Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-School Ashton Court

HAPPY WORLD BOOK DAY 2023

Across the nursery we have had some fantastic costumes, some even hand made, we think you all look amazing!

The children have brought their favourite books into nursery to share with their friends and dressed as characters from their chosen book.

Our Orange group (baby room) have also held a craft competition where they created their own masterpieces at home with their family based on their favourite book. we have been blown away with the entries.

''The more you read, the more you will know.
The more that you will learn
The more places you will go.''

Preschool have been working hard on their number recognition and hand control with writing.

They also worked together and made some yummy smoothies!!

Our parent involvement session last week.

As our last craft parent session was so successful, we had requests for another one - so this time it was decided it would be messy!

We received some lovely feedback

''Thank you for a lovely parent session, it was great to experience it.''

''There was lots of variety, and well organised, I enjoyed it . We both did.'

''Thanks Jade and Sarah, yet again a lovely morning.''

''It was heart warming to see **** smile when they saw me.''

Lets get physical!

Our red group children have been enjoying their yoga session! "Healthy body, Healthy minds!"

Our preschool have lots of energy so enjoyed having the rainbow parachute out during their outdoor session, we think its lovely to finally see some sunshine!!

In our under two's room we have been exploring feelings this week. We have been speaking about our expressions and the way we feel through images, puppets, and stories.
We also have been exploring self identity as we share books together about 'children just like me' as well as talking about new arrivals in the family.

We are excited for pancake day tomorrow here at Ashton Court.

We are interested in your family traditions, what do you have with your pancakes ?

If you are going to have a go at creating your own, we would love to see some photos whether it's ingredients from scratch or from a bottle, strawberries on the side or chocolate... please send across on our parent zone app some photos for your little ones to share with their key person and friends ...

Have fun!!

We have job vacancies available!

Can you answer yes to any of the following questions?

* Are you able to help join us to provide a warm and welcoming home from home 'family feel' approach
* Are you able to think of and provide engaging activities following the children's interests.
* Are you able to enjoy endless cups of tea and cake within the home corner or enjoy some home made food from our outdoor mud kitchen?
* Are you able to dance to our boogie mite sessions and sing endless nursery rhymes on repeat.

If so, here at the cooperative childcare we have some fantastic development opportunities with a host of benefits available to you.
We have current vacancies at Little Pioneers Nursery & Pre-school - Ashton court so please follow the link below if you would be interested https://www.yourcoopcareers.co.uk/

Look forward to seeing you soon!!

Kristin our Nursery Manager received her 15 year and 20 year Coop service awards recently . The award was presented by our Group Chief Executive Officer Phil and our Chief Operating Officer for Childcare Sally.

A BIG Thank you Kristin for all your hard work and commitment over the last 20 years!! Amazing 👏 🥳

Some of our 'love day' experiences yesterday here across the rooms at Ashton court!

Red group noticed a brunch of flowers that a staff member brought to nursery so decided to have a go at painting their own flowers.
They were also busy baking, it smelt delicious!!

Our under two's enjoyed exploring a warm milk bath, using the spoons to scoop out the flower petals into bowls practising gross motor skills as-well as using heart shape cutters to create some art work pieces to take home to their families.

Our preschool children had a very important science experiment to do at home to extend their learning!

We are amazed with the photos we received, we have attached what you will need to give this a try at home!

Welcome to Ashton court's local coop shop!

The children in Yellow group have shown an interest in 'going to the shops' and packing items away in bags.

If your not already a member, we have the membership forms available for you to join us today!! :)

Our home link this month asked parents to take their children to a local shop to purchase an item each from our shopping list. The children will have the opportunity to explore the items before we use them to taste and use towards a recipe!

Today is the last day to complete your parent survey, after today the link will expire until your next survey link is sent in a couple of weeks.
If you didn’t receive a survey this month don’t worry a survey will be sent to you next month.
Please use this opportunity to share your views and feedback with us. We really do love to hear how we’re doing, as it’s really important to make sure that you’re happy and we’re getting it right for you and your family.
You could also be in with a chance of winning £200 off your nursery fees* if you submit a completed survey 😊
*T&C’s apply

RED GROUP.

This month we have had some children transition into our two year old room. The staff have been exploring the 'Colour monster' story
This wonderful book supports children's understanding about feelings, associating them with colours they might know. It supports emotional development through expressing emotions and feelings and helps children understand what it is they feel, and possibly why

The children have also continued to self serve themselves at meal times as we talk about what foods are on our plates and where they come from.

This week Red group have also been exploring using scissors for the first time, aswell as showing caring for others - playing nurses and doctors with the babies.

Our yellow group children have began to show an interest for the world around them. Over the last week we have been lucky enough to visit our local library in which we travelled by public transport - following the interest of buses!

We also had a visit to the local shop to collect some ingredients for us to make our apple pie tomorrow - Following interests from the story 'Full full full of love.''

Following other children's interest within the group, we also enjoyed climbing on the playground equipment at the local park, we saw the ducks in the big pond and enjoyed exploring open green space!

A very busy week we have had.

Our bigger garden outdoor space!

🌧 🌞

Here are some of our set ups for our open day today!

Your parent survey is going LIVE today! Please check your inbox to see if you have received a link to complete the survey, you might need to check your junk folder too. And don’t worry if you haven’t received a survey this time as a link will be sent to you next month.
Your views are really important to us and we love to hear your feedback. This is your chance to have your say, and even give that special mention to a team member who's really gone above and beyond in your nursery.
PLUS you can enter our prize draw to win £200 off your nursery fees* - what are you waiting for 😊
*T&C’s apply

Our donation Christmas boxes are all ready to send to Haven shelter.
As a nursery we are extremely grateful for donations we have received towards these boxes.
I'm sure they will bring many many smiles to a lot of faces.

THANK YOU

Our lead up to Christmas adventures in our Yellow group this week. We have created our Winter wonderland following the Stick man story which is a favourite in our group.
We have also asked parents for recent snow day pictures which they have sent in via our parent zone app - These are now part of our small world discovery tray, linking to home adventures for the children to explore.

We enjoyed a Christmas party yesterday where the children came dressed to nursery in their party clothes, we had so much dancing, singing and then enjoyed our Christmas tea party. Take a look at our video attached to see our special cut out festive sandwiches!

We could not believe our eyes!! Just look what our Elves have been up too this week. The Children was so shocked to see all of the tissue on the floor in the bathroom!!
The Elves even found their way upstairs to our Yellow room, it looked like they had lots of fun sliding up and down our line of string!

We have reminded them of our nursery golden values and we hope they will be good tonight but what do you think?

Can you believe what we found yesterday morning here at Ashton court nursery .. The children from preschool noticed that the Elves had tipped our recycling bins all over the floor!!

Our preschool children helped us put it right sorting out all the recyclable items back into the correct bins!

This year our team have decided to put some Christmas eve boxes together for the children on haven shelter (last year we donated boxes to the homeless)
We have had some lovely donations already, we will like all donations in by this Friday for our staff to put together.

Any donations of brand new items such as;
Children character gloves/mittens
Children character socks
Christmas sweet treats/hot chocolate
Toys/ book (must be able to fit in a shoe box)
Small teddy/soft toy
Colouring book/crayons.
Character toothbrush and toothpaste

Any other suitable donations would be very much appreciated

Together we can do more 🌟

Thank you
Ashton Court team

On Saturday we had a special visit from Santa. He came to join us for breakfast. We had a successful turn out and we have already been asked if we will be doing this next year ... We'll have to ask Santa !!

Our latest parent survey has landed this week, so don't forget to check your inbox to complete it and have your say!
Remember, you might need to check your junk folder too!
And if you haven't received a survey this time then check back next month.
Your views are important to us and we love to hear your feedback. There's also a chance of winning £200 off your nursery fess* if you submit a completed survey 😀
*T & C's apply

Well, look where the children have found Usher and Rudy.
In the office filing cabinet, how did they get in there!!!!

USHER & RUDY Welcome to Ashton Court...we can't wait to see what you get up too.......

Team Ashton court ❤️

First Steps Children's Nursery

THIS SATURDAY!

Our team are walking 10k on Saturday evening, a planned route not too far from our Nursery to raise money for SANDS charity.

We have already raised a fantastic £814 and we are so grateful for your kind donations during these uncertain financial times.
We would absolutely love between us to reach £1000 to donate to our chosen charity. A charity very close to our hearts. ❤️

Please, however small even £1 will help towards our goal.

Thank you so much.

I have also attached a link for you to read more about our chosen charity.



https://www.sands.org.uk/

https://www.justgiving.com/team/ashtoncourt

First Steps Children's Nursery

Last Friday, some groups came to nursery dressed in their PJ'S, some baked cakes for a cake sale and there was lots of Pudsey themed experiences going on throughout the nursery.

We raised just under £50 from our cake sale and for donations for wearing PJ's that we will be donating to Children in need.
Thank you for your kind donations :)

WOW !

We are blown away with how many likes and shares we have had for our scarecrow competition over the weekend.

You have until Friday 18th November at midday to continue to vote, sharing with friends and family.

Please remember to LIKE the picture of the scarecrow for your vote to count

Our latest parent survey has landed this week, so don't forget to check your inbox to complete it and have your say! Remember, you might need to check your junk folder too!
And if you haven't received a survey this time then check back next month.
Your views are important to us and we love to hear your feedback. There's also a chance of winning £200 off your nursery fees* if you submit a completed survey. 😀
*T's and C's apply

Lest we forget

Our children have been busy today creating their own Poppy's!

SCARECROW COMPETITION

Our yellow group children and parents have created some lovely scarecrows for this months home link/parent involvement.

Our staff have decided to put the pictures on our page for you to have your say on our winner.
The winner will be announced next Friday 18th November.
Both 1st and 2nd places will receive a prize!

Simply click like on your favourite to vote and don't forget to share with family and friends for them to vote too.
You are welcome to like more than one if you cant decide... we know its hard!

We are very proud of all the creations and all children will be receiving a certificate very soon.

First Steps Children's Nursery

A BIG thank you to our parents and families that have already donated for our 10k charity walk. All our team really appreciate your support.

There is still time to donate as the walk isn't taking place untill Saturday 26th November.

We would love to raise as much as we possibly can for this amazing charity.

First Steps Children's Nursery

First Steps Children's Nursery

On Saturday 26th November, some of our team will be walking a circular 10k route to raise money and awareness for a charity very close to our hearts.

SANDS (the stillbirth and neonatal death charity), and remembering babies taken from us far too soon.

This is a charity very close to our hearts at Ashton court.

Any donations - no matter how small - will be a big help for such an amazing charity and very much appreciated by our team

We will keep you updated when we complete the walk and be sure to take some photos!

Please find the link attached

Thank you!

First Steps Children's Nursery

We would like to wish our families a happy bonfire weekend!

Here's just a few tips to keep safe with your little ones.

🎆 🔥

We had a very successful parent involvement on Wednesday this week. We collected different materials for our parents and their children to create some master pieces.

We received some lovely feedback from parents via our parent zone app.

''It was a fantastic crafty session full with inspiration for kids and parents:) I loved how we all worked together to create a masterpiece:) The nursery staff really did a great job at making this day special. We went home happy:) I cannot wait for more workshops like that''

''Thanks Jade and Sarah, it was really a good arrangement. We enjoyed it thoroughly xx''

''Jade, the session was great. We thoroughly enjoyed the arts and craft building with ****. It was great to get to know the staff better and see *** doing well''

''Parent session something new for me, but it was a lot of fun, a BIG thank you for taking us together, it helps us understand what children do in nursery. I hope there will be more activities like this''

We are now aiming for a different room to introduce a parent session each month, so keep your eyes peeled :)

We would like to wish our Di a very happy retirement as today was her last working day with us at Ashton Court.

Di has been part of the team for 9 years and has spent time working with all age groups across the nursery.

We can say we will definitely miss you Di, but enjoy every moment! You really deserve it.

Our Princess Di 👑

Lots of love from us all xx