The children have been having lots of fun this week with Easter activities galore! They have been very busy making Easter crafts and dressing up as Easter bunnies and chicks! If you have a moment take a look at the pictures they are very cute!

We have been focusing on ‘Messy play’ this week as the children have shown a great interest in the art areas. In each of these areas we have provided a range of accessible tools and resources for all children to play with. As an Adult-Led activity the Early Years Practitioners have been supporting the younger children with exploring ‘Crazy foam’ encouraging them to enjoy this sensory and physical experience. This activity promotes the area of ‘Physical Development’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2012.

'8-20 months – Enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand,
          paste or paint.
What adults can do – Show babies different ways to make marks in dough or
paint by swirling,   poking or patting it.
What adults could provide – Use gloop (cornflour and water) in small trays so
that babies can enjoy putting fingers into it and lifting them out.'
                           Development matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

 If you are feeling brave at home, mixing cornflour and water is a great sensory experience for babies. Don’t forget your aprons and a camera!

 The team have also been encouraging the children to experiment in ‘Water play’ by making the water look attractive changing its appearance with different colours and adding scents for a further sensory experience. This activity promotes the area of ‘Communication and Language’ in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2012.

‘ Speaking – Vocabulary develops as children experiment with words to articulate experience. Children must experience water with all their senses before they can describe its wetness, coolness, reflections, drops, ripples, and splashing sounds’.

It also promotes:

‘Mathematics – Shape, space and measure – Children learn about space, volume,
weight, and measure while dipping and pouring.’
                            Play and the revised EYFS, Community Playthings with Anne O’Connor

 If you would like further information on the Early Years Foundation Stage, the curriculum we follow here at Millie’s House, please speak to a member of the team or visit www.foundationyears.org.uk

 We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a fantastic Easter break and we look forward to catching up with you next week!

Laura Standen – Nursery Manager, Millie’s House Nursery and Pre-School

020 7731 0440

laura@millieshouse.net