Pancake day meant a big vote was in order…Which topping shall we have on our pancakes? The choice was between lemon and sugar and Jim’s Smelly Cheese Sauce. Surprisingly, there was some impassioned campaigning for smelly cheese. Although the votes saw Lemon and Sugar come out on top, such was the expressed desire for cheese, both options were made available come pancake day.
In group time the children brought together the raw ingredients and whisked them together. By making in “the round” in groups of 10-12 children, every child has an opportunity to contribute to the process as the bowl is passed around the circle. Number, handling statistics, observing and contributing to the preparation of food from it’s raw ingredients, taking turns and supporting their friends…all in a days work at Thornton Heath Nursery School…and after the work is done, time to enjoy our treats together!
This week two special deliveries meant two things; new resources…and boxes! We are firm recyclers at Thornton Heath Nursery; cardboard is painted, collaged, snipped and stuck. Boxes also become a valued part of imaginative and physical play.
Delivery number one was an archway for our Nursery within the Nursery! Last year’s cucumber crop was compromised through the plants being moved. This year, the seeds shall be planted in situ and cultivated to grow over and around the arched trellis to form a beautiful entrance to our plant nursery/garden centre.
Unexpectedly, some may say unavoidably, the archway trellis came as a flatpack…this meant Maria and the gang had to get their tool belts out! With skill and precision, team work and turn taking, the children supported Maria. They drilled pilot holes for screws and used our specially designed child size screw drivers to build the archway and planters.
Our first seeds have been planted…seeds freshly squeezed, chopped and scooped from fresh tomatoes. Our “Growing Together” focus is a wonderfully cross curricular one. Here the children see first hand where our food is coming from and how it is grown. Rather than a paper bag of dry seeds, they observe and handle the fruit from which our own crop will grow. Using images we introduce the word “germination”, the role of roots, stems and leaves and the requirements of plants… all prior to the children observing and handling the real thing as a variety of seeds germinate in our Nursery within the Nursery!
From icy mornings to a Friday with no coats on, the garden has been busy and a hive of activity. Low level climbing has seen children develop their skill and confidence. We are blessed with the very best garden in Croydon. Climbing opportunities abound with the big climb and tree house featuring walls, netting and bridges; however the low level climb offers a different challenge. A- frames are scaled and children must pivot their weight, balancing carefully as they do so. Balance beams are traversed in a variety of ways. Children’s progress over the week is always astounding and a joy to watch.
Next week, planting of beans, sunflowers and pumpkins!
