Newsletter Autumn 2021
“I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves” Unknown
Welcome to our Autumn Newsletter and this being the first one I have written since starting as Parent and Community Liaison, I can confirm that we at ACN have a fun filled Autumn ahead of us, including new projects, challenges and opportunities to mix and get together.
As the above quote suggests, Autumn is the time for putting on our warm clothes and wellies and running wild in the beautiful outdoors. We cannot wait to jump in piles of orange and red leaves whilst also making some Autumn crafts.
Exciting changes within the nursery.
Yellow Room are happy to announce that Destiny will be joining them as she starts her apprenticeship. Ashley is enjoying promoting music with the children, and working on our Christmas song which will involve everyone in the nursery (can’t wait). Ruth has now gone on maternity leave and we can’t wait to meet the new arrival, and Sophie is now back from maternity leave and enjoying being back with the children. Yellow Room are also looking forward to Autumn and making some seasonal crafts and Halloween activities.
Red Room and the whole nursery say a fond farewell to Meg who will be moving to work in a local forest school. We welcome Zara our new Early Years Teacher and temporary Room Leader and Sam and Brit from Orange Room. Sam is also doing her teacher training course this year. Alicia will soon be going on maternity leave and we wish her well and can’t wait to meet the new arrival. We are also looking forward to Autumn, going on walks collecting nature for our displays, and we have started baking bread and intend to try different flavours.
Orange Room are promoting healthy eating by having a fruit bowl at snack times. The children have a choice of fruit and are learning how to cut and chop with our new safety knives. They are also making their own smoothies and soups (sounds delicious). Orange room also welcomes Prapha to their team as a nursery practitioner who is doing her teacher training. Orange room are also planning on growing their own herbs inside old wellington boots, if you have any spare that you would like to donate please contact a member of staff.
Blue is now sharing the room with our new Purple Room. New Age ranges:
Blue Room 3 to 3 1⁄2 years
Purple Room 3 1⁄2 +
This means that the children are in separate groups according to their age with Purple there to help get the older children ready for school. They are all working really hard towards getting their Wild Challenge awards, (more details shown below). They are also
enjoying the outdoors in the Autumnal weather, collecting conkers and making natural crafts.
Wild Challenge – This is a project we are excited across the nursery in association with the RSPB. We hope by doing this we will be encouraging young children to learn and embrace the outdoors. We have been set challenges by the scheme such as building natural dens, bug hotels and experiencing different weathers. This is all working towards us getting our first Bronze certificate. This is also something you can take part in at home ( let us know how many certificates you can get). Wild Challenge Family Activities - The RSPB
HEY Project –
The Healthy Early Years Award. We at ACN are proud to be part of this showing our commitment to giving children in our care healthy food and education, alongside tasty and nutritious meals. Holly is our HEY Coordinator and is working tirelessly to promote this award to our children, parents and staff. She is hoping to develop links with Totley Green Grocers and local farms in the area where the children can visit and learn about where our food comes from, whilst also promoting local businesses. Holly is also promoting information on portion controls for children by displaying additional information via the NHS website on the board outside. Advice for parents of healthy- weight children - NHS (www.nhs.uk). Food waste is also part of our mission helping to save the planet, a good website to help this in your community is Join Our Food Waste Movement | Too Good To Go You can get addicted to this app so be warned!
Cuddles’ is back from his travels.
Our bear has returned after being part of the ‘Bears of Sheffield’ trail which we know many of you went on and enjoyed. Cuddles was situated at Crystal Peaks and we are pleased he will be back as a permanent feature outside the nursery
Events for your diary.
25th-31st October – Sponsored walk for both staff and children. We are raising money for the Wildlife Trust who are working to help reduce plastic waste around the world, and raising awareness of tackling this climate crisis. Each room will do a sponsored distance according to age. We would like to do a 3k walk with the older children, which is in fact how far a hedgehog travels in one night.
Sat 30th October – The staff will be doing our own sponsored walk up Mam Tor near Castleton Derbyshire. Wish us luck on our challenge.
Monday1st November–HalloweenisonSundaythisyear,soyouarewelcometodressyour little monster or ghoul up on the Monday ( they can wear their costumes two days in a row!)
Sat 13th November – Autumn Workshop drop in, this is for both children and parents to engage with each other whilst also doing some seasonal crafts. Ashley will also be bringing his guitar along to play songs with the children and parents. Soft play and outdoor play in open (parent supervision only) . It is £5 per child and spaces are filling up quickly.
Dates to be announced for Stay and Play- this will allow parents to come and play in the rooms with their children. This will give you a chance to see the room in action and talk to the staff, as well as finding out what your little one gets up to at nursery.
Black History Month – October . We are celebrating this during the month of October. This is a chance to remember and learn about important black people in history, recognising their contributions, whilst also providing education on diversity and inclusion within the nursery.
We will be reading books to help children understand about this topic, such as ‘We all belong’ by Alex Goss and ‘Whoever You Are’ by Mem Fox. We will also be doing activities such as painting to jazz music and making paper hand wreaths to name a few. Look out for activities on your rooms daily posts.
Looking forward to a fun filled Autumn
Michelle Vinson ( Parent Liaison )
