Our very own open art gallery

Here at Newdale nursery we believe every child can be an artist!
Because art is a place for children to learn to trust their ideas, themselves, and to explore what is possible.

What a creative week we’ve had, that all started with our book of the week, ‘ The Dot ‘ which was all about a child who didn’t think they could ever draw until they was asked by the teacher to draw a dot. So that’s exactly what we did. Yes every child, all 69 of them was there to make a mark boy was it worth it!
The children explored and used many different media’s and textiles, even in the woods by making water marks on the bark.
Their work was displayed in our open art gallery today opened by our special visitor from school Mr McFarland the art coordinator.
He was delighted to see the children’s work being celebrated and put on show for all parents to see and so were we 👏
We hope you enjoyed it all and we do hope to see many more events like this taking place where the children can show off many more of their talents to you.

Next week the art work created will be going home for you all to share and enjoy.
I think you’ll join me in saying Bravo to every little Picasso 👏❤️
https://youtu.be/sg-aGFsOk1I?feature=shared Book of the week video.

Curriculum Governors Involvement Update

During the Curriculum committee this week, Governors reviewed the art curriculum offer across the school and enjoyed listening to the children share their artistic ideas and sketch books. Governors were impressed with their enthusiasm for this subject and the clear enjoyment they link to art trips out of school. Governors recognised that the subject leader had a robust knowledge of his subject and was instrumental in supporting staff in the delivery of this curriculum area.

Governors also focused on the curriculum offer for pupil premium and SEND children across year 1 and 2. It was reassuring for Governors to hear and see that teachers are skilfully adapting the learning to meet the children’s specific needs.

Drop in session from the Healthy child team

Please see below the invite to an informal chat session on all things health related and dietary needs for early years with the Healthy child team from the local hub. This is a great drop in session for any support or guidance needed.
Parents with small babies and toddlers are welcome too, there will be a safe area for them to play if needed and room for prams.

Information on new 2 year old funding for Working Parents -April 2024

There are now several funding offers available for parents, below is  a short roundup of what the new and existing funding streams look like:

There are 3 different routes for application for 2 year old funded places

 

There are 2 different routes for 3 & 4 Year old funding:

  • 15 hours universal funded places for all children which will be applied for directly through the childcare provider of your choice.
  • 30 hours funding for working families apply here Childcare Choices.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

 

Information for helping families with the NSPCC

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/

Here is a link to the NSPCC website for information about help regarding families with children.

Finance & Personnel Governors Committee

Governors scrutinised the ‘work life balance audit’ and were pleased with the very positive level of responses. Governors took great pleasure in knowing that having such a positive, dedicated staffing team, ensures the children’s needs are being met. Governors understood the pressures around the school and nursery budgets and contributed to the discussions for future spending. Governors listened to a presentation by the Assistant SENDco and was reassured that detailed planning, communication, and next steps continue to be carefully considered.

Funding information for 2-4 year olds

There are now several funding offers available for parents, below is  a short roundup of what the new and existing funding streams look like:

There are 3 different routes for application for 2 year old funded places

There are 2 different routes for 3 & 4 Year old funding:

  • 15 hours universal funded places for all children which will be applied for directly through the childcare provider of your choice.
  • 30 hours funding for working families apply here Childcare Choices.

If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

 

Mega NSPCC maths day, mega jam packed week!

Maga maths day wasn’t the only thing going on this week in Mighty Oaks, oh no we’ve also crammed in lots of other exciting learning opportunities for the children to dive right into.

Learning about feelings and being kind while talking through this weeks book

‘ The invisible ‘ the children were taught the meaning of the words, ” invisible, kind, afford, curled sad and lonely. ” we talked about how to be kind to those around us and helping each other., the children came up with some wonderful ideas ❤️ alongside playing games of hide to teach the children the word ‘ invisible ‘ 🫥

We had a fantastic tuff tray with special colour vision goggles to check out different coloured shiny gems, this was a magnificent sensory tray to explore, see and feel. It looked magical and as always enjoyed by many.!🥽💎

The hospital role play area had the tricky challenge of making your very own glasses out of junk materials. So cool they came out looking like something from a steampunk convention or for those old enough to remember mad max. 🤓 just brilliant!

Small worlds tuff tray was a particularl favourite full of a train track and road to steer yourself around a course of a big city. 🚂🌇 marvellous opportunity for imaginary role play language to be used.

It didn’t stop there either, creative was really full of industrious children, making a Chinese dragon from the recycling ♻️ 🇨🇳🐲 and a beautifully decorated one for purple groups on going wall display. Then magic wax Crayon painting! Which showed the children the invisible crayon coming to life full of colour revealing their picture. Just like our book of the week. 🎨👨🏾‍🎨🪄✨

Outdoor PE lesson was all about getting the most treasure they could from the middle of the pitch and returning it to their boats. Who got the most was the winners. Great opportunity for testing their maths skills and who would keep to the rules of only one treasure at a time 😂🏴‍☠️

Indoor PE session was all about playing together in team games and circle games. This always helps build up the confidence of being around others and supporting fellow peers. ⭕️🤾🏼‍♀️

Joining in with traditions we had a Chinese tasting snack with oodles and oodles of noodles and prawn crackers. Could the children use their taste buds and tell us the different flavours?  Was it crunchy, soft , hard or hot?

And of course Fridays marvellous NSPCC mega maths day jam packed with maths activities and games to learn numbers and counting through play, the best way hey! 🧮🔢

Talking about jam ! Next weeks book is ‘ The giant jam sandwich ‘  a rhyming story that tells us all about the fictional town of itching down, which was invaded by four million Wasps 🐝🥪

https://youtu.be/fAriZ69qZtY?si=ZIeGLtyF1_YxFsWW

NSPCC Number Day – Friday 2nd February

NSPCC Number Day 2024 Information

Don’t forget, Newdale are taking part in this year’s NSPCC Number Day!  All of our pupils, from Nursery up to Year 6, will enjoy a variety of Maths activities, maths stories and competitions on Friday. Years 2 – 6 will be involved in a Times Tables Rockstars Battle too.

To raise money for the NSPCC and support all of the important work that they do, we are inviting all children  to dress down in number-themed outfits on Friday. The donation for this can be made on ParentPay. Thank you in advance for your support.