Author: Tracie Dowling

I have worked in childcare for over thirty years. I have been a Foster Care Parent, a Childminding Network Co-Ordinator and now I work as a Registered Childminder and Childminder Mentor for the Department for Education.
Posted in Uncategorized

Wildlife Wanderers and the Garden Classroom

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

We have been so busy in the Garden Classroom getting ready for Spring and the good weather.

  • Recycling
  • Herbs
  • Writing the Plant Lable
  • Carefully Using a Fork
  • Being Gentle
  • Singing to the Plant

We started germinating the seeds in the warmth of the house as its so cold outside. In a couple of weeks we can put them in the frame to grow lots of strong roots and harden off before growing outdoors. The children have enjoyed using old milk cartons and juice bottles to sow the seeds in or repot them individually so they can watch the growth on the roots.

Posted in Uncategorized

Half Term with the Wonderful Wanderers and Wildlife Rangers

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

It was so good to spend extra time with the Rangers this week. We don’t always get time for fun activities after school so we made the most of the week.

  • Big Sloth
  • Playing with the Seedlings
  • Cheeky
  • Dragons

The Wildlife Rangers enjoyed potting on their seedlings they sowed a few weeks ago. They are already getting big and strong, before we plant them outside we need to acclimatise them in the cold frames.

The Rangers especially enjoyed the junk modelling activities and made some lovely creations. Jacy made a sloth as he says he’s ‘obsessed with them!’ Tracie has suggested he do a project on them as he could find out some interesting facts about them.

We talked about the noises they make Jacy shouted out, “Hey Google, what noise does a sloth make?” and Google said “huff, I don’t have a sound for that at the moment, but ask me again as I am learning more and more every day!” This made everyone laugh.

The children went on to ask Google lots of funny questions, “Hey Google, what sound does a pig make? “A pig says, Oink oink, would you like to hear the sound of a horse?” Everyone shouted “Yes please” it was all very funny.

Posted in Uncategorized

Garden Challenge 2021: Gemma’s February Update

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

It is now the end of February and Gemma, Chloe and baby Jack have been working hard in the garden. Even Micky got stuck in removing a tree stump.

  • Pull Micky
  • Cooper Helping
  • Different Types of Packaging
  • All Ready to Sow the Seeds

Gemma had these packing cartons and decided to recycle them into plant pots for her seedings.

After a week, the seeds have started to grow. The lid of the meal dishes make a great ecosystem keeping them self watered.

  • Chloe’s Rainbow Pots
  • Pink One Has Seedlings

Chloe has been busy with her growing plants. The Pink pot has won by having seedlings growing well!

Posted in family

Queen Bee

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

Today while Gemma was digging her borders she watched this cute bumble bee come out of the ground.

Queen Bee

Gemma stopped what she was doing, so she didn’t disturb her. Gemma looked up different types of Bees and found out it was a Queen Bee.

Gemma is hoping she will build a beehive somewhere in the garden so she can watch what happens. But she will keep away from her as she doesn’t want to get stung!

Posted in Seedlings, wanderers

Chinese Dragons

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

This week we have been celebrating Chinese New Year. We all decided to make dragons like the ones we see on the television and in our books.

  • We Used Various Materials
  • Ivor Used an Egg Box
  • Mason Used a Cardboard Box
  • The Egg Box Had Spikes
  • Jacy Wanted to do a Sloth
  • Mason Working Hard

We spent the whole day making dragons and all felt proud of them. The wanderers and wildlife rangers all took them home to show their mums and dads.

  • 2 Dragons and a Sloth
  • Chinese Dragon
Posted in Garden Classroom, Seedlings, wanderers

Exercise in Lockdown

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

We all made the most of our hours exercise today in Stanley Park. Jacey made everyone laugh pricking his bottom on a Yucca bush.

  • Snuggled in Tripple Buggy
  • Star Jumps
  • Happy With Himself
  • Prickled Bum!!
  • Crocus and Snowdrops
  • Red Dogwood
  • Mugo Pinewood
  • Jacey’s Treasure

The children went on a treasure hunt and they found some Snowdrops, Purple Crocuses, lovely Red Dogwood and a Mugo Pinewood which looked very prickly.

  • Milk Time Alfresco
Posted in Seedlings, wanderers

Recycling and Growing Seeds

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

It was wet and windy today so we decided to stay indoors to sow our seeds. We used items out of our Recycling bin to fill up with soil and sow the seeds.

  • Jacey is Using Fruit Container
  • Ivor’s Chives in Egg Boxes
  • Recycling Egg Boxes
  • What Made These Marks?
  • Martha Being Careful
  • Filling the Modules

Martha found this egg box and said she thought it would be good to sow individual seeds. Ivor said we might be able to see the roots grow too! The children loved the marks the egg box made in the soil.

Posted in Seedlings, wanderers

Our Chinese Arch

Posted on by Tracie Dowling

To Celebrate Chinese New Year the Seedlings and Wanderers have all been busy bee’s making pictures to be displayed as an arch. Usually we would go on a trip to Liverpool’s China Town but due to the lockdown we had to bring the arch to us.

  • Ivor Concentrating
  • Martie Having a go
  • Jacey Colouring
  • Alfie’s Funny Face
  • Painting Together

The children worked so hard and this is our amazing Chinese Arch.

  • Anfield China Town

After such a busy morning we were ready for a Chinese feast, Emma and Tracie joined in too! The children tried Chicken Chow Mein, Spring Rolls, Prawn Crackers and some very sticky noodles.

  • Feast
  • Using Chopsticks
  • Noodles
  • Yummy
  • Even Martie Used Chop Sticks
  • Martie loved Spring Rolls

Everyone loved the Prawn Crackers, Rice and Noodles, but only Martie, Tracie and Emma liked the Chow Mein and Spring Rolls.