Our sensory room used to look like this…

But…. exciting things are afoot here at Jollies as it is currently undergoing a transformation!

For the past almost 19 years we have been very proud of our sensory room and it is a space that has been enjoyed by soooooo many children over the years, but we have decided to make some changes based upon our observations of some of our current children’s responses to it.

We want ALL our children to benefit from this amazing space and we’d observed that for some it was just too busy, for some it was simply just too dark and we want it to be a safe, relaxing space which ALL children can enjoy and where children with additional needs can have a space to feel calm if they are ever feeling a little overwhelmed or dysregulated as we always want to remove any barriers to learning and development that our children may encounter along the way….

……So….. watch this space as transformations are occurring!!!!!

This little one showed lots of determination and concentration whilst playing outside. He absolutely loved all the different trucks and vehicles; especially the excavator!! He would try and try again to scoop different objects up so that he could drive away with them…

As well as partaking in some fabulous imaginative play and exhibiting concentration, focus and determination this little one was also strengthening his core and developing his balance and coordination as he moved, reached and navigated the playground skilfully.

You thought our children were ‘just playing with vehicles’ didn’t you? It’s truly fascinating when you start to analyse all the learning taking place through such independent, self-initiated play… xxxx

One of little ones has just celebrated a very special time at the weekend in her life as she got together with her family to celebrate Diwali. We have since loved carrying on the celebrations here within Jollies as she has shared some very special photographs with her friends on our app and then we have carried on finding out even more about Diwali this week too. We have shared even more books, we have learnt a song about Rama and Sita coming home and we have loved focusing on the light, colour and excitement that this very special festival of light brings by exploring materials and all sorts of lovely shiny, beautiful items together…

We’ve played in coloured rice and sparkles and added paint to crazy foam to represent the beautiful fireworks that have lit up the sky at the weekend and some of us even decorated our hands with paint and sparkles!!

We love celebrating our children’s achievements, their birthdays, family occasions (we all love a good wedding here at Jollies!) and any and EVERY special occasion that we can within their lives!!

Please don’t forget if you have ANY special occasions coming up within your family lives you can upload photos on our app afterwards; as we can then get your little ones to share their special times and celebrations with all their friends here at Jollies. This can lead to such inspiring wonderful play and fun as it derives from such a significant and meaningful place within their own lives xxxx

….And it definitely cleared the fallen leaves!!

Our children were superstars helping to look after their environment by sweeping up in our Jolly garden. They handled tools with care and skill and took it in turns and shared so very well with their friends xxxx

this little one was spotted singing her heart out in the role play house… who needs a microphone when you’ve got a stick of celery?!?!

We love it when our little ones imagine objects to be something else and we love, love, love it when they sing their hearts out!!!!! xxxx

After a week of reflection, last week, and finding out about why poppies are worn and thinking about all the brave souls who help/have helped keep us all safe our children have enjoyed creating their very own interpretations of poppies in playdough, on the light boxes, in giant sensory trays and in paint and other crafty mediums…

Jollies remembers everyone, and thanks everyone too, and we all wish for a future more peaceful world where peace, kindness and empathy prevails… xxxx

We love a good concentration face here at Jollies

Our children are just so independent, focused and skilful when it comes to cutting, crafting and creating!! Xxxx

…….We’re going to catch a big one, what a beautiful day… we’re not scared!!

Free-Flow’s amazing imaginations led them to going outside on a superb bear hunt to really bring the story they’d been sharing together to life.

The children created their own routes across different terrains outside and after travelling over grass and through sand in some very dramatic ways they eventually found themselves running away from a scary (Imogen!) bear

They even decided to use a sheet of tarpaulin to cover themselves up at one point as they were pretending they were safely tucked up in their bed under their ‘duvet’…

It was just so much fun… so we think this group of friends probably will be going on a bear hunt again quite soon….. xxxx

During outdoor play there were some very interesting toys on offer to explore that required lots of focus and hand/eye coordination…

We saw some VERY excited faces when our children’s concentration paid off and their desired results were achieved!! Xxxx

We are bus obsessed at the moment and this bus must have been the best one yet… as the story bus came to visit us here at Jollies!!!

A huge thank you to both Colin and Sally for bringing ‘Nelly’ to see us here at nursery…

We loved climbing aboard and singing songs as Colin played the guitar and Sally introduced us to an exciting new welcome song and sang some of our golden oldie favourites too!

We listened to a few stories together before exploring the bus and all the AMAZING books on board as well as some fabulous puppets too. We loved playing instruments, singing songs, sharing stories and exploring this fantastic bus.

We can’t wait for you to come and visit us again soon… you made lots of little people (and us big ones too!) very, very happy today!!! xxxx