News from throughout 2008
Cocoa Tames the Kids!
Further to our two Pigmy Goat Kids, Zara and Apricot, who arrived earlier this year; Issy and Lucas welcomed Cocoa to Freshfields mini farm. Cocoa has also arrived from All Things Rural, to help tame the two lively kids. Cocoa is a retired Nanny Goat who loves to be patted and stroked!
Fun at Freshfields - What ever the Weather
The children play outside as much as possible, all year round. We encourage them to notice the weather and the differences around them in the natural world, our unique location makes this much more effective for the children. They are able to make exaggerated movement in our spacious grounds. Our parachute, helps encourage team work and good listening skills, is a fantastic example of a fun teaching aid that can not be used in a classroom environment.
People Who Help Us
During the summer term, the 3 - 5's unit have learnt about people who help us. Amongst others we were fortunate to have a visit from a Lollipop Lady. When she came, the children all pretended to be cars or pedestrians, to help them learn about road safety in a fun way. After the visit the children all made their own small lollipops, to encourage play and discussion.
Each visit gave the children the opportunity to enhance their learning in a safe, fun and meaningful way.
Spring is in the Air
In May, the Coach House topic was 'On the Farm'. Hannah Stowe's parents kindly brought in a baby Spring Lamb from their farm, for the children to stroke and feed. The lamb proved very popular with the children, who all loved stroking his wool and helping bottle feed milk to him.
Going on a Bear Hunt
March 6th was World Book Day.We took the children up to the Welcombe Hills, we had a great time walking through the woods and splashing through 'swampy' areas, using the book 'We're going on a Bear Hunt' as our stimulus. Then we went to Clifford Chambers' Garden Centre where the children examined different types of grasses and found out which compost turned the muddiest when water was added! We also visited the Recreational Ground in Stratford and looked at how the water moved in the river and weir.
New Arrivals on our Mini Farm
Our grown up goats, Mavis and Madonna, went home to All Things Rural, ready for breeding. In their place, we welcomed two more kid goats, Zara and Apricot. We have also introduced the children to Jasper and Flopsy, the rabbits, who live with Hector the guinea pig! All the animals love getting stroked and patted by the children and staff alike!
Freshfields Nursery Judged Outstanding by OFSTED
In the last inspection by OFSTED ( Office for standards in education), Freshfields Nursery was judged to be outstanding in all aspects of child care and education. Principal Julie Williams is very proud of the accolade given to the Nursery, and said it reflected the professionalism of the team at Freshfields. Our complete report can be found on the OFSTED section of our website.
Freshfields Nursery School Awarded Gold Award For Food Hygiene
Freshfields Nursery is delighted to have received a Gold Award for food hygiene under Stratford on Avon District Council's Food Hygiene Inspection Rating Scheme. We are particularly proud of our healthy, nutritious, delicious home-cooked meals. Unlike many establishments, all of our food is prepared on site, by our resident team of professional chefs, in our commercial kitchens.