Nursery - Spring 2 Week 1
Date: 25th Feb 2026 @ 8:13pm
What a fabulous start to this half term! We returned with smiley faces and great excitement to discover that our Nursery room looked a little different as we began celebrating Chinese New Year. The children were full of curiosity as we learned that it is the Year of the Horse and discovered the story of how each year is named after a particular animal. We loved sharing what we already knew and delving deeper into this very special celebration.
Our week was filled with creative experiences. We made hobby horses, colourful dragon dance-bands and even enjoyed a very tasty banquet together, complete with our own self-made tablecloth and traditional music playing in the background. To finish our celebrations, we took part in a wonderful group dragon dance, moving carefully together to the music and using instruments to create a truly joyful atmosphere. We even learned how to say “Happy New Year” in Chinese — Kung Hey Fat Choi!
We have also been incredibly lucky with the wonderful ‘spring-like’ weather this week. The warmer weather has brought such joy to our outdoor learning, and the children have thoroughly enjoyed spending extended time outside. From running, balancing and climbing to imaginative games and collaborative play, the outdoor area has been full of laughter and energy. The brighter days have certainly lifted our spirits and added an extra sparkle to our learning.
In Maths, we explored the number five in greater depth. Using Numicon, we investigated the different ways to make five, helping us to see number combinations in a practical, hands-on way. The children enjoyed spotting patterns and proudly shared their mathematical thinking.
During Early Listening sessions, we shared traditional Chinese stories and extended our vocabulary by using describing words to talk about different animals. We also explored syllables, clapping out beats in words and listening carefully to the sounds we could hear.
Our continuous provision areas have been full of wonder and imagination. In the water tray, we used straws to power our own long boat races, experimenting with breath control and teamwork. Our small world area transformed into a panda habitat, where we learned fascinating facts about this special animal from China and created our own simple storylines. The home corner has been buzzing with Chinese-inspired food, and the children particularly enjoyed practicing their fine motor skills by trying to use chopsticks!
In Forest School, we searched for signs of spring and were delighted to discover new shoots, buds and beautiful spring flowers beginning to bloom. We spotted crocuses, snowdrops and daffodils, noticing the variety of colours appearing around us — a lovely reminder that a new season is on its way.
It has truly been a joyful and enriching start to the half term, filled with celebration, exploration and new learning. We wish you all a splendid weekend and encourage you to keep your eyes peeled for further signs of spring when you are out and about.
Warm wishes,
Mrs Grayson and the Nursery team