Simple, fun activities, from newborn to five

Many little things light up hungry little minds. Children take everything in, and even the smallest things you do with them can make a big difference.They love it when you chat, play and read with them, even when they’re too young to understand everything. Whatever the time and wherever you are, you can turn almost anything into a game.And every little thing you do together will help set them up nicely for the day they start school.

Click on the link below for some great activity ideas and tips.... 

https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk/

Who's who .....

Timeline for St Mary’s Nurseries…..

2003 St Mary’s Nursery at St Mary’s College opened

2008 St Mary’s Nursery at Wensley Fold Children’s opened

2011 St Mary’s Nursery at St Mary’s College received OUTSTANDING rating from OFSTED

2012 St Mary’s Nursery at Wensley Fold Children’s received OUTSTANDING rating from OFSTED

2014 St Mary’s Nursery at The Park opened.

2015 St Mary’s Nursery at St Mary’s College received another OUTSTANDING rating from OFSTED

2016 St Mary’s Nursery at The Park received OUTSTANDING rating from OFSTED

2019 – 2020 – All 3 Nurseries will be inspected 

Tracy Ellett, Area manager for St Mary’s Nurseries, 16 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in June 1988 and in October 2008 I went on to complete my Level 6 in Professional Practice in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. I was appointed by St Mary’s College to establish and develop an Early Years setting within the grounds of St Mary’s College. Following a successful bid to provide childcare at Wensley Fold Children’s Centre I was promoted to Area Manager for St Mary’s Nurseries. I am really proud of our 3 OUTSTANDING Nurseries. 

Lisa Parkinson, Manager, 12 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in June 2000 and in March 2008 went on to complete my Level 6 in Professional Practice in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. I was appointed as Nursery Manager here at St Mary’s Nursery @ Wensley Fold Children’s Centre in December 2007.

Steph Noblett, Senior Early Years Practitioner, 16 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in June 2009 years. I started my career at St Mary’s Nursery @ St Mary’s College as a modern apprentice; in August 2013 I was successful in my application for a senior position here at St Mary’s Nursery @ Wensley Fold.

Adeema Nabeel, Senior Early Years Practitioner, 10 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in January 2011. I started my career as a student here at St Mary’s Nursery @ Wensley Fold and have worked my way up to the senior of the Tweenie Room. In July 2013 completed my Foundation Degree in Early Childhood Studies. 

Emma Whittam, Early Years Practitioner, 16 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in June 1994. I started my career at St Mary’s Nursery @ St Mary’s College as a Senior Early Years Practitioner. In October 2016 I applied for a 9-4pm term time position as an Early Years Practitioner at St Mary’s Nursery @ WFCC due to my own family commitments

Helen Lake, Early Years Practitioner, 11 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 1999. I started working at St Mary’s @ WFCC in September 2008. In July 2011 I achieved a Foundation Degree of Arts in Young Children’s Learning and Development. In July 2012 I achieved a Second Class Honours in Early Years Childcare. In June 2013 I went on to gain my Early Years Professional Status.

I am the SENCO for the Nursery.

Rokayya Mulla, Early Years Practitioner, 11 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in 2010.  I started working at St Mary’s @ WFCC as a modern apprentice in July 2008 and was successful in gaining a permanent position when I qualified.

In July 2012 I achieved a Commendation Foundation Degree of Arts in Young Children’s Learning and Development.

Keira Livesey, Modern Apprentice, 1 year service for SMN

I achieved my Level 2 apprenticeship in children and young people in March 2019 and I am now working towards my Level 3.

Rukhsar Qureshi, Early Years Practitioner, 7 years’ service for SMN

I started my career as a Modern Apprentice in November 2012, completing my level 2 in February 2014. I qualified as a level 3 Early Years Practitioner in December 2015.

Wendy Ashton, Early Years Practitioner, 11 years’ service for SMN

I qualified as an Early Years Practitioner in June 1988.  I started working at St Mary’s @ WFCC in January 2008. I am the physical co-ordinator and all the children love my PE sessions J

Mariyah Iqbal, Early Years Practitioner, 1 year service for SMN

I started my career at St Mary’s Nursery @ St Mary’s College in Feb 2018 helping out between 4pm and 6pm; this was whilst I completed my level 3. I moved to St Mary’s @ WFCC in September 2018 as a permanent afternoon member of staff. I am currently working towards a Degree in ‘Early Childhood and Education’.

Farat Ahmed

I started at St Mary’s @ WFCC as a volunteer; I was successful in gaining a permanent lunch assistant position

DIY SOS

On Friday 13th September the children and staff from 'St Mary's Nursery at Wensley Fold Children's Centre' went to deliver cakes to all the people working hard on the Nightsafe Project SOS for children in need.

Tracy Ellett Area Manager says ' we may not be able to help plaster, build or decorate, we certainly know how to bake cakes'

Understanding children's behaviour...

This term we are reviewing our behaviour policy.
We are currently researching 'Self Regulation' and 'Understanding Children's Behaviours'.

Please have a read of the link below for further information:
https://www.ndna.org.uk/NDNA/Community/myNDNA/blog/2017/Understanding_Childrens_behaviour

Den building

This activity came from a discussion with a parent re her child's interest at home and nursery.

Intent 
When a parent came to collect her child, he started putting the cushions on the floor to hide under.
Adeema explained that he has been doing this a lot during the day. Mum explained that at home he makes dens with the cushions off the settee with his brothers.
UTW
• In pretend play, imitates everyday actions and events from own family

Implementation 
Den building using materials

 

Impact 
PSED
 -Gradually able to engage in pretend play with toys (supports child to understand their own thinking may be different from others).
Physical 
-May be beginning to show preference for dominant hand.
Literacy - Reading
-Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories.
Characteristics of effective learning 
-Active learning- being involved and concentrating
- Active learning - showing satisfaction in meeting own goals

The Coffee/Information session

Parents / carers.... 

Lots of important information is available for you 

Please join us for a coffee tomorrow between 10am-11am and 2pm -3pm. 

Coffee and Information drop in sessions....

Thursday 5^th September 2019

10am -11am

Or

 2pm – 3pm

Everyone welcome

Please try to come along, there will be advice/ information on: 

• School Readiness
• Two year old development checks 
• Toilet training
• Parents contribution to Nursery life
• Our App and Blog 
• How you can help your child settle into Nursery 
• How you can support your child's learning and development 
• Our pedagogy (Teaching and learning)

• Staff will be available to answer any questions, signpost to relevant agencies and you will have a chance to look at ‘our  journey through play’ floor books.

Please email l.parkinson@stmarysblackburn.ac.uk if there is anything in particular you would like more information about.