with visiting characters. As well as literacy the children explored positional language and used their senses to investigate the Gruffalo cafe. The week’s finale was a pyjama party with bedtime stories and breakfast. We were delighted to welcome parents and carers who shared stories in our cosy corner.

– Natasha

We linked the children’s current interest in superheroes to coincide with our teaching of emotions. Staff were inspired to create a wide range of activities across the curriculum reflecting the theme. These included a Numicon skyline and a superhero phone book to develop maths skills. Parents and grandparents kindly made and donated superhero capes and masks which produced some creative roleplay. We worked in partnership with our families to create a superhero board reflecting the children’s achievements and successes at home. To promote personal, social, and emotional growth superhero reward figures were also created by staff and sent home noting positive behaviour within Pre-School. The children were captivated by the theme which resulted in some inspirational child-initiated play and learning opportunities and outcomes.

– Natasha

– Natasha

We gratefully received a donation of a trampoline which has had full use in our indoor and outdoor provision. After staff initially modelling turn taking, we were thrilled to observe the children independently managing their turn-taking and using number language throughout the rest of the week.

– Natasha

Using music to further enhance our story kept the children engaged an interested.  The children were then able to try out the keyboard exploring the varying sounds and backing beats.  They particularly enjoyed a haunting sound that they found that they related to Halloween, later requesting the ‘scary sound’ again.

– Tina

Many of the children have been telling us all about their exciting trips to see Paddington 2 at the cinema in the Christmas holidays. In response to their current interest, we made honey and marmalade sandwiches. The children worked out what they needed and then working in sequence to create their very own sandwich. It was very sticky!!! We ate them all up at snack time and there were lots of “yummys”.

– Natasha

The children were spellbound by a visiting Christmas fairy. She spread Christmas cheer and magical wishes with singing, dancing, and enlisting Natasha into performing as a sad snowman. The children enjoyed party food and were then joined by their families for a sing-a-long. We were then joined by another special visitor… Father Christmas on an early visit from the North Pole.

– Natasha