July 2008.

 

 

Green Room Photo Album.

We had a lovely time playing out side in the paddling pool....

and we have been busy watering our tomatoes.

 

                                                                       

We have enjoyed dressing up in our Police outfits,

 

  Our caterpillar has now grown into a beautiful butterfly, ready to fly away into our garden!

 

 

Green Room

Homelinks 


 

July 2008

 

Welcome back!

We hope you are all having a lovely summer, enjoying both the sunshine and the showers! We are having lots of fun exploring the ‘Summer’. We have been enjoying the pencil garden, looking at flowers and growing our own tomatoes.

Text Box: Having fun outside in the pool!

 

Change in routine

We have decided to make a small change to the Green Room routine so that we can make the most of the sunshine and our pencil garden. Instead of cooking on a Wednesday afternoon we will now have ‘Gardening fun’ and will be planting lots of vegetables and flowers so look out for those! To give some of the morning children a chance to take part in cooking activities we have now moved it to a Monday morning. If you have any questions about this please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the Green Room team.

 

Open Evening

Many thanks to all of the parents who attended our open evening on Monday 21st April. It was the best turn out to date and we hope you all enjoyed looking round the room and chatting to the team.

Our next Open Evening will be on Tues 22nd July when you will be able to meet the Blue Room Team and have a look around the Blue Room. We look forward to seeing you there.

 

Polite Notice

As some of you may know earlies are now in Purple room, please may you ring the bell on the main door to come in so that staff can greet you and settle your child.

For those of you arriving at 9am please be aware that the door will be locked until 8.55am. This is due to insurance and making sure we have correct ratios. Please also remember to sign your child in and out.

Many Thanks!

 

Theme Planning

 

This term we will be doing, ‘A Visit to…’ and will be travelling around the world to visit places such as the rainforest, Desert and countryside then off into space and under the sea! Please feel free to bring in any related items, some ideas are featured in the home links section on the plan below.

 

 

Week Commencing

Theme

Home links

14th July

Ocean

Under the sea creatures, toys or stories

28th July onwards

Summer Holiday Theme Planning

See parents board for details nearer the time

Text Box: If you have any questions or queries over the next term please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the team- we are always here to help, give advice and support you. Here’s to another great term in the Green Room, we hope you all have lots of fun! The Green Room Team

 

 

 

 

 Green Rooms Planning.

Week Commencing

Theme

Homelinks

14th July

Ocean

Bring in any pictures of creatures under the sea, toys or stories etc

28th July onwards

Summer Holiday

Theme Planning

See parents board for details nearer the time

 

  

 

Green Room Daily Routine.

 

Text Box: Freeplay This happens at the start of each session. There are lots of activities available for the children to do. These cover all areas of the curriculum and Early Learning Goals. Sand, water and creative play are always on offer as well as construction, fine motor and role play activities. The gate between the rooms is open encouraging the children to move freely and explore! Adults are on hand to support play and encourage the children’s interaction, involvement and conversation.

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                                            

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                   

 

 

                                                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Singing Time Before moving into our split rooms we have singing time on the carpet. This is a good chance for the children to sit together and choose their favourite songs to sing, as well as join in the actions! Text Box: Butterflies & Caterpillars At certain points in the day we split into two groups: Caterpillars (under 2’s) and Butterflies (2 & over). This allows us to plan and meet the children’s individual needs and development. The Caterpillars are based in the little room and the Butterflies are based in the large room.  During this time children will have snack, circle and group time with their Key Worker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Snack Time A social time where the children and adults sit together at the table to share snack.  The children look for their name card at the table which shows them where to sit. We have a varied selection of snack which rotate daily and include biscuits, crackers, fruit selection or raisins. Drink choices are available too from, milk, water or squash. Details of the snack menu can be found on the parent’s board. During this time we encourage important social skills, particularly saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and waiting for each other to finish.

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Circle Time A time where we all sit together to do a planned activity with one of the staff. Circle Time allows the children to feel valued as an individual as well as being part of the group too. Throughout circle time we promote social and language skills by emphasising the importance of taking turns and listening to each other. This helps the children’s involvement and self-esteem. The children all have a spot mat to sit on and we always start with our ‘Hello’ song. Each child responds to their name and places their photo on the ‘Today Board’. Circle activities are varied and range from looking at story sacks, music, puzzles and games to singing, dancing and movement – so we always have lots of fun!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Group Time This is a set time in which the children spend time in their Key Group. The Key Worker carefully plans activities for their group to do, focusing on any individual needs or developmental areas they need to cover. Groups are planned to link with the areas of the Birth to 3 Framework and can be found on the daily planning sheets on the parent’s board. Key Workers also use this time to monitor and observe the children’s development as well as getting to know them better as individuals too!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Nappies & Toilets The children are all taken to the toilet at regular intervals through the session, as well as when they ask to go themselves. Nappies are also changed at two regular intervals through the day on top of them being wet or dirty at other times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Structured Freeplay These sessions provide the children with a choice of activities, but they have been planned in advance and are directed by the adults. This allows us to use specific play activities to focus on certain aspects of the children’s development. Adults will lead the activity, question, initiate and stimulate discussions and ideas through the play encouraging the children’ involvement and interaction.

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                                        

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Outside Play This is one of the favourite parts of the day! Before we go outside we encourage the children to help find their coats and put them on. Once we are outside there are many activities on offer. Outside play is always planned so that the children get to experience a wide range of resources within the natural environment. Activities include bikes and cars, dolls and prams, balls and hoops, space hoppers, chalks and slides and climbing frames. We also have our own garden area. This space allows us to go outside at any time even if the main playground was in use. In here we can dig in the bark chip, do some gardening or play in the sand and pebbles! We also have a water tray and a play house too! We go outside whatever the weather so please make sure your child has all the appropriate clothing.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                   

Text Box: Story Time After being outside it’s nice to have time to unwind down. We split into our groups once more and have story together. The children love to snuggle down on the sofa or cushions and hear their favourite books. Story also varies as we use props or puppets, story sacks, book bags or tapes. Once a fortnight we take it in turns to visit the library bus and the children have great fun choosing new books to listen too.

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                                                      

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Lunch /Tea Time The children and adults eat together at the table in the Green Room. The children all sit in their spaces and the adult serves the meal. Younger children eat with a spoon and bowl whilst the older children have a plate, spoon and fork. The younger children are also provided with bibs. The children are encouraged to try a little bit of everything, but are not forced to eat anything they dislike. Most children try many new foods at Nursery when they see that others are eating it too! The children are provided with a hot meal and pudding for both lunch and tea. Menu’s for lunch and tea can be found on the parent’s board or outside the kitchen in the main building. Allergies and specific dietary requirements are all catered for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Sleepers Time After lunch those who need to, go for a sleep. The children go into the little room and each has their own bed and bedding to lay on. The curtains are pulled, lights switched off and lullaby music switched on. Children have their comforters and snuggle down for a sleep. Two familiar adults help to settle them and once asleep one member of the Green Room team stays with them until they are all awake. Once awake the children go back into the large room to play.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                     

 

 

 

Text Box: Video Time For those who don’t sleep we have a video time. This is a chance to wind down after a meal whilst the room is being prepared for the next session. Adults are always on hand for a cuddle and there is always a cushion to lay a weary head upon!

 

 

 

 

 


 

                                                                                                                

 

 

 

 

 

 

Text Box: Themed Afternoons Many of our afternoon sessions follow a specific theme which the activities are planned around. These can include P.E, dance and music, cooking, drama, messy madness and much more! Details of current themes and activities can be found on the daily planning sheets on the parent’s board.  

 

 

 


 

                                                                 

 

Personal Profiles.

Emma Marsh

I started my childcare career from the age of 16 when I started at Salisbury College in 1995,

training to become a Nursery Nurse doing a BTEC National Diploma in Childhood Studies. During my time at college I experienced many different placements, ranging from a Pre-school (La Retraite/Swan), Primary School (St.Andrews in Laverstock) and Playgroup (Harnham) to a Boarding School (Bracknell), Special Needs (Exeter House School) and a year placement with a family in Salisbury. After 2 years, a full time course and a lot of sleepless nights doing assignments, I gained my qualification with distinction in 1997. As an added bonus I managed to be awarded with the college award for best achievement within the course – an award I jointly shared with none other than Donna!

 

Having completed my training I began work as a Key Worker at a Montessori School in Salisbury

where I worked with children aged from 12 months to 3 years old. After a year I progressed to Room Leader and led a team of 3 others. After 3 years in 2001 the opportunity arose for me to come and work at First Steps Nursery in Winterbourne Earls. I accepted and after 2 months in April we became Bourne Valley Nursery School. During my time at Bourne Valley I have experienced many different situations. I began as Team Leader in the Yellow Room and progressed onto Team Leader in Green Room. Finally in January 2005 I went to work in Purple Room as Team Leader. I have gained so much experience in working with all the age groups of children and enjoyed working with many members of the team!

 

I have completed my BA (Hons) Degree in Childhood and Youth Studies, studying through the Open University, which means a lot of work each evening! It has been a lot of hard work so far but has provided me with a wealth of knowledge and ideas that I am able to implement within the room already.

 

During my time at Bourne Valley I have also attended several other courses including, Foundation

Stage Curriculum, Birth to 3 Matters Framework, parental involvement, behaviour issues, management training, first aid and many Early Years Conferences. I am very keen to keep developing myself through my role at Bourne Valley and continue to implement my knowledge and skill in the organisation for the benefit of all the children in our care.