29th September 

Today we received an exciting box of treats from all the Sainsburys vouchers that parents, grandparents and friends had collected.  We had ordered a tent with tunnels, pot stilts and some large dice.  All the children were very excited as we unpacked and put them together.  These items will be great to further the children’s development. They cover many of the EYFS ‘areas of learning’ ( https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage ). 

In the fine motor tray today we used the gears.  Some of the children made a elaborate gear system using them horizontally and vertically. 

At circle time we played a shape game. We placed various shaped items in a bag, the children reached into the bag named the shape, and had to run to appropriate shape on the floor. We had great fun with this game. 

Issy read today’s story then we all sang Happy Birthday to Aster who is 4 today! 

28th September
This morning Liz came in for her weekly music and singing lesson. The children sang lots of songs and role played as frogs and kangaroos, jumping all around the hall. 
Today’s shape activities included making our houses out of pre-cut shapes. The children also took it in turns cutting our snack time fruit into circles, oval, rectangles and squares. Our cutting fruit exercise was not only great for learning our shapes it also helped to develop social skills, hand eye coordination, communication and learning about healthy eating. 
Outside the children initiated a game of hide and seek with the dinosaurs. All the children joined in with this game.
Before we went home Rebecca read ‘We’re going on a bear hunt’ by Michael Rosen. 

27th September 

Another busy morning at preschool. Today the children were cutting out shapes and sticking them on to paper continuing our shape activities. Good scissor action helps to build strength in children’s hands to develop pencil control. A “bus” was also created using chairs and a tambourine as a steering wheel. Some of the children made an elaborate tower using the Montessori blocks.

The most exciting part of the morning was Alex (Martha’s Mummy) bringing Martha’s horse to preschool.  The children asked questions about what he ate, and also helped to feed him apples and carrots. When we got back inside we talked about how many legs he had and what colour he was. 

If we could remind parents to bring in waterproof jackets, indoor and outdoor shoes.  We still like to get outside even if it’s a little wet. 

West Hoathly Pre-school is very keen to learn your views, and ask that you take a few minutes to answer the questions on this survey. The answers you provide will allow the Pre-school to effectively reflect on its performance, and help make any changes that may be useful. Please answer each question by ticking the response you think most reflects
your feelings or opinion on each question. There is space at the end to
make any further comments you would like to include.

You do not need to identify yourself on the form. We really appreciate your help in this matter, and value everyone’s views. This will enable us to greater understand any weaknesses or strengths that may be detailed.

Please click on the link below if you would like to share your views with us.

Parent Voice Survey September 2016

Monday 26th September 

This morning we all walked down to St Margaret’s to talk about Harvest Festival.  We met Derek and Bev at the church and we talked about how we celebrate Harvest Festival. We went around the church gathering food items in baskets, singing songs and how the food at the church goes to people who really need it. After visiting the church Sophie (previous preschool supervisor) Amelia and baby Rosie came back to preschool with us. 

Back at preschool we had the threading table out and lots of children enjoyed threading the different shapes.  This is a fine motor activity to develop dexterity, which will later help with pencil exercises.  

Jane read Elmer by David McKee, a book about being different and all being the same.  We celebrated Joshua’s 4th day by singing him Happy Birthday. 

Thursday 22nd September

Continuing our shape theme we started the day by sticking various coloured cellophane shapes on to paper. The children could see how the colours mixed together when they overlapped. We also used the new turkey baster to suck up coloured water and transfer to another pot, an activity that also helps to develop our fine motor skills. We made a den in the book corner and children took it in turns to ‘read’ each other a story. Outside we used the hula hoops and the shapes. We played a game we shouted out a shape name and the children had to run to that shape.

A next step from naming the shape is to think about how many corners and sides a shape has.

Wednesday 21st September
Today we had a fire drill, this is carried out once a term. The children responded quickly to Jane’s whistle put their high-vis jackets on and we exited the building in record time. On the way back from our meeting point we decided it would be great to take the children to Finches Field to look for more shapes within our environment. We found lots including a trampoline (circle), garage doors (squares) and trees planted in a circle. We had already set up a mini beast tray (using twigs and leaves from outside) the children used magnifying glasses to look for our new plastic insects. We went on a ‘triangle hunt’ around preschool, and also sticking triangles to make robots, cats and a Mummy.

Monday 19th September

This week we are looking at shapes. Today we were looking at squares. The children went on a ‘square hunt’ looking for things around the preschool that were square shaped. During the morning some of the boys used the blackboards and chalk to ‘mark make’, the beginnings of writing. The puzzle shapes were also out helping the children develop their fine motor skills. We also celebrated Rebecca’s Birthday and sang Happy Birthday to her.

So many thanks to Lorna and Pete (Joshua’s Parents) for the fantastic Hog Roast they ran for Pre School at the West Hoathly Village Fair this summer.  It was a fantastic day. They raised over £500 which we will be using to buy some new resources to develop the children’s Literacy and Fine Motor Skills.  We really appreciate your hard work and effort, thank you!

Do keep an eye on the News Blog for information about other upcoming events and so let us know if you have any ideas about events we could run to raise money for Pre School.

A reminder for the parents of our Cygnets from the West Sussex County Council website.

The application process for children due to start school in September 2017 begins on Monday 3 October 2016. 

The key points of the application process are:
· Apply online at http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/admissions
· Applications can be made between 3 October 2016 and 15 January 2017
· Special rules apply for house movers until 23 March 2017
· The Information for Parents booklet is available on the WSCC website
· Further information is available by ringing 03330 142 903