Nursery Unit: This has been a really fun-filled term; to start
with, while settling in, we learnt about sharing, numbers and
shapes. These themes were explored further with a
Goldilocks and the three Bears week; where we looked at
differences in size and had porridge for snack, which was
amazingly popular. We then moved on to a Three Billy Goats
Gruff week which involved the children using masks to act
out the story using the large climbing apparatus to create
the old troll’s bridge. This was entered into with great
enthusiasm , producing some very convincing ‘trolls’.
For ‘Road Safety Week’ the nursery was turned
into a road with traffic lights, road signs and our
very own Lollypop lady to look after the crossing.
We practiced crossing the road safely and learnt
a ‘Stop, Look & Listen’ song, which I am sure you
are all more than familiar with by now.
Pirate week saw a corner of the nursery
unit transformed into a Treasure Island
complete with buried treasure.
The ‘Pirate ships’ were a very popular addition
and were constantly occupied by pirates
wearing the wonderful pirate hats they made.
An exciting week concluded
with a pirate treasure hunt
with huge gold (edible) coins
to be found hidden around
the Family Centre grounds
What a wonderful time of year for celebrating light; just
the thing to cheer up the cold wet days of autumn as we
move towards Christmas.
We have been looking at, and experiencing, how different
cultures celebrate the gift of light at this season.
For Halloween children (and staff) came in fancy dress
and we carved pumpkins to make pumpkin lanterns.
The children helped to
scoop out the seeds and
flesh exploring the
textures and smell and
finding different
expressive words to
describe them.
In November, to
celebrate Diwali, we
watched a video then
dressed up in beautiful
Indian -style clothing,
created Rangoli
patterns, made frozen
chocolate bananas and
held sparklers (very
exciting). Eleanor
brought in the beautifully
decorated Diwali candle
holder she had made at
the Diwali celebration
organised by University
Students .
We now move on to looking at how Jewish
people celebrate ‘Hanukkah’. We have had our
own Hanukkah menorah made and we will be
lighting the candles and talking about what
they represent. There will also be other
Hanukkah inspired activities throughout the
week before we get into Christmas mode and
start working on our Christmas production in
earnest. We have already made a start on
learning some of the songs and I am confident
that all nursery unit parents will be more than
familiar with them before Christmas.
Parallel Unit This term the children settled in quickly,
forming special relationships with both peers and staff.
They have all adjusted well to our daily routine; accessing
both inside and outside play and being introduced to
sleeping on a mattress.
This term the focus
has been on developing
the children’s selfhelp skills:
encouraging them to
feed themselves using
a spoon and for those
who can already eat
using a spoon we have
introduced them to
At the beginning of term the
using a spoon and fork.
children showed a lot of interest
in the pictures of animals around
the room so we had ‘Thumper’
the rabbit to visit us for the day.
The children have shown a lot of
The children really enjoyed
interest in ‘role play’; they have
having a live animal to look at and
particularly enjoyed playing with
would happily hold and pet him.
the ‘baby’ and the kitchen where
they have been making lots of
“yummy” dinners for their friends.
We have been visiting
the activity complex
quite a lot this term;
encouraging the children
to develop their physical
skills e.g. walking up the
steps or climbing onto a
bike.
Toddler Unit
The children have settled into the Toddler Unit very well and
have loved exploring all of the new challenging toys and equipment.
A particular interest has been ‘messy play’: they have engaged in a
variety of activities their favourites being ‘feet painting’, car
painting and exploring the ‘gloop’.
The children were learning to
notice the effects of
movements which leave marks
and to distinguish between
the marks that they make.
The children have also been learning to show control in
holding and using tools through making salt-dough
decorations and biscuits. Lots of skills were practised such
as mixing, attempting to use a rolling pin and pushing cutters
into the dough. The children painted their decorations and
iced their biscuits for tea.
We have a very active
group of children who love
climbing and pulling
themselves up onto play
equipment. They have
learnt to climb on the
caterpillar independently
and have been taking risks
by climbing on the nursery
‘A frame’, with support, and
going down the big slide.
This week we have been
having fun in the kitchen.
We combined our malleable
materials with the kitchen
pretending that one object
represents another.
A favourite was making
‘cakes’, ‘pies’ and ‘pancakes’
with porridge.
The children enjoyed helping to carve a
pumpkin for All Hallows Eve. They helped
to empty the contents, mostly using a
spoon, although some dived straight in
and used their hands. The children were
learning to describe the textures of the
pumpkin and enjoyed separating out the
seeds.
A big focus this term has been potty training!!
The children have done extremely well at doing
‘wees’ on the potty or using the ‘big toilet’. We
have also been encouraging them to communicate
when they need to use the potty. We will continue
to focus on this area for the rest of the term.
Baby Unit
After a busy start to the
term the children have now settled well
into the baby Unit. They are forming
strong relationships with the staff and
enjoying their company. All the children
are adapting well to new experiences.
This term we have been focusing on
nursery rhymes: we have sung a variety
of songs with the children joining in by
moving their bodies or clapping and
explored different nursery rhyme
stories.
The children have been investigating the properties of different malleable materials;
using their hands to feel the texture of pasta, ‘Gloop’ and water.
For Children in Need day Lesley baked an enormous batch of her delicious shortbread
biscuits in the shape of Pudsey Bear, including two dairy-free Pudsey’s for those on special
diets. We have shared this recipe before but with Christmas just around the corner it is
Baby unit
worth repeating. Just the thing for children to help make as gifts for relatives.
Lesley’s Shortbread Biscuits
Mmmm!
Ingredients:
12ozs/300g Plain flour. 6ozs/150g Cornflour.
6ozs/150g Icing sugar. 12ozs/300g Margarine.
Turn oven to Gas 4, - 350°f, 180°c
Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the margarine,
rub together until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Knead the mixture together until it just forms a
dough. Roll out and cut into shapes.
Place on a baking sheet lined with greaseproof paper.
Bake for 10 - 15 minutes on Gas Mark 4. - 350°f, 180°c
Until they are just turning golden. Cool on a wire rack.
For Christmas presents seasonal shape biscuit cutters are available. Also, for an extra
special present, get the children to decorate a gift box or paper bag to present them in.
If you have a favourite recipe that is just too good to keep to yourself, particularly if it is
suitable for children to help with, please email it to familycentre@exeter.ac.uk
Date for your Diary
The Nursery Unit Christmas production will take place in the Exercise Studio of the Sports
Hall (the room we use on Thursday mornings) on Thursday December 19th at 10.30am.
Parents are asked to be in their seats by 10.15am. We will be sending out reminders and
more details in a few weeks. We would like to see as many parents as possible attending this
a magical and enormously enjoyable occasion although we understand that you all have many
commitments to fulfil. We know you will do your best.
The Health & Safety Bit
It has become increasingly evident in recent years that there is an almost gratuitous use of batteries
in toys. Electronics are added, often for no apparent increase in play value and when included in things
like books and jigsaw puzzles can be a distraction. But more worrying is the fact that, where the
electronics are not important to the toys function, when the batteries run down they are not replaced
but the toys continue to be used. Discharged batteries left in place soon deteriorate and eventually
corrode, leaking chemicals capable of causing nasty burns. We have had toys donated to the Family
Centre in this condition which is why they are all thoroughly checked before being allowed to be used:
it is not always obvious that the toys contain batteries as they are often well hidden.
Please replace batteries in your toys as soon as they run down, or, if they do not add to the play value,
remove them altogether. This is the policy at the Family Centre.
We have become aware that there is a serious and increasing issue with button cell batteries. As more
compact electronic devices appear in the home, young children face a greater risk of serious injury or
death, from the small button cell batteries that power these devices. If a young child or baby
swallows a lithium battery, due to a chemical reaction with the saliva, within as little as an hour it can
leak acid and cause such a severe trauma as to burn a hole in throat or stomach, causing further
damage to other internal organs.
Of the many electronic devices that contain these batteries, it is only a requirement for toys to have
lockable battery compartments, so young children will often have access to other common household
products where they could easily remove these batteries, such as remote controls, key fobs, musical
books and greeting cards, flameless candles, and calculators. Hearing aids are the most common source
of batteries swallowed.
Ensure your child does not have access to these devices if the battery compartment is not secure,
make certain that spare batteries are locked away, and used batteries are disposed of correctly. If
your child does swallow a button cell battery, seek medical advice immediately.
Babies love to explore the world with their mouths. These young children will come upon something
interesting, and then put it in their mouths to sample. Most of these episodes are nothing more than
happy parts of growing up. Sometimes, however, the attractive object can poison or choke the child.
And choking is the most common cause of accidental death in children under the age of one.
What a
young child
sees
Please be battery aware
Contact details
University of Exeter Family Centre : Phone – 01392 725416. email: familycentre@exeter.ac.uk