Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery News

Oct 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:45:49 GMT

Throughout October, Rising 5s will be exploring the environment to witness the changing seasons. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development and follow their own interests in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Working together to create attractive wall displays.
�   Adding narrative to our role play.
�   Talking about how we feel today.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   �The Little Red Hen� story to learn how to make bread.
�   Continuing the library.
�   Letter of the month Aa

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Following recipes to use numbers for baking.
�   �5 Little Leaves� and develop to count 10-1.
�   Using our number line to recognize numbers past 10.
�   Counting fruit pieces at snack time.

Physical Development:
�   Using scissors when creating collages to cut pieces to size.
�   Practicing putting on our outdoor coats.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Nature walks to collect leaves and twigs.
�   Noticing seasonal changes.
�   Using the computer.
�   Acknowledging Halloween.

Creative Development:
�   Role play at baking using play dough and home corner resources.
�   Small world play in the sand tray using tea leaves, leaves, twigs and bugs.
�   Create autumn collages and paintings.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Noticing the changing seasons.
�   Nature walks.
�   Crunching the autumn leaves.

.Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Return �Letter of the Month� sheets for your child�s Record of Achievement.
�   Collect items of interest for our autumn display.

Sept 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 20:43:19 GMT

Throughout September, Rising 5s will be finding out about wild, farm and domestic animals. They will also be contributing to discussions about �Days Out�. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development and follow their own interests in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Supporting the transition that the Three Plus children have now made.
�   Establishing the new routine and forming new friendships.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   Introducing ourselves and what our favourite activities are.
�   Continuing the library.
�   Introduce the �Letter of the month�. This month is Ss.
�   Discussion and news times about days out.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Using numbers during play.
�   Recognizing and writing numbers 1-10.
�   Examining patterns on animals.
�   Counting pennies.

Physical Development:
�   SWINX game (team games and races).
�   Using pegs to hang clothes on the washing line.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Talk about places to visit (park, zoo, farm, swimming, seaside, relatives, walks in the woods, cinemas, theatre and meals out).
�   Exploring our new ICT equipment (remote control cars).
�   Trying out our new construction sets.

Creative Development:
�   Role play at days out (Café, beach, animals etc).
�   Role play at taking care of the house, washing, cooking and cleaning.
�   Create collages and paintings to enhance our playing environment.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Comparing the ever changing weather.
�   Using the SWINX.
�   Hanging out washing.

.Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Return �Letter of the Month� sheets for your child�s Record of Achievement.
�   Practice table manners whilst using a knife and fork.

August 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:55:40 GMT

Throughout August, Rising 5s will be finding out about camping holidays and summer flowers. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Settling in new children from the Three Plus room.
�   Supporting leavers into their new schools.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   Reading books about school, (first experiences).
�   Reading books about camping (Kipper�s Monster).
�   Listening to rules and instructions.
�   Discussion and news times.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Counting down to the first day of school (how many sleeps?).
�   Recognizing and writing numbers 1-10.
�   Using recipes for baking and play dough.
�   Counting backwards from 5-1.

Physical Development:
�   SWINX game (team games and races).
�   Making track pictures to display in our construction area.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Talk about how we spent our holidays when nursery was closed.
�   Exploring our new ICT equipment (remote control cars).
�   Trying out our new construction sets.
�   Planting sunflower seeds.

Creative Development:
�   Role play at camping holidays with tents and other props.
�   Add diggers, backdrop, figures and wet sand to the sand area.
�   Create collages and paintings to enhance our playing environment.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Collecting our fruit and vegetables.
�   Tasting our home grown fruit and vegetables.
�   Going outside for our special picnics.

Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Bring souvenirs and photographs of days out to share with the group.
�   Encourage your child to select fruits and vegetables whist out shopping.
�   Practice table manners whilst using a knife and fork.

July 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:50:23 GMT

Throughout July, Rising 5s will be finding out about holiday destinations, maps and modes of transport. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Developing confidence when taking part in our assemblies.
�   Working as a team for tidying up and sports events.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   Making our own non-fiction flap books.
�   Letter of the month Hh.
�   Discovering other languages.
�   Looking at multicultural books.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Using directional language when creating and following maps.
�   Counting in other languages.
�   Using money to buy tickets for traveling.
�   Cutting pizzas and other items into halves and quarters.

Physical Development:
�   Sports Day.
�   Developing �spreading� skills when making sandwiches for picnics.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Talk about holiday destinations past, present and future.
�   Making and tasting food from around the world.
�   Comparing temperatures.
�   Freezing and melting water and juice for lollies and water play.

Creative Development:
�   Learning songs from around the world and listening to multicultural music.
�   Role play going on a journey, travel agents and teddy bears picnic.
�   Create collages and paintings to enhance our playing environment.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Tasting our home grown fruit and vegetables.
�   Going outside for our special picnics.

Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Bring souvenirs and photographs of days out to share with the group.
�   Encourage your child to select fruits and vegetables whist out shopping.
�   Return letter of the month sheets to nursery.

June 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:45:50 GMT

Throughout June, Rising 5s will be finding out about things we see and do at the seaside and develop their interests in construction and story books. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Working together or alone to build models to display with pride.
�   Talk about feelings that are revealed in some stories.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   Non- fiction books about under the sea.
�   Letter of the month Ee.
�   Linking phonic sounds together to create words.
�   Use bingo game to read character names in our �Fred� story.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Counting octopus legs and star fish points.
�   Building 2D and 3D models using constuction sets and boxes.
�   Counting fruit slices and segments.
�   �1,2,3,4,5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive�.

Physical Development:
�   Outdoor games with beach balls and footballs.
�   Exploring different connectable construction sets.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Add sea creatures to the water play and shells and pebbles to the sand.
�   Exploring wet and dry sand for moulding and building.
�   Learning about how fruit grows.
�   Using directions/instructions to make construction models.

Creative Development:
�   Using senses to explore a variety of textured and flavoured fruits.
�   Singing seaside songs and rhymes.
�   Building enclosures for animals, vehicles and figures using constuction sets and boxes.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Observing the growth of our fruit and vegetables.
�   Going outside for picnics.

.Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Bring pebbles, shells and souveniers to share with the group.
�   Explore the outside environment.
�   Return letter of the month sheets to nursery.

May 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:42:53 GMT

Throughout May, Rising 5s will be continuing to learn about lifecycles and new life. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:
�   Taking care of living things.
�   Having confidence to try new things.

Communication, Language and Literacy:
�   Fiction and non-fiction books (and library books).
�   Letter of the month Kk.
�   Experimenting with rhyming words.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:
�   Using size words (small, medium and large.)
�   Using ordinal numbers.
�   Exploring a variety of counting and number games.

Physical Development:
�   Outdoor games requiring ball skills (football, basketball, tennis).
�   Using cutleey for baking, playdough and mealtimes.
�   Action songs.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:
�   Continuing to observe our minibeast�s development.
�   Comparing human growth and needs to that of animals.
�   Exploring our outdoor environment.
�   Using directions/instructions to make construction models.

Creative Development:
�   Using senses to explore a variety of textured and flavoured foods.
�   Exploring musical instruments.
�   Building enclosures for animals, vehicles and figures.

In The Nursery Garden:
�   Planting sweet peas.
�   Continue the search for minibeasts in their natural habitat.
�   Prepare to release our butterflies outside.

.Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:
�   Bring items and books from home to share with the group.
�   Explore the outside environment.
�   Return letter of the month sheets to nursery.

April 2009 Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:47:15 GMT

Throughout April, the nursery children will be learning about minbeasts and lifecycles. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

Taking care of living things.
Acknowledging Easter.

Communication, Language and Literacy:

Minibeast fiction and non-fiction books.
Letter of the month Cc.
�The Very Hungry Caterpillar� book.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:

�5 Little speckled Frogs� song.
�10 Wriggly Caterpillars� story.
Calculating the total number of ladybird spots.

Physical Development:

Threading caterpillars
Moving like insects to classicl music.
Making bugs out of playdough and clay.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

Observational pictures of minibeasts
Acknowledging �Easter
Learning about lifecycles.

Creative Development:.

Creating butterfly pictures using different media and techniques.
Painting rainbows.
Minibeast songs.

In The Nursery Garden:

Planting potatoes.
Hunting for bugs and spiders� webs outside.

.Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:

Bring items and books from home to share with the group.
Explore the outside environment.
Return letter of the month sheets to nursery.

March 2009 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:25:17 GMT

Throughout March, Rising 5s will be learning about planting and growing and having a healthy lifestyle. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

Being aware of the need for hygiene.
Understanding the need for sleep, healthy food and exercise.

Communication, Language and Literacy:

�Jack and the Beanstalk� story book.
Letter of the month Nn.
Library books.
Creating our own story bags and books.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:

Measuring beanstalks and counting the leaves.
Recognising and writing numbers.

Physical Development:

Understanding what happens to our bodies when we exercise.
Making movement sequences.
Movement to music.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

Observational pictures of growing plants.
Acknowledging �Mothers� Day�.
Observing seasonal changes.

Creative Development:

Using senses when trying out new foods.
Using correct colours for a purpose and mixing colours.

In The Nursery Garden:

Preparing the garden for planting.
Looking out for �Snowdrops and Daffodils�.
Planting beans inside and outside and comparing how they grow.

Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:

Encourage your child to contribute healthy food ideas to your shopping list.

Bring items and books from home to share with the group.

Feburary 2009 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:15:22 GMT

Throughout February, Rising 5s will be learning about the night sky including �Space�. The activities that Stepping Stones have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development:

Being excited and interested in new things.
Working together.

Communication, Language and Literacy:

Fiction and non-fiction books about �Space�.
Letter of the month Pp.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy:

5 Little Men in a Flying Saucer.
Recognizing and writing numbers.

Physical Development:

Using space stencils.
Experimenting with moving in different ways.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World:

Creating an alien using the CD rom.
Finding out about Earth and other planets.
Acknowledging Valentines Day and Pancake Day.

Creative Development:

Role play- spacemen, rockets and aliens.
Playing �Twinkle, Twinkle� on the musical bells.
Creating space vehicles using a variety of construction sets.

In The Nursery Garden:

Looking for and feeding �Robins� and other birds.
Looking out for �Snowdrops�.
Discussing the weather each day and comparing it to other days.

Ways that parents can help their child�s learning:

Look at the stars at night and the patterns they form.

Bring items from home to share with the group.

January 2009 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:33:14 GMT

This months topic is all about �Winter�. We will be looking for Robins and other birds that live in our gardens, learning about snowy places in our world and dark places to experiment with torches. The activities that Stepping Stones �Early Years Unit� will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Show high levels of involvement in our activities.
Expressing needs and feelings appropriately.
Show care for living things and the environment.

Communication, Language and Literacy.

Reading stories about winter animals and where they live.
Rising 5�s letter of the month (Ii) and phonic books.
Developing listening skills and introduction of new vocabulary.
Group discussions and sharing news times.

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy.

Singing number rhymes.
Using mathematical language.
Show an interest in number problems.

Physical Development

Outdoor play.
Developing fine motor skills using scissors and threading activities.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
Finding out about our world and changing seasons.
Using torches in dark areas.
Looking at animals living in snowy places.
Make observational paintings and drawings of birds in our environment.

Creative Development

Creating enclosures for dark/light experimentation.
Building up a repertoire of songs.
Free choice of role play activities and resources.
Ways that parents can help their child�s learning;
Bring in winter resources to share with the group.
If it snows, have fun in your garden making snowballs and snowmen.

December 2008 schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 14:05:36 GMT

This month�s topic is all about Christmas. We will be rehearsing and performing a Christmas play titled �Strictly Stepping Stones�. The activities that Stepping Stones �Early Years Unit� will be doing to support the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development;

Confidence for performing in the play.
Excitement about Christmas.
Learning about the first Christmas.

Communication, Language and Literacy.

Reading Christmas stories.
Rising 5�s letter of the month and phonic books.
Developing listening skills.
Writing in Christmas card

Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy

Singing �5 Christmas Puddings�.
Using mathematical language.
Show an awareness of symmetry.

Physical Development.

Controlling movement during movement to music.
Observing other peoples space on the stage.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World.

Learning the true meaning of Christmas.
Designing and making decorations.
Share Christmas holiday plans with the group.

Creative development

Creating Christmas collages, paintings and drawings.
Building up a repertoire of songs.
Movement to music.
Ways that parents can help their child�s learning;
- Share Christmas stories with your child.
- If possible allow your child to help wrap presents for other people.

November 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 09:46:57 GMT

This months topic is "Knowlegde and Understanding of the World". Three Plus will be exploring and investigating floating and sinking items and a variety of malleable materials. Rising 5's will be developing ICT skills using the mouse and a selection of games. The activities that Stepping Stone's have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following area's.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Gaining confidence when trying out new things
Following instructions and observing behavioural boundries

Communication, Language and Literacy

News Times
Letter of the month (Rising 5's)
Sharing finding and ideas

Mathematical Development

Using money
Recognising and writing numbers

Physical Development

Exploring malleable materials
DObcerving saftey when using tools and equiptment

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Talk aboiut what is happening
Find out how things work

Creative Development

Explore using senses
Role play
Musical interpretation

Ways that parents can help their childs learning

At bath time discuss floating and sinking
Bringing role play resources and books from home

October 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:22:12 GMT

This month's topic is "Autumn". We will be observing the changing season and use natural resources to create collages and prints. The activities that Stepping Stones Early Years Unit have to offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Collecting resources with their own family
Self control

Communication, Language and Literacy

Library
"The Little Red Hen"

Mathematical Development

Shape and size
Counting and calculating
Counting movements

Physical Development

Connecting construction sets
Different types of exersize and the effects on our bodies
Tennis and other bat and ball games

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Observing the changing seasons
Harvest Festival
How to make bread

Creative Development

Sorting by colour
Small world role play and creating enclosures
Weather songs with rain makers

Ways that parents can help their childs learning

Collect leaves, twigs, acorns and conkers to make collages with

September 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:06:52 GMT

This month's topic is "Poetry and Rhyming". We will be reading rhyming stories and playing games. The activities that Stepping Stone's "Rising 5s" room have on offer will provide opportunities for children to enhance their development in the following areas.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Settling in new children
Independance and new learning skills

Communication, Language and Literacy

Rhyming stories and poetry books
Letter of the month
Rhyming games

Mathematical Development

Sorting by size
Counting beyond ten
Recognising and writing numbers

Physical Development

Threading
Dressing dolls and experimenting with clothes fastenings
Weaving on a small and large scale

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Sorting by function
Finding out how things work

Creative Development

Sorting by colour
Dressing dolls and roll plays
Creating displays

Ways that parents can help their childs learning

Encourage you child to do up their own clothes fastenings
Bringing rhyming books to share at nursery

July 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 06:25:13 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Summer'. We will be learning about creatures that live under the sea, what we find on the beach, holidays and how we travel. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Working together, co-operation
Beach party, sports day and summer disco
Group assemblies

Communication, Language and Literacy

Rhyming, fiction and non-fiction books about under the sea
Rising 5's letter of the month and phonic books
Developing vocabulary
Using books for information

Mathematical Development

Describing a simple journey
Using mathematical language
Directional language
Estimating

Physical Development

Outdoor play
Balancing
Noticing the effects of exercise on our bodies

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Sun Safety
Treasure maps
Holiday destinations

Creative Development

Using the imagination cube for transport and role play ideas
Travel agents
Music from around the world

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

On day trips, collect souveniers to talk about, (shells postcards or toys).
Talk about sun, water and road safety.

June 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:48:25 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Construction'. We will be examining different buildings and how they are built and compare them to our own construction sets. The children will develop their negotiation skills by working together and learn new mathematical language and concepts. To support learning we will be singing 'London Bridge is Falling Down' which will include references to out theme, 'Bob the Builder' and 'Peter Hammers'.

Rising 5's will be continuing with their work on phonics by adding the letter Mm to their learning.

The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Developing concentration
Negotiating and taking turns
Promoting a sense of achievement

Communication, Language and Literacy

The 3 LIttle PIgs and Bob the Builder books
Writing in fathers Day cards
Developing vocabulary
Rising 5's letter of the month and phonic books

Mathematical Development

Ordering by length, height and weight
Using mathematical language
Show an awareness of symmetry
Fractions

Physical Development

Making space for others to play
Balancing
Using gross and fine motor skills for building and connecting

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Building and balancing
Using a spirit level
Fathers Day

Creative Development

Building enclosures for small world role play
'London Bridge is Falling Down' and related songs
Box Modelling using household boxes

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

When out and about look at different buildings and talk about how they are made and their purpose
Encourage your child to explore their own construction sets

May 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:53:18 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Me & My Family'. We will be observing how babies grow into children and then how children grow into adults. We will also be tasting the different textures of food that babies, children and adults eat along with naming and caring for dolls in the nursery. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Taking care of babies and each other
Bringing family photos in from home to talk about
Whole nursery having a naming ceremony for one of our dolls

Communication, Language and Literacy

Fiction and non-fiction books about growing, changing and family relationships
Writing and recognising names
Rhyming
Rising 5's letter of the month and phonic books

Mathematical Development

Children's ages
Sizes
Weighing out ingredients for baking
Jigsaws

Physical Development

Look at how exercise effects our bodies
Outdoor play
Crawling, walking, running and jumping

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Past, present and future
Special family events

Creative Development

Using senses to taste and smell different foods
Make and use musical instruments and learn how to change sounds
Sing lullabyes and baby's favourite ryhmes

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

Look for photographs of you and your extended family for you and your child to bring along to nursery to talk about
Talk about your family history eg What Grandad used to do when he was younger.

April 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:28:02 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Minibeasts'. We will be observing the life cycle of real life butterflies, watching how worms move in the soil and how tadpoles develop into frogs. We will also be learning about how to recycle and why it is important. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Taking care of living things

Communication, Language and Literacy

Fiction and non-fiction books about minibeasts and recycling
The Whole nursery will be involved in recycling
Group discussions about development of minibeasts
Rising 5's letter of the month and phonic books

Mathematical Development

Counting ladybird spots
Weighing out ingredients for baking
Ladybird dominoes

Physical Development

Using bug stilts to balance
Using small stamper and ink sets
Moving like bugs

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Watching life cycles of frogs and butterflies
Solving cube pictures of minibeasts
Recycling display and participation

Creative Development

Role play at being bugs (classical music, bees and butterflies)
Creating butterfly patterns
Learning new songs

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

Involve your child in recycling your household rubbish
On walks, lok for spiders' webs and other bug related things

March 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:42:30 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Planting and Growing in Spring'. We will be planting beans in jars and watching them grow, planting in the garden and observing the weather in Spring. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Photograph day (13th March)
Being curious and interested in new things
Observing cultures and beliefs (Easter)

Communication, Language and Literacy

Harvey the Gardener (story)
Jack and the Beanstalk (story)
The Golden Egg (story)
Group discussions about days of the week, month and changing seasons
Rising 5's letter of the month Pp

Mathematical Development

Number line for Jacks beanstalk (1-10)
Weighing out ingredients for baking
making patterns using shapes

Physical Development

Using gardening tools to create patterns in paint
Observing safety when using tools and equipment

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Celebrating Easter
Observing seasonal change
Looking closely at planting and growing

Creative Development

Role play and re-enacting stories
Creating patterns
Learning new songs

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

Encourage your child to complete the letter of the month sheet and return it to nursey for their folder.
Look at numbers in teh environment suxh as speed signs, house numbers and prices

February 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 22:29:36 GMT

This month's theme is all about 'Baking and Celebrations'. We will be making pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, Making something special for Mothers Day and making porridge for Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation curriculum are listed below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Confidence and self esteem
Showing care and concern for others
Bringing and sharing bears from home (21st Feb)

Communication, Language and Literacy

Chinese Writing
Letter of the month Tt
Group discussions about days of the week, month and season
Goldilocks and the Three Bears story

Mathematical Development

Comparing Small, Medium and Large
Calculating using compare bears
Using numbers as labels for baking

Physical Development

Using tongs and chopsticks to pick up pasta and other malleable materials
Action songs
Tossing pancakse game
Observing safety when using tools and equipment

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Observing celebrations eg Chinese New Year, Valentines Day and Mothers Day
Melting and setting chocolate
Combining cooking ingredients and noting how they change

Creative Development

Role play Chinese restaurant/ take away
model making
Mixing Colours

How Can you Help Your Childs Learning?

Encourage your child to complete the letter of the month sheet and return it to nursey for their folder.
Try baking activities at home or sample baked products from the shop and talk about the ingredients

January 2008 - Schedule

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 13:26:17 GMT

January's theme is all about Winter here at Stepping Stones. We will be planting bulbs, experimenting with ice and feeding the birds. The activities that Stepping Stones 'Early Years Unit' will be doing to support the Foundation Stage curriculum listed below. We try to encourage parents to participate in the development of their children and an outline of what can be done is listed at the end.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Confidence and Self Esteem
Showing Care and Concern for Birds and related Wildlife
Painting Portraits

Communication, Language and Literacy

Talking Activities Through
Letter of the Month Aa
Emergent Writing
Library Books

Mathematical Development

Number Rhymes and Counting Songs
'2 Little Dickie Birds' and Writing the Numbers 1 and 2
Baking

Physical Development

Using Fine Motor Skills for Writing
Action Songs
Cutting and Threading
Observing Safety when Using Tools and Machinery

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Using ICT Equipment
Freezing and Melting Water
Observational Drawings and Painting the Environment

Creative Development

Role Play Den Making the use of Torches
Singing Seasonal Songs
Creating Collages
Mixing Colours

Ways that parents can help their child's learning:

Read fiction and non-fiction books about the changing seasons
Encourage your child to complete the letter of the month sheet and return it to nursery for their folder
Watch the birds eating the special food we have made at nursery

New website launch!

Stepping Stones Private Day Nusery - hello@steppingstonesprivatedaynursery.co.uk — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 09:57:09 GMT

eCMS is a full educational software designed by e-Education and offers the facility to upload images, keep users informed of important news events and manage events efficently using an interactive calender system.

By upgrading our systems to eCMS we hope to be able to keep staff and parents involved in what is happening at Stepping Stones.

eCMS has been designed by Digital Education Ltd who have their head offices in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. This website is one of the pilot websites trialing the software which has already gained a wide range of interest from the education industry.