The Early Years Education Newsletter
In this, the first edition of Building Blocks for 2016 we meet some new staff and see what the children have been doing for Chinese New Year, and in anticipation of spring!
New Staff!
This term has been all about recruiting for new staff. Alicia left to work as a teaching assistant in a local school, Beth is moving into a management role at the after school and holiday provision in Bromyard and Lianna left to have baby Ethan. So we’re delighted to welcome our new staff.
Lily Rudkin is now working in the toddler room. She’s here all year round and moved from another outstanding nursery in Kempsey. Jackie Jones is starting in one of the baby rooms. Ayesha Loughman, a newly qualified level 3, is heading up our crèche team and working across the rooms. Charlotte Wynter is joining the toddler team after half term. She’s currently studying for her foundation degree in early years and will complete it in May. Also, Nikki Hardy will continue to work with our oldest children, in preschool.
Due to a great deal of administrative work with recruitment, we have had to put the woodlands school on pause. However we will restart in the new half term on a Wednesday afternoon.
Lara is coming in to lead our woodlands adventures over the 5 weeks until the Easter holidays. Lara is completing her forest school leadership training and will bring along her fire pit, tools, ropes and tarps for the children to enjoy!
Hi, I’m Jackie Jones
I’ve been in childcare since 2005 and had my little boy, Liam in 2013. I’m qualified as a level 3 early years practitioner, and I’ve worked with children with additional needs 1:1 and as the Special Educational Needs coordinator in a previous nursery. I’ve been employed at HOPE since 2013 as bank staff and I lead the crèche team.
I especially enjoy using messy play activities to enhance children’s learning and have a real love for the outdoors and the new experiences it can bring for children.
I’m very much looking forward to my new post in the Ladybird room.
What have the children been doing?
This past week the children have been celebrating Chinese New Year, making Valentine’s cards and enjoying yummy pancakes.
Children began to learn about the richness of Chinese culture, seeing pictures and videos of the dragon dance. They refine their fine motor skills as they use chopsticks to move the pompoms, learning to share and take turns.
We have a new Dragonfly room leader: Sarah Bethell, previously of the toddler room, is making her mark already. She and Ali are helping show the children’s work on a beautiful new display in our hallway. The children have already begun to notice the butterflies and flowers. A cheery reminder that spring is on its way.
The pre-school children have been looking at the topic of winter and considering the needs of our British birds. They have made bird feeders to take home, looked at nests and have begun to identify a number of commonly found garden birds.
Next time
Building Blocks will continue to keep you up-to-date about goings on at HOPE Early Years Education. See you next time!
