For children who started with us in January, the Seagulls routine has become a lot more familiar. It has also been great to see them start to form relationships with the children in their key groups. We have had a very small number who started after Easter and so are understandably at an earlier stage of settling into the routine. All of these children have received a home visit, such an important part of the process, in terms of building key relationships.  

Reflecting on where the children are in their learning development and enduring interests, much of their self-initiated play has been happening outside in the garden, as they extend their role-play themes and knowledge of the world through movement, communication and using their senses. It has been so gratifying to notice how much confidence the children are showing at this point in the year, and those who will be with us next year will have ample opportunity to extend themselves further. Warmer weather has encouraged sustained creative play with water in the sand and outdoor kitchen area, where two of the water butts are located. They now alert adults if they are empty and they want to part of the process of filling them up. Having permission to direct their own learning, using adult help where it is required, is a powerful thing for the children! We have also been encouraging the children to think about caring for the garden environment through planting. Stemming from studying the bluebells they had seen on their forest trips, Yellow group planted flower seeds in the raised beds situated in front of the Rainbow room and have been charged with looking after them. 

It has been a busy time with visitors to Seagulls this term. Colleagues from our local schools have started with their transition visits, coming in to introduce themselves to the children moving on to them in September, as well as speaking with key people. New children visits with their parents have also taken place, with time given to spending quality time in the nursery space during our continuous provision. 

Outside term-time, the Easter holiday club was very successful, if also busy, on account of the introduction of 2-year-olds to the programme. This, as always, was run by dedicated members of the Blackbirds and Seagulls teams! 

All in all, Term 5 has been a really rewarding term; it is hard to believe that we only have one more term to go before the end of the year! This is always a precious time for us and the children and their families, particularly for those who will be going on to school. As ever, all of us who work in Seagulls will be doing our very best to continue to make it special for the children. 

We have been asked to share this survey by the Children’s commissioner, Dame Rachel De Souza with all parents and carers in our community.

As Children’s Commissioner, I am writing to ask you to ensure all of your children complete my new survey, The Big Future.

 

Under the Children Act 2004, it is my role to promote the views and interests of children in England, and I have done this so far by conducting the two largest ever children’s surveys: The Big Ask and The Big Ambition.

Now, for the first time, hundreds of thousands of children will be eligible to vote in the next general election, the biggest change to the franchise in half a century. Yet just one in five children say politicians listen to them. That’s why I’m launching my final survey, The Big Future.

You can complete the survey here:  http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigfuture.

I want to make sure that I hear from as many children as possible, aged 0-18, from all backgrounds, in all schools and colleges, and in every part of the country. To do that, I need your help. I am asking children about the changes they want to see in their communities, their biggest concerns, and their hopes for the future. More than anything, I want to know what they think a good childhood should look like today. I will be publishing my findings next year, and they will be used to advocate at the highest level for solutions that children want to see, to the problems that they tell me are most important to them.

Thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely,                                                                                                                 

Dame Rachel de Souza                                                                                                 

Children’s Commissioner

Redcliffe Community Festival This Saturday 23^rd May 1pm-5pm, All families welcome, see attached poster for further details

 

 

Talk PANTS and help keep children safe

Since 2013, Pantosaurus has helped over six million parents to Talk PANTS and help keep children safe from sexual abuse.

Developed with children, parents, carers and teachers, Talk PANTS is here to help children understand that their body belongs to them, and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried. Talk PANTS is here to help children understand that they have a right to say no and if they need to speak out about something, someone will listen.

We know that a simple conversation can make a BIG difference, and that’s what Talk PANTS is all about. To help you get the conversation started.  Please visit the following link for more details and tips on how to get the conversation started: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/pants-underwear-rule/

We need your help!  We’re fundraising to purchase a bubble lamp for our sensory room – a calming, engaging resource, that supports children’s sensory regulation, communication and wellbeing.  If you would like to support this project, you can donate via our Just Giving page. Any contribution, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you for helping us continue to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for our children.

World Culture Day – Thursday 21^st May 2026 – This year we have been having a week-long celebration from Monday 18^th- Friday 22^nd May 2026. Children in both Blackbirds and Seagulls rooms have been taking part in activities exploring cultures from around the world. Our aim is to celebrate cultural diversity through stories, music, food, clothing, languages, crafts, and traditions.

Thank you to everyone who came in for world culture week.  The children enjoyed listening to stories, dancing and tasting different foods.

 

Reminders:

I would like to give you some important information reminders

• Please ensure you bring a bag in with multiple spare changes of clothes, including socks.  As the weather improves, please provide a sunhat and sun cream for your child.
• Please provide water in your child’s water bottle – no squash
• Mobile phones are not to be used once you have gone through reception into the Seagulls or Blackbirds rooms.
• Please can you fold down your buggies or take them away if possible. We need to keep the main entrance walkway clear at all times as this is a fire exit.
• Parking - please note that the car park is for the residents and a tow scheme is in place. We recommend using the on road pay and display bays for free 30 minutes to drop off and collect your children.
• Please check Facebook, Instagram and the website regularly. We are aiming to post photos (non-identifiable) of what the children have been enjoying each week.

Dates for your Diary:

• We will finish for the Half Term break on Friday 22^nd May and return on Monday 1^st June. Nursery will be closed to all children during this time.
• Wednesday 10^th June – INSET Day Nursery will be closed to all children

Warm wishes,

 

 

 

Head Teacher