Peacock Lodge Weekly Round-Up

Wrapped up warm against the crisp autumn air, Kindergarten One began their week with a creative morning at Peacock Lodge. They practised their scissor skills by snipping a variety of leaf shapes and arranging them into beautiful seasonal art. These early chances to use tools such as scissors help build confidence, develop new skills and strengthen fine motor control. To stay cosy, the children kept active — sprinting up and down the bank, throwing balls and rolling cars down tubes. Later, they set off on a nature walk to collect treasures for their Christmas baubles, discovering bright yellow leaves, spiky holly and bumpy pinecones along the way.

Reception also enjoyed a fantastic week outdoors. They took part in number-based games, building amounts on tens frames and adding spines to hedgehog pictures. Using wax candles and leaves, the children created detailed rubbings and then washed over them with watercolours to produce striking seasonal artwork.

The Wow Toddlers soaked up the sunshine as they explored the outdoor provision. With the festive season on the horizon, they had an early taste of Christmas creativity, using pine needles to design their own unique Christmas tree pictures.

Meanwhile, Kindergarten Two focused on leaf identification. Using leaves collected from around the grounds, they matched them to ID cards to discover which trees they came from. They also enjoyed using leaf cutters and playdough to craft their own leaf creations. Their number work involved natural materials, encouraging the children to use their subitising skills to recognise small quantities without counting.

Back at Forest School, Kindergarten One gathered to listen to Look Out! It’s the Wolf! by Émile Jadoul — a charming story with a twist, as the wolf joins his animal friends for a surprise birthday celebration. Inspired by the tale, the children created their own leaf cakes and searched for hidden photographs of real wolves around the site. They also learned about woodland animals’ diets, sorting different foods to match each creature. Meanwhile, upturned pots and pans became instruments, filling the forest with joyful music.

It was a week full of creativity, exploration and discovery — a perfect celebration of autumn at Peacock Lodge.