We’d like to say a huge thank you and well done to all of our Tiny Crickets babies and toddlers and their families for a great week of fun and activities this week, and an especially big welcome to all of our new starters. Everyone has been working really well towards settling in, and a huge well done to parents who have brought their children to the fun and rewarding environment of the nursery for the first time – we hope you managed to get a little bit of ‘me’ time with a cup of tea and a biscuit.
We are looking forwards to next week, and exploring our learning topics in the Baby and Toddler Rooms.
Toddler Room
This week we will be exploring the theme of autumn, as we start to take note of the changes in our environment both in the nursery garden and in the children’s own neighbourhoods.
Monday will be spent outdoors in the garden hunting for autumn leaves in different colours. Children will look carefully to spot reds, yellows, oranges and browns, collecting a variety of shapes. Practitioners will encourage them to name colours and notice changes in the season while enjoying the fresh air together.
On Tuesday, handprint leaves will be made to create a collaborative autumn tree for the nursery. Children will dip their hands in autumn-coloured paints and press them onto paper to form leaf shapes. This shared activity will not only decorate the room beautifully but also celebrate the uniqueness of each child’s contribution.
By Wednesday, apple printing will bring creativity to life. Apples will be dipped into autumnal paints and stamped onto paper, creating bold prints and colourful patterns. Practitioners will encourage children to notice the shapes and textures that appear, linking the fruit to seasonal changes while strengthening fine motor skills through hands-on exploration.
During Thursday, children will take time to sort collected leaves into big and small categories, also noticing the differences in shape and colour. This simple yet thoughtful activity helps to build early mathematical language while encouraging children to observe closely and talk about the natural world around them.
On Friday, the group will explore the trees in the outside environment, observing the seasonal changes. Practitioners will prompt discussion about falling leaves, bare branches and colour shifts, encouraging children to use descriptive words. This outdoor exploration will help them connect what they see in nature with the broader theme of autumn and the changing weather.
Baby Room
In the Baby Room we will be further exploring the topic of learning all about ourselves, developing an early understanding of self and our bodies, by discussing our features and what makes us unique.
Monday will be spent looking into mirrors with the support of nursery practitioners. Babies will be encouraged to notice their reflections and recognise facial features like eyes, noses and mouths. Gentle language will be used to name body parts, helping babies to build early awareness of themselves in a fun and interactive way.
On Tuesday, babies will make colourful handprints using paint. Practitioners will guide them as they dip their hands and press them onto paper, enjoying the sensation of cool paint. This activity is both creative and sensory, helping the babies notice the shape of their own hands while also exploring bright colours.
During Wednesday, songs will take centre stage. Nursery favourites such as the Finger Family Song and “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” will be sung together with actions. Babies will be encouraged to join in with claps, movements and smiles, helping them to link body parts with words in a joyful and musical way.
By Thursday, story books will be introduced that celebrate families and relationships. Practitioners will read aloud while showing pictures of parents, siblings and friends, encouraging babies to point, listen and respond. These gentle story sessions nurture early language, provide comfort and begin to build recognition of family structures and close bonds.
On Friday, the babies will explore edible paint, giving them the chance to use their fingers to feel textures and create marks safely. The mixture of taste-safe materials and soft colours will allow babies to fully immerse themselves in sensory play, discovering new sensations through touch while creating their own unique artwork.