This week we are looking at our favourite books.  It was great to see some of the children with their favourite books.  We didn’t get time to read everyone’s book this morning but we will be throughout the week.  

We’ve been making our own books to take home, creating our own stories using pictures, mark making and letters.  

In our tuff tray we had the Gruffalo and his friends, fox, snake, owl and of course mouse!  This activity really held the children’s attention.  Some of the children got a chairs and sat playing in the tray for an extended period.  Later the tray developed another use as a small world den and a fire. 

Jane read the Hungry Caterpillar using the book set which contains everything to make the story even more interesting and interactive.  

At the creative table some of the children wanted to continue on from reading The Hungry Caterpillar to make caterpillar pictures.  Liz helped the children with some caterpillar shapes so they could create their own pictures.  

In the Home Corner we had Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  We were looking at numbers and measuring out spoonfuls of porridge for each bear. At the end of the session the children helped to act out the story which they all really enjoyed. 

This week we are looking at 2D and 3D shapes at preschool.  Today we were using stickers around the edge of 2D shapes, this was great for reinforcing the form of each shape and also those fine motor skills (those small stickers can be fiddly).  We also used the tuff tray to sort various items we found around preschool. 

In the Home Corner there were lots of practical life skills; tipping and pouring coloured water, transferring lentils using spoons and using tweezers to pick up small rubbers. 

 Liz bought in a great shape and pattern puzzle which some of the children enjoyed using to copy the pattern below.  Helping with colour recognition, hand to eye coordination and spatial awareness. 

Dear Parents,

We have already had an exciting first couple of weeks back at Pre-school and there is much more to come.  We thought you might like to know what we have in store so that you can talk about things at home with your children and in case your children have any topic related books or objects they would like to bring and share during that week.

Our Sports day will be on the 6th July.  Please come and bring family.  Drinks and cakes will be served with all proceeds going to Pre-school.

Please also come to our Petting Farm stall at the West Hoathly Country and Game Show on Saturday the 3rd June.  There will be lots of animals to pet and handle, including reptiles! If anyone is a available to help out on the stall (animal holding not essential!) please let a member of staff know.

http://www.westhoathlycountryshow.com/

Due to the local elections we had to relocate to Highbrook for Thursday morning’s session. The children settled straight into their new surroundings. 

Once it had stopped raining we got to spend lots of time outside in the field opposite the hall.  We played tag and football, some of the children collected sticks to make a fire.  We also used the parachute which involved everyone working together to keep the balls on.  The highlight of the morning for most of the children was the dust cart driving along the road.   All the children rushed to the wall to wave to the driver. 

PLEASE NOTE we have booked the Highbrook hall for the General Election 8th June.

This week we have been using our new pole tent.  The children have been helping put it together and making various different shapes with it.  

On Tuesday Issy created a fantastic  ‘dinosaur world’ in the tuff tray. The children took the dinosaurs on a little hunt for the letter d/D. 

 Some of the children have enjoyed making their own little books, and writing letters to family and friends. While some of the younger children made up their own game of matching letters.  

Today we all made fossil biscuits  using imprints of some of our small world bugs and insects. All the children joined in discussing ingredients, weighing, stirring and mixing. 

Look at a book together every day. Talk about the pictures and what is happening.  Link it to your child’s experiences.  If the story is too long or too hard, make it easier for him/her.

We’re happy to be back at preschool and looking forward to the Summer Term.

We have been doing lots of interesting things with dinosaurs so far this week.  We have a tuff tray full of leaves and twigs for the small world dinosaurs to explore.  Lots of imaginary play has been going on over here, and lots of roaring! The sun was shining in through the windows this morning so we used this to create some dinosaur shadow pictures.  A great way for some of the children to practice their pen and pencil control, gently tracing round the bumpy edges.  This shadow activity also lead some of the children to use one of the toys with transparent coloured shapes.  They placed the toy in the sun looking at how it changed the colour of the floor.  In the creative area we have been experimenting with the playdoh.  There has been lots of covering of dinosaurs, imprinting them in the playdoh and footprints.   At Circle Time we looked at the size of dinosaurs.  Issy helped the children measure out the smallest and largest.

 Today is Anzac Day in Australia and New Zealand.  A day  of remembrance for the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who died during the First World War.  We were treated to some delicious Anzac biscuits today.  Thank you to Jenny for making these for us they were a great hit with the children. 

Don’t forget Cygnets starts this week for the children going up to school in September.  On Thursday these children will need a packed lunch and a PE kit.  The session will finish at 2.30pm at the village hall.  The second half of term the children will be going up to the primary school. 

Another busy week filled with activities.  We’ve been looking at lifecyles of frogs and chicken this week.  The children listened to stories of eggs hatching and used their imagination to pretend they were breaking out of shells or swimming like tadpoles.

We have also had our Pooch Parlour in the home corner.  The children have been grooming, feeding and walking the dogs.  This has been a great area for creative and cooperative play. 

Today we made Easter Nests to take home.  Lots of weighing, crunching of shredded wheat, stirring and discussions on how we heat and cool food.

Out in the garden we were using our new egg shaped chalks to mark make. 

Due to the County Council Elections on the Thursday 4th May 2017 we will need to relocate preschool for one morning.  We have managed to book Highbrook’s Village Hall for the morning.  Preschool hours will be the usual 8.45-12.30,  with no Cygnets class (for rising 5’s).  Highbrook’s is a small hamlet around 2 miles South of W. Hoathly. 

Please ensure you turn off by the church and park just past the houses where there is a small car park.  You will then need to walk the short distance from car park along the small country lane (no pavement).  Please don’t park on the main road.  

We apologise for any inconvenience caused but the hall will be used for voting. 

Highbrook Village Hall

Hammingden Lane
Highbrook

RH17 6SS

Every month we will be sharing a tip for helping your child with communication. 

Listen and play with sounds together.  Draw your child’s attention to everyday sounds that are familiar such as a car, door bell, or animal.  Imitate the noise that it makes together. Have fun!