October
Month in Pictures
What a spook-tacular month we have had here at Snapdragons Weston
Teaching Toolkit
Each month we focus on a theme from the Snapdragons curriculum, the teaching toolkit. Our curriculum covers ten themes of learning. This month we have encouraged and supported the children ‘develop self help skills’.
Babies have demonstarted increasing independence in feeding and cleaning themselves.
Toddlers are proud and capable as they learn to use the toilet and wash hands independently.
Pre-school have dressed and undressed independently, managing velcro straps, buckles, and zips.
Well-being Week
One of our main principles at Snapdragons is to help children to develop life skills. To be resilient, expressive, curious, demanding, compassionate, kind and to have fun. We want them to feel happy, confident and build the abilities to make relationships and form secure attachments.
Green is the theme! It is believed that the colour green can reduce stress and anxiety, and create a calming, soothing atmosphere which is exactly why we dove head first into creating green themed tuff trays, exploring the natural world around us and crafting with green paint, crayons, pens, and pencils.
Chef’s Corner
Keeping on the green theme, here is a recipe for ‘green vegetable soup’.
Ingredients:
1 large potato, peeled and chopped
1 bunch of spring onions, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 vegetable stock
250g frozen peas
100g fresh spinach
300ml natural yoghurt
few mint leaves, basil leaves, cress or a mixture
Method:
Put the spring onions, potato and garlic into a large pan. Pour over the vegetable stock and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 mins with a lid on or until the potato is soft enough to mash with the back of a spoon.
Add the peas and bring back up to a simmer. Scoop out around 4 tbsp of the peas and set aside for the garnish
Stir the spinach and yogurt into the pan, then carefully pour the whole mixture into a blender or use a stick blender to blitz it until it’s very smooth. Season to taste with black pepper.
Ladle into bowls, then add some of the reserved cooked peas and scatter over your favourite soft herbs or cress. Serve with crusty bread, if you like.
Meet the Author
Author of “The Shrew with The Flu”, Will Hamilton-Davies, will be visiting pre-school on Wednesday, November 6th. The Shrew with the Flu is a rhyming children’s picture book all about a greedy shrew that learns to respect and revive Mother Nature after gobbling up a forest.
If you would like to purchase signed copies of the story from his website, you can do so here: <https://willhdofficial.co.uk/shop/shop>. Please fill in the "author visit" section with “Snapdragons Weston”, so that Will knows which books to sign and bring to the visit.
As one of six, Hamilton-Davies spent most of his young adult life entertaining three much younger siblings – much of which involved reading stories. Though his ability as a writer was solidified some years before - while pursuing English at secondary school and Journalism at Newcastle University - it wasn’t until his graduation year that Will discovered a relentless passion for rhyming picture books; in fact, it was around this time that retired primary school teacher, Sheila Supple, was the first to advise Will to pursue authorship. Will’s stories are instilled with themes of morality and kindness, and he likes nothing more than to sit with a group of avid listeners and bring these wonderful worlds to life
Small business Shoutouts
The Country Midwife
Are you a new parent? Or a new family? The Country Midwife is here to help you.
Fox & Kit
Looking for a parent and child friendly space? If so, come and check out Fox & Kit’s cafe space.
if you or anybody you know owns a small business that you’d like to shoutout then let us know!
Dates for your Diary
Spooky S’mores - Tuesday, November 5th
Pre-school leavers Nativity - Wednesday, December 4th
Babies Christmas party - Wednesday, December 11th
Toddlers Christmas party - Thursday, December 12th
Pre-school Christmas party - Tuesday, December 10th
Christmas closures - Wednesday, December 25th. Reopening Thursday, January 2nd.
Joke of the Month
knock, knock! Who’s there? Woo! Woo who? Yeah, i’m excited for Halloween too.
Snappy Shoutouts
A huge Weston welcome to Maayan, our new administrative assistant, and Ellie, our new nursery apprentice on the baby floor.
The happiest of birthdays to Georgina (Office) who turned thirty and Natasha (Babies) who celebrated her fortieth. Not to forget Alex (Pandas) and Matt (kitchen) who also enjoyed another lap around the sun.
Nominate your Superstar
We love to hear from our families across Snapdragons about excellent service they have received. If someone at the nursery has impressed you, please fill in their details below and submit to the nursery. We run a rewards scheme for our teams and they can earn gifts by receiving nominations!
