02.04.26
Our topic this week is Spring - Easter!
This week we have read:
- We’re Going on an Egg Hunt
- Five Little Chicks
- Spots First Easter
- First Festivals: Easter
- When Spring Comes
Activities/provision this week:
- Easter Egg Hunt – The children took part in an Easter egg hunt around our pre-school outdoor space. We practised using prepositional language to describe where the eggs were hidden e.g. under, on top, next to.
- Hot cross bun tasting – For snack this week the children tried different flavoured hot cross buns.
- Counting chicks – Children practised counting 1-5 objects. They counted how many chicks were in each egg.
- Tadpoles sensory tray – We learnt about the lifecycle of a frog by looking at pictures and watching videos. The children then played with jelly, leaves and toy frogs.
- Easter nests – The children made edible Easter nests using rice crispies.
- Spring home corner – In our spring themed home corner the children played with baskets, bunny ears, eggs, flowers, chicks etc. We looked at recipes for hot cross buns and Easter Nests.
- Easter playdough – Making Easter playdough creations using stamps, cutters and baking trays.
- Easter farm small world – Children played with the farm, animals and eggs. We talked about what happens during springtime on a farm e.g. lambing season.
- Chick fine motor challenge – Tray filled with pretend grass, mini chicks and eggs. The children used tweezers or their fingers to place the chicks inside the eggs.
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number six
The children have been learning how to:
- Count to 6
- Understand that 6 is 1 more than 5
- Order numbers 1 to 6
- Subitising 1-6 on a dice
- Count 6 objects, saying each number name
The topic after half term will be: Minibeasts
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any books about Spring and Minibeasts
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Easter half term dates – 3rd April – 19th April
- Dentist Visit - Thursday 23rd April
Dear Parents/Carers,
Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children on Thursday 23rd April. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class.
Taw (Pre-school) session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
Best Wishes
The EYFS Team
27.03.26
Our topic this week is Spring - Easter!
This week we have read:
- We’re Going on an Egg Hunt
- Five Little Chicks
- Spots First Easter
- First Festivals: Easter
- When Spring Comes
Activities/provision this week:
- Easter Cards – The children made Easter cards to take home for their families. They chose from a variety of easter craft materials to make their own design.
- Easter Egg Hunt – The children took part in an Easter egg hunt around our pre-school outdoor space. We practised using prepositional language to describe where the eggs were hidden e.g. under, on top, next to.
- Spring home corner – In our spring themed home corner the children played with baskets, bunny ears, eggs, flowers, chicks etc. We looked at recipes for hot cross buns and Easter Nests.
- Easter playdough – Making Easter playdough creations using stamps, cutters and baking trays.
- Easter farm small world – Children played with the farm, animals and eggs. We talked about what happens during springtime on a farm e.g. lambing season.
- Chick craft – Children decorated their own chick using different yellow craft materials.
- Decorating eggs – At the craft table the children decorated their own easter eggs.
- Chick fine motor challenge – Tray filled with pretend grass, mini chicks and eggs. The children used tweezers or their fingers to place the chicks inside the eggs.
- Thank you to everyone who attended our Easter Chick Challenge Stay and Play session on Wednesday!
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number five
The children have been learning how to:
- Count to 5
- Understand that 5 is 1 more than 4
- Order numbers 1 to 5
- Subitising numbers 1 to 5
- Count 5 objects, saying each number name
The topic after next week will be: Signs of spring and Easter
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any books about Spring and Easter
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Easter half term dates – 3rd April – 20th April
- Dentist Visit - Thursday 23rd April
Dear Parents/Carers,
Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children on Thursday 23rd April. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class.
Taw (Pre-school) session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
Best Wishes
The EYFS Team
20.03.26
Our topic this week is Growing, signs of spring!
This week we have read:
- Sam Plants a Sunflower
- We Found a Seed
- Jasper’s Beanstalk
- That’s my Flower
- Ten Seeds
- The Tiny Seed
Activities/provision this week:
- Messy tray – The children pretended to plant seeds, practising what they need to do. They explored plant pots, soil, watering cans, seeds, trowel.
- Planting playdough – brown playdough, flowers, pots, lollypop sticks.
- Flower shop role play – The children learnt about different types of flowers. They acted out buying flowers from a florist and giving them to a friend.
- Counting flowers – The children counted the number of flowers in pots and matched them to the correct numeral.
- Counting magic beans – The children counted the number of dots on magic beans and matched them to the correct numeral.
- Busy in the garden song – We learnt a new song about planting in springtime.
- Daffodil painting – The children painted a daffodil picture using cardboard rolls, yellow paint and green pastels.
- Tulip collage – The children made a tulip collage using coloured card and tissue paper.
- Rhyming Jack and the Beanstalk game – We ‘built’ a beanstalk by matching rhyming words linked to the story e.g. mean/bean, jack/sack.
- Chalk flowers – We looked at different types of flowers, and the children used chalk to draw flower pictures outside.
- Flower ‘cupcakes’ – In the mud kitchen the children made flower cupcakes using trays, jugs, cupcake cases and real flowers.
- Fine motor activity – Children practiced cutting by using scissors to cut up flowers.
- Constructions – Building their own flower garden.
- Red Nose Day – On Friday the children took part in activities for Red Nose Day.
- Thank you to everyone who attended our stay and play session on Friday!
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number five
The children have been learning how to:
- Count to 5
- Understand that 5 is 1 more than 4
- Order numbers 1 to 5
- Subitising numbers 1 to 5
- Count 5 objects, saying each number name
The topic after next week will be: Signs of spring and Easter
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any books about Spring and Easter
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Easter Chick Challenge Workshop -(Due to numbers this session is only for children who attend Pre-School on Wednesday Afternoon due to space).
We would like to invite you to join us for an Easter Chick Challenge Workshop on Wednesday 25th March 2-3pm. During the afternoon there will be a variety of Easter Activities to complete with your child, we hope that you are able to join us.
- Dentist Visit - Thursday 23rd April
Dear Parents/Carers,
Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children on Thursday 23rd April. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class.
Taw (Pre-school) session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
Best Wishes
The EYFS Team
-
Wearing something sporty on the day - this could be as simple as a pair of trainers, PE kit, football kit, etc., or going all out and dressing as a sporting hero!
-
Having a cake sale - please drop cakes to the school hall on arrival. There will be a table and a sign saying "cake sale donations".
-
Hosting a sports-style 'Bake Off' competition for anyone who would like to join in - submissions should be labelled with the child's first name and class, and be dropped to the school hall on the morning of Friday 20th. There will be a table and a sign saying "Bake Off competition". The winner and runner up will be chosen by our two school chairs and will be announced in a special assembly in the afternoon. There is a prize for their efforts!
13.03.26
Our topic this week is Growing, signs of spring! We have also talked about Mother’s Day.
This week we have read:
-
Sam Plants a Sunflower
-
We Found a Seed
-
Jasper’s Beanstalk
-
That’s my Flower
-
Ten Seeds
-
The Tiny Seed
Activities/provision this week:
-
Mother’s Day cards – Decorating a card to take home for their Mum or loved one.
-
Planting seeds – We read stories and watched videos of the growing process, talking about what a seed needs to grow. Children planted seeds in pots for us to watch grow and take home.
-
Flower printing – dabbing real flowers into paint and printing onto paper. Using pastel spring colours.
-
Sequencing growing pictures – The children sequenced pictures in order of how to grow a seed. We also acted this out using props.
-
Messy tray – The children pretended to plant seeds, practising what they need to do. They explored plant pots, soil, watering cans, seeds, trowel.
-
Planting playdough – brown playdough, flowers, pots, lollypop sticks.
-
Flower shop role play – The children learnt about different types of flowers. They acted out buying flowers from a florist and giving them to a friend.
-
Flower decorating – Decorating a craft flower by scrunching up tissue paper and sticking it to the outline of a flower.
-
Fine motor activity – Children practiced cutting by using scissors to cut up flowers.
-
Constructions – Building their own flower garden.
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
-
Five little ducks
-
Five little monkeys
-
Five crispy pancakes
-
Polly put the kettle on
-
Hot cross buns
-
Mary, Mary quite contrary
-
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
-
Little peter rabbit
-
Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number four
The children have been learning how to:
-
Count to 4
-
Compare numbers 1,2,3 and 4 – using language of smaller and bigger
-
Understand that 4 is 1 more than 3
-
Understand that 4 is made of 3 and 1 or 2 and 2
-
Order numbers 1 to 4
The topic after next week will be: Growing, Flowers, signs of spring
Important information
-
Please can the children bring in any books about Growing, Flowers, Spring.
-
Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
Easter Chick Challenge Workshop -(Due to numbers this session is only for children who attend Pre-School on Wednesday Afternoon due to space).
We would like to invite you to join us for an Easter Chick Challenge Workshop on Wednesday 25th March 2-3pm. During the afternoon there will be a variety of Easter Activities to complete with your child, we hope that you are able to join us.
-
We will be holding 10-minute parents' meetings this half term, your child’s key worker will approach you to arrange a date/time.
-
Stay and Play session – 20th March – 8.45am-10.00am
-
Dentist Visit - Thursday 23rd April
Dear Parents/Carers,
Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children on Thursday 23rd April. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class.
Taw (Pre-school) session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
Best Wishes
The EYFS Team
06.03.26
Our topic this week is Lunar New Year!
This week we have read:
-
Busy Chinese New Year
-
I Love Chinese New Year
-
The Great Race
-
Maisy’s Chinese New Year
Activities/provision this week:
-
Chinese restaurant role play – The children have explored Chinese food through our role play. They played with Chinese food, chopsticks, bowls, menus and recipes.
-
Food tasting – We talked about the different foods people eat when celebrating Lunar New Year. The children tasted different flavoured noodles for snack.
-
Lunar New Year playdough – The children played with golden playdough, red/yellow coins, dragon playdough mats and red/yellow pipe cleaners.
-
Lunar New Year fine motor tray – The children played with salt coloured red. They explored the salt using bowls, spoons, gold trays.
-
The Great Race small world – We read ‘The Great Race’ story and the children played with animals from the book. The children ordered them based on the story e.g. rat 1st, Ox 2nd
-
Dragon mask craft – The children put together and decorated their own dragon puppets
-
Dragon dance – This week we listened to different Lunar New Year music and watched videos of traditional dances. The children did their own dragon dance with colourful materials, drums and masks.
-
Painting Chinese characters – We looked at examples of Chinese writing, and they children had a go at painting them on red card.
-
Coin rubbing – We talked about Lunar New Year traditions, giving friends/family red envelopes with coins inside. The children joined in with a coin rubbing activity where they made marks on large pieces of paper.
-
Cutting activity – The children have been practising using scissors by cutting out paper coins. They also put together craft envelopes to put them in.
World Book Day – On Thursday the children joined in with a variety of World Book Day themed activities. For example, dressing up, making bookmarks, book swaps etc.
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
-
Five little ducks
-
Five little monkeys
-
Five crispy pancakes
-
Polly put the kettle on
-
Hot cross buns
-
Mary, Mary quite contrary
-
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
-
Little peter rabbit
-
Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number four
The children have been learning how to:
-
Count to 4
-
Compare numbers 1,2,3 and 4 – using language of smaller and bigger
-
Understand that 4 is 1 more than 3
-
Understand that 4 is made of 3 and 1 or 2 and 2
-
Order numbers 1 to 4
The topic after next week will be: Growing, Flowers, Mother’s Day
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any books about Growing, Flowers, Mother’s Day, Spring.
-
Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
Please send in photographs of the children's half term to pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
Easter Chick Challenge Workshop -(Due to numbers this session is only for children who attend Pre-School on Wednesday Afternoon due to space).
We would like to invite you to join us for an Easter Chick Challenge Workshop on Wednesday 25th March 2-3pm. During the afternoon there will be a variety of Easter Activities to complete with your child, we hope that you are able to join us.
-
We will be holding 10-minute parents' meetings this half term, your child’s key worker will approach you to arrange a date/time.
- Stay and Play Session - Friday 20th March - 8.45am-10.00am
- Dentist Visit - Thursday 23rd April
Dear Parents/Carers,
Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children on Thursday 23rd April. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class.
Taw (Pre-school) session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
Best Wishes
27.02.26
Our topic this week is Lunar New Year!
This week we have read:
- Busy Chinese New Year
- I Love Chinese New Year
- The Great Race
- Maisy’s Chinese New Year
Activities/provision this week:
- Chinese restaurant role play – The children have explored Chinese food through our role play. They played with Chinese food, chopsticks, bowls, menus and recipes.
- Food tasting – We talked about the different foods people eat when celebrating Lunar New Year. The children tasted different flavoured rice for snack.
- Lunar New Year playdough – The children played with golden playdough, red/yellow coins, dragon playdough mats and red/yellow pipe cleaners.
- Noodle fine motor tray – The children used tweezers to pick up pretend noodles (yellow wool). They also played with Lunar New Year serving bowls.
- The Great Race small world – We read ‘The Great Race’ story and the children played with animals from the book. The children ordered them based on the story e.g. rat 1st, Ox 2nd
- Dragon craft – The children put together and decorated dragon puppets.
- Lunar New Year lanterns – The children practiced their cutting skills by making Lunar New Year Lanterns out of card and craft materials.
- Year of the horse – We talked about the year of the horse, and the children decorated a horse picture.
- Blossom tree – We looked at photographs of Lunar New Year blossom trees. The children painted a group picture of a blossom tree using pink paint and cotton buds.
Phonics: Alliteration
This term our phonics focus is Alliteration. The children have been developing their understanding of alliteration. They have been listening to sounds at the beginning of words and hearing the differences between them. The children have explored how different sounds are articulated. We have been playing games such as, I spy - initial sounds, silly soup and bertha the bus goes to the zoo.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number four
The children have been learning how to:
- Count to 4
- Compare numbers 1,2,3 and 4 – using language of smaller and bigger
- Understand that 4 is 1 more than 3
- Understand that 4 is made of 3 and 1 or 2 and 2
- Order numbers 1 to 4
The topic after next week will be: Lunar New Year
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any books about Lunar New Year
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Please send in photographs of the children's half term to pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Easter Chick Challenge Workshop -(Due to numbers this session is only for children who attend Pre-School on Wednesday Afternoon due to space).
We would like to invite you to join us for an Easter Chick Challenge Workshop on Wednesday 25th March 2-3pm. During the afternoon there will be a variety of Easter Activities to complete with your child, we hope that you are able to join us.
- We will be holding 10-minute parents' meetings this half term, your child’s key worker will approach you to arrange a date/time.
13.02.26
Our topic this week is Pancake Day and Valentine’s Day.
This week we have read:
-
Sophia’s Pancake Day
-
Cook in a Book: Pancakes
-
Mr Wolf’s Pancakes
-
Guess How Much I Love You
-
When We’re Together
Activities/provision this week:
-
Valentine’s Day playdough – Red playdough, rolling pins, cupcake cases, heart shaped cutters.
-
Valentine’s sensory tray – red oats, hearts, spoons, glitter etc.
-
Valentine’s foam tray – The children used paint brushes to make heart shapes in red shaving foam.
-
Valentine’s Day cards – The children made their own cards to take home for their loved ones. They decorated a heart and tried to write their names in the cards.
-
Heart painting – painting hearts using red, pink and purple water colours.
-
Baking cupcakes and biscuit decorating – The children baked valentine’s day cupcakes and decorated biscuits.
-
Small world – The children played with the doll's house and miniature people. We looked at family photos and people who they love.
-
Pancake Cafe role play – The children pretended to make their own ‘pancakes’ using pretend ingredients.
-
Pancake race – Racing in teams whilst carrying pretend pancakes in a frying pan.
-
Pancake tasting – The children had pancakes for snack and tried different toppings. They voted on which topping was their favourite.
-
Lemon squeezing – Taking it in turns to squeeze lemons and make juice. We talked about the taste, smell and texture.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
-
Five little ducks
-
Five little monkeys
-
Five crispy pancakes
-
Polly put the kettle on
-
Hot cross buns
-
Mary, Mary quite contrary
-
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
-
Little peter rabbit
-
Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number three
The children have been learning how to:
-
Count to 3
-
Understand that 3 is one more than two
-
Understand that 3 is two more than one
-
Understand that one is first, two is second and three is third
-
Order numbers 1 to 3
-
Learn the different ways to represent 3 e.g. three on a dice, three on a fives frame, numeral 3, 3 on a number line.
The topic after half term will be: Lunar New Year
Important information
-
Please can the children bring in any books about Lunar New Year
-
Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
February half term: 16th February – 20th February
06.02.26
Our topic this week is Traditional tales – The Three Little Pigs and The Three Billy Goats Gruff. We have been reading different versions of both stories.
Activities/provision this week:
-
Wolf stew – We talked about the ending of the story and how the pigs trick the wolf. The children used the water tray to make their own ‘stew’ to put underneath the chimney for the wolf.
-
The children built houses for the three little pigs out of large construction pieces e.g. wooden blocks, foam bricks, planks and plastic shapes.
-
Three Billy Goats Gruff – We read the story and learnt about prepositional language e.g. the troll lives UNDER the bridge. The children practiced using prepositional language for example, underneath, on top, next to, behind, in front.
-
Cutting activity – The children cut out characters from The Billy Goats Gruff and stuck them onto a scene from the story. We talked about where they might be in the scene, modelling prepositional language. For example, “The goats are ON TOP of the bridge”.
-
Building a bridge – The children built a bridge for the billy goats using various construction materials. We talked about which materials would hold the goats.
-
Three Little Pigs construction area role play – The children dressed up in hard hats and vests. They played with foam bricks, wooden blocks, straw and a tool bench. The children acted out the story using the resources available.
-
Fine motor tray – The children played with goats and wooden bridges. We added green oats and spoons for them to feed the goats.
-
Small world play – The children played with toy pigs, building houses out of Duplo, coloured blocks and magnetic tiles.
-
Three Little Pigs playdough – The children made a house from the story using playdough, lollypop sticks, wooden sticks and Duplo blocks.
-
In the reading area the children have enjoyed reading lots of traditional tales.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
-
Five little ducks
-
Five little monkeys
-
Five crispy pancakes
-
Polly put the kettle on
-
Hot cross buns
-
Mary, Mary quite contrary
-
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
-
Little peter rabbit
-
Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number three
The children have been learning how to:
-
Count to 3
-
Understand that 3 is one more than 2
-
Understand that 3 is two more than 1
-
Understand that one is first, two is second and three is third
-
Order numbers 1 to 3
The topic next week will be: Valentines Day/Pancake Day
Important information
-
Please can the children bring in any books about Valentines Day or Pancake Day.
-
Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
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On Wednesday 11th February Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class
Taw session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
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February half term: 16th February – 20th February
30.01.26
Our topic this week is Traditional tales – The Three Little Pigs! We have been reading different versions of The Three Little Pigs.
Activities/provision this week:
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On Friday we had our stay and play – thank you to those who attended!
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Decorating a pig – The children used pink tissue paper, card, stickers and pens to make a pig.
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Decorating a house for the three little pigs – The children decorated a house using a variety of craft resources e.g. sticks, straw, cut out bricks. They picked which house they wanted to make and decorated it independently.
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Group mark making – The children worked together to paint a straw/brick house. They used different paint rollers to make patterns.
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Three Little Pigs construction area role play – The children dressed up in hard hats and vests. They played with foam bricks, wooden blocks, straw and a tool bench. The children acted out the story using the resources available.
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Small world play – The children played with toy pigs, building houses out of Duplo, coloured blocks and magnetic tiles.
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Three Little Pigs playdough – The children made a house from the story using playdough, lollypop sticks, wooden sticks and Duplo blocks.
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In the reading area the children have enjoyed reading lots of traditional tales.
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The children built a house using toy bricks and shaving foam. They pretended to set the bricks with ‘cement’.
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Washing the pigs – A messy play activity with brown and clear water. The children used sponges to clean the pigs.
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Big Bad Wolf activity – We talked about the materials used in the story e.g. sticks, bricks, straw. We talked about if they were strong/weak, smooth/rough. The children selected a variety of resources and predicted if the big bad wolf would be able to blow them away. An adult used a hairdryer to test their predictions.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
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Five little ducks
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Five little monkeys
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Five crispy pancakes
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Polly put the kettle on
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Hot cross buns
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Mary, Mary quite contrary
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Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
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Little peter rabbit
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Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number two
The children have been learning how to:
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Understand that 2 is one more than 1
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show as many ways as possible how you can demonstrate 2 e.g. two fingers, two on a dice, the word two, 2 the numeral.
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Recognise the numeral 2
The topic next week will be: Traditional tales – The Three Little Pigs/Three Billy Goats Gruff
Important information
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Please can the children bring in any versions of The Three little pigs/Three Billy Goats Gruff to share at circle time.
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Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
On Wednesday 11th February Torrington Dental Practice will be visiting Taw and Codden Classes to share information about looking after teeth with parents and children. Parents are very welcome to join their children for this interactive and informative session, we hope that you will you attend if you are able to.
Codden Class session will run approximately 9-9:30am in class
Taw session will run approximately 9:30-10am. (If your child does not normally attend Pre-school on this day parents are welcome to bring their child(ren) in for the talk and must stay, due to staff ratios). If you would like to come and your child(ren) usually attend on this day you are welcome to stay after drop off or bring them slightly later for 9:30am, please let a member of Pre-School staff know.
If you have any further questions please speak to a member of the EYFS team, we hope that you are able to attend.
23.01.26
Our topic this week is Traditional tales – Goldilocks and the Three Bears! We have been reading different versions of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.
Activities/provision this week:
- Three bears cottage role play – The children made ‘porridge’ in the home corner using real oats. They played with different sized bowls, chairs etc similar to the story.
- Three bears cottage small world – The children played with a dolls house, miniature bears, small trees etc.
- Retelling the story – We retold the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The children used picture cards to sequence events from the story. We also acted it out and the children played different parts.
- Feeding baby bear porridge – Children took it in turns to use a small spoon to try and feed ‘baby bear’.
- Weighing and measuring – They played with different sized counting bears. We talked about weighing objects and how we know which one is the heaviest/lightest. The children used scales to compare the objects.
- Porridge tasting – This week the children tasted a variety of porridge flavours at snack time. We described the smell, texture and taste of all the porridge flavours. The children voted for their favourite flavour.
- Sorting objects – We talked about the word ‘opposite’ and what it means. We talked about words from the books such as, high/low, hard/soft, hot/cold, big/small. The children sorted hard/soft objects into two groups.
- Bear printing – The children painted by putting the bears into paint and printing them onto paper.
- Cutting activity – The children cut out characters/objects from the story and glued them onto a scene from the story.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number two
The children have been learning how to:
- Understand that 2 is one more than 1
- Count to two
- Count two objects on a fives frame
- Count two objects out of a larger group
- Play Simon says – counting two actions e.g. Simon says do two claps, two taps.
The topic next week will be: Traditional tales – The Three Little Pigs
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any versions of The Three little pigs to share at circle time.
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Our next stay and play session is Friday 30th January 8.45am-10.00am
16.01.26
Our topic this week is Winter! We have been talking about how the season has changed and the signs of winter.
Books we have read:
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When Winter Comes
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Lost and Found
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One Snowy Night
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The Gruffalos Child
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The Snow Thief
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Squirrels Snowman
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Jack Frost
Activities/provision this week:
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Winter forest small world play – The children played with a winter forest e.g. houses, trees, people, winter animals.
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Winter light box – We explored winter colours by using the lightbox. The children played with a variety of blue/white resources.
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Snowflake tray – The children played with pretend snow, using paintbrushes to make patterns.
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Ice skating – The children froze miniature people in ice and later pretended they were ‘ice skating’.
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Winter fine motor tray – The children played with pretend snow, reusable ice cubes, spoons, winter animals and cotton wool.
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Painting snowflakes – The children painted snowflakes using pom poms held by pegs, dipping them in paint and then onto the paper.
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Hot chocolate tray – Children made ‘hot chocolates’ using cocoa powder, cups, sprinkles, water, whisks, bowls and pretend marshmallows.
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Making ‘slushies’ – The children made pretend ‘slushies’ using crushed ice, food colouring, cones and scoopers.
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Winter sensory tray – The children played with blue oobleck, snowflake cutters, glitter, winter animals etc.
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Exploring winter/arctic animals – The children played with winter animals in a sensory tray, talking about animals you might find in cold habitats.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
-
Five little ducks
-
Five little monkeys
-
Five crispy pancakes
-
Polly put the kettle on
-
Hot cross buns
-
Mary, Mary quite contrary
-
Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
-
Little peter rabbit
-
Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number one
The children have been learning how to:
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Use number name one and match to one unit.
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Use one in a sentence e.g. “I see one apple”.
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We sang ‘One finger, one thumb keep moving”.
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We practiced recognising number one.
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We practiced finding one object in the room.
The topic next week will be: Traditional tales - Goldilocks and The Three Bears
Important information
-
Please can the children bring in any versions of Goldilocks and The Three Bears to share at circle time.
-
Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
-
Our next stay and play session is Friday 30th January 8.45am-10.00am
09.01.26
Our topic this week is Winter! We have been talking about how the season has changed and the signs of winter.
Books we have read:
- When Winter Comes
- One Snowy Night
- The Gruffalos Child
- The Snow Thief
- Squirrels Snowman
- Jack Frost
Activities/provision this week:
- The children shared photographs from home and talked about their Christmas break.
- Winter forest small world play – The children played with a winter forest e.g. houses, trees, people, winter animals.
- Winter playdough – Making snowflakes and snowmen using cutters. The children also played with reusable ice cubes.
- Snowflake craft – Painting and decorating snowflakes using pens, paint and tissue paper.
- Ice painting – We talked about and showed the children how water turns into ice. They later painted the ice cubes in a large tuff tray using water colours.
- Exploring winter/arctic animals – The children played with winter animals in a sensory tray, talking about animals you might find in cold habitats.
- Snowflake soup – Experimenting how to make ‘snowflake soup’ using spoons, bowls, water, ice cubes etc.
- Painting snowflakes – We covered the table in foil, and the children used cotton buds/corks to paint snowflakes on top.
Phonics: Rhythm and Rhyme
This term our phonics focus is Rhythm and Rhyme. The children are learning to experience and appreciate rhythm and rhyme and to develop awareness of rhythm and rhyme in speech. We have been reading rhyming stories to develop awareness of words that rhyme such as, ‘One Mole Digging a Hole’ and ‘Oi Frog’. The children have practising identifying rhyming words by playing matching games.
Nursery rhymes:
This term we will be learning the nursery rhymes:
- Five little ducks
- Five little monkeys
- Five crispy pancakes
- Polly put the kettle on
- Hot cross buns
- Mary, Mary quite contrary
- Round and round the garden like a teddy bear
- Little peter rabbit
- Doctor Foster
Maths: Exploring and understanding number one
The children have been learning how to:
- Use number name one and match to one unit.
- Use one in a sentence e.g. “I see one apple”.
- We sang ‘One finger, one thumb keep moving”.
- We played ‘Simon says do one…clap/stomp/spin/star jump…’.
The topic next week will be: Winter
Important information
- Please can the children bring in any winter books to share at circle time.
- Applications for starting primary school in September 2026 open on 15th November 2025 and close on 15th January 2026. The date that all allocations of school places are announced in England is known as ‘offer day’. For September 2025 primary school starters this will be on 16th April 2026. Apply online at the Citizens Portal.
- Please send in WOW moments for your children to share at circle time – pre-school@bishopstawton-primary.org
- Our next stay and play session is Friday 30th January 8.45am-10.00am