July Newsletter
July brought the heat, and we all felt it! With temperatures soaring, we were on the lookout for fun and refreshing ways to cool down — and what better excuse than a Beach Day at Horfield! 🏖️
The children had an absolute blast splashing in the paddling pools, sliding down the slip and slide, crunching into fruity homemade ice lollies, and exploring icy textures with some creative ice play. It was the perfect way to beat the heat while enjoying the summer fun together!
We love hosting special event days like this, and we’re always looking for new ways to celebrate. If your family has a special occasion, tradition, or cultural celebration you’d like to share with us, please let us know — we’d be delighted to include it in our activities!
Staffing Update
Some sad news….
On Thursday 21st August, we will be saying goodbye to our wonderful Deputy Manager, Jenny. She has been an incredible asset to the Horfield team, and her support has been invaluable in helping me settle into my new role here. Jenny’s positivity, kindness, and her amazing musical talent – from playing the ukulele to leading joyful sing-alongs – have left a lasting impression on both children and staff. While we’ll miss her greatly, we’re excited for her as she embarks on a new adventure closer to home in a similar role. We wish her every happiness and success in this next chapter!
On Friday 22nd August, we will be saying a sad farewell to our brilliant Mykayliah from the Otter Room. She will always be remembered for her calmness, kindness, and endless patience. If you’ve been lucky enough to have a child in the Otter Room, you’ll know just how much the children – and all of us – will miss her. Although we’re sad to see her go, it’s time for her to take on a new role and embrace fresh experiences. We wish her the very best of luck for this exciting next chapter!
New additions to the Horfield Team…
This week, we welcomed the lovely Lucie into our Hedgehog Room, where she has already begun settling in and getting to know the children.
Next week, we’ll be welcoming Lilly and Amillia to the Otter Room.
We’re also delighted to announce that Adam will be joining us as our new Deputy Manager. Adam is currently a Deputy Manager at a nursery in Cheltenham, and we’re looking forward to the fresh ideas and experience he will bring. We’ll keep you updated on his official start date.
We are also pleased to share that Aby will be stepping up until the role of Head of Early Years Practice as of Monday 1st of September. We are actively recruiting for her replacement as head of the Deer room and will keep you updated on any developments.
Nominate a Star:
Is there a staff member that you would like to be acknowledged for all their hard work this year or someone who you would just like to thank? At Snapdragons we run a reward scheme for our employees, nominations from parents mean stars for the staff that can go towards a range of different rewards and prizes which can include sweet treats, hampers, meal vouchers and even a trip to the spa, so if you would like to reward the staff remember to fill in the online form sharing your lovely words. Snappies Superstar — Snapdragons Nursery
Hedgehogs
What a fun-filled and busy month it’s been for our Hedgehogs! The babies have loved exploring the garden — getting messy, connecting with nature, and even enjoying some calming sensory meditation time. It’s been wonderful to see them so engaged and relaxed during these peaceful moments. We were also treated to some delicious smells coming from the room as the babies got hands-on in the kitchen, making their own banana oat cookies! With a little help, they added and mixed the ingredients themselves — a fantastic opportunity to develop their self-help and fine motor skills (plus, the cookies were a big hit!). Later in the month, the babies set off on a local adventure to the park, where they watched birds, had a go on the slide, and enjoyed a special ride on the nursery turtle bus. The joy and excitement on their faces said it all!
Wow — what a month, Hedgehogs!
Squirrels
This month, the Squirrels have been busy exploring the wonderful world of mark making! They’ve been experimenting with a variety of textures and materials, discovering all the exciting ways they can make marks, patterns, and shapes. From scooping and pouring to mixing and swirling, the children have shown great curiosity and enthusiasm as they tested out different tools and techniques. Whether it’s with brushes, spoons, sponges, or even their hands, they’ve loved finding creative ways to express themselves.
It’s been fantastic to see their fine motor skills developing and their imaginations coming to life — well done, Squirrels!
Otters
This month, the Otters have been fully immersed in sensory play, exploring a variety of exciting themes including water, paint, and flour! The children have loved getting hands-on and experimenting with different textures and materials.
With the sunny weather on our side, we were able to take the fun outdoors. The Otters had a blast racing around in the cars, taking turns to push each other along our makeshift racetrack — fantastic teamwork and lots of laughter all around! We also enjoyed cooling off in the paddling pools, splashing and giggling in the sunshine. Calm moments were spent reading books outdoors, and we explored even more water play with themed setups that sparked curiosity and creativity.
What a brilliant month of learning through play!
Badgers
Our Badgers have been bursting with creativity this month! From making wonderfully wobbly gloop ice creams to inventing their very own fruity lollies, the imagination has been flowing. We’ve explored the magic of colour by mixing our own shades, using pipettes to help strengthen those fine motor skills. To top it all off, the children created stunning collages with patterned paper – each one inspired by their favourite colours and special objects. It’s been a month full of colour, texture, and endless ideas!
Deers
This month, the Deers have been busy wearing many hats! We’ve been mathematicians – counting our own money, setting up a role-play shop, and learning how to spend and save. Through play, we explored real-life maths skills in a fun and meaningful way. We’ve also been scientists, diving into the world of dinosaurs, experimenting with volcanic reactions, and investigating what happens when we mix different substances together. Curiosity was at an all-time high as we explored these exciting topics! We’ve been brave and adventurous, taking on the slip and slide with big smiles and even bigger splashes – what a great way to cool down and have fun! Most importantly, we’ve been kind – taking time to play with siblings and younger children, and practicing mindfulness through meditation. We reflected on our feelings and thought about how we can care for one another.
What an incredible month of learning, laughter, and friendship!
Preschool Graduation
This July, we held our very special Leavers Graduation to say goodbye to our wonderful preschoolers. Watching them grow, learn and shine has been a real joy. We wish you all the best in your next adventure ‘Big School’! Shine Bright Preschool.
Here are just a few pictures of the lovely event:
