Leeside nurseryBy Joy Heels
The weather was kind to us for our sports morning – it didn’t rain and it was not too hot. All the children took part in the races and were not overwhelmed by parents and grandparents watching and cheering them on.
Father’s day cards were made and coloured by the children. They also made peppermint creams to give to their dads (I wonder how many made it home).
Our topic at half-term was farm animals. The children learned about all the animals and what their babies are called and which animals give us milk etc. They made models out of junk and painted them, sewed animal cards and made a tractor and also a dog (out of two throw-away cups) and stuck feathers on to a cut-out chicken.
On the last week of term we organised a farm to come. They brought with them sheep, goats, pig, ducks, turkey, chickens and all the tame pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice and even a ferret. The children all held the furry animals and fed them dandelion leaves and dried food. Some of them were a bit wary when the ducks and turkey were let out and came looking for food – their beaks look very big to little children – but they were fascinated by the ferret as they wouldn’t normally see this animal.
All the children wanted to milk the goat which was very patient and they all had a go. They also stroked the pig and then finished by feeding the lambs and kids with dried food and bottles of milk. All the children enjoyed the farm visit: they even enjoyed washing their hands.
We ended the term with a teddy bears’ picnic. The food was eaten inside because of the rain but we were able to have hunt-the-teddy-bears outside.
Many children have now left to go on to school. We wish them all well and hope they settle quickly.
Kay is now qualified as an early years practitioner after graduating with a distinction. Suzanne gave birth to a son on 3rd August. Congratulations to both of them!