Bells Brae Nursery

We went on an Autumn walk

We took a group of children on an Autumn walk nearby Nursery.  Children used their senses to see what they could hear, see and feel.

“It’s a walk”.   “I got to collect some leaves”.    “Dat’s Autumn”.   “When we go we picked some leaves”.   “We went on a walk”.  “I could hear birds tweeting”.    “I could see long footsteps”.

We were being safe like Safe Bob by wearing our hi vis vests. We stopped, looked and listened before we crossed the road.

“When I’m walking, we can walk to the leaf market”.  “Hi vis vests on so cars can see us”.

During our walk we found some trees, children developed their gross motor skills and coordination by climbing up and around the trees, whilst risk assessing as they explored.

“I can climb up here”!    “That is too high for me”.    “The leaves crunch”.  “That’s me climbing on the trees”.    “I see some leaves”.

Crafts and Mark Making

We have a variety of crafts and mark making opportunities available at Nursery.  Recently children have been exploring textures and sounds whilst crafting such as scrunching, and mark making using different materials and techniques.  Children have been stamping using junk modelling items, punching holes in their creations and threading wool to make collage pictures.

“This looks fuzzy furball”.  “I’m using a thing to make a square shape”.    “I was doing some crafts, I got some glue and some scissors and some wool”.  “I made a picture”.

“That’s my rainbow”.    “First I need to do a black seed”.    “I want the green one”.

“I’m drawing for my Granny”.

“Doin’ painting, I paint da circle”.

“Making a picture”.    “I need loads of colouring”.    “I’m making a tree”.

Mealtimes

Children take turns to help with setting up for lunch time.  They help to count out the cutlery and glasses for each table.

“I need 1 more to make up 6”.

Children are encouraged to use cutlery at meal times to develop their independence and coordination and fine motor skills and this is available on the table for them to access.

Tooth Brushing

Children take part in tooth brushing at Nursery.  They have their own toothbrush with a symbol and are supported by staff to learn which brush is theirs and are encouraged to complete the tooth brushing routine.  Staff from Childsmile visit twice per term to support tooth brushing in Nursery and also visit twice per year to apply tooth varnish.

“The dentist lady and the smiley face”.

“That’s my one”    “Washing my tooth brush”.    “I’m brushing his teeth, he belongs to the dentist”.

Week Beginning: 6th October 2025

Our story of the week is Funnybones by Janet and Allan Ahlberg.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is The Skeleton Dance. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.

Numeracy Throughout Nursery

What’s the time Mr Wolf?

The children used the felt numbers outdoors in a variety of numeracy play opportunities.

Children enjoyed playing What’s the time Mr Wolf?  With guidance from an adult they were able to take the correct number of steps.

“2 o’clock”!!    “1, 2, 3”!!

After an adult had written numbers up to 10 on the outdoor chalkboard a child then decided to replicate this by writing these numbers independently.

Some of the children selected the felt numbers and began matching them to the numbers printed on the number snake outdoors, saying the numbers as they added them.

“2, 2, 5”.    “3, 8, 5”.

Children have been using games on the interactive whiteboard, taking turns and practicing waiting their turn.

“Where’s the orange circle”.  “We need 3 spots”.    “I need to get 4 spots”.    “That’s the number 6”.

Focusing on counting the Kapla blocks

“Add on another one on, that will make 39 now”.

Week Beginning: 29th September 2025

Our story of the week is The Runaway Pea by Kjartan Poskitt.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story being read by the author.

Our rhyme of the week is Five Fat Peas. Click on the link below to listen to the rhyme.

The children have enjoyed using hair accessories and have used their imaginations to create role play scenarios.  They have been developing fine motor skills using combs to brush hair, and using bobbles to try and tie hair.  They have been using the hair dryer and making the noise of a hairdryer.

“I’ll make you a princess today”.    “Your hair is hot”.    “Am I being gentle”?

The children have been caring for the babies by feeding them, getting them changed and rocking them.

“My baby is sleeping”.    “This is my baby, her name is banana”.

The children have been developing their balancing skills and gross motor skills by using the large loose parts to make various obstacle courses, bridges and jumps.   Children worked well together, helping to think of solutions and problem solving together.

“Me and my friend in da boat waving across the deep blue sea”.

“I was trying to climb off dat boat and I was wobbling”.

“I like playing with toys outside with friends”.   “I was in dat when I was outside”.    “We was balancing outside”.

Developing confidence, balance and gross motor skills on the bikes, scooters and balance bikes.  Children are learning to share, take turns and ensure they wear their helmets on wheeled vehicles to keep them safe.

“Picture me riding on bikes with helmet”.

“She’s on da motorbike”.   “She’s riding dat bike, I like riding a bike too”.

Week Beginning: 22nd September 2025

Our story of the week is The Leaf Thief by Alice Hemming.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is All the Leaves are Falling Down.

Each week the children from Nursery have the opportunity to visit the school Library.  It’s an adventure to get to the library as we have to walk all the way through the school,  and up and downs stairs too!  The children were developing their gross motor skills and co-ordination by learning to keep left walking through the busy corridors, remembering to hold onto the rails as they go up and down the stairs and staying together walking as a group.

During their time at the Library the children were learning the importance of taking care of the books in the Library, how to look for books and how to put them back in their correct place to keep them safe so we can find them another time.

Children can look at books themselves, with a friend or with staff.  The children also engaged in a group story.

The children have been developing their gross motor skills by riding on bikes, trikes and scooters and climbing on obstacles made using loose parts outdoors.  They have been developing their understanding of keeping safe outdoors by wearing their helmets on the wheeled vehicles and being aware of keeping themselves and others safe whilst climbing.

Children have spent time with their friends in the gravel pit using shovels and diggers to dig, scoop and transport.

The children have been interacting in groups, co-operating with each other whilst making meals for one another.

“I’ve got apple juice, going to pour it in my bottle”.

At Nursery the children make their very own playdough every week.  They develop teamwork and communication skills to measure the ingredients, pour liquids and mix the ingredients together to create the playdough.

There is always a variety of items and containers available for children to use in their water play.  Children were developing their fine motor skills using pipettes of water to melt the ice.  Children were using shovels and jugs to pour and collect water with.

“It’s so cold”.    “It’s stuck in the ice”.    “We need to get them out”.    “How many did you save”?

Week Beginning: 15th September 2025

Our story of the week is One Lucky Duck by Alison Maloney.

Click on the link below to view and listen to the story.

Our song of the week is Five Little Ducks. Click on the link below to sing along to the song.