Nursery News
Tuesday December 18, 2007
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"House Full" notices had to be posted when children at Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre, South Shields, staged a nativity play with a cast of more than 40 toddlers aged from two to four years.
So many parents and grandparents wanted to see the show that nursery manager Angela Thomas had to switch the venue from the nursery in Stanhope Road to Springs health and leisure club at Crossgate.
"With such a huge cast and so many adults wanting to attend it was impossible to accommodate everyone at the nursery," said Angela. "Happily, Springs readily agreed to let us use their special events room at the club and even put on coffee and snacks for everyone."
The nativity play, watched by an audience of about 150, was a huge success.
"We had been rehearsing it regularly and the little ones even had a booklet of carols and songs to learn with the help of their parents at home," Angela added. "Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves at what must surely have been a record event of its kind."
Thursday September 20, 2007
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"APRENDEMOS EL ESPANOL"
("WE ARE LEARNING SPANISH")
Three and four-year-old toddlers at a Tyneside nursery are being taught Spanish as a second language.
The unique exercise at Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre, Gateshead, is being carried out by Louise Holden, a teacher of French and Spanish who believes that children between the ages of two-and-a-half and five years are at the right age to receive lessons in a second language.
The way the nursery youngsters have picked up the new language has surprised nursery manager Joanna Brown who organised Spanish lessons after consulting parents who decided that Spanish rather than French was the language they wanted their children to learn.
"I am absolutely thrilled with the progress the children are making after only their second teach-in by Louise who works with foreign language teaching clubs throughout the region," says Joanna. "The brains of children of this age are like sponges – they pick up things so easily – and the younger they are the easier it is for them to pick up a second language. What's more, the children enjoy the experience and that's the main thing.
"As a nursery we try to take every opportunity to teach our children new things which will widen their horizons and add to their experience while they are very young."
Says Louise: "The younger the children are the easier it is to teach them. They are learning Spanish through fun and play. While they are learning English a foreign language can be introduced at the same time through association with food, colour, numbers, animals, singing……everyday things to which they can easily relate."
The lessons are being conducted in 12-week modules and Spanish was chosen by the majority of parents who regard Spain as their most popular holiday destination.
Monday August 13, 2007
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Children at Ashfield Court nursery in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital are currently enjoying a unique training and delivery programme which introduces them to the pleasures and educational values of music.
The aim is to "light up their brains like a Christmas tree" says Steph Brandon, Head of Early Years and Family Learning, The Sage Gateshead, who is implementing the project.
"The programme is about creating an environment to give toddlers access to musical opportunities," she adds "Musical activities can help to develop a whole range of skills while at the same time providing them with enjoyment and entertainment. It is really important to help young children become better learners. Music helps them with language and in all sorts of other ways."
Nursery Manager Karen Ainsley agrees and reports than the children love the music sessions and are beginning to show the benefits of them.
Monday July 23, 2007
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Bad weather didn't stop children at Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre, Low Fell, holding their first-ever sports day in aid of the Chronicle appeal for fellow toddler and meningitis victim Tilley Lockey.
"Heavy rain left the chosen venue at nearby Saltwell Park too muddy and slippery for the children so we decided at the last minute to switch to a quiet section of the car park the nursery shares with Springs health club," said nursery manager Joanna Brown.
"The children enjoyed it just as much. So, too, did their parents who entered into the fun and helped to raise £170 for the Give Tilly A Hand appeal."
"If the weather had been kinder we are certain we would have raised much more."
Ashfield Nursery is one of three owned and operated by locally-based Ashfield Nurseries and ELC Ltd. The others are at South Shields and in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital.
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Thursday July 19, 2007
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Thirteen four-year-olds who graduated from Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre at Low Fell, demonstrated some of their new-found skills to their parents and relatives at their graduation event.
Included in an hour-long programme was a performance of Goldilocks and the Three Bears, portrait painting, singing, the use of sign language, Jollyphonics and, in a new addition to their curriculum, keep fit, demonstrated by a typical warm-up session.
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 Goldilocks: "I’ll try this for size..." Kate Foreman who played the title role. |
The children even showed a remarkable ability to recognise 3D images such a cubes, prisms and pyramids. "Children of this age aren't supposed to be able to do this," nursery manager Joanna Brown told the audience, adding: "Perhaps we are guilty of showing off just a little bit!"
Although caps and gowns were the order of the day, the Low Fell nursery graduates preferred to have their group picture taken wearing their personalised T-shirts. Each child painted a self-portrait, added their name, and their artwork was transferred to the shirts. Joanna said: "As all the children are now leaving to go into different schools and might never be together again, the shirts will act as a reminder of their friends in their class of 2007."
Tuesday July 3, 2007
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Nearly 30 four-year-old children donned ceremonial gowns and mortar boards when they "graduated" at the two Ashfield Nursery & Early Learning Centres at South Shields.
After entertaining parents and grandparents with songs specially learned for the occasion, each of the youngsters received a diploma signaling the end of their nursery stay and the beginning of their school years.
"The graduation is an important event for the children and their parents and we believe in pulling out all the stops to make it also enjoyable and memorable by staging it in a party atmosphere," said Angela Thomas, manager of the Stanhope Road nursery.
To accommodate the large number of spectators, the Ashfield Court nursery situated in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital, held their graduation event in one of the public areas at the hospital itself.
Thursday June 28, 2007
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All three Ashfield nurseries have just held their Summer Fayres and, despite the bad weather which curtailed the outdoor activities, a good time was had by all.
Summer Fayres are now a regular feature of the social menu for Ashfield children and their parents. Organised fun games, tombola, face painting, bouncy castle, and tasty savoury snacks… these are only a few of the attractions on offer.
Typical of the enjoyment the little ones derive is this picture of three-year-old Oliver Nelson trying his hand at hooking a plastic duck out of water to win a prize.
Young
Oliver clearly decided
the best way to
boost his chances
was to use a fishing
rod in each hand
and hot up the proceedings
with plenty of noise
and laughter!
He
succeeded!
Wednesday June 13, 2007
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Chef Alan Burrows likes his work at Ashfield Nursery, Low Fell, so much he has put back his retirement for 12 months.
The only adult male among 20 nursery nurses and about 70 young children at the nursery, Alan says he enjoys inventing and cooking healthy meals for the children in compliance with the involvement of the three Ashfield nurseries in the region’s drive to halt the year-on-year rises in child obesity.
"Many of our children are three and four-year-old toddlers and that's the best age to start educating them that healthy food is not only good for them but also tasty and fun to eat," says the 65-year-old, a well-known and popular figure among the children.
Father of four grown up children and grandfather of nine, Alan has plans to spend a lot of time at their homes in Canada when he does eventually retire.
Tuesday June 5, 2007
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Wednesday is fun and fitness day for children at Ashfield Nursery, Low Fell… as this photograph clearly shows.
Thanks to the innovation of manager Joanna Brown, the nursery is the first to stage keep-fit sessions for about 30 or more youngsters at the adjacent Springs health club every Wednesday morning.
By the way, don't forget the new term starts in September and there are places still available at all three Ashfield nurseries. Register now and receive a one-week free trial.
And notes for your diary… the Summer Fayres at the Stanhope Road,
South Shields, and the Low Fell nurseries take place on June 16. The
Ashfield Court nursery in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital
is on June 23.
The Fayres are social events for children, parents, family and friends. Come and join in the fun.
Thursday May 10, 2007
Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre, Stanhope Road, South Shields, has given a lead to other private nurseries in South Tyneside in the drive to halt worrying year-on-year rises in obesity among children.
A range of new healthy menus, devised by the nursery and placing greater emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables, less on sugar, salt, and fats, has scored 37 approval points out of a possible 40 … the highest of all eight private nurseries in the area.
The achievement stems from work by South Tyneside Childhood Obesity Strategy and the funding by Neighbourhood Renewal Fund of a state registered dietician to help nurseries and other daycare providers to introduce healthy and nutritious food to the children in their care.
Tracey Lindsay, a childhood obesity specialist dietician has been visiting nurseries, advising and guiding staffs on how to provide healthy menus, and also providing training on subjects like menu planning, food provision, and policy on nutrition.
It is estimated that 23 per cent of reception age children are overweight or obese. South Tyneside experts emphasise the need to work alongside families to help change the situation by improving diet in the early years of children.
The target is to halt by 2010 what is described as “the alarming rise in obesity among children under the age of 11.”
Twelve staff members at Ashfield Nursery, South Shields, have gained NVQ Level 2 qualification in health and nutrition since the drive began.
Says Jill Westgarth, regional manager for the three Ashfield nurseries at South Shields and Low Fell: “We are proud of our progress so far and delighted that the children seem to enjoy the new range of food available to them. We have passed on the new menus to our sister nurseries.”
Wednesday April 4, 2007
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Mayoress of South Tyneside and a grandmother, Mrs Alice Malcolm, says that one of the most enjoyable civic engagements of the year has been spending an afternoon with about 100 happy toddlers.
The occasion was a pre-Easter celebration party at Ashfield Court Nursery and Early Learning Centre in the grounds of South Tyneside District Hospital, South Shields, where she helped judge Easter bonnets and painted eggs made by the children, and distribute prizes.
“I haven’t had such fun for ages,” the Mayoress revealed as she posed for a photograph with ten of the prize-winners and nursery nurses. “I love being with children, especially little ones like these when they are enjoying themselves.”
Ashfield Court is one of three private nurseries owned and operated by locally-based Ashfield Nurseries ELC Ltd. The two in South Shields joined forces to stage the pre-Easter party.
Said Jill Westgarth, regional manager: “The two South Shields nurseries are quite close together but this is the first time we’ve arranged for the children to get together and have fun. It was so successful we plan to have more in the future.
“Children of this age are natural communicators and enabling them to meet little ones of their own in a relaxed environment widens their horizons.”
Thursday March 15, 2007
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The portrait drawing skill of three-year-old Naomi Bell of Gateshead, one of the children at Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre, Low Fell, has won her mum, Charlotte, a £100 beauty and hair make-over for Mother’s Day.
Her mum will receive the make-over at the beauty and hair sanctuary at Springs health and leisure club which adjoins the nursery.
Naomi was one of 30 three and four-year-olds at Ashfield Nursery who took part in a special Mother’s Day competition in which they each had to draw a picture of their mother. The competition was a fun event organised by nursery manager Joanna Brown to mark Mother’s Day.
“The children were incredibly enthusiastic about the competition and we were amazed at the high standard of their work bearing in mind they are only toddlers,” says Joanna. “Naomi’s prize-winning portrait along with all the others entered in the competition will go on display in the nursery.”
We have now had confirmation that South Tyneside Early Years Development & Childcare Partnership have agreed to fund music and dance activity at the Ashfield Court and Stanhope Rd nurseries. A musician from The Sage will run the sessions due to start in Spring.
Monday March 5, 2007
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The Child Catcher, a character in the children’s story Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, stalked the corridors of Ashfield Nursery and Early Learning Centre at Low Fell. It was all part of the fun of a World Book Day event when nursery staff and the toddlers in their care dressed up as characters from their favourite stories and fairy tales. Nursery nurse Debs Turnball dressed for the part, complete with a child catching net, to help entertain the children.
Ashfield nurseries promote reading from a very early age starting with children from 12 months. “The very young ones use picture books made of cloth or board,” says Low Fell nursery manager Joanna Brown. “That’s why we decided to mark Word Book Day in this special way.
“Older children, too, use picture and story books and the staff read to them every day. Some of the older children have a story twice a day.”
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Nursery rhymes are also part of the reading ‘agenda’. “Early learning like this gives children a good grounding for the development of their reading and language skills, and prepares them for school,” says Joanna. “By the time they graduate from nursery most of our children know the alphabet and can recognise their written names.”
Older children also practice ‘Jollyphonics’… a method of teaching the sound of words, and one which features in a normal school curriculum.
“Not only is it good fun as the children sing along to special recordings, it prepares and familiarises them for the more formal lessons they will receive once they go to school,” Joanna adds.
“We try to take every appropriate opportunity to teach children new things while they are with us. We hope to introduce foreign language speaking here at Ashfield, Low Fell, very soon.”
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The Child Catcher (alias nursery nurse Debs Turnball), and Little Red Riding Hood (nursery manager Joanna Brown), help children in their care at Ashfield Nursery, Low Fell, to celebrate World Book Day. |
NOTE: Ring Yvonne Purvis on (0191 266 4000) if you have a query or need additional information |
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