May was always destined to be a lively month in Preschool. On Thursday the 4th, we had a Royal Tea Party to celebrate the upcoming Coronation. The children were invited to dress up if they wanted, and spent the week icing biscuits, making their own spectacular crowns, and singing the National Anthem! They also had red, white and blue foam for mark-making and sensory activities, red, white and blue paint spreaders, and cupcake cases to make playdoh versions of tea party treats. The water in the waterplay tray even got a sparkly makeover, and pouring and measuring resources helped the children develop their motor skills and learn about capacity. Our small world tray outside was transformed into our own version of Buckingham Palace and its grounds, thanks to a castle, courtiers, and a grass mat!
This special week inspired follow-on interests, so we provided building blocks, tape measures and visual sources to help the children construct their own castle, and a fruit tea activity with a tea set. And, maybe inspired by the sight of police officers at the Coronation, the children were role-playing as police officers, so Allan Ahlberg’s ‘Cops and Robbers’ was chosen as a Book of the Week!
Other activities included a bamboo ball run that the children could build (with some assistance), and a new maths game. This requires the children to select characters with tongs to match colour and quantity information on dice, aiding numeral recognition, understanding of quantity and colour, coordination, and turn-taking.
As summer approaches, we will be looking at holidays and travel, and helping our older children prepare for the move to ‘big school’.
Are You Looking for a Volunteering Opportunity?
If the Big Help Out made you wonder about volunteering opportunities, then have you considered joining our committee? Volunteering is a great way to give something back, make new friends and try new things—and it’s always looked on favourably on CVs when applying for jobs!
How much time you can give and responsibility you take is completely up to you. The committee is friendly and sociable, and they would be grateful for any time you could spare—even if it’s only the odd hour here and there. Why not try it? There’s no obligation—if you decide it’s not for you, that’s fine!
For more details, contact email buckdenpreschoolcommittee@gmail.com. Our Chair, Helen, or our Treasurer, Debby, will get back to you.
To arrange a visit or apply for a place, please call 01480 810600 or email buckdenpreschool@yahoo.co.uk. For more information, visit www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk or read our updates on https://www.facebook.com/www.buckdenpreschool.co.uk/