Shining Stars Day Nursery - Illingworth

We’re going on a bear hunt! This week at nursery the babies have enjoyed going on a bear hunt. We have read the story to the babies and we have created a sensory walk-way of real life objects for the children to walk through as each of the obstacles in the bear hunt story. All of the children were intrigued by the different sensory items and most enjoyed touching and walking through each section feeling the different textures between their toes.

This week we are focusing on sign language. We explained to the children and discussed why we might need to use sign language, and that not everyone can hear us when we talk so this is why we use our faces and hands to communicate. The children have picked up the signing very quickly and love to show each other the new signs they can do. We have started showing the children the signs of: Mummy Daddy Grandma ... Grandad I love you Happy Sad Cross And individual letters for the first letter of the children’s names. We hope the children enjoy coming home and showing you the signs they have learnt too!
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In the Toddler Room we encourage the children to hold and use a knife and fork correctly. To support the children with this we gave the children some cutlery and play dough. First the practitioner demonstrated how you would hold the cutlery safely, and showed the children how to cut the playdough using forward and backwards motions with the knife. They enjoyed taking on this challenge and developing their cutting skills. As the children explored they were developing their han...d eye co-ordination, gross motor skills and social skills as they sat alongside each other taking turns. Many daily activities require object manipulation in one hand. Examples include positioning a pencil when writing and drawing; using scissors, holding a knife and a fork; and positioning buttons, zippers, snaps and laces for dressing. When these skills are difficult, children can become easily frustrated and avoid activities involving manipulation, resulting in less refined skills due to a lack of practice. Children who are lacking in these skills often have poor self-esteem and confidence as a result.
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Last week in the Toddler Room we were introducing word sounds to the children. We have been using our phonics cards and copying the first sound in the word, for example ‘c for cat’. The children have enjoyed recognising pictures of themselves, their friends and the practitioners in the room. We have also enjoyed singing the ‘Jolly Phonics’ song at carpet times. It uses songs and rhymes to introduce the letter sounds and gives actions to help the children visualise the sounds, for example wiggling their hand like a snake for ‘s’.

Last week in the Baby Room we were exploring water. This was to help the children learn how to pour water from one container to another. We also taught children how to bath toy babies and dry them to help them with their own self-care. To enhance this activity and make it more interesting, we added different colours and lots of bubbles.

Last week in the Baby Room the babies have enjoyed creating autumnal pictures. They created them by using a range of different coloured paints including green, yellow, orange and brown and using leaf shaped sequins to add to their pictures. The babies have enjoyed learning about the different colours associated with autumn and talking about the leaves falling off the trees outside.

Nursery Refurbishment & Extension. The nursery refurbishment and extension at Illingworth is coming to a close and we expect to be returning in the coming weeks. We will have limited spaces available in each age group room when we return so please call 01422 646690 or message nursery to make an appointment and secure your child's place. Exciting times ahead!

This week in Pre-School Carolyn planned to do a shape activity with pipe cleaners. She made some 2D and 3D shapes with the pipe cleaners to show the children and then asked the children if they could make any of the shapes they could see. The children enjoyed saying the names of the shapes and learning the names for the 3D shapes such as cuboid.

Also this week in the Toddler Room we have been looking at leaves. The children looked in the playground for the leaves that had fallen and collected them. When we went inside the children used paint and glue to create pictures. We asked the children about the leaves, how they feel and talked about the leaves falling from the trees. The children liked to crunch the leaves in their hands.

This week the children in the Toddler Room have enjoyed experimenting through ice play. Throughout the week we have organised different activities such as painting with assorted coloured ice cubes and playing with different ice shapes containing different objects, numbers and letters to develop their sensory skills.

This week in the Baby Room the babies have enjoyed exploring some different textures during play. They have enjoyed feeling and touching spaghetti in between their fingers and hands, playing in the water with bubbles bathing the babies and making cloud dough. The babies enjoyed moulding different shapes from the cloud dough, stretching it and watching it stretch and drop from a height onto the table.

This week in the Baby Room the babies have been developing their maths skills. They have been learning different numbers through singing number rhymes, counting as we walk up and down the stairs and reading number books. The babies have developed other areas of maths by building towers, negotiating space and filing up and emptying containers in the sand.

This week in the Toddler Room the children have enjoyed baking some biscuits. We sat round the table and talked about the utensils we were using. The children were able to talk about their past experiences of baking at home with their mummies and daddies. The children helped to weigh out the ingredients and learnt about looking for the numbers on the scales. We then took it in turns to mix the ingredients, and then roll and cut out the dough, choosing which cutter we wanted to use. The children then talked about how important it is to share and take turns before sending the cookies to the oven.

This week in the Baby Room the babies have enjoyed painting using different textured paint. They enjoyed exploring paint with flour, glitter, glue and rice mixed in. The babies have developed their knowledge of colours and turn taking as well as working on their fine and gross motor skills whilst painting their pictures.

Baby Room Senior Practitioner. We are pleased to announce that Claire Roberts has joined us as Baby Room Senior Practitioner. Claire has a wide variety of Early Years experience as well as having recently completed her BA (Hons) Childhood studies with Early Years Teacher status. Claire will be making a point of introducing herself to people over the course of the week. Please join me in wishing Claire the best of luck in her new role. Welcome Claire!

Last week Pre-School helped to create the scarecrow for the ‘Norland Scarecrow Festival’. The theme this year was anything beginning with a ‘N’, the children have recently been interested in the cartoon ‘Ninja Turtles’ so we decided this would be our theme for the scarecrows. The children talked about the texture of the straw whilst pushing it into the tights to form the legs and arms of the scarecrow, we also talked about the colours we would need to use for the turtles which they really enjoyed. Once the scarecrow was ready and formed the children helped dress them into the ninja turtle costumes, they loved telling us the names of the turtles and that they watched the cartoon on the television. Some of our children had a fab time visiting the Scarecrow Festival too!

Last week in the Baby Room the babies enjoyed making some buns. They took turns to pour the ingredients into the bowl and mix them all together developing their gross motor skills. The babies also helped to place the mixture into a bun case and put a chocolate button on the top developing their fine motor skills. We hope you enjoyed eating them!

5 year birthday. It’s 5 years since we opened the doors to our first families back on 2nd September 2013. The time has flown by and the support for our setting throughout the period has been fantastic. We are proud to have become a well-loved part of the local community. Thank you to all of the families who entrust their children to us and the staff who do such a great job of educating the children on a daily basis.

Shining Stars Day Nursery - Clare Road, Halifax. We have created a Facebook page to represent the activities taking place at the new nursery. Whilst we are all together at Clare Road we will simultaneously update both pages with the activities from the week. Once we have returned to Illingworth each page will then be updated with activities relevant to each setting. Please could we ask for your support by 'liking' the page and of course feel free to mention the nursery to anyone looking for a setting in the town centre, thank you.
fb.me/ShiningStarsDayNurseryClareRoadHali fax

really is the best nursery in halifax both my babies love it and love the staff I can't think of anything negative about the place! well done guys your doing a fab job ❤❤

Warm and friendly atmosphere and a friendly approachable staff team :-)

Visited today. Was made to feel very welcome by Lou & Paul and staff (and some of the children). Fab place. Thank you sooo much! :)

Very very impressed with shining stars day nursery Owen started 3 week ago, and he has settled in lovely and absolutely loves it. It's a lovely environment and atmosphere ...

So glad I picked this nursery for my little girl she absolutely loved her time there. The staff are all lovely & made my Tia-Mae feel welcome & comfortable. Was so sad to walk out the doors today knowing it was her last day & shes moving on to big school now But we will see you all again in January when my other little girl starts Thankyou to you all x

Shining starts nursery is amazing. My daughter was a bit nervous when she started and now can't wait to go. All the staff are lovely too.

Ruby loves it here. She's come on leaps and bounds been at the nursery thank you to all the staff :)

My son started yesterday and from putting his name down to him going for first day, the staff have been so helpful and friendly making sure I understand everything and was happy! Took him yesterday afternoon and his key worker introduced herself to me straight away which I thought was excellent showing of approach! My son was so excited to just get in and play then when I picked him up in evening his key worker came straight over to me again and I got given a backpack for him and he had already had his photo taken and printed for his coat hanger. He had eaten all his food and been playing so nicely with all the other children. He didn't want to leave. So pleased I chose my son to go to shining stars, a brilliant nursery with absolutely lovely staff who truly care about your child's needs. Recommend any parent to send their child there! Thank you shining stars �

My little boy harrison is in the 2-3room and loves it so I really can't complain about anything if he is happy am happy x

My daughter had her first settling in session yesterday and absolutely loved it � came home was worn out & fell asleep eating. Looking forward to her starting properly next week ��

Megan is so excited to be starting here!

Lovely nursery and Tommy settled in straight away. Would definitely recommend :)

I absolutely love this nursery, the staff are lovely and I trust that my little girl is well looked after x

Freddy loves it. I need say no more ♡♡

really is the best nursery in halifax both my babies love it and love the staff I can't think of anything negative about the place! well done guys your doing a fab job ❤❤

Warm and friendly atmosphere and a friendly approachable staff team :-)

Visited today. Was made to feel very welcome by Lou & Paul and staff (and some of the children). Fab place. Thank you sooo much! :)

Very very impressed with shining stars day nursery Owen started 3 week ago, and he has settled in lovely and absolutely loves it. It's a lovely environment and atmosphere ...

So glad I picked this nursery for my little girl she absolutely loved her time there. The staff are all lovely & made my Tia-Mae feel welcome & comfortable. Was so sad to walk out the doors today knowing it was her last day & shes moving on to big school now But we will see you all again in January when my other little girl starts Thankyou to you all x

Shining starts nursery is amazing. My daughter was a bit nervous when she started and now can't wait to go. All the staff are lovely too.

Ruby loves it here. She's come on leaps and bounds been at the nursery thank you to all the staff :)

My son started yesterday and from putting his name down to him going for first day, the staff have been so helpful and friendly making sure I understand everything and was happy! Took him yesterday afternoon and his key worker introduced herself to me straight away which I thought was excellent showing of approach! My son was so excited to just get in and play then when I picked him up in evening his key worker came straight over to me again and I got given a backpack for him and he had already had his photo taken and printed for his coat hanger. He had eaten all his food and been playing so nicely with all the other children. He didn't want to leave. So pleased I chose my son to go to shining stars, a brilliant nursery with absolutely lovely staff who truly care about your child's needs. Recommend any parent to send their child there! Thank you shining stars �

My little boy harrison is in the 2-3room and loves it so I really can't complain about anything if he is happy am happy x

My daughter had her first settling in session yesterday and absolutely loved it � came home was worn out & fell asleep eating. Looking forward to her starting properly next week ��

Megan is so excited to be starting here!

Lovely nursery and Tommy settled in straight away. Would definitely recommend :)

I absolutely love this nursery, the staff are lovely and I trust that my little girl is well looked after x

Freddy loves it. I need say no more ♡♡

really is the best nursery in halifax both my babies love it and love the staff I can't think of anything negative about the place! well done guys your doing a fab job ❤❤

Warm and friendly atmosphere and a friendly approachable staff team :-)

Visited today. Was made to feel very welcome by Lou & Paul and staff (and some of the children). Fab place. Thank you sooo much! :)

Very very impressed with shining stars day nursery Owen started 3 week ago, and he has settled in lovely and absolutely loves it. It's a lovely environment and atmosphere ...

So glad I picked this nursery for my little girl she absolutely loved her time there. The staff are all lovely & made my Tia-Mae feel welcome & comfortable. Was so sad to walk out the doors today knowing it was her last day & shes moving on to big school now But we will see you all again in January when my other little girl starts Thankyou to you all x

Shining starts nursery is amazing. My daughter was a bit nervous when she started and now can't wait to go. All the staff are lovely too.

Ruby loves it here. She's come on leaps and bounds been at the nursery thank you to all the staff :)

My son started yesterday and from putting his name down to him going for first day, the staff have been so helpful and friendly making sure I understand everything and was happy! Took him yesterday afternoon and his key worker introduced herself to me straight away which I thought was excellent showing of approach! My son was so excited to just get in and play then when I picked him up in evening his key worker came straight over to me again and I got given a backpack for him and he had already had his photo taken and printed for his coat hanger. He had eaten all his food and been playing so nicely with all the other children. He didn't want to leave. So pleased I chose my son to go to shining stars, a brilliant nursery with absolutely lovely staff who truly care about your child's needs. Recommend any parent to send their child there! Thank you shining stars �

My little boy harrison is in the 2-3room and loves it so I really can't complain about anything if he is happy am happy x

My daughter had her first settling in session yesterday and absolutely loved it � came home was worn out & fell asleep eating. Looking forward to her starting properly next week ��

Megan is so excited to be starting here!

Lovely nursery and Tommy settled in straight away. Would definitely recommend :)

I absolutely love this nursery, the staff are lovely and I trust that my little girl is well looked after x

Freddy loves it. I need say no more ♡♡

really is the best nursery in halifax both my babies love it and love the staff I can't think of anything negative about the place! well done guys your doing a fab job ❤❤

Warm and friendly atmosphere and a friendly approachable staff team :-)

Visited today. Was made to feel very welcome by Lou & Paul and staff (and some of the children). Fab place. Thank you sooo much! :)

Very very impressed with shining stars day nursery Owen started 3 week ago, and he has settled in lovely and absolutely loves it. It's a lovely environment and atmosphere ...

So glad I picked this nursery for my little girl she absolutely loved her time there. The staff are all lovely & made my Tia-Mae feel welcome & comfortable. Was so sad to walk out the doors today knowing it was her last day & shes moving on to big school now But we will see you all again in January when my other little girl starts Thankyou to you all x

Shining starts nursery is amazing. My daughter was a bit nervous when she started and now can't wait to go. All the staff are lovely too.

Ruby loves it here. She's come on leaps and bounds been at the nursery thank you to all the staff :)

My son started yesterday and from putting his name down to him going for first day, the staff have been so helpful and friendly making sure I understand everything and was happy! Took him yesterday afternoon and his key worker introduced herself to me straight away which I thought was excellent showing of approach! My son was so excited to just get in and play then when I picked him up in evening his key worker came straight over to me again and I got given a backpack for him and he had already had his photo taken and printed for his coat hanger. He had eaten all his food and been playing so nicely with all the other children. He didn't want to leave. So pleased I chose my son to go to shining stars, a brilliant nursery with absolutely lovely staff who truly care about your child's needs. Recommend any parent to send their child there! Thank you shining stars �

My little boy harrison is in the 2-3room and loves it so I really can't complain about anything if he is happy am happy x

My daughter had her first settling in session yesterday and absolutely loved it � came home was worn out & fell asleep eating. Looking forward to her starting properly next week ��

Megan is so excited to be starting here!

Lovely nursery and Tommy settled in straight away. Would definitely recommend :)

I absolutely love this nursery, the staff are lovely and I trust that my little girl is well looked after x

Freddy loves it. I need say no more ♡♡