Christmas Party 2016

Hi everyone, wasn’t our Christmas party such a great success this year? Everybody had so much fun and a great time getting to meet Santa.

 First, we all went down to the Kowhai House and got ready to do a dance for all our parents. We had been practicing “he has a red, red coat” every day.

After we had finished our performance it was time to eat! We headed out to the playground and saw a huge bouncy castle had been set up in the playground. What lucky babies you all are.

After we had finished eating it was time to play. You all headed off in different directions to explore the big kid’s playground.

Ashley and Tara, you both checked with Tina when Santa was coming. You were both very excited about seeing him.

It was very exciting to be in the older kid’s room. You all loved exploring the playground and seeing what they had to offer.

We want to offer all your families a big Merry Christmas and Happy new year. We hope you have an exciting and happy holiday season.

From you teachers,

Jess and Rachel

Summer Fun

Summer is well and truly here in the fantail house and we have been enjoying some summer fun. The children have been enjoying more water play and playing in the sprinkler. The happy squeals and screams we hear when water play is available, allows us to know the children have been really enjoying the experience.


We have been trying different ways to incorporate water play into our outside play. The babies love the sprinkler and we have been able to grab a sprinkler from Pheonix house that only sprays a little bit of water. We have noticed the babies are more likely to interact with this sprinkler than the other one.

We have also been filling our crab tub up with water and sometimes we have coloured water. Last week I added some blue colouring the water and the babies all loved it.

Another favourite thing of the babies to do this so far this summer is to have an ice block in the afternoon. They are have been really enjoying cooling down under the shade with an ice block in hand.

  Summer is well and truly here in the Fantail house. We have been loving being able to have water play almost every day. Check out some more photos below of our fun time in the sun.

Christmas is almost here and our Christmas concert is this Friday. We are all excited to have our Christmas clothes on and celebrate with all our friends and families.

Jess

Edible Slime

This afternoon after their afternoon tea they were all enjoying their food and even tried to smash some of the fruits. Suddenly, I asked them if they want to have more fun this afternoon then all of them said "yes". I asked who wants to join me in table then all of you took a chair, sat down and patiently waited for me while I took all the ingredients. When I put all the things we need I told them that we are going to make an "Edible Slime". First, I've shown the flour, condensed milk, food color which is red and vanilla essence. Then after mixing and cooking the ingredients all of them enjoyed playing the slime and even tasted it first (as it is edible and safe for them to taste).

Mikayla looking at me while I'm drizzling the slime.
Ashley started to hold the slime which lasted for an hour for her to play with it.

Tara pouring the condensed milk.
Mikayla showing the Red food color.

Ben loves to do the mixing of the ingredients.

Tara pouring the condensed milk and loves to smell the vanilla essence.
Mikayla was patiently waiting for her turn.

EDIBLE SLIME RECIPE One 14- ounce can of sweetened condensed milk One Tbs of cornstarch 10-15 drops of red or green food coloring Directions: 1. Pour the can of SWEETENED condensed milk into a saucepan. 2. Add the cornstarch and cook over a low heat, stirring constantly. 

3. When the mixture thickens remove it from the heat and then add the food coloring. (Vanilla essence can be added also) 

4. Allow it to cool before playing or eating; it can also be used as a fun paper paint.

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Volcanic Eruption

It all started with digging when Oliver took a spade he did the digging until he was able to form a volcano. Oliver had never seen a volcano before and something about these experienced of giant having a hole turned his imagination. This was the start of something. An opportunity to discover and explore; an opportunity to follow his lead and let the experiences emerge naturally. I guess some of the babies also did had never seen volcano yet. This is what I love most about the babies that they are so excited in all activities, the fact that I don’t have to come up with all the activities, that this interest is enough to motivate them to know more. Indeed this activity will expose them and again in order to develop their curiosity, skills and understanding of nature. I couldn't  picture the face of Mikayla when we did the eruption. Manaia was so amazed too when I put the baking soda and vinegar. Boh is just chilling around and enjoying watching her friends exploring the volcano. Well done babies.  I wonder what they will be fascinated by next….