Following our Harvest Obstacle Course armed with potatoes, we needed to do something with them. 
The children gathered some rocks for our fire pit to create a base that would conduct the heat to bake a batch of potatoes.
​Each child wrapped their potato in tin foil and helped to build a fire, using kindling, newspaper, cotton wool and Vaseline (added by an adult so as not to contaminate their potatoes.
The potatoes were arranged in the fire and children sang and chatted as they baked.
Campfires are a wonderful way to encourage children to share language, develop awe and wonder of the natural world, use their sense and they can be incredible calming (when managed by a confident adult!)
To speed the process up a little, the potatoes were part-boiled beforehand in Bluebell class.
The children then enjoyed eating their hot potatoes straight from the foil!
Please join us at 2.45pm on Tuesday 15 December for our Christmas Carols in the garden around the campfire!

At Rachel Keeling we recognise the link between food and well being.
Last week the children noticed how cold it was in the garden.
With an adult they checked the bird feeders and saw they were empty.
Using vegetable suet and sunflower seeds the children created birdseed cookies and balls. They had to problem solve, using the step ladder to position the feeders in the tree. 
Children were then supported to use bird charts and books to identify different birds they thought might visit our garden. The list was:
Peacock
Mistle Thrush
Stork
Owl
Parakeet
Children returned the next morning and were delighted to see the cookies and balls had been eaten. 
No peacocks spotted yet though!

Thank you so much to all our friends and families.
Last week we held our harvest obstacle course.
The children selected a potato and then with their parent's encouragement, they had to climb along a course (taking them the route of Sir Walter Raleigh taking potatoes from Peru to Ireland).
In doing so the kind folk of our school donated £143.28.
This money will go to First Love Foundation Food Bank.
Our local food bank which supports our local community members who need it. 
You can find out more about First Love Foundation here 
​https://www.firstlovefoundation.org.uk/

What a busy fortnight the children have had learning about Diwali.
 Diwali is the five-day festival of lights, celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains across the world. Diwali, which for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations, is a festival of new beginnings.
Some of our families are celebrating Diwali and they have shared they may wear special clothes, illuminate their homes, decorate with diyas and rangoli patterns. They will also share special food and children might get sweets too!
Children at Rachel Keeling explored the story of Rama and Sita, many were able to name the characters and retell the exciting story using interesting vocabulary. 
Many children used beads and perspex to create rangoli patterns.
A small group created saltdough to make their own diyas.
They shaped and added embellishments to them. 
We wish a Happy Diwali to our lovely Rachel Keeling community who are celebrating!

At Rachel Keeling Nursery School we need no encouragement to celebrate. 
We usually mark autumn term with some quiet fireworks. 
This year we thought it would be especially important to celebrate and enjoy together.
There were quiet whizzes, pops, bangs and crackles. 
Children and staff alike enjoyed the small display. 
Becky was very careful as fireworks are very dangerous. 
Arvo also reminded us we need to be careful of the birds with our fireworks. 
Great Rachel Keeling thoughtful behaviour Arvo!