The children have come back to pre-school and gone straight into harvesting their produce from the allotment. We had some fabulous, enormous marrows but like most, the lack of sunshine over the summer has resulted in green tomatoes and very little in the way of strawberries or raspberries. We are spending any dry days tidying up the allotment ready for winter and getting ready to plant the winter crop. The children love watering everything and playing with their diggers in the muddy vegetable patch. 

The Woodcote Festival has come and gone and we at Pre-school would like to thank everyone who responded to our appeal for donations of bottles for our bottle stall. Without your help, we could not have been able to provide this very popular attraction. It was very exciting to be in the middle of all the preparations at the village hall and the thought of participating in the many activities and competitions run by the festival committee inspired our children to bake, make and get creative. Some of the best produce from the allotment was entered into the Woodcote Festival and did well in the various categories.

Learning about how to take care of the environment is important. As part of this topic, we have been practising sorting rubbish into the correct bins. Watching the dustbins being emptied into the lorries is proving very exciting stuff. We have linked our theme work on transport to recycling and the children have enjoyed making cars, lorries and buses from recycled materials.

In celebration of European Day, the children have been making and learning about different foods from Europe; these include Paella from Spain, pasta and pizza's from Italy, croissants and brioche from France, Flaki stew with marjoram from Poland and German sausages. They have also been learning to say hello and to recite some rhymes from these countries.

As always at this time of year, we are looking forward to celebrating harvest by attending a special Harvest service at St Leonard’s Church where we will listen to a story and sing songs about autumn and harvest.  We have been learning and practising singing harvest songs and rhymes which we will sing together at the service in the church. At pre-school we will be celebrating Harvest by baking, making food and picking (and eating) the fresh produce from our organic allotment. We will also be collecting jars, cans and bottles of food to donate to the less fortunate in our community. If you would like to contribute anything towards our collection, please feel free to drop it in at the village hall on any weekday between 9 and 3pm.

A heartfelt  thank you to all who donated cakes or helped out at the coffee shop, and of course, all of you who came along to support us by enjoying some tea and cake. This is a valuable fundraising event for us and we appreciate all contributions.

At the beginning of the school year we have a few places available. If you have been thinking about where to send your little one, (age 18 months to school) please get in touch to arrange a visit. We would be glad to show you around. Contact Liz at www.woodcotepreschool.co.uk or on 01491 682300.