Summer term is a special time to be in Seagulls... there are magical little moments in our days when the adults will peer across at each other with a knowing look and a proud smile. They excitedly whisper things to one another such as “did you see the incredible block play outside?!” ... “I can’t believe how independent they are now!” ... “Look at how well they are playing together!” ... “Do you remember when they started? They barely said a word and now they talk to so many people!”

It is a busy term for the adults, arranging transition visits, sharing our knowledge of each individual child with new teachers, writing end of year reports, organising trips, finding ways to keep cool in the sun, as well as ensuring there are new possibilities and challenges for the children within their play! We’ve also been working closely with the Blackbirds Team, planning the transition process for the children who will be moving to Seagulls from Blackbirds in September. Though the term is a busy one, it’s also a time for gratitude; to celebrate the wonderful children in our care, reflect on lessons and successes of the year, and lose ourselves in the joy of play!

One of our big ‘themes’ in play this term has centred around maps. Looking at maps of our city, maps of the world, road maps, learning how to ‘read’ a map, creating treasure maps, story maps, journey maps, and using these maps in imaginative play too!

Perhaps you could look at a map together at home to plot the journey you’ll be taking if your child is starting a new school in September? You could use the map (or make your own!) to practice the new route you’ll be taking to school. The summer holidays are a great time to practice this routine so that it becomes familiar to your child. You can take your time with the journey, notice what you see/hear/smell/feel along the way and enjoy it before the early morning rushing begins in September!

Key Group Highlights:

Kelly shares:

Within Orange Group imaginary play continues to be a strong interest; this term the children have taken this play to a new level. The role-playing has developed beyond the play happening in the moment, extending into other areas of learning. For example, children have been creating their own potions in the water tray, carefully measuring different ingredients, then taking the potion to use within their role-playing game - healing potions, power potions or even poisons! After the game has finished, we’ve then looked back at photos or talked about the game during group time, using it as inspiration when planning a new play narrative, drawing, or writing a story together!

Lou shares:

In orange group we have been expanding our writing skills, many children are now writing their name or developing their interest in writing through exploring their initial letter shape and being aware of their written name. Marking making on the white boards has been a huge interest, allowing children to express their meanings behind their drawings. Making patterns, using coloured blocks and number block images to create their own way of displaying a quality. Hairdressers has also been a popular theme in play. The group have been using the resources to develop their ideas and take turns to do each other’s hair, choosing styles and talking about different hair types.

Daisy shares:

This term Yellow Group have been loving exploring different methods of mark-making and attaching meaning and purpose behind their creations. We have brought this mark-making to the forest, carefully observing the natural environment then drawing what we see or hear. While there, we created imprints on clay, too! Recently Yellow Group have enjoyed talking about their new schools and have explored the transition to school through cutting out logos, looking at pictures of their new school or exploring the subject of school through their play. When in free play, Yellow Group continue to love engaging in role play with their friends and extending that role play by making use of the resources around them. Whether it’s making maps, dressing up, building complex structures, junk modelling, making potions, or cooking in the mud kitchen. We have also used the basil we planted in March to make a tomato and basil sauce for pizzas!

Billy shares:

This month, Blue Group’s main highlight was when we thoroughly enjoyed making swings in the forest.  We explored different ways of using ropes - swinging them round in pairs, wrapping them round ourselves, pulling on them.  Some members of the group were particularly engaged in experimenting with which branch to hang the rope from, and how to hang it. We all enjoyed swinging and hanging from ropes, and even from a very long, thick vine!

Hugo shares:

We have embraced the season of summer and the changes it has brought to the outdoors. In our trips to Ashton Court, one in May and the other in June, we chose two mature beech woods to explore, bursting with plant and insect life, as well as experiencing a sea of yellow buttercups in its open expanses of green. Back at nursery, we studied worms at close quarters and rubbed sage and lavender between our hands, as well as ate a raspberry or two, in our Redcliffe community garden at the back of the nursery. Growing has also been noticed in the main garden, where the cherry trees are awash with bright red cherries! Now that it has been almost a whole year in Seagulls, it has been wonderful to see all the children in the group fully find their voices and feel that they can be at the centre of things!

Sara shares:

We have had such a lovely term. Green Group are still in search to find the Gruffalo, creating maps to help guide them on their way. Construction has become a big part of our Group Times. Using the wooden log pieces to build a forest along with the mini-me’s to extend their adventures of finding the Gruffalo. Throughout term, some of the group (mainly boys), have been engaged in the Mobilo, and have become very imaginative with their builds, creating different vehicles such as one that sucks objects up and eject them from the back of the vehicle! We have enjoyed using clay and recently we have used air dry clay which the group has used to create the characters from the Gruffalo. It was amazing to have parents in during culture week. Ita’s mum, Rose, shared Irish folk Tales, bringing in some pictures of make-believe characters to colour in, she also played ‘Danny Boy’ on a penny whistle. Other parents came in and proudly spoke about their culture, it was fascinating to hear and so lovely that these parents took time out of their day to share with us.

Lucy shares:

This term Purple Group have been showing more of an interest in mark making. We have been using the white board and markers more often to draw shapes and a few recognisable letters, specifically ‘o’, ‘a’ and ‘m’.  Reading has become a firm part of our daily routine as most children are now able to sustain focus during longer books. We have read ‘The Colour Monster’ a few times and have been putting into practice a lot of the language used in the story.  Crafts are still going strong with this group! Our sessions in the forest have become longer and the children have been more relaxed and confident in the trips - lunch in the woods being a highlight of these sessions.

Carmen shares:

We’ve been playing shops with a cash register, practicing some fun "shop maths"; counting, adding, and using pretend money. It's been a great way to sneak in early maths skills through play. Lots of role-play, taking turns, numbers. We're also working on writing letters and understanding the purpose of why we learn to write. Such as making up little stories together and writing them down.  We’ve been reading books related to school and having lovely conversations around what school is and what exciting things they’ll get to do there.  On the creative side, we’ve been exploring with liquid colours on absorbent surfaces. Experimenting with how colours expand and mix, and mostly how we feel when we don’t have full control of the results. It’s been fun to talk about how that makes us feel and how it’s part of some art making processes.

I would like to say a massive thank you to the Seagulls team for all of the work they have done with the children this year. It’s wonderful to see the progress they have made and how they are ready and excited for their new adventures in September. For those of you who are moving to Primary School in September, we wish you all the best. Remember, you’re always welcome to return for a visit to say hello and remember the good times at Redcliffe!

Sam