Books, pumpkins, pirates and plenty of playful learning

3 September–23 October 2026 · Autumn term update

And just like that, our first half term is complete! What a wonderful start it has been. Our new and returning Little Owls have settled in beautifully, and it has been lovely to see so many happy faces arriving at preschool, ready to explore, play and learn.

This term we introduced our Book of the Week, and it has been a big hit. Returning to a favourite story helps the children get to know its characters, anticipate what might happen next and retell events in their own words. Without even realising it, they are growing in confidence as communicators, developing their vocabulary and building those all-important early literacy skills. We have loved hearing that the stories are being enjoyed at home—and even spotted on the big screen too!

The team has created some wonderful invitations to play inspired by our books and our Marvellous Me topic. From feeding baby owls to walking the plank, there has certainly never been a dull moment! As we got to know one another, we explored families, likes and dislikes, and all the things that make each of us wonderfully unique. We also helped the children recognise and manage new feelings as they settled into preschool life—an important part of developing confidence, independence and positive relationships.

We always have a plan, but the best learning often begins with the children’s own ideas. Pirate play became such a strong interest that we simply had to squeeze in a pirate week! There was imaginative role-play, teamwork, problem-solving and plenty of adventurous language as our Little Owls sailed the seven seas.

As the air became a little chillier and the raindrops began to fall, we noticed autumn arriving. Then the conkers dropped—and the Little Owls team’s imagination bubbled over! This simple natural treasure sparked curiosity, creativity and countless opportunities for counting, sorting, mark-making and strengthening little fingers.

Before long, the Conker Café was open for business. It was a huge hit! The children took orders, became baristas, cashiers and waiting staff, and recreated familiar real-life experiences together. Their play was full of conversation, number language, cooperation and imaginative thinking.

Tesco Highwoods added even more seasonal excitement with a wonderful donation of pumpkins. We weighed, measured, hammered, scooped, painted and drew them, and even created a small-world pumpkin patch. Every pumpkin offered a new way to investigate, compare, create and wonder.

When children follow their curiosity, one conker or pumpkin can open the door to a whole world of learning.

It has been wonderful to see so many families using our new Home Learning Library. Sharing an activity at home helps children build confidence, curiosity and a love of learning while enjoying special time with the people who matter most. When you have finished with an activity, please return it so another family can enjoy it too.

If you have not yet signed up to Easyfundraising, please do. It is a simple way to raise money for Little Owls while shopping with a wide variety of retailers, who make a donation to our fundraising page at no extra cost to you. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/lopresch

You can also continue popping your blue tokens into the Tesco Highwoods collection for our Stronger Starts grant until the end of November.

We hope everyone has a wonderful half term break. Please share your adventures with us on Tapestry—we always love seeing what our Little Owls get up to.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Monday 2 November 2026 for a sparkling new half term filled with lights, colours, autumn discoveries, nursery rhymes and festivities. Christmas is coming!