Creative Woodworking

We are making every effort to introduce new initiatives within the nursery to provide a more varied range of activities and to cater for varying interests.

In 2011 we appointed Zuzana Bielikova as our Creative Woodwork coordinator. She attended some excellent training at Filton Avenue Children’s Centre led by Pete Moorhouse who is a well respected Early Year’s art specialist. Zuzana supplemented this training by researching Woodwork in the Early Years. She then established regular Creative Woodworking sessions at Archfield House Nursery early in 2012. We have a strong focus on the safety and every session starts with revising over the safety rules.

Wood is one of the most important materials in the natural world. However, it is one that most often gets overlooked when providing play opportunities for young children. Wood play provides an opportunity for children to be introduced to and become more familiar with this wonderful natural material.

Working with wood introduces many new skills and the children gain experience from working with real tools. The children cognitive and motor skills and also develop another language from which to express their creativity. The children gain a sense of empowerment and it undoubtedly develops confidence and self esteem.

Evidence of these wonderful sessions is all around the nursery. Photos are presented on the digital photo frame outside the Wise Owls room, display boards, learning profiles and the all important ‘Woodwork Scrapbook’. Further evidence can also be found in various places around the nursery. Eg. The paper tray in the nursery office designed and made especially for Christine ‘to put her papers in!’