Children learn best through their own, practical and first hand experiences and the natural environment provides a wealth of opportunity to expand young children's learning. Their own interests and play ideas will form the basis of activities to extend their learning.

Mini Explorers are very lucky to have Mrs Hayden, who is a qualified primary school teacher with experience in Early Years; she is also a trained Forest School Leader. During the sessions with her, children from the pre-school room are encouraged to explore all aspects of the natural world.

Find out more from Mrs Hayden about what they get up to here.

As the Harvest draws to a close we are turning our attention to Halloween for the next three weeks. We are having lots of pumkin activities, drawing, making, scooping and plenty of halloween dressing up!

We are also sourcing items for our treasure baskets. If you have any unwanted hats, costumes, bags they would be very much welcomed.

Parents said they wanted to know a little more about our Baby Room team, so we have written a little about ourselves.

Claire-Louise I Room Manager

I have a level 3 diploma in children & young peoples workforce. I am currently attending university on a Wednesday to complete a degree in childhood & youth studies.  I have a 3 year old son who is in pre school and enjoys his time at Mini Explorers.  I enjoy caring for and watching all of the children thrive in the nursery and feel rewarded to know that I have had a helping hand in their development.

Amy I Room Leader

I have a level 3 NVQ in Children’s Early Years & Education. I have a wide range of experience of working with children in a number of settings including nanny positions with high profile families, nursery positions and working abroad in holiday clubs & as a live in nanny.  I am currently working towards a degree in Childhood and Youth studies, studying Child Physchology with the open university.

Cara I Childcare Practitioner

I have worked at Mini Explorers since November 2012 and it is my first grown up job.  My mummy is also a child-minder so I have always been surrounded by children.  You will only see me 3 times a week (Mon, Wed, Fri) as I am also a nanny for a little girl.

Lia I Childcare Practitioner

I have a level 3 qualification in Childcare and I have worked at Mini Explorers for 2 years.  During my time here I have gained a lot of confidence and experience and have spent some time working with all age groups.

Lucy I Childcare Practitioner

I have a level 3 qualification in childcare, I have worked at Mini Explorers since August 2014. I also have a two year old daughter who is in the Toddler Room.

Farewell to Jude who is moving up to Pre School and welcome to our new mini explorers: Jessica, Oscar, Daniel and Arthur.  They are joining us along with Faye, Darcy and Joby who are moving up from the Baby Room.  

We have been exploring Autumn and Harvest, looking closely at nature as it turns towards winter.  We have been looking at the birds in their nests and natures food all around.

We have also had fun making our own playdough hedgehogs as they snuggling into hybernation over winter.

We are looking forward to a week of Halloween celebrations  with pumpkins and plenty of dressing up.

Remember to take a look at your children's artwork on the walls and look in your childs draw to see if they have art work to take home.

Home Corner: We have a home corner where the children can play house. Do you have any photos of your child all snuggly at home that we can put in up in our home corner? Just email them to em@miniexplorersnursery.co.uk or bring a copy in.

Also if you have any small empty cereal packets or empty cartons the children can play with, please bring them in.  Thank you!

We have been making lots of decorations for our Pre School room from the natural resources we have found on our nature walks such as crab apples, twigs, leaves, rosehips and made lovely nature mobiles.

The children have been learning about different cultures and have made a Diwali display.  We have been explaining about the forthcoming Festival of Light and the children have made and decorated lanterns and made and decorated Henna biscuits.
Pre School have some great new wooden toys and we are learning about looking after our possessions and looking after the environment.

Each child has a name card and they have been learning their letters and mark making their names inside and outside in the sand.

WOW BOARD: Let us know what great things your child has been up to at home by popping it on the Wow board.

EYFS BOARD: This helps explain how we monitor our mini explorers development through their early years.  Have a look and please do ask us any questions you have.

Beetroot keeps this cake deliciously moist, a delightful twist on the classic carrot cake.

You will need.  

200g plain flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder
¾ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
A big pinch of salt
50g soft dark brown sugar
125g light muscovado sugar
3 free range medium eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
300ml sunflower (or grapeseed oil)
3 raw medium beetroot (approx. 250g), grated
1 orange, zest only
50g unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
100g icing sugar, sifted
125g full fat cream cheese

Step by step guide to making Beetroot cake with orange frosting

1.Preheat the oven to 180°C, fan 160°C, gas mark 4. Grease and line a 900g (2lb) loaf tin.
2.Sift the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and salt into a large bowl. Add the sugars.
3.In another bowl beat together the eggs, vanilla extract and oil and pour onto the dried ingredients. Add the grated beetroot and half the orange zest.
4.Pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin and bake on a shelf toward the bottom of the oven for 30 minutes. Turn the oven down to 170°C, fan 150°C, gas mark 3 and bake for another 25-30 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
5.Leave in the tin to cool for 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool.
6.For the frosting, beat together the butter, cream cheese and the icing sugar with the remaining orange zest. Spread over the top of the cake. Enjoy!

*All information included in this recipe has been provided by Produce World.