Goldstone Crescent
Dunstable
Beds
LU5 4QU
Phone: 01582 662600
Email: office@willownursery.co.uk
Nursery News – Monday 6th July 2026
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 6th July 2026 – Edition 416
Find out About:
A. Parents Consultations Scheduled for this week- A reminder.
B. Lost Property
C. End of Term arrangements July 2026
D. Leavers Day –Friday 17th July- 8:50am-11:50am
E. Funding for Working Families- Ensure codes are in place /Renew codes.
F. Review of the year- Results.
G. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Parents Consultations Scheduled for this week.- a reminder.
Parents consultations will take place here at the school, face to face this week.
B. Lost Property.
Our Lost Property will be emptied at the end of term, and any unclaimed belongings will be disposed of. Please look through the Lost Property boxes that are in the storage trolley in the outdoor Library area
C. End of Term arrangements July 2026
The last day of term in July 2026 for all children will be Thursday 16th July.
This day will run as a normal Thursday. Timings of the day will be the same as all Thursdays.
D. Leavers Day –Friday 17th July- 8:50am-11:50am
On Friday 17th July school will open only for the Big Nursery children that are leaving us. The session will be from 8:50 am to 11:50 am. All Big Nursery leavers are invited to attend this session, regardless of your child’s normal attendance days. As children are attending for the morning only, no child will require a packed lunch. Children will require their water bottles. Children should arrive at 8:50 am and wait outside as usual.
We have consulted the children about what activities they would like to plan for their last day and this is what they have come up with:
Children may dress up if they want to. Children may come to school in a dressing up outfit if they wish. There should be no pressure on anyone to buy an outfit. Normal Nursery clothes are absolutely fine too.
We have arranged for children to:
- Play with marble run, robots and toy pets.
- Have Ninja songs, dinosaur dancing, a unicorn and dinosaur piñata, bubbles and balloons
- Play pass the parcel.
- Have Ice pops.
Children came up with some interesting requests which were not possible to fulfil: we had one request for coffee, coca cola and burgers were suggested, but we settled on juice and sandwiches. One child requested a tree house. We like their imaginative thought, but we couldn’t manage that one!
At 10:30 am all children will sit down together for a picnic time in the garden. Staff will provide the snacks the children requested: cake, cucumber sandwiches, Doritos, watermelon.
Keyworkers will talk to parents of children with food allergies to ensure their needs are met.
The morning will finish with a group time for each colour group, where all children will receive a certificate praising their individual skills and/or qualities.
11:50am Going Home Time- Parents to collect children from the front gate. Children will be dismissed in the regular way, with Blue group first, followed by Orange group then Yellow group.
E. Funding for working families- Ensure funding codes are in place /Renew codes.
A reminder about the eligibility checker:
Eligibility checker:
Eligibility will be checked via a childcare application developed by HMRC.
Parents are responsible for checking if they are eligible.
Parents need to visit the website www.beststartinlife.gov.uk This is where you will find the online eligibility checker.
Parents will be issued a code to take to the setting (nursery/ childminder etc.).
There will be a grace period for parents where their circumstances change. This will give parents the time to regain employment.
Parents must reconfirm their eligibility every three months via the HMRC online eligibility checker or else they will lose their entitlement, subject to the grace period. Parents are essentially reconfirming that their employment status has not changed and they still meet the criteria. HMRC will send reminder emails to parents to notify them of the need to reconfirm.
For all parents who are entitled to funding for working families for your child, please ensure that your code is in place and valid by 31st August 2026, to enable us to receive funding for your child for the Autumn term.
The government will send out reminders to families to renew your code. Please be aware that sometimes the government email may go into your Spam/ Junk email folder. If you code is not valid you will not receive funding
F. Review of the year- Results
I have had two families (emails included below) who replied to my request for feedback from parents. I always share what parents say, as there may be some points raised which other parents may relate to….
Dear Team,
I would like to say how incredibly happy we have been with Willow Nursery.
All the staff have been caring, kind and supportive throughout (my son’s) time at nursery. We have seen real positive changes in his confidence, independence and development since he started.
I was initially worried about whether he would be ready for school, but the team has done such an amazing job preparing him. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, I now feel confident that he is ready for this next step.
I honestly cannot think of any improvements, as our experience has been excellent from start to finish.
Thank you for everything you have done for (my son) and for supporting our family.
Kind regards,
Thankyou for your kind words. The staff really appreciated your feedback.
What does Willow do well?
There is a lot of thoughtful planning that goes into everything the children learn – —in around being kind and building friendships. Both of my children have come on leaps and bounds in all aspects of learning and understanding. Willow provides a fantastic foundation for starting school.
Improvements/developments
Snack Time
It would be lovely to bring back daily snacks and summer ice pops!
Other Nurseries and Schools still manage to provide snack time and ice pops even with children with allergies and I do feel snacks are needed as they burn so much energy, as the saying goes “food is fuel for the brain”
For the children with allergies, maybe they could have a dedicated little snack spot, or just be extra closely monitored while everyone is eating, or could the snacks be inclusive for everyone?
I have written at length in previous newsletters (24th November and 1st December 2025) regarding the reasons why we decided to remove snack-time from our timetable. The main reason being the new Safeguarding rules around children being fully supervised when eating to prevent choking. When providing food, staff must sit watching children’s faces. Three staff would be required to provide snacks and observe two tables of children (6+6 pupils). Everyone has to be closely monitored. More than half our staff would be involved with snacktime in Room 5, and we could not supervise the free flow play of the other children with just two staff supervising three classrooms and the outside area.
The new rules around supervision made snacktime unworkable in our setting.
We have prioritised reducing transitions this year, to put less demands on the children who struggle with transition times. (For example moving from free flow choosing time to structured grouptime, or into Lunch, or getting ready to go home.)
During the recent Heatwave we chose to bring children back to their base rooms at 10:00am and again at 11:30am to ensure children had a big drink. We stopped all play at this time and the outside area was closed. At this time we had around 6 children who would refuse to go back to their base room and would lay on the floor to protest against the transition and refuse to comply with the staff’s requests.
Nutrition requirements, from the Department for Education, for under 5’s state that as providers we should only provide children with water or milk to drink. It would be frowned upon if we were providing sweet flavoured ice pops to pupils on a daily basis.
We are planning to offer pupils ice pops on our Special Day, because the children have requested them and this is a one off, a special celebration for our Leavers, so treats are appropriate.
Parent App
An app for daily updates and messaging would be a great addition. However, I’d only want this if it doesn’t distract from staff-to-child time or replace the wonderful end-of-year folders, which are such a lovely keepsake!
I do understand how nice it is as a parent to receive photos or short descriptions of our children, so we can peek into their world at Nursery. Staff are very busy organising activities for children, supervising the children and supporting their interactions with each other.
In the last few years the government has required staff to spend more of their time interacting directly with children in their play, and less time writing it down and recording it.
We are guided by the following government document:
Early years foundation stage statutory framework
For group and school-based providers Setting the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to five
Dated: 11 October 2024 Effective: 01 November 2024
Here are some excerpts from this document:
‘Assessment should not involve long breaks from interaction with children or require excessive paperwork. When assessing whether an individual child is at the expected level of development, practitioners should draw on their knowledge of the child and their own expert professional judgement. Practitioners are not required to prove this through collection of any physical evidence. Recorded, written or photographic evidence is not required.’
Ongoing assessment
‘Ongoing assessment (also known as formative assessment) is an integral part of the learning and development process. It involves practitioners understanding children’s interests and what they know and can do, and then shaping teaching and learning experiences for each child reflecting that knowledge. In their interactions with children, practitioners should make and act on their own day-to-day observations about children’s progress…… However, there is no requirement to keep written records in relation to this.’
We have reduced the amount of writing we do and photographs we take on a daily basis. We create some observations to be recorded in each child’s ‘Yearbooks’ to show evidence of how children are working towards our 7 c’s curriculum. These books are handed to parents when their child leaves They will be handed out at parent’s consultations this week. Parents of children who are continuing at Willow will be offered the opportunity to look at their child’s Yearbook at our parent consultation evenings this week.
On a day to day basis we do not have photos or written observations to share. I want staff to be engaging with our children as much as possible. But we do balance this by trying to build up a ‘Yearbook’ of evidence showing your child’s progress during their time with us.
Willow Nursery School- Children’s Evaluation. July 2026
We ask all Big Nursery children 5 questions. Here are all their answers. I think they will make you smile!
| 1. What do you like to do at Nursery?
Play with friends (6) I like to find bugs I like to go outside (3) and having big, big fun I like to play with my best friend. Dance I like to play I like to ride bikes (4) Play with my Mummy. I like to play with scooters. I like to play with x (6) I like to find woodlice and snails in the garden. I got a slug, a wiggly worm and a woodlouse. I like Gruffalo books and the Giant book. Finding snails. Playing cars (4) Playing football Being friends Playing mickey and Minnie mouse and Cinderella Playing with clay. I like playing with the kitchen (3), that’s it Drawing (3), Going in the cosy corner I like lunch (2) Playing ghosts I like dinosaurs (2). I like cutting paper (3) I like pencils I like to play with playdough Playing toys (2) Playing with animals (3) Hide and seek and tag Building (4) Watch television Climbing Trains Painting Jumping in muddy puddles My brother at nursery Going home Jumping Aeroplanes outside Playing with my friends Don’t know. I like to play with potions. I like to play with my friends inside and outside. I like to play with balls. I’m happy when I play with the water. I like being with my group. I like my phonics with the rrrrr sound Play with children With the buggy Like to paint Playing in the sandpit I like riding on the bikes I like painting I like to eat lunch in school.
|
| 2. Is there anything you don’t like at Nursery?
No No I don’t like anyone bullying me. I don’t like X being my best friend. I don’t like x hitting my friend. I don’t like X punching (2) I like nursery! If no one wants to play with me. Playing with my mummy and daddy. Playing dinosaurs, I don’t love dinosaurs I don’t like the fire truck I like everything! Nothing I don’t like eating. I don’t like cutting things. Mud kitchen and painting. I don’t like using playdough X smacking me (6) Don’t like not playing with children. Toys Closing the door I don’t like people that don’t have kind hands. That makes us sad Anyone pushing me down the slide Being squished I don’t like if boys don’t press (flush)the toilet If someone knocks my tower over it makes me sad Sand Red I don’t like hurting myself, when I run and fall. I don’t like seagulls nipping my chips at the seaside. I don’t like cars.
|
| 3. Tell me something you are good at now since coming to Nursery?
Bugs Football bikes I’m good at roly poly’s, I do them at home. I know how to run (2) I know how to climb I can ride the 2 wheeler bike. Eating chocolate! I am good at building (3) I am good at chopping trees with my Dad I like playing with my plant pots like a drum. I’m good at counting Helping my teachers. Signing at group time (2) Getting costumes on I’m good at playing at nursery I’m good at dressing up Running (3) Cutting paper (2) After school I do gymnastics, I’m really good at that. Football and kicking. I’m good at doing hugs. Tunnels Doing dance with x and x I can write my name. I’m good at doing homework, I do maths Playing outside Phonics (2) The bear, the giraffe, the elephant (naming animals he can see) Finding snails Learning numbers, learning A,B,Cs I am good at building with magnets Playing with x I’m good at drawing I know what to do to make a medal, like I did already. I like playing with dinosaurs Riding bikes Being happy Good at my trousers. Spiderman Lotto I’m really good at doing flips. I’m really good at being dogs and cats. Going home. Washing the flowers. Making cards Adding star stickers. Drawing |
| 4.Tell me what you have learnt in Phonics:
I done i n g p s d s t p a m ppp Numbers and letters s f c The delivery man gave me phonics. O is for Octopus. Gruffalo. There were 5 in the bed. m, a A m s I don’t know (2) Number e Number blocks Whats phonics again? A,d,f,e Letters a,s,d,p E, I, h I can’t remember O, a, d, s Nanny and Grandad I like balloons and watching t.v. About lions, s for sun and e for … Playdough Numbers Letters a, s, t Dance, a,b,c,d S a t –‘sat’ Phonics (2) Learning people Running P is for Peppa Pig, S is for Saw S,e,n,u Rrrrrrr h N,a,m,p and signing I love it, I got squished. Not letters I like talking and being cheeky in phonics M, a, t. I, p, ck I just scratched my neck Rrrr The dog with the rug. My name S p m n Snake, ants, tennis, |
| 5.How can we make Willow better for the new children?
Not sure I don’t know. Play with them? Talk to the children. Make cakes and put them in the oven. Being kind and make everybody happy. Good Hadrian Make a better room in the little nursery, make it new By playing catch and pass the parcel Butterfly toys (2) Toys (3) Belle dressing up I like everything Not throwing or kicking, not pushing, no dogs! Have a party (2) If I had my daddy, giraffes Make me happy Make it like a princess Lightening McQueen A paw patrol puzzle Getting the new transformers out Train track Sweeties and doughnuts Find something nice Get nursery tidy Work with others Nope I don’t know. Get an electric dinosaur that moves itself and we can do the buttons. More sticks inside.- That are plastic. Exercises inside. Pink clay. Playing Have a real baby to play with. |
G. What are the children learning about this week?
As we move towards the end of the summer term we ask the children who are leaving us to decide what activities they would like to see in the classrooms. We ask them to reflect on what they have particularly enjoyed during their time with us. Staff try to offer all the activities that they request within the last two weeks of term.
We are expecting relatively hot weather conditions this week. Please remember to provide a hat for your child.
Remember:
No Hat,
No Outside!
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 29th June 2026 – Edition 415
Find out About:
A. ICT systems and telephones now working.
B. Heatwave-last week.
C. Chickenpox update.
D. What are the children learning about this week?
A. ICT systems and telephones now working.
Our ICT technician arrived very early this morning to switch on all our ICT equipment and ensure it is all operating effectively and safely.
We are happy to say everything is all now working. Telephone and email communications have resumed as normal. Mrs Evans is no longer working from home.
B. Heatwave-last week.
I would like to offer my thanks to the whole school community for working together during the period of extreme high temperatures during the Heatwave last week.
We used our knowledge of how heat impacts our school to plan our days. It is possible to go outside for a short period of time in the morning before the day reaches its peak temperatures. Mornings have been hot, but fairly normal in terms of play, as children can access both inside and outside areas.
At 11:30 we chose to close outside and bring all children inside for the rest of the day. We ensured children drank more water, by having whole school hydration breaks (like in the world cup!) at 10:00am and 11:30am, and the children have responded well to our request to drink lots more water than usual.
The afternoons have been very hot and sweaty for all those that were here, both adults and children.
Pressures on family life have changed in recent times. Funding initiatives from the government has meant that the majority of families attending Willow are now working families.
We decided we would try our hardest to stay open. We do always think about the impact closing Nursery will have upon all families, but we do give particular consideration to the stress closing Nursery would bring to those parents that work. Being a parent with a young child is a very demanding period of time in anyone’s life. Add to that the need to be in work, and have childcare close due to heatwave issues and this puts parents in a difficult and stressful position. I hope our flexible approach regarding normal attendance/ reduced attendance/ stay at home and get in the paddling pool, has met everyone’s needs.
For those children who were in school for full days last week they should be recognised as being real ‘troopers’. They have tried so hard not to lose their ‘cool’. The slightly reduced pupil numbers achieved by parents choosing to keep children at home, or choosing to collect children early really helped. Everyone in school just had a little more space.
The staff team has been amazing throughout the challenges of last week. We have a number of staff with underlying health conditions that are exacerbated by hot weather conditions. The staff team pulled together, maintaining a fun play environment whilst meticulously monitoring individual pupils to protect their health and well-being.
As I am writing this today, we all finally experienced a cooler night, so had the opportunity for better sleep. I am hoping that the weather in the next few weeks will revert to seasonal ‘norms’ and provide us with more comfortable conditions for playing and learning in.
C. Chickenpox Update.
We have had another case of chickenpox reported this morning in the two-year-old class. So, please be aware that it is still transmitting at school.
D. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is Peace at Last
This week the theme is based on the book Peace at Last by Jill Murphy. Children will be listening to the story and discussing the characters and events of the story with staff. Staff will encourage the children to look at the pages of the book and all of the little details on each page. This promotes conversations, as the children will want to share what they can see and share experiences of their own. Staff will encourage children to listen to each other as they talk and to wait for their turn to talk. Staff will teach the children that it is good manners to wait until someone has finished talking before they take their turn.
Our learning intention this week is for children to recognise the impact of their choices and behaviours on others and to understand that sometimes these actions can hurt the feelings of others. To implement this, we will talk to the children about being kind and empathetic. We will encourage children to consider how they might feel if something was said or done to them. We will also pay close attention to positive behaviours such as sharing and using good manners. It is important that the children understand that their words and actions also have an impact on others. Staff will give lots of praise for kindness and consideration when it is carried out, they will also be modelling the type of language and behaviour we would like to see the children use.
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 22nd June 2026 – Edition 414
Find out About:
A. Reminder Monday 22nd June 2026 is a training day for staff. School Closed
B. Review of the Year
C. Can you help with some Tissues?
D. What are the children learning about this week?
A. TODAY Monday 22nd June 2026 is a training day for staff. School Closed
B. Review of the year
At this time of year, we carry out a big review of our school. In the last few days staff been talking to the Big Nursery children individually, to gain their views about their school, with regard to what they like, what they think they have learned and what they would like to see change. All school staff are busy filling in questionnaires too.
This information helps us to plan our areas for development next year.
I always ask parents for their views too at this time of year.
We usually ask just two questions:
- Please comment about what we do well at Willow.
- Please tell us one thing you would like to see at Willow that you would consider to be an improvement and/or development.
Please write a short email and send to office@willownursery.co.uk
If you wish your comments to inform my review, please send your email by the end of this week, Friday 26th June. I will then compile all the comments and respond to them in a future newsletter, on Tuesday 6th July.
C. Can you help with some Tissues?
Sometimes we ask parents for some specific donations that help our school.
We are in the hottest part of summer. We would hope that colds and runny noses would be over by now. However, this is not the case!
We have almost run out of tissues. So please, when doing your shopping, consider picking up a box of tissues for our children. We really appreciate parents’ donations, as it enables us to have boxes of tissues close at hand, all around the school and in the garden, so we can do our best to keep children’s noses clean.
D. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is transport – air and water
Staff will work with children to teach them the different types of transport that can be used on the water and in the air. Summer holidays are fast approaching and many children will be going on summer holidays. Some children are lucky enough to be travelling out of the country and this can be used as a discussion point to share personal experiences of air and water travel. There are many resources in school that can showcase different transport and how we use it, including books, toy airports and water play with boats and submarines which will all be available for the children to explore. Staff will model lots of language as they discuss things they have seen while on their own travels and they will encourage children to share their own experiences.
Our learning intention this week is for the children to practice skills of assertion, negotiation and compromise and to look at adults for support in conflict resolution. We will be assisting children as they consider the best way to solve conflicts no matter how big or small. Lots of praise and support will be given to children who try their best to show understanding and kindness to their friends. All children are different and have varying abilities when it comes to being able to problem solve, but being able to try their best or ask for help is key to them becoming successful.
We will focus on cutting skills this week and there will be plenty of books, magazines and paper for the children to cut. Staff will support the children in holding their scissors effectively to be able to make snips in paper and, for those that are able, to cut carefully and with purpose.
Our target for the most skilled children is to be able to neatly cut along a curved shape.
NURSERY NEWS
15th June 2026 – Edition 413
Find out About:
A. Reminder: An Open School Event: For Big Nursery Yellow Group Parents: Basic Skills.
B. Reminder Monday 22nd June 2026 is a training day for staff. School Closed
C. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Reminder An Open School Event: For Big Nursery Yellow Group Parents: Basic Skills.
Miss Howe’s Yellow group parents have been invited in to observe a 30 minute reading/writing activity on Wednesday 17th June.
Mrs Cashmore’s Big Nursery Yellow group parents have been invited in to observe a 30 minute reading/writing activity on Thursday 18th June.
The children’s skills are really coming along as we head towards the end of the year. We hope you will enjoy the opportunity to see your child working within a more structured, adult led session.
B. Reminder Monday 22nd June 2026 is a training day for staff. School Closed
C. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is transport – land
Staff will explain to the children what the word transport means and that there are many different modes of transport. There will be a variety of different resources throughout the school for the children to fully explore this topic. Staff will use these resources to expand the children’s vocabulary, they will explain that on land we can travel by car, train, bus, bicycle, motorcycle and on foot.
Our learning intention this week is for the children to talk extensively about things that are of particular importance to them. This means that they will learn to talk about people and things that are not present and they will use language to share experiences and thoughts. This will be promoted by having discussions with the children, and encouraging conversations by asking open ended questions. Staff will often relate to the children as they talk about things that are of importance to them. These discussions help to build bonds between the staff and children. Children are more likely to share more thoughts as their confidence grows.
The younger children have been exploring music and movement with their friends and will continue to do this during their sessions. They have been listening to some traditional party songs such as ‘Agadoo’ by Black Lace and ‘Nellie The Elephant’ by The Toy Dolls (1984 version). The children look forward to this activity every day and have been dancing very enthusiastically. It is lovely to see them coming together as a group and sharing this very special experience. Staff wanted to share this news with parents to encourage you to play these songs at home and have a little dance with your children.
NURSERY NEWS
8th June 2026 – Edition 412
Find out About:
A An Open School Event: For Big Nursery Yellow Group Parents: Basic Skills.
B. Parent Consultations July 2026
C. End of term arrangements July 2026
D. What are the children learning about this week?
A. An Open School Event: For Big Nursery Yellow Group Parents: Basic Skills.
Miss Howe teaches some Big Nursery Yellow Group children ‘Basic Skills’ on a Wednesday morning. Mrs Cashmore teaches some Big Nursery Yellow Group children ‘Basic Skills’ on a Thursday morning.
The children move to a quiet space in Room 5 where they work in small groups (approx. 8 children) to learn reading, writing, mathematical skills and problem solving.
We would like to invite Miss Howe’s Yellow group parents in to observe a 30 minute reading/writing activity on Wednesday 17th June.
We would like to invite Mrs Cashmore’s Yellow group parents in to observe a 30 minute reading/writing activity on Thursday 18th June.
A further invitation letter will follow to Yellow Group parents so that we can match up time slots, so parents can join their child’s small group. Blue Group had their Basic Skills groups in the Autumn Term 2025 and Orange Group had their Basic skills group in the Spring Term 2026.
B. Parent Consultations July 2026.
We plan to have face to face parent consultations for all the children on 7th and 9th July 2026. All consultations will be 5 minutes long. Staff will be in touch with you to arrange an appointment time.
So for Little Nursery, All the Children who will be staying with us in September
Tuesday 7th July–
Miss Gaffney’s Green Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 4:35pm
Mrs Brinkley’s Red Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 3:55pm
Miss Allen’s Yellow Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 4:20pm
Miss Tyler’s Blue group children, Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 3:35pm
Mrs Chiriac’s Red group children Five minute appointments available between
1:00pm and 1:30pm
So for Big Nursery, All the Children who will be leaving us in July:
Thursday 9th July–
Mrs Patterson’s Blue Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 4:15pm
Miss Skai’s Orange Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 4:15pm
Miss Howe’s Yellow Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 3:45pm
Mrs Cashmore’s Yellow Group Children. Five minute appointments available between 3:15pm and 3:55pm
C. End of Term arrangements July 2026
The last day of term in July 2026 for all children will be Thursday 16th July.
On Friday 17th July school will open only for the Big Nursery children that are leaving us. The session will be from 8:50 am to 11:50 am. All Big Nursery leavers are invited to attend this session, regardless of your child’s normal attendance days. As children are attending for the morning only, no child will require a packed lunch. Children will require their water bottles. We are going to consult the children about what activities they would like to plan for their last day, and try to enable their ideas. There will be no charge for this session.
D. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is The Smartest Giant in Town
The children will be listening to and sharing the book ‘The Smartest Giant in Town’. They will get to know the characters and learn how they are so kind to each other. The characters in the story talk to each other about how they feel in different situations and the staff will use this as a discussion point for the children to explore their own emotions. This fits with our learning intention to talk about how others might be feeling and respond according to their understanding of the other persons needs and wants. We will be encouraging everyone to be considerate of each other and to remember to be kind.
We will be talking to the children about different things that may affect our mood such as being hungry, tired and hot. When the weather is hot we give the children lots of reminders to take breaks from the sun, wear sunhats and drink plenty. It is important that children understand that it is okay to feel a range of emotions but also that there are different ways to manage the way we feel so that it doesn’t affect others.
As a staff, we work hard to teach the children how to manage their emotions and to understand that the way they feel is important. We model different ways to communicate with each other and offer solutions to support the wellbeing of the children.
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 1st June 2026 – Edition 411
Find out About
A. Summer Heat and Nursery.
B. Staffing Update
C. Is your child ready to learn?
D. What are the children are learning about this week?
A. Summer Heat and Nursery.
We now find ourselves in the last seven weeks of the Summer Term. Higher temperatures will now be arriving. Staff are bracing ourselves, as the Summer extreme hot weather brings its own problems.
Across the school, children respond differently to the heat. Some children can take the heat in their stride, and are happy and content. Some children really struggle with the heat, they get too hot, become flushed and sweaty. The intense heat can sap children’s energy. Some children can become extremely grumpy and tired in the hottest part of the day. Staff spend most of their time worrying about keeping everyone safe. When it is very hot we aim to have times where all staff and children come inside, so we ensure everyone takes a break from the sun.
So to help:
- Ensure children have their water bottles with them every day.
- Provide a hat for your child, please put their name on it somewhere.
- Apply sun protection cream before school.
B. Staffing Update
I would like to let everyone know that Mrs McGrath will be leaving us very soon. Her last day with us will be Wednesday 10th June, which is just next week. Mrs McGrath has been working here since November 2013, so she has made quite a commitment to our school community. She has a gentle and calm approach, so has spent most of her time here working in our 2 year old class. Her own family has grown over time, so she has made the decision that at the moment she would like to spend some time with her own children. We will miss her!
C. Is your child ready to learn?
Parents always look eagerly towards finding out which Primary school their child will be attending. Parents of children leaving us in July 2026 have found out which school their child is going to. We work very hard in school to prepare children for the next stage in their learning at their new school. There are some preparations that parents should be aware of, and can work on with your child in order to make your child ‘School Ready’. So together, as teachers and carers, we need to make sure all our children receive the very best possible start.
Central Bedfordshire Council has put together a leaflet which describes some essential skills that your child should be working towards in order to get the best out of school. This leaflet is known as the ‘sixteen ticks’ as it has sixteen things to work towards. These ticks are relevant to all our pupils, even the youngest, because they are all eventually going to go on to Primary School.
I have attached a poster along with this newsletter which details the sixteen ticks and suggests some points for you to consider.
There is an additional link sent with this newsletter. This is the 16 ticks poster
Please have a look at it, to see the variety of skills children need to have in place in order to have a successful start in their primary school.
D. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is the Royal Family and London
The children will be learning about the Royal Family and tourist attractions in London. There will be lots of discussions about who the King and Queen are, where they live and all about their extended family.
There will be plenty of role play opportunities for the children to explore this week including a London bus that the children can either drive or be passengers on to pretend to visit some of the landmarks they have been learning about. There will be lots of crafting opportunities for the children to create crowns, flags and royal themed collages. Staff will also encourage the children to share their own experiences of visiting London and seeing the sights for themselves.
The learning intention this week is for the children to comment and ask questions about aspects of their familiar world such as the place they live or the natural world. We hope to see that the children are curious to explore new and familiar experiences in nature such as grass, mud, puddles, plants and animal life and that they are able to talk about what they have found and observed.
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 18th May 2026 – Edition 410
Find out About
A. Half Term Holiday –Monday 25th May 2026 to Friday 29th May 2026. School Closed.
B. Chickenpox Update
C. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Half Term Holiday –Monday 25th May 2026 to Friday 29th May 2026. School Closed.
The school will be closed for half term next week. The school year is speeding along quickly!
We hope the children will be able to have some time to rest and relax next week, to be ready for the last half term of the Academic Year.
B. Chickenpox Update
Chickenpox continues to be moving through the children at the Nursery. We have had three families telephone in today to advise that their child now has chickenpox. We continue to have Chickenpox cases in all age groups in Nursery.
C. What are the children learning about this week?
The theme this week is ‘Chicks’.
We have 7 chicks!!!
In Nursery we have been observing as our eggs hatched and chicks were born. We have been looking after them and making sure their needs are met. The children have been very excited to see the change in the chicks and how they have been growing.
This week, they will be able to sit with the chicks and hold them. The children will be supervised as they handle the chicks and the staff will ensure that all chicks take turns being held, so they do not become overwhelmed. Children will learn the importance of being quiet and gentle as they hold the chicks. They will learn of the importance of hygiene when holding the chicks and will wash their hands with soap and water after handling them.
The skill we will be focussing on this week will be pencil grip/control/mark making. We will use a variety of methods to support strengthening the muscles in the hands and fingers to enable a better pencil grip when making marks. There are many ways to do this including building with Lego, chalking on paper or pavements, using tweezers to pick up items and even playing with playdough.
Every child has their own name card in school and they are encouraged to use their name card for guidance when writing their name and forming the letters that they need to use. Whenever children create some artwork, they are encouraged to try and write their name so they can bring it home and share with friends and family.
NURSERY NEWS
Monday 11th May 2026 – Edition 409
Find out About
A. Please park your cars with consideration.
B. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Please park your cars with consideration.
One of the schools’ neighbours, a resident in Goldstone Crescent, telephoned us last week expressing her frustration that at dropping off and collection times cars are parking across the entrance to her driveway. She said this has been becoming a more frequent occurrence recently. We have explained that we have no control where parents choose to park, but we have pointed out that we raise the issue of considerate parking with all our new parents through our ‘New Parent Pack’.
This little corner of Dunstable sees a lot of school pupils and their families arriving and departing during school drop-off and collection. There must be around 1,000 pupils arriving each day to attend Willow Nursery School, Hadrian Academy and The Vale Academy.
More parents than ever are now working parents, so many parents have to do a quick child drop off by car, then depart for work.
It also seems that recently some parents are beginning to choose to park in the turning into our Car park, blocking the school gates, and the staff’s ability to move in and out of the car park. The majority of the staff have school age children, and some staff need to leave at collection time in the afternoon in order to get across town in time to collect their own children.
We also have refuse trucks that arrive near to 9am every week. I have seen the refuse truck unable to access our car park to empty wheelie bins as there is a car parked blocking our gates. In this circumstance the truck remains sitting in the busy junction, just outside the school, blocking the entire road for everyone. I have seen a parent arrive back to their car after dropping their child into Hadrian Academy. We then all wait for them to leave, so that the refuse truck can have access to our car park, and the road can become useable again.
We should always have unobstructed access to our car park in case of emergencies.
We frequently witness cars being parked right across residents’ driveways.
So, I must ask parents to be considerate, and think of the needs of others.
B. What are the children learning about this week?
This week the theme is chicks.
We are very lucky to be able to help look after some chicks this week. We will have some eggs arrive in an incubator, which will be placed in Room 1. The children will learn about the life cycle of a chick and that they begin their life inside eggs. They will be able to observe the eggs inside the incubator and keep a watchful eye on them, in case they begin to hatch. Staff will explain to the children that it is important for our eggs and chicks to stay inside their incubator because it helps them to keep warm until they have hatched and are a little bigger.
Ten eggs have been delivered to the school. We are told they should hatch on Wednesday.
Our learning intention this week is to recall a sequence of events in everyday life and stories. The children will be learning about the life cycle of our chicks and staff will support them with sequencing the different stages of a chick’s life. This will be done by discussing the changes form egg to chicks that the children notice through the week and also through reading and completing puzzles.
The discussions staff will have with children will help to support our 7C’s learning intention to confidently use a developing vocabulary appropriate to the individual child’s capabilities.
NURSERY NEWS
Tuesday 5th May 2026 – Edition 408
Find out About
A. Destination Primary Schools for our July 2026 Leavers.
B. Milk.
C. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Destination Primary Schools for our July 2026 Leavers.
Parents found out the results of their applications for Primary or Lower School on the 16th April 2026. Soon after, Willow was sent information to allow us to see where our 2026 Leavers are moving on to in September 2026.
We have 42 pupils leaving us in September, and I am pleased to say all 42 families applied for a place, so we know where everyone is going. Willow children will be moving on to 9 different destination schools.
Miss Howe liaises with teachers in the destination schools to ensure the transitions are smooth and everyone’s individual needs are met.
B. Milk
The Nursery Milk scheme provides all children under 5 years old, who attend an eligible setting for 2 hours or more, a 189ml (1/3 pint) carton of milk, each day free of charge.
We provide these cartons of milk, on a trolley outside, near to the queue at going home time, for children to take home a carton of milk each if they would like one.
We have noticed during the past week we have run out of milk twice before Yellow group have had a chance to take any. There were also other days last week when we had 10 milk cartons left over. We want to order enough to meet demand, but we do not want to have too many cartons and be throwing milk away.
We will adjust the amount of milk we order, but this may take up to three weeks to be implemented.
C. What are the children are learning about this week?
The theme this week is The Very Hungry Caterpillar
We will be looking at the story The Very Hungry Caterpillar written by Eric Carle, and staff will organize lots of activities for the children that link to the theme of the story. There will be some creative opportunities for the children to take part in such as symmetrical butterfly paintings and caterpillar collages. Staff will also set up some literacy tasks such as magnetic storyboards and practicing writing names in caterpillar templates.
We have been lucky enough to have some caterpillars delivered to our school, which means that the children can see how they live, grow and change. They can watch them building their own chrysalises ready to transform into butterflies. This helps the children to fully understand the life cycle of a butterfly, just like in the book.
Our learning intention this week is to enjoy joining in with moving, dancing and ring games. This includes singing songs, listening to music and playing with instruments.
Our seven C’s learning intention this week is for the children to be able to challenge themselves physically, which can include running, climbing and riding bikes. There will be lots of encouragement for the children to try new things and remember how to act sensibly, keeping themselves and others safe. We hope to see the children’s confidence grow as they realise that they are becoming more independent in their play.
NURSERY NEWS
27th April 2026 – Edition 407
Find out About
A. Sun Safety
B. What are the children learning about this week?
A. Sun Safety
We are moving swiftly towards the hottest part of the year in school. I have been doing some research online to ensure I can give parents good advice about Sun Safety.
I have taken some information from Cancer Research UK’s website:
- The best way to enjoy the sun safely and protect your skin is to use shade, clothing and sunscreen.
- Shade and clothing are better than sunscreen at protecting your skin.
- Sunscreen shouldn’t be used to spend longer in the sun. But they can be useful for protecting the parts of skin not covered by clothing or shade.
Clothing
Clothing should cover your shoulders and have long sleeves. The more skin that’s covered by your clothing, the better the protection.
Choose clothing that’s loose-fitting and darker in colour
Look for materials with a close weave- as a guide you can hold the material up to the light to check you can’t see through the fabric
Hats
Choose a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, ears and neck for the most UV protection.
Shade
Spending time in the shade is one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.
So what does this mean for us at Willow?
We still go outside every day, but we do limit how long children can go outside if it is very hot. We encourage all children to drink plenty, reminding them that their water bottle is always available. We do encourage children to come inside for a rest in the shade. At some points in the day we completely close outside, so that we know all children have had a break from the sun. We are very lucky in that our school remains fairly cool in the summer, with lots of windows for ventilation.
You know your child best!
Some children are more vulnerable to the sun than others. I have red hair and freckles, which means that I can burn very easily, (Sometimes in very strong sun, in as little as 20 minutes). Some children are less likely to burn than others. People with naturally dark or brown skin burn less easily. But people with darker skin can still burn – it might feel itchy or tender rather than changing colour.
So, I can give advice, but you must make day to day decisions regarding your child’s sun safety.
How can you help us?
Dress your child appropriately. Try to avoid too much bare skin. A t-shirt gives much more protection from the sun than a strappy sundress or a vest top. Think about children’s feet. Exposed skin in sandals may burn.
We would ask you to apply sun protection cream to your child before they attend school. We will assume that all pupils will have had sun protection cream applied at home. If your child attends all day and you wish your child to have additional cream applied at lunchtime, please send a bottle of sun protection cream into school (please pass it to their Keyworker) and we will store it safely in the classroom, out of the children’s reach. This cream should be left in school. Ensure their name is on it. Staff will assist children to apply sun protection cream at lunchtime. We will help pupils to apply sun protection cream to their face, neck and arms. Please do not leave sun protection cream in your child’s bag. We do not want children sharing their cream with their friends. One year we found a pair of children applying it to their teeth to use as toothpaste!
Please provide your child with a hat with their name on when the weather is sunny. A hat with a broad brim is better than a cap for sun protection. A cap is better than no hat. Remember 2, 3,and 4 year olds cannot always remember the whereabouts of clothing that they have taken off. Put their name on it if you want it to return home!
More information regarding the summer term:
Consider what you would like your child to wear at school for safety. Children are still climbing and riding bikes so long sundresses and strappy sandals are not always practical! Messy Play: As the weather improves we take more and more activities outside. More water is used and play can become much messier. Please ensure clothes are play friendly and send in spares as children can become soaked if they pour water down their clothes, even with aprons on!
B. What are the children are learning about this week?
What are the children learning about this week?
This week the topic is planting. The children will be learning about the growth and change of people, animals and plants. Staff will explain that everything in nature grows and changes, they will use lots of hands on activities to show how this happens. Children will be offered the opportunity to do some of their own planting, they can then look after their plants and observe the transformations that occur from seed to plant. There will be planting inside and outside and it will be the children’s job to take care of all of the seedlings until they are fully grown.
The 7C’s learning intention this week is to develop attention and listening skills in a range of contexts. Staff will support the children to develop these skills by asking them to join in with shared reads, learning new songs and talking to the children about what they have been learning through the week.
We will also be focusing on scissor skills which includes learning what scissors are for, how to hold scissors effectively and how to make cuts in paper. Children will also learn the importance of using scissors safely and on appropriate resources.
