What a wonderful summer we have had at St Helen’s Preschool! Our days have been filled with curiosity, creativity, discovery and lots of opportunities to learn through play.
This summer, we have been exploring the natural world around us, using the things we find in our environment to inspire our creativity. Our children enjoyed going on nature scavenger hunts, collecting natural treasures and talking about what they could see, hear, touch and discover. We have also been learning about life cycles and growth, watching our caterpillars transform into beautiful butterflies and caring for our own growing plants.
There has been plenty of opportunity to be little scientists too! We have explored shadows, colour changes and simple experiments, encouraging the children to make predictions, ask questions and discover what happens when we try something new.
Our physical development has been supported through lots of opportunities to move under, over, around and through. We have built dens, climbed, crawled, balanced and worked together to solve physical challenges.
As some of our children prepare for the exciting move to school, we have been enjoying a range of transition activities, helping children to talk about their feelings, build confidence and become familiar with some of the routines and experiences they may encounter in their new settings.
And, of course, summer wouldn’t be summer without plenty of sensory and messy play! We have explored different textures and materials, enjoyed ice play to help us cool down on warmer days and even created a wonderful water experience for our feet, exploring how different textures felt underfoot and in the water. Our car wash was another firm favourite, providing lots of opportunities for imaginative play, cooperation and, inevitably, getting a little bit wet!
We have also been very lucky to welcome some special visitors to preschool. Our children enjoyed visits from the emergency services, learning about the important jobs they do, as well as a musical visit from our wonderful friend Gemma and her ukelele. Lisa and Lucy from Baby Ballers also brought lots of energy and fun, encouraging the children to get active through movement and ball play.
There has been plenty of imagination and teamwork too, particularly when building dens together. Watching the children share ideas, negotiate, problem-solve and proudly show off what they have created has been a lovely part of our summer.
And what better way to celebrate our children than with a summer party! 🎓 We came together to celebrate all the children who are heading off to their next adventure. There were lots of smiles, happy memories and perhaps a few emotional moments as we said goodbye and wished them every happiness for their next chapter.
🌿 Our youngest explorers
Our youngest children in The Snug have been very much part of our summer adventures too. Following their own interests and developmental stages, they have been given opportunities to explore, investigate and experience the world through their senses.
From feeling different textures, splashing in water and exploring natural materials, to messy and sensory play, our babies have been encouraged to discover things at their own pace. Even the simplest experiences — a hand reaching into water, fingers exploring a texture, watching something move or feeling the breeze outside — provide wonderful opportunities for learning and connection.
Whether they are discovering their world through a nature hunt, experimenting with shadows, building a den with friends or simply splashing their toes in water, every child has had opportunities to explore, wonder and learn this summer.
💙 A special thank you
As we reach the end of another wonderful year, we would like to say a huge thank you to all of our families for your kind words, thoughtful gifts and messages of appreciation. They mean so much to the whole team and are a lovely reminder of the special relationships we build with our children and families.
We also said a very special goodbye to Heidi, who has moved on to begin her own new adventure. We are so grateful for everything she has brought to our preschool and the children, and we wish her lots of happiness and success in this exciting next chapter. 💕
As always, our aim has been to follow the children’s interests and provide meaningful experiences that support their development, while making the most of those precious everyday moments together.
We can’t wait to see what September will bring. 💙🍎🍁🎨
St Helen's Pre-School 