This term, we are focusing on the theme “Kind Hands, Caring Hearts.” This week, we introduced firefighters to support this theme, as they are positive role models who help others and show kindness in their work. The children worked together to create a large fire engine in the garden using a tunnel and tyres. They had access to dressing-up clothes, helmets, and hose pipes, which they incorporated into their play. The children thoroughly enjoyed taking on the role of firefighters.
The following day, we enhanced the provision by adding bricks and an A-frame to create a house alongside the fire engine. The children used these materials to build a house, and logs were added to represent a fire. It was lovely to observe the children working collaboratively to construct their ideas and then engaging in imaginative play to bring their scene to life. There were also a variety of firefighter-themed activities available throughout the nursery. These included fire engines and pipets in the water tray to support fine motor skills, wooden fire trucks and a fire station to encourage imaginative play, and a creative activity using a large cardboard box, paper plates, paint, and a large yogurt pot to make a fire engine.
Our eggs arrived on Monday and were nestled in the incubator. Lots of excitement ensued waiting for the first to start ‘pipping’. The eggs were numbered and we made predictions, adding our names to the board and now we had to wait and keep checking…… The first chick to hatch was number 5 which arrived on Wednesday and a few more have arrived since. We now look forward to when we can hold them. The children have been observing the chicks closely since they hatched last week. Each day, they have noticed how the chicks have changed and grown—from being newly hatched, small, and wet, to becoming dry, fluffy, and beginning to develop some adult feathers. Now that the chicks are bigger and stronger, they are able to be handled carefully. The children were taken to the chick room and sat down together. They were reminded to handle the chicks gently and to use quiet voices. One by one, the children were given the opportunity to hold a chick. Most children were confident and happy to do so, while a few felt a little unsure; in these cases, the chicks were placed on their laps instead. All of the children were gentle and caring when stroking them. After everyone had a turn, an adult placed the chicks on the floor so the children could observe how they move around. Back in the Ladybird classroom, the children took part in a discussion about their experience. They talked about whether they thought they had held a male or female chick, how it felt, and the sounds the chicks made. New vocabulary was introduced, including words such as “cheep,” “soft,” “fluffy,” and “tickle.” The children thoroughly enjoyed this experience. Although they will feel sad to say goodbye, they understand that the chicks will be returning to their home at the farm among the trees
It has been a very busy and engaging few weeks for the children.
