Welcome to the Hawthorn Nursery page!
Please visit this page for regular updates across the year. A selection of photos will be uploaded to showcase the learning the children have encountered.
Additionally, please see below the Nursery Overview for the year ahead, which shows the units of work that will be covered across the academic year.
Thank you,
Miss Rowaiye and Mrs Beardmore
We've been lucky enough to have experienced some beautiful weather recently, and as much as we love to be outdoors, playing in the sun, we must always remember how to keep ourselves safe in the hot weather too.
Nursery enjoyed listening to the story of George, the Sun Safe Superstar by Chantal Renn and Kathryn Clifford. The story helped the children to learn the importance of slipping on a t-shirt, slapping on a hat, slopping on some sun cream and sunglasses.
And of course, trying to keep hydrated and cool. And what better way of doing that than enjoying a refreshing ice lolly in the shade.
From an early age, children learn that they have a right to be safe, and that there are lots of people around them, and in their local community who can help them achieve this.
We used Google Earth to look at local landmarks like the fire station, doctor's surgery, and dentists.
The children discussed who they could go to at home, at nursery, who could help them if they were unwell, an emergency, or even crossing a busy road safely.
All of these discussions opened the door for the children to think about who they aspire to be when they are older. Whether it be a police officer, teacher or a nurse.
The classic children's tale, The Gingerbread Man, is always a firm favourite in Nursery.
The children were so excited to actually make their own 'real' gingerbread person. Combining all the ingredients, rolling the dough, decorating and finally eating them.
The children have wonderful recall of all the key elements of the story. Including all the main characters, and the events that followed.
Rosie's Walk follows the adventures of a hen called Rosie as she explores the farmyard. Using prepositions and positional language, Rosie evades the sneaky fox.
The children explored their understanding of where they can position items and themselves in a variety of activities. Using puppets to understand in front, behind and in-between. Aswell as how the puppets can be put in, on or under something.
The children always love arts and crafts, they did so well painting their own picture of Rosie the hen.
We have had so many learning opportunities, as we've read The Very Hungry Caterpillar. We've explored the concepts of long, short and tall in maths, so we made caterpillars out of duplo, ribbon and playdough. Using finger paints, we created symmetrical butterflies. We also discussed all the food the caterpillar ate in the story, and what we thought was healthy and not so healthy for PSHE, and we sorted them into groups.
This week, as part of our knowledge and understanding of the world and our religious education lesson, we had the opportunity to visit a local church, Elim Life.
After walking very sensibly, the children were welcomed by Pastor Johnny and Pastor Sarah, who spoke to the children about some of the things that they do at the church for the local community.
The children learnt about how the food bank provided food for those who needed it, and clothing for adults and children. Some of us helped to restock the food bank, with donations from a local supermarket.
We also had a look at the world map, and Pastor Sarah told us about how they have lots of visitors from all over the world to their church.
We've focused on the traditional tale, The Three Little Pigs, this week. The children enjoyed re-enacting the story, dressing up as the pigs, building houses of straw, sticks and bricks. But the big bad wolf huffed and puffed and tried to blow them down.
We've also perfected our cutting skills, cutting out some new clothes for the pigs.
The children have also been progressing with their number knowledge. This week, we've focused on numeral 5. Counting out loud, recognising numerals up to 5, counting out the correct numbers of items, and we're getting really good at subsisting.
Hello, our lovely Nursery children!
Even though our school doors are closed today, the learning fun is definitely still open!
Nursery have been counting (and counting out) objects to four this week. Next week, we will be moving on to number five.
Please help us by chanting or singing our number songs with us and counting back using your fingers.
The Nursery children are also really good at ‘showing’ numbers to four. Say a number to 4 (or 5) and ask if your child can ‘show or throw’ that number. They will hopefully be starting to hold up the corresponding amount of fingers.
We have also been taking part in speaking and listening activities to help us with our early phonics skills. Please scan the QR code and see if your child can guess which environmental sounds they can hear.
Thank you,
Miss Phillips and Mrs Beardmore
4 Little Teddy Bears
4 little teddy bears sitting on a chair,
Washing their face and fluffing up their hair,
They looked out the window and saw a sunny day
So one teddy bear went out to play!
3 little teddy bears sitting on a chair,
Washing their face and fluffing up their hair,
They looked out the window and saw a sunny day
So another teddy bear went out to play!
(Continue until all the teddies are outside playing).
5 Little Snowmen
Five little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four, Five So fine!
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We'll see you next year Bye Bye!
Four little snowmen standing in a line
One, Two, Three, Four So fine
Melt in the sunshine with a sigh
We'll see you next year Bye Bye!
(Repeat until there is one snowman)
.......we're going to catch a big one! We're not scared?
We've thoroughly enjoyed our focus story this week. The children have made their own brown paint to create muddy footprints, built a cave out of bricks for the bear, made our own binoculars, experimented with light in the 'deep dark cave', and even been on our own sensory walk. Splashing in the 'cold river', walking through 'squelchy mud', and soft snow.
In the run-up to our seasonal break, the children enjoyed lots of seasonal and Christmas crafts. They have made their own Christmas tree decorations with lolly sticks and sequins, made snow angel pictures for our winter freeze, and created calendars for 2026, showing our understanding of the seasons throughout the coming year.
And, of course, we enjoyed a morning of dancing, and a special visit from Father Christmas.
We've had a cheeky visitor to nursery in the run-up to Christmas. The naughty elves have been up to all sorts of mischief when we weren't watching. Making lots of mess, and playing tricks on one another.
The children have found this extremely entertaining, and have been busy cleaning up the mess.