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Edition 9

January News Directors News Sparkwell Forest School Woodlands Ivy Town School Club Mike s Meal Staff News Montessori Information Parenting Help Dates for your diary Montessori Hour for non funded children

This month has seen me Tracey joining the Sparkwell team and I will be their teacher three days a week from February I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the classroom the environment and thinking of activities to support children s learning is my passion In January we held our first Montessori Hour sessions for quite a few years The sessions give us an opportunity to meet with local families share our passion for Montessori education show how activities can be made without spending lots of money and answer any questions parents may have If you have a non funded child why not join us Details are at the end of the magazine All three nurseries are becoming increasingly busy our Woodlands setting have only a few afternoon spaces now until July If you know you are wanting to increase your child s sessions or wanting to book a sibling to start with us please let Caroline or the setting manager know as soon as possible We always aim to offer our current families the sessions they would prefer but we are getting bookings now for 2019 2020 We are reducing the amount of single use plastic we use in our settings and recycling where possible If you have any items you think we maybe able to use we would be delighted Items we are currently sourcing are cardboard tubes wallpaper bangles beads wooden rings lidded tins and tubs Tracey and Caroline

Laura At Sparkwell we have loved exploring the sand combined with construction made with cardboard boxes and tubes The children have been so engaged observing where the sand goes down the tubes and when the sand became stuck finding sticks or cardboard tubes to push the sand down We are planning to create more over the coming weeks with the children When Vicki visited us at Sparkwell we explored outside the setting we too went on a little adventure around the church and the sensory garden we noticed the different plants and leaves We returned to nursery with our little journey sticks and enjoyed a warm drink and snack The Kelly kettle is still providing a wonderful opportunity for the children to explore fire in a safe and controlled way We finished our session inside with a lovely story called Tiny little things and our favourite song Alphabet Rondo The under two s have explored spaghetti and colanders sensory bottles inside and outside posting boxes building with cardboard tubes painting with sponges and so much more Our bridge which all the children love to climb over is currently being improved and we are all looking forward to the final result We would like to welcome Ellie Samuel Oliver Sam Rupert Dottie Emily Samuel Benji and Grayson We have enjoyed our cooking and baking this month the bread was delicious Exploring pasta

Vicki Journey Sticks Exploring our local wood stories about their travels Did you know Aborigines in Australia and Native Americans are said to have used journey sticks to tell stories about their travels This week at forest school we have explored journey sticks Journey sticks can encourage children to get to know their local woodland and develop a deeper understanding of a journey We reminded children of the countryside code we discussed how the artifacts they find must be objects they find on the ground rather than picking living plants and all wildlife must remain in the woods too We had a special bag to collect any litter we found All these aspects support the countryside code We talked about where our journey started so the children had an understanding of the journey beginning We searched for artifacts near the start to remind us of that part of the journey Some children looked at the big beech tree We asked the children Can we attach the big tree to our sticks they laughed We decided that we would do rubbings of artifacts that couldn t be attached We also used technology to capture images of badger sets big logs and interesting woodland objects When we saw a white van in the woods we used label tags to have a go at scribing We sounded out v a n then blended to make the word van Our last encounter in the woods was a very old beech tree We used this opportunity to see how many children could hold hands all the way around the tree trunk We counted together starting at 0 and ending in 20 After all that learning we decided it was time to head back to school for a hot chocolate and a story We had a wonderful first encounter of 2019

Hannah Hayley has helped the children make bird feeders with the children this month The children enjoyed rolling cardboard tubes in sticky honey then rolling them in bird seed Once the feeders were hung in the garden the children eagerly watched the squirrels and birds feed off them The older children who will be attending school in September have started to join the reception classes for thinking and doing every few weeks The children settled very quickly and didn t want to leave at the end of the session It s so valuable to be able to have these extended transition sessions and means our children are ready for school in September The baby room have been looking at sensory play and sounds they have loved exploring the different sensory activities Because it is so cold at the moment we are practicing getting ourselves dressed with the appropriate clothing supporting the children when and if needed Baby Sleep Area The Woodlands team would like to welcome Max Arthur Kaden Horia Seinna and Clark

Hannah Breakfast and After School Club We have had a great start to the new term we ve been busy trying out our new menu and cooking ideas which have gone down a treat with the children so far The art tables are always very popular here at school club so a lot of our planning relates to the children s creative sides we are always happy to A very popular activity brought back to our get messy with play dough paint and glue planning is blindfold drawing Each child is given a challenge and it s a competition between them This term we have created our own homemade who can draw the best of what has been asked of lava lamps and abstract art them They really enjoy seeing how funny they are at the end and laughing at each others The challenges get harder and crazier as they go along This activity is always a favourite with the children here at after school club and it s nice to see their competitive sides while having fun We ve still got plenty of delicious baking planned and lots of activities to keep us busy It s been great being back and we hope to continue the fun in the coming terms We would like to welcome Tabitha Dexter Riley and Summer

Briony The children have been filled with excitement and imagination this month and we have loved every moment of watching them explore and make everything out of anything We have made fires out of sticks and fires out of stones We had to make dens and win races in the garden Although the weather has been a bit wet we have loved it We have been going out in all weathers and enjoying making mud pies cups of hot chocolate and seeing who can make the biggest splash in the muddy puddles The babies have had a sensory filled month and they have been exploring everything We have done finger painting with mashed fruit to explore the feeling smells and colours We have done sensory play dough with different smells such as hot chocolate and coconut The babies have also really enjoyed Grims rainbow the possibilities are endless there are so many different shapes we can make with all the colours We have also enjoyed understanding the book of the week filling the tufty tray with objects to explore visually and physically that involve the book We have continued to follow our science interest with lots of ice play and seeing how it freezes with different colours and objects in it Then we had the fun part of making it melt We held it in our hands used salt sand and spoons to chip away We have also explored frozen bicarbonate of soda and watching it fizz as we add vinegar to it We have read lots of books about space and science to see what we recognised and what we learnt The children have loved every step of the journey and have learnt so much Our next project is the Chinese new year We are going to learn all about their traditions the colours and tastes of the country and learn all about the year of the pig and what it means We love visiting the park

Mike s Meals Cock a leekie Ingredients 1 large leek approx 350 grams 4 6 carrots grated 4 chicken breasts cut up Pinch salt Long grain or basmati rice Method Top n tail the leek cut it in to quarters long ways then chop the other way in to penny size pieces Paysanne style roughly Give the leeks a good thorough wash and drain Grate the carrots Cut the chicken breasts in to bite size pieces put it all in a pan together season with a pinch of salt and cover with cold water Put a lid on the pan and place on the stove Bring to the boil then turn down to a simmer for ten minutes In a separate pan bring some water to the boil and cook some rice approx 250 grams If using long grain then once boiled turn down to a simmer until cooked then drain If using Basmati then cook until all the water is absorbed and then drain any remaining moisture Add the rice to the chicken and vegetable pan mix well and serve or serve the rice then nappe lightly evenly coat the chicken and vegetable mix over the rice

Staff News This month we say farewell to Sarah at our Sarkwell team who after four years working for us has decided to have a change of career We wish Sarah all the best and thank her for all her hard work over the years We have been carrying out appraisals this month and chatting to all the team setting targets and goals for the forth coming year We are so grateful to have teams who are passionate and keen to further their knowledge and improve working practice Over the next month we have a whole team staff meeting exploring maths in the early years environment Caroline and Tracey are attending a conference on The Neuroscience of Early Intervention in London which they are very excited about Featured staff member Claire G I first joined Little Orchard Sparkwell as an employee working as a key person for the 3 and 4 year old s in Summer 2013 I was previously a student at Little Orchard completing a placement for my college course I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Little Orchard as a student and was very pleased to be offered a job once qualified Little Orchard have helped me to become more confident and knowledgeable of my role I enjoyed getting to know all of the children and families and learning about the Montessori ethos I left Little Orchard in March 2015 to go travelling I then returned in November 2017 I contacted Caroline and Tracey to see if I could rejoin the Little Orchard team I then rejoined the Sparkwell team working as a key person in the baby room I am now the under 2 s lead and have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the children and families at the setting and planning fun and exciting activities for the baby room I really like how the Montessori ethos allows the children to be very independent and allows them to grow in confidence through carrying out everyday activities I am looking forward to the New year ahead

Montessori Information Sensorial Geometric Cabinet The Geometric Cabinet is one of my favourite Montessori activities although I do have quite a few favourites The activity enables a child to explore 2 d shapes and with an adult learn their names There are 6 drawers of shapes which are used like a puzzle the child is encouraged though to hold the shape in one hand and to feel the outline of the shape with the other A child begins with one drawer but as they become more familiar with the activity the children can use as many drawers as they would like The adult not only introduces the names of the shapes they also discus the properties of the shapes such as the number of sides corners and points There are also three sets of cards to use with the drawers so a child can match the 2 d shape to a bold thin and light outline of the shape A game we like to play is to hide the cards around the room and he children to choose a shape and see if they can find the cards to match the shapes they have chosen I have know all of us to be looking for the last card for a ling time after a child had hidden it really well Ideas for home You could make a point of noticing shapes in the environment when at home or out and about Together you could draw shapes on paper mud or sand discussing the sides edges points and corners If you could see what pictures you could make using shapes either by drawing or cut out cardboard or wooden shapes Could you make a pattern or rocket

Parenting Information Head Lice Head lice are very common and easily treated but they do need to be treated for a few times before you can be guaranteed to be free of them and even then you should check your child s head weekly as they are easily spread If your child has head lice they do not need to stay off nursery or see a doctor but they do need treating NHS guidance is for wet combing to be carried out Wet combing should happen after shampooing hair and with plenty of conditioner and using a comb similar to the two pictured below Wet combing should take place on days 1 5 9 and 13 to catch any newly hatched head lice Check again that everyone s hair is free of lice on day 17 It is so easy to miss eggs as they are so tiny which is why it is so important to make sure wet combing takes place 4 times as recommended and then re checked on day 17 If after wet combing with conditioner over the course of 17 days the head lice remain it would be a good idea to talk to your pharmacist to see if they recommend any other treatment such as a medicated lotion Please make sure you check your child s hair weekly to ensure they remain lice free and if they do have lice that wet combing begins promptly This link have further information https www nhs uk conditions head lice and nits

Dates For Your Diaries Term Dates Spring Term 7th January 5th April Half Term 18th February Easter Bank Holiday 19th and 22nd April Summer Term 23rd April 19th July May Bank Holiday 6th and 27th May Half Term 27th May Summer Bank Holiday August 26th Autumn Term 4th September 17th December Half Term 21st October We are closed for all Bank Holidays and for approx a week at Christmas Contact Details Director Caroline caroline lucas littleorchardmontessori co uk Zara Invoice queries admin littleorchardmontessori co uk Tel 07549066082 Please contact managers direct regarding changes to sessions extra days and holiday notice Sparkwell Laura sparkwell littleorchardmontessori co uk Tel 837883 Woodlands Hannah woodlands littleorchardmontessori co uk Tel 658567 Ivy Town Briony ivytown littleorchardmontessori co uk Tel 893498 Jumper T Shirt Purchases Would you like to order a jumper or T Shirt for your child in purple with our logo on Please let us know via email or message on Famly T Shirt 6 95 Jumper 8 95