Image of Nursery - Maths - Counting In Sequence
9 Oct

Nursery - Maths - Counting In Sequence

During our maths lesson, the children participated in a fun, hands-on activity focusing on sequential counting and early number recognition using our jumbo birthday cake prop. The main task involved counting and placing candles onto the cake in the correct order, which reinforced the principle of one-to-one correspondence. To support their learning, some children successfully used sound buttons to guide their counting and candle placement. For those demonstrating strong sequential counting skills up to ten, we introduced the visual numerals 1, 2, and 3. They used the sound buttons to support this new knowledge before consolidating it by tracing the numbers with their fingers. This engaging, multi-sensory approach provided excellent practice in both oral counting and linking written numerals to quantity.

Image of Reception- Music- Environmental Sounds
9 Oct

Reception- Music- Environmental Sounds

In music this week we have been using our listening ears to recognise the different sounds all around us. We had different picture cards to match up to the sounds we heard on the cd player. The children supported each other if they were unsure what the sound was. We talked about the everyday sounds we hear when we are walking to school or in the garden and if they are loud or quiet sounds.

Image of Reception Maths – Repeating Patterns
8 Oct

Reception Maths – Repeating Patterns

Our Reception children have been exploring repeating patterns through hands-on activities linked to White Rose Maths. They worked together to spot, copy, continue and create their own patterns using everyday objects. The children loved working practically – sorting, building and chatting about what they noticed. These activities not only help develop early mathematical understanding, but also encourage turn-taking, reasoning and careful observation. Learning through play is such a big part of our EYFS curriculum, and it’s lovely to see the children so engaged and confident as they explore new mathematical ideas!

Image of Nursery - Literacy - Writing Birthday Cards
7 Oct

Nursery - Literacy - Writing Birthday Cards

Our literacy focus this week was on mark making and communication using the Post Office role-play area. The children engaged in the purposeful activity of creating birthday cards for our story character, Lulu. They began by choosing a card and using crayons to color and make various marks. This mark-making is a crucial pre-literacy step, as it builds the muscle control needed for future conventional writing. The lesson concluded with the children posting their finished cards into the postbox. This action helped reinforce narrative sequencing and connected their play to real-world systems, mirroring the postal delivery process just like in our story.

Image of Reception - Visit to Darwen Library
7 Oct

Reception - Visit to Darwen Library

Reception had a fantastic time visiting Darwen Library! The children loved learning about all the fun things you can do there, from borrowing books to joining in with special story sessions. Jackie, the librarian, read Dear Zoo and the children joined in using props – it was such a joy to see their excitement. Some of the children even signed up for their very own library cards! A huge thank you to everyone at Darwen Library for inviting us – we had a wonderful morning and can’t wait to visit again.

Image of Nursery - Maths - Categorising By Size
3 Oct

Nursery - Maths - Categorising By Size

In this engaging maths lesson, the children focused on the concept of size by helping our book character, Lulu, with her birthday presents. Their initial excitement involved giving the wrapped gifts a good shake and guessing what might be inside! The main objective of the lesson was categorization by size. The children actively helped Lulu sort all the gifts into two distinct piles: big and small. Taking turns, each child eagerly chose a present and correctly placed it into the appropriate category. To support their learning and vocabulary acquisition, we utilized sound buttons and Widgit visual aids. These resources were instrumental in helping the children differentiate clearly between the terms "big" and "small." The children demonstrated a brilliant understanding of size differentiation and did an excellent job accurately sorting all of Lulu's gifts. This hands-on activity provided a fun, tangible way to reinforce early measurement concepts.

Image of Pre-School - PE - Different Sized Movements
2 Oct

Pre-School - PE - Different Sized Movements

In P.E this week Pre-School have been acting out their story- Goldilocks and the hree Bears. We talked about each step of the story before acting out the action for each step, using big, medium and small actions.

Image of Reception- Music- Getting To Know The Musical Instruments
1 Oct

Reception- Music- Getting To Know The Musical Instruments

In music this week the children have been introduced to different music instruments. We listened to the sounds they make and how we can make them have loud and quiet sounds. We can use them fast and slow and using these methods we can play them to different songs. The children each selected a different instrument and we selected different songs to sing. We matched up the song to how the instrument could be played. Twinkle Twinkle was a slow and quiet sound on the musical instruments but The Grand Old Duke of York was loud and fast.

Image of Pre-School- PD-Fine Motor Skills-Funky Fingers
1 Oct

Pre-School- PD-Fine Motor Skills-Funky Fingers

On our Funky fingers table this week ,the children have been using their fine motor skills to dress up the bears, selecting different items of clothing. Our Funky fingers table is a great way for our children to have fun while working those fingers.

Image of Nursery - Science - Facial Features, Location And Arrangement
30 Sep

Nursery - Science - Facial Features, Location And Arrangement

In our combined Science and Art lesson, the children participated in a focused activity designed to enhance their self-awareness and understanding of personal identity and facial features. The lesson began with the children receiving blank face outlines and a selection of individual features—eyes, noses, and mouths. The core of the activity involved using a mirror to observe their own faces closely. This encouraged careful self-examination as they noticed the placement and quantity of their features. They had to decide on the appropriate features and then attempt to translate what they saw in the mirror onto their paper. The children demonstrated excellent concentration and observation skills during this task, correctly identifying that they needed two eyes, one nose, and one mouth. They did a fantastic job of placing their chosen features to create unique and accurate representations of themselves, reinforcing the idea that everyone is unique and special.

Image of Nursery - PSHE - Nurturing And Personal Hygiene
29 Sep

Nursery - PSHE - Nurturing And Personal Hygiene

This week, our PSHE lesson centered on developing nurturing skills and an early understanding of personal hygiene through focused role-play. The children engaged with the baby dolls in the water area, exploring the vital need to keep them clean and wash away any dirt. This care routine was highly engaging, beginning with placing the babies into a bubbly bath. The children worked diligently, utilizing jugs and cloths to meticulously wash the dolls, demonstrating careful and gentle handling. This encouraged a sense of responsibility and empathy. Once the washing was complete, they carefully wrapped the babies in towels to dry them. Through this activity, the children were able to practice essential life skills, understand the sequence of a cleaning routine, and develop their empathy by caring for another, all within a fun and purposeful context.

Image of Pre-School-P.S.H.E-Our Body
25 Sep

Pre-School-P.S.H.E-Our Body

In our P.S.H.E lesson this week we have been learning about our bodies, We drew around a child and the children each identified different parts of the body. The children then were given an item of clothing and had to place on the correct body part.