This week we have been saying goodbye to some of our friends who are moving onto primary school. It is the perfect time for reflection on the idea of 'the Rachel Keeling child'.
At the heart of our School Development Plan is the recognition that each child is a co-collaborator in their learning journey. We want every child to be an independent, communicative, confident, resilient, empathetic and joyful learner. 
We feel these values will help children to make the most of every single day of their lives.

As our young people leave our door for the last time as pupils, we know many of them will be welcomed back as visitors again. We send you off to have a wonderful summer, remember to recycle,
ride those two wheeler bikes,
ditch the car,
look after your body and mind, 
enjoy nature, 
grow something from a seed, 
laugh and have fun!
Take your Special Books and celebrate YOU!
We will miss you all and have had some wonderful comments and messages.
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We thank you all - remember you are always part of our Rachel Keeling Family.   

Children have been developing an understanding of lifecycles. 
We had a delivery of some tiny caterpillars: children observed them carefully and gently transferred them into pots with food.
Over coming days we watched with excitement as the caterpillars became much bigger: children shared talk and showed great respect by handling the pots gently. 
During this time, we shared information books about caterpillars and their journey to become butterflies. 
When the caterpillars were ready they built a cocoon around themselves and slept inside for more than 5 days.  We transferred the cocoons to a larger net. 
Each day children came to nursery and excitedly checked whether there had been any further changes. 
Slowly they emerged as beautiful butterflies finally. 
They needed a few days for their wings to dry and they enjoyed eating juicy oranges in their net.
After this, we gathered in the garden on the hillock to say goodbye to our butterflies.
We counted 10 in the morning and 16 in the afternoon. 
Ellie knew that meant we had released 26 butterflies in total! Wow what a calculation!
Children were exposed to vocabulary such as egg, caterpillar, cocoon, chrysalis, observe, change, metamorphosis, butterfly.
Look out for the 26 butterflies when you are in the park: hopefully they will lay their eggs on some leaves nearby and the whole process will start again!

Today we marked 60 years of Rachel Keeling Nursery School.
The sun shone and we enjoyed celebrating 60 years and thousands of children's learning. 
Children have spent the past week helping staff to plan and prepare: cakes were made, a mosaic was created and outfits planned.
We merged our Diamond Anniversary with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee and had a knees up.
Children learned the words to Don't Worry by Bob Marley and we sang that as well as Happy Birthday to Rachel Keeling Nursery and some hip hip hoorays. 
We shared some beautiful fruit platters with fruit donated by families and then enjoyed a slice of cake. 
Our mosaic, made by children and staff will remain here as well as the lemon tree we have ready to plant.
After school we helped raise money for our school by having a cake sale - thank you for your kind donations: we will let you know how much money was raised once Pam counts the cash!
Here's to 60 more years of outstanding early year's provision for the next generation.

Well it happened again, we were blessed with sunshine for our annual visit to Southend-On-Sea. 
After a two year break, we were so excited to board the coaches and travel to the seaside. 
Children had been talking about it in the weeks running up to the trip. 
Our 3 coaches arrived on time and we travelled for just over and hour to get the Marine Parade for 9.45am.
The first thing we noticed was the sea was almost nowhere to be seen as the tide was out. When we book the coaches we do not have access to tide times!!!
Children still excitedly explored the sand and flats where there were crabs and many creatures to be found. Others collected shells, stones and seaweed.
Families set up their rugs on the beach and some children were brave enough to get straight into the fountains!
Families shared food, talk and laughter - the sun shone luckily.
After lunch we all had an ice cream and gathered together to take some group photographs.
Then we boarded the coach back to school and it was very quiet, with many shut eyes!
Many families remarked that they would come back to visit as they had no realised how close it was to East London.
Some families and staff were unable to join us - we missed you.