As the long summer days ended, EYFS came together to celebrate the start of the Autumn term with our much-loved September Splash. This event has quickly become a highlight of the year, giving children and teachers the chance to connect, play, and make joyful memories together.
From the moment the pools were filled the playground came alive with excited squeals and laughter. Children raced to explore every corner of the playground splashing in pools and having so much fun exploring a variety of activities — digging and building in the sandpit, throwing colourful inflatable balls back and forth with friends, and splashing in the water as they discovered hidden seashells. Some chose a quieter moment, relaxing with picture books under the shade of the grass umbrellas, creating the perfect mix of lively play and calm reflection. Some children experimented with pouring and filling, carefully transferring water between buckets, while others delighted in simply running barefoot through the puddles. The joy and energy of the day reminded us of how powerful simple, shared experiences can be in helping children build friendships, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging.
Events like September Splash also play an important role in supporting the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. They provide meaningful opportunities for children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development as they learn to take turns, cooperate, and enjoy success together. Their Communication and Language skills are strengthened as they talk about their play, negotiate rules, and share ideas with their peers. At the same time, children develop important Physical Development skills — from running and balancing to the fine motor control involved in filling, pouring, and experimenting with water. These playful moments are, in fact, rich learning opportunities that set the foundations for future growth.
As we wave goodbye to summer and step into the rhythm of a new season, September Splash leaves us with memories of sunshine, laughter, and togetherness — the very building blocks of learning in the early years.
Reception enjoyed exploring the story “We’re All Wonders” this week, where they have been describing how they look and noticing the similarities and differences between themselves and their friends. They created detailed observational drawings and finished the week by painting self-portraits. Time spent outdoors also encouraged close observation of the natural world, noticing what things are the same and what is different. In mathematics, the children have been learning about one more and one less, using practical resources and interactive games to deepen their understanding helping them to build their early technology skills.
In Nursery, we have had a week of reflection following Wellbeing Week. The children have been thinking about what makes them happy, unique, and the small things they can do each day to be kind. We also reflected on how much everyone has already settled and matured during this first half term of Nursery. The children revisited some of the stories and songs we have shared, recalling favourite characters and events. This not only sparked joy but also highlighted their growing vocabulary and developing understanding of simple questions. It has been wonderful to see their confidence in communication continue to flourish.
This week in Pre-Nursery, our youngest learners focused on the important practical life skill of brushing their teeth. They enjoyed activities that involved holding their toothbrushes, practising squeezing toothpaste tubes, and building confidence with these everyday routines. Our story of the week was Pony Brushes His Teeth, where the pony learns to brush just like his dad. To make learning fun and memorable, we sang “Brush Your Teeth”, encouraging children to match actions with the words. They practised both singing and performing the movements at the same time, which brought joy and laughter to the group. During outdoor learning, children explored the climbing frame, crawling, climbing, sliding, and wobbling at different levels. September Splash was another highlight, as they splashed in paddling pools, blew bubbles, and took turns spraying the hose around the garden.
