Redcliffe Nursery School has a new vision this year: Play, Discover, Belong. It came from asking families last year why the nursery matters to them and their children.
Alongside the vision, the nursery has five values that shape how the team works with children and families every day: listening, equity, community, nature and aspiration. Redcliffe also holds the School of Sanctuary Award, which recognises its work welcoming and supporting children and families seeking sanctuary.
The term began with home visits, so key people could meet each child in a familiar setting and learn about their interests and routines before they started. In Blackbirds, children have been getting used to snack time, singing time and tidy-up time, helping to prepare snacks and serving their own lunch. Sand and water play, painting with different tools, building and a large shared canvas have been firm favourites.
In Seagulls, children have been telling and acting out stories, from busy home corner scenes to monsters and lava in the garden. They have set up bus stops with tickets, and made and followed a map to “dinosaur land”. After a successful project with Bristol Old Vic last year, Seagulls is now exploring one art material in depth each term, and this term it is paint: powder paint has been especially popular, along with hand and object printing. The team also noticed some children going back to Blackbirds for sensory play, so they have added more of it to Seagulls.
The Rainbow Room, a quieter space for up to seven children, has been well used by both rooms. Stretchy sand, magnetic tiles, coloured water and pretend cooking have been popular there, along with a midday singing group.