Grandparent Day and Parent Day at the Allotment

Over the last couple of months, we have been delighted to welcome grandparents and parents to our allotment for special visiting days with our Tadpoles and Frogs groups. It has been wonderful to share this valuable outdoor learning space with our families, and we very much hope that everyone has enjoyed seeing what the children get up to during their time at the allotment and joining in with a variety of activities.

Together, we have enjoyed painting, planting seeds, sharing stories, exploring nature, and going on bug hunts. Families had the opportunity to help with watering and planting, allowing everyone to contribute to the care and development of the allotment. The children also had great fun playing with herb-scented playdough, creating beautiful transient art using natural materials, and listening to stories.

We finished each session with a relaxing picnic, giving everyone the chance to chat, reflect on the day's activities, and enjoy the wonderful surroundings!

Activities at the Allotment!

We love inviting our families to the allotment as it provides a wonderful opportunity for them to see everything we have been busy doing. Families can explore the space, discover what the children enjoy when they visit, and see first-hand the fruits of their hard work and the plants and produce we have been growing together. It is also a great chance to share the sustainable practices we have been teaching the children, helping them to develop an understanding of caring for the environment, growing their own food, and making environmentally conscious choices.

What Are We Growing at the Allotment?

Our Outdoor Lead, Emma, has introduced our little Nature Heroes to a wide range of exciting gardening experiences. Together, they have been busy growing peas, garlic, sweet peas, beetroot, a variety of herbs, carrots, curly kale, and even a pumpkin patch! The children have thoroughly enjoyed caring for the plants and watching them grow from tiny seeds into thriving crops. One of their favourite activities has been harvesting the peas and kale, which they proudly take back to nursery for our chef to use fresh in the kitchen. This hands-on experience helps the children develop an understanding of where food comes from, encourages healthy eating habits, and fosters a sense of responsibility and achievement as they enjoy the rewards of their hard work.

Exploring Our Pond

Our pond is one of the most exciting areas of the allotment and is always a favourite with the children. Throughout the year, we have enjoyed observing the wonderful wildlife that calls the pond home, including frogs and froglets as they grow and develop. The children love carefully peering into the water to see what they can spot and eagerly wait to see what might pop out next! These experiences help to spark curiosity and encourage conversations about life cycles, habitats, and the importance of caring for local wildlife.

Around the pond, we have also discovered a variety of interesting plants, including a fragrant mint-scented grass that the children enjoy smelling!

Transient Art

We often have a transient art station at the allotment, where the children are encouraged to use natural resources to create their own unique pieces of artwork. Using materials such as leaves, pinecones, petals, sticks, stones, feathers, seed pods, and grasses, the children explore their creativity while connecting with the natural environment. Transient art is a wonderful open-ended activity that allows children to experiment with patterns, shapes, colours, and designs without the pressure of creating a permanent piece!

Painting Sessions with Steve

Every Wednesday, our art teacher Steve visits the allotment and takes our Frogs group down to enjoy creative painting sessions in the outdoor environment. These sessions are a wonderful opportunity for the children to slow down, observe closely, and respond creatively to what they can see around them. Often, the children choose a focal point within the allotment - such as plants, flowers, insects, or the wider landscape.

Using a range of colours, the children experiment with mixing, blending, and mark making to represent what they observe. They paint on a variety of surfaces, including canvas, recycled paper, and cardboard, helping to promote sustainability and creativity at the same time.