Today on our walk, the children noticed a number 6 on a car in the car park so we asked them if they could see any more numbers – this seems to be a particular favourite with the children! Making walks fun are a fantastic way to get children out walking. There are so many benefits for children going out on walks.
Walking is very sociable! As we walked, we talked about the numbers we could see and why they were there. The children talked amongst themselves as well as talking to the adults and of course to Blue.
Walking is fun and interesting. The children are discovering new areas in their local community.
Walking makes them feel good. Being out in the outdoors is a great way to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of a busy learning environment. We were listening out for cars and one child said, all I hear is birds!
Walking promotes independence and choice. When children are walking, they can stop and look at things that interest them, unlike in a car where things fly past unnoticed.
Children can choose when to stop and what to look at. We are all enjoying the benefits of our walks, looking for numbers was just an extra treat!
All posts by Val MacLean
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
The centre will close today at 1.00pm and will reopen on Wednesday 5 January 2022 to all children. The staff would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year.
See you all in 2022.
Last Call for Christmas Concerts
Please remember that the access link to the Christmas Concerts will be removed tomorrow at 1pm so this is your last chance to view them! Thank you again for coming and joining in, we are still singing the songs in over and over in our heads!
Blue days are good days!
We are so lucky at Cart Mill to have Blue as part of our team. Blue has visited the centre since she was a tiny puppy and the children love to see her when she visits. It has been such a pleasure to watch her grow and to give children the opportunity to care for her.
The children benefit so much from having contact with animals. Caring for pets is an enriching experience for children which offers opportunities to experience nurture, relationships and nature. Froebel noted that ‘The child who has cared for another living thing… is more easily led to care for his own life’ (Froebel in Lilley, 1967:128).
The children benefit from outdoor exercise as they accompany her on her walks and understand there are responsibilities from owning a pet.
We love having Blue days in our centre!
Lovely Lunches!
This week has been very exciting at Cart Mill, we are all getting delicious hot lunches served in nursery. We have tried lots of different food including tomato pasta, lentil soup, fish fingers and pizza! Our family room is now set up like a real dining room where we can all sit together round the table and eat our lunch.
We have been learning to use our cutlery properly as well as pour our drinks and help serve our vegetables.
It has been so nice to see the children try all the new tastes, we are already looking forward to next week’s menu!
Merry Christmas to all
There were some very excited children in the centre today. As it was cold and frosty we thought it would be a good idea to light the fire and sing some Christmas songs around it, while drinking delicious hot chocolate.
We hope all the Cart Mill family have a wonderful and safe festive period.
Merry Christmas, and a very happy New Year from us all.
Thank you to all for the most generous gifts you have handed in for the staff, it is very much appreciated.
Get to Know the Cart Mill Team
Hi everyone. Val here. Hope you are all keeping busy. As part of our Blog we thought it would be nice to run a getting to know the Cart Mill team. So, today it is my turn.
During lockdown, I have been working from home and planting lots of vegetables in my garden but what else can I tell you about me?
I moved to Netherlee when I was a baby
I went to Williamwood High School so haven’t really travelled very far! I have 3 children, 2 sons and a daughter who all go/went to Williamwood too!
I don’t really watch tv but I do quite like keeping up with news and current affairs programmes like Question Time.
You all know I love being outdoors as much as possible, I speak French and my favourite colour is blue but what might you not know about me… well, I climb, hill walk and ski.
I used to horse ride and competed in 3 day eventing and won lots of rosettes.
I absolutely love watching football and have a season ticket for my favourite football team and I also play classical piano.
Something I’m sure you all know is, I am missing you all very much and can’t wait to see you all as soon as possible.
Stay safe and take care xx
