August 2022
I would like to start this newsletter welcoming our new families who have joined us over the Summer, we have had lots of successful settling in sessions as they start their Snapdragons Adventure and we are so happy to have more families join our Snapdragons Family. We have also unfortunately said a final goodbye to our school leavers who are now embarking on their new journey to school. We wish you all the best for your new journey.
This month the Baby Barn has been taking part in a variety of activities and experiences to further learning and enhance curiosity. The babies have loved messy play activities with paint, shaving foam and play dough. We have enjoyed spending lots of time outdoors, exploring the environment and the natural resources around us. The babies have engaged in lots of reading over the month and we have provided opportunities for reading in small groups. The Baby Barn has been doing sing and sign each day this month, helping children to learn some Makaton signs and be able to communicate through signs. The babies have loved listening to the songs and they have been joining in with many actions, while dancing along. Moreover, the Baby Barn has been slightly rearranged, creating new spaces to explore and engage, providing children with more access to the resources.
The Baby Cottage have really enjoyed getting stuck in outside, making marks in the fences and chalkboard with chalk, and exploring how things move by rolling items down the guttering tubes. They have also really enjoyed messy play inside, lots of painting, making marks with their hands and the paint brushes, we even used balloons to paint! We have had lots of balloons and bubbles this month due to this being something that babies have really engaged with, we have been singing the Turtle song when we blow bubbles and they like to join in with the actions!
Toddlers have been enjoying our new matching games naming all the objects and colours they can find! We have also been taking care of our babies by washing them and getting them dressed. We spoke about the importance of keeping clean!
Rising 3’s have enjoyed Forest School with Tim this month, the children cut the wood with the saw to make little plates, they then found mint and rubbed it against the plates to make the plates green and smell nice. They also practised drilling a hole through the middle of the wood to make a holder for paint brushes, knives and forks and pens and pencils.
Preschool have said a final goodbye this month to their school leavers, so they have been holding lots of parties and celebrations on the children’s final days. They have also welcomed more children from the Rising 3’s room this month and they have been busy exploring the new rooms around them. The children have also taken part in exploring shapes using them for drawing around to see the shapes we have made as well as threading shapes too. They have been also using their physical skills to ride the scooters too!
Books of the month
Handa’s Surprise
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Gingerbread Man
Makaton Sign of the Month
This months Sign of the Month is Book.
Staff News
Our lovely Ella in the Baby Barn has been successful in the promotion of Head of Baby Barn, she will be taking over from Sophie who is now overseeing the two baby units.
We have also welcomed Sam to our team this month. Sam has joined us as the SEND Lead here at Keynsham. She will be working alongside the staff to ensure that all children are fully supported during their time here. Sam is also available to talk if any parents have any concerns around their child’s development and will be happy to work alongside and support each child individually.
Upcoming Events
We would like to make you aware of some of our upcoming events over the next couple of months at Keynsham.
Parents Evening
In October we will be holding Parents Evening. We are planning to hold Parents Evening on Tuesday 4th October (Preschool and Rising 3’s) and Wednesday 5th October (Babies and Toddlers). We will shortly be releasing the slots for you to book in a time with your keyworker to discuss your child. Please check with your keyworker to confirm the set day.
Spooks and Smores
On Wednesday 26th October we will be holding our Spooks and Smore’s event. This is an opportunity for our families to join us at the end of the day for a little Spooky Party. The event will be held from 4:30pm - 6pm. I will be releasing more details on this event next month. So look out for more details then.
Dress Up for Down Syndrome
On Friday 21st October we will be dressing up for Down Syndrome to help celebrate Down Syndrome awareness month. We would like to raise money for this so we are asking if a donation of £1 can be given if you can to go towards the charity PADS (Positive About Down Syndrome)
Concept Photography
Concept Photography will be returning to Keynsham on Tuesday 1st November and Wednesday 2nd November. This is a chance for all children to have their photos taken which you can choose to purchase after. The timing of this photo shoot also mean they can be purchased for some Christmas presents too.