Our News Blog
Zoolab visit
May 2022
We have had some very interesting and unusual animals come to visit us at Edith Kerrison! Phillip from Zoolab came to see us and brought some friends for us to look at and touch. First we saw a giant land snail called Turbo. Phillip told us that snails eyes are at the end of their antennae! We touched Turbo's shell and we pretended to be a snail with a muscly foot, slithering around and then hiding in our shell when birds were near. Then we saw a tarantula spider called Rosy - we couldn't touch Rosy as their hairs can make us itchy, but we looked closely and saw how she moved with her 8 legs. Next was a gecko called Echo - we had to be very quiet so we didn't scare them, and we touched their soft tail. Then Phillip showed us one of his favourite animals, a big cockroach called Mike. Do you know, cockroaches have 2 brains; one in their head and one in their body! We could stroke Mike the cockroach and he felt very hard. This is because their bones are on the outside of their body, which is called an exoskeleton - the same as the woodlice in our garden! Then we met a scorpion called Danger - we couldn't touch them because they can pinch you with their claws and have a sting in their tail, but we saw how they glowed in the ultraviolet light! And last, but not least, was a beautiful snake called Slinky - she had wonderful markings that looked like a checked chess board and we could all feel them - she wasn't slimy at all! We have been talking about the animals ever since and representing our experiences in our play, our mark making and linking the experiences to our story of the week - The Very Busy Spider.
The Chicks
April 2022
April 2022
We had wonderful surprise when some eggs arrived in an incubator.
We had to think hard to predict what might hatch from the eggs- we had some different ideas; Rosen thought it might be a dinosaur and Alexander hoped it would be snakes, he used the encyclopedia to research snake eggs, he found that other reptiles such as crocodiles also hatch from eggs.
Many of us predicted the eggs would hatch into chicks, we didn't have to wait long before eight fluffy chicks emerged.
We had to think hard to predict what might hatch from the eggs- we had some different ideas; Rosen thought it might be a dinosaur and Alexander hoped it would be snakes, he used the encyclopedia to research snake eggs, he found that other reptiles such as crocodiles also hatch from eggs.
Many of us predicted the eggs would hatch into chicks, we didn't have to wait long before eight fluffy chicks emerged.
We had to care for the chicks, it was important to keep them warm, feed them and give them water every day. We had to handle them very carefully.
This was a wonderful real-life experience for us all, the awe and wonder in our faces and reactions was amazing, the communication, concentration and care we demonstrated was exceptional. The chicks have gone back to the farm now but we still talk about them everyday.
This was a wonderful real-life experience for us all, the awe and wonder in our faces and reactions was amazing, the communication, concentration and care we demonstrated was exceptional. The chicks have gone back to the farm now but we still talk about them everyday.
Educational Visits
April 2022
We are really enjoying our 5-week educational visits programme that takes place every Wednesday. During our programme children visit Emirates cable cars, Mudchute Farm, Thames barrier Park, Wanstead Park and The Natural History Museum. Our visits have been a great opportunity for children to increase their familiarity, knowledge and sense of the world around them enriching and widening their vocabulary. We travel by bus, DLR and train. We look forward to more visits this term!
Celebrating Maths
We have been celebrating maths at Edith Kerrison! We gave a parent workshop on everyday maths; this workshop showed our families the maths strategies we use at our school and gave ideas of activities and ways to incorporate maths into their child’s everyday routines. We also have been taking part in staff maths training, exploring the new EYFS development matters curriculum and revisiting the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of our maths approach at Edith Kerrison.
At Edith Kerrison, we believe maths is EVERYWHERE! Children explore mathematical concepts through our curriculum activities and within their self-directed play all the time. Recently we have been exploring shape, pattern and quantity using natural resources in our garden, been busy measuring the plants we are growing, and playing number games such as ‘What’s the time Mr. Wolf?’ where we used our fingers to show the time and counted our steps.
At Edith Kerrison, we believe maths is EVERYWHERE! Children explore mathematical concepts through our curriculum activities and within their self-directed play all the time. Recently we have been exploring shape, pattern and quantity using natural resources in our garden, been busy measuring the plants we are growing, and playing number games such as ‘What’s the time Mr. Wolf?’ where we used our fingers to show the time and counted our steps.
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March 22 Core book Coffee Morning
We held our first post pandemic coffee morning, our families were invited along for a coffee and chat. Joanna introduced our wonderful selection of new core books which the children will be reading and exploring. Thank you to all the families who were able to attend, it was great to talk and get your feedback- your thoughts and ideas are always invaluable in helping us work together.
Children at our nursery enjoyed a music enrichment day this term. Frank who is a professional musician showed children how to play a keyboard, bass guitar, bongo drums and the children were able to add lyrics to the music. Children gained new skills by trying out different musical instruments and danced to the tunes they created. This was such an exciting day for the children further developing their understanding of music so we have decided to continue with music enrichment days once every half term.
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Our Sensory RoomOur sensory room is a therapeutic space with a variety of equipment that provides children with personalised sensory input. The Sensory room helps to calm children who find the busy nursery environment at times overwhelming. The Sensory room facilitates interaction, play and physical development.
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Dance and Movement
We are very excited to be working with Louise Klarnett our resident Dance Artist & Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapist one day a week. Louise uses dance and movement to develop children’s interactions, communication and curiosity. Louise works with all children with particular focus on children with special educational needs.
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Connecting to Nature Project led by Leonie
We have got off to a good start harvesting the mint that has grown so well in the garden over the summer holiday to make mint tea!
Our garden is a place of activity, curiosity, investigation and play. It is also a place of wonder and harmony where children can be at 'one' with nature
We have got off to a good start harvesting the mint that has grown so well in the garden over the summer holiday to make mint tea!
Our garden is a place of activity, curiosity, investigation and play. It is also a place of wonder and harmony where children can be at 'one' with nature
