top tips

 by riverside

5 Top Tips for Getting Your Pre-Schooler School Ready

With the summer holidays here, many pre-school children will be starting to get ready for school in September.

To help make your child’s move to reception as smooth as possible we’ve put together some tips.

1.  Introduce them to their new school

We’ve no doubt you are doing this already but talk to your child about their new school. If they haven’t been able to go around the school, show them pictures from the website, tell them their teacher’s name, and talk about what their day might look like.

2.  Try on the school uniform

Around now you might start gathering and labeling school uniform and PE kit.

Ask your child to try it on and see what it feels like. It’s also a good idea to try out zips and buttons so that they are comfortable taking items on and off to go to the toilet or for PE.

Also make sure their shoes are comfy – wearing them for a few days before school will help wear them in – and that they can easily get them on and off.

3. Test drive the school run

The school run might be on a different route to your child’s nursery, and depending on whether you walk or drive, there might be different obstacles to consider, such as parking or roads to cross.

During the summer holidays try the route out with your child. It may be quieter but it will give them a taste of what to expect when September comes.

4. Foster independence

Encouraging independence will help build your child’s confidence. This will help them when they get to school as they will feel more comfortable in doing things for themselves.

Small steps such as giving them tasks to complete themselves, for example, cleaning their teeth, brushing their own hair (you can go over these things later if you need to!) and putting their own shoes or coat on, will give them confidence in their abilities.

5. Make it fun    

Don’t get hung up on your child’s ability before they start school. Your child may have started to recognise their own name in writing or be able to write the first letter of their name, but no one is expecting them to be able to write or read properly before – that’s what school is for.

The first year is also pretty like nursery, with an abundance of learning through play, so focus on the fun they are going to have – new things to play with, new friends, new adventures!

 

  

 

 

 

 

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 by riverside

Top Tips! Fun Easter 2021 Activities in and around Windsor for Under 5s

As we start easing out of lockdown there are several outdoor Easter activities going on in and around Windsor, including egg hunts and trails.

Here’s a few ideas:

Stonor Park New Playground Opening – Officially opened on April 2nd (Good Friday) Stonor Park’s new Tumblestone Hollow woodland playground promises lots of outdoor fun. There’s high-level wooden walkways and climbing nets (suitable for ages four to 12) to clamber over.

For under fours, Stonor Park is also holding Easter egg trails every day until 18th April. Follow the clues and fill in your answer sheet to receive a sweet treat at the end.

Find out more and book tickets here.

Norden Farm Easter Online Activities – Norden Farm has an egg-citing line up of live stream activities and interactive workshops to entertain children of all ages.

Some of the shows are suitable for children age three and over and can be live streamed from the comfort of your own home.

Book tickets and see what is on here. 

Cookham Dean Easter Trail – The trail runs from 27th March to 18th April 2021. Download the map here to view the directions and answer sheets – there are puzzles and you can win a prize! The five kilometre trail – which takes a minimum of an hour to complete – has been organised by Cookham Dean CE Primary School and there is a suggested donation of £3 per trail pack to help raise funds for the PTA.

Happy Puzzle Solving!

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 by riverside

Top Tips! Four Fun Christmas Games for Children (and Parents) to Enjoy

When you are little, waiting for Father Christmas to come feels like forever.  To pass the time (and help you keep your sanity) here are some Christmas games to enjoy.

  • Christmas Pass the Parcel – Wrap up some small gifts, such as some crayons or bubbles, between layers of wrapping paper with a larger present in the middle. You can even include some cards with silly instructions for your little one to carry out, like ‘stand on one leg for five seconds’. Play some Christmas music and when the music stops, you’ve guessed it, unwrap one layer.
  • Christmas Scavenger Hunt – Have some fun and get moving with a Christmas themed scavenger hunt. Make up some festive clues and hide them around the house.

For added pre-schooler appeal, make your clues rhyme, for example:

‘I dry your clothes, make their temperature higher, you’ll find me in the t…. d….’  (tumble dryer)

‘There’s no bogey man here, that’s what I said, you’ll find the next clue under your b…’ (bed)

‘You splash in me and like to laugh, I make you clean, I am your b…’ (bath)

Leave a small treat or gift at each clue spot or a bigger one at the final clue.

  • Festive Scent Game – Christmas time is filled with wonderful aromas. Take some clean jam jars with lids and fill them with Christmas aromas, such as a sprig of fir tree, a peppermint candy cane, some cinnamon sticks, and a scoop of coco powder. Ask your little one to smell each one and try to guess what it is. Use the coco powder afterwards to make yummy hot chocolate.
  • Build a Box Snowman – If you’re not blessed with snow this Christmas, why not build a snowman indoors? Gather up any empty cardboard boxes, paint them white (or cover in plain wrapping paper) and pile them high. Cut some coloured card into shapes to make a nose, hat and buttons. We hope you have a wonderful time!

Do you want to build a snowman?

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 by riverside

Top Tips! Five Fun Things to do with Children Christmas 2020 (Lockdown or not!)

There’s no doubt that Christmas will feel a little different this year. Despite the impact of the Coronavirus there are still special things you can do to celebrate with your little ones.

Here are some ideas:

1.Christmas movie drive-in – The Luna Cinema is showing a variety of Christmas films at Ascot Racecourse from 9th Enjoy festive classics such as The Snowman, Elf and Home Alone from the comfort of your car. You can book tickets and find out more here.

2. Outdoor Fun at Windsor Great Park – Bundle up in warm clothes and check out ‘A taste of Christmas’ at Windsor Great Park. The event promises seasonal food and drink, shopping from artisan suppliers and a vintage carousel ride. There is also a 12 Days of Christmas themed winter trail – starting 19th December – for little ones to enjoy. See more here.

3. Christmas Theatre at Norden Farm – Norden Farm, Maidenhead has live performances and online showings of The Magic Porridge Pot and other Tasty Tales from 10 – 12 December. Designed for children of three-years-old and up, the shows are a feast for the senses with puppets, pop-up sets and catchy songs.

In line with government guidance live performances will be shown to smaller audiences with socially distanced seating. See what Norden Farm is showing here.

4. Christmas Books – If it is cold out, why not snuggle up and read a Christmas book together? Festive favourites such as The Nutcracker and The Night Before Christmas are a lovely way to bring the spirit of Christmas alive for children. (Hot chocolate and marshmallows optional.)

5. Plan a Christmas Crafternoon/Cook off – You can’t beat a cosy afternoon in making Christmas ornaments or treats. Think about things you can make, such as colourful homemade paper chains, ornaments for the Christmas tree or sparkly Christmas puddings to display in your window.

Little ones love baking (and licking the spoon). This iced gingerbread men recipe is quick and easy: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/gingerbread-people

6. Parents Matter Too – We understand it has been a tough year for everyone (and then some). If you fancy a little Christmas indulgence, try this fab idea from Baileys. All you need is some chocolate reindeer – the ones with the cute red bells are ideal – bite off their ears (they won’t feel it, honestly), fill with Baileys and top with whipped cream. Delicious! See the full recipe here.

Seriously though, the past few months have affected how we live our lives, and it is understandable that it may affect our mental health and well-being. How you feel is important. If you are struggling and feel that you need some support, there are some great organisations to help, including:

Mind  – The mental health charity has lots of information and tips on how to support you and your children’s well-being at this time.

Shout – Shout is a new text service for voicing your worries. It is available 24/7 and you can speak to a trained volunteer – text your concerns to 85258.

We hope this helps. If you or your child are worried during lockdown, our door is always open too – you can speak to us in confidence on 01753 855543 or email info@theriversidedaynursery.co.uk

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

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Top Tips! Fun Outdoor Activities for Under 5s in Berks, Bucks and Herts

Top Tips!

It may be cold outside but that doesn’t have to stop us getting out and about! Here are some suggestions for the weekends to keep all the family happy: 

A walk in the park – How about visiting Black Park, where you can feed the hungry ducks or try Go Ape? Then there’s Burnham Beeches for foraging twigs and leaves to create a winter artwork at home, Wendover Woods for following the Gruffalo Trail followed by hot chocolate or Aldenham County Park which has a small farm you can visit on site.

Climbing and Soft Play fun – Go to new heights at Rock Up at Watford. There are 27 climbing walls to tackle. Indoor climbing is great for all ages and abilities and children as young as four years are welcome to take on the climbing challenges. For younger siblings there is also a soft play area. Prices are:

Climbing

Kids (4-15) from £8.50

Adults (16+) from £10.95

Soft Play – From £5.00

And when you are done, why not snuggle up with some homemade treats? Delicious magazine has a wonderful selection of easy to follow children’s recipes online at:

https://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/collections/easy-baking-recipes-to-make-with-kids/

We particularly love the brown butter jigsaw biscuits for yumminess and of course hand-eye coordination when you try to assemble them afterwards! Ok, maybe just the yumminess. 

Enjoy!    

 

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