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Welcome to Ducklings Staff Resources. Click here to learn more about the safeguarding resources used. Log In Our Safeguarding Resources To continue to view all of the safeguarding resources used by our staff, please click on the arrow here Next EYFS Changes from September, Early Years Curriculum, schemas - schematic play powerpoint , useful summary of safeguarding , prevent duty training , ducklings fact sheet , staff master DBS report with issue dates, worried about a child signs and safeguarding poster , safeguarding poster , safeguarding communication chronology , safeguarding tracker date checklist , concern form , concern about child . child protection contact sheet , child protection contact sheet , safeguarding flow chat with prevent FGM , checklist summary for safeguarding reports , equality and diversity

Welcome to Ducklings Staff Resources. Click here to learn more about the staff forms used. Log In Staff FormsResources Next To continue to view all of our staff forms used, please click here Staff profile forms , application form , bank detail request , confidential agreement , DBS consent form , DBS staff checklist, equal opportunities form, Health questionnaire monitoring form , health and wellbeing questionnaire action plan , privacy notice , staff suitability form , starter checklist - HM Revenue, staff emergency contact sheet , employee handbook , exit interview questionnaire , students and volunteer paperwork , staff probation period report , self certification of sickness , ducklings preschool sickness and absence tracker , health and wellbeing questionnaire action plan , health questionnaire monitoring form , return to work risk assessment form , return to work interview form , holiday time off requeest, bereavement and family death time off , ducklings fact sheet , meeting records , safeguarding communication log, staff observations , staff appraisal form , staff supervision , staff discussion and conversation logs , parent questionnaire , risk assessment , transfer of documents , appraisal form , visitors sign in form , complaint form , staff training matric , staff emergency contact sheet, weekly planning sheet with intent, weekly planning sheet with risk assessment , exit interview questionnaire , disciplinary procedure , student and volunteer paperwork, staff probabtion period report , maternity handbook , maternity risk assessment for pregnant staff members , maternity leave plan , ducklings wekkbeing assessment tool kit , wellbeing information , mental health information , mental health assessment toolkit , health and wellbeing questionnaire action plan , health questionnaire monitoring form , snack food received check sheet, allergen chart , food safety, fridge temperature logbook , any problems daily kitchen check , toilet checklist , nappy changing log sheet , staff supervision form , staff profile front sheet , staff discussion and conversation logs , safeguarding induction , safeguarding induction information, risk assessment , meeting records and notes , induction programme , emergency contact form, children child medicine administration formallergies, allergy form, medicine form. Child medicine administration form, staff probationary report, probation procedure , volunteer paperwork, absence tracker. Staff health care plan , staff care plan.

Welcome to our parent's information board on our website! Acerca de Parents Information . Share your anonymous feedback or complaint here Your Name (if you wish to provide this) Out of 5, how happy are you with Ducklings? Let us know what you think! What can we do to improve? What are you happy with? Submit Thank you for submitting and sharing your feedback successfully! Some more useful resources for our parents Change to attendance online request form Read More > OUR TERM DATES Read More > FREE RESOURCES LEARNING FROM HOME HUB Read More > class dojo login Read More > registration paperwork Read More > childcare funding information Read More > preparing for your first day at preschool Read More > uniform order sheet Read More > our curriculum Read More > Operation encompass Read More > ico certification Read More > ethnic minority achievement Read More >

At Ducklings Preschool, we believe every child is a little scientist — naturally curious, full of questions, and eager to explore how the world works.This week’s hands-on investigation invites your child to become a Water Explorer  with our Sink or Float Experiment  — a fun and easy way to introduce early science, STEM, and critical thinking through play. And the best part? We’ve created a free printable Sink or Float activity sheet  that families can download, print, and try at home — no membership required! 💧 What You’ll Need All you need are some everyday household items, a bowl or tub of water and a towel (for spills). Our free downloadable sheet includes pictures and tick boxes for the following objects: ✏️ Pencil 🧷 Paper clip 🗒️ Notecard ☁️ Marshmallow 🚗 Toy car 💰 Coin 🪵 Cork 🖍️ Crayon 🍃 Leaf Click here to download and print off our Sink or Float Predictions Checklist 🧠 How to Do the Experiment Predict:  Look at each item together and ask, “Do you think it will sink or float?” Test:  Drop one object at a time into the water. Observe:  Watch closely — does it sink to the bottom or float on top? Record:  Use the sheet to tick or colour in each object’s result. Discuss:  Ask, “What do you notice?”  and “Why do you think that happened?” There’s no rush — repeat, mix it up, or swap in new objects as your child gets the hang of it. Focus on step 5, discuss. This step is where this activity is more valuable! Although it might look like a simple game, the Sink or Float  activity supports several key areas of development for children aged 2–5 years: Scientific Thinking Children observe, predict, test, and reflect — just like real scientists! They begin to understand cause and effect and notice patterns (heavy things often sink, light things float). Language & Communication As they describe what they see — “It went to the bottom!”  or “It’s floating!”  — they expand vocabulary and learn to express ideas clearly. Maths Concepts Through comparison (heavy/light, long/short, big/small), children begin to explore measurement and categorisation in a concrete, playful way. Fine Motor Skills & Coordination Placing objects gently into water and handling tools like spoons or droppers helps strengthen hand-eye coordination and control. Curiosity & Confidence Children love discovering that their guesses might be right (or wrong!) — this builds confidence to ask questions and test ideas again.

Parental anxiety refers to the worry and stress that parents experience about their children’s wellbeing . These feelings can be particularly intense during significant transitions, like starting a new school year. You might worry about your child’s academic performance, social interactions, safety, or general happiness. While some level of concern is natural, heightened anxiety can affect your ability to enjoy this time in your child’s life. It can also negatively impact your child’s experience. Understanding Anxiety Triggers Identifying what triggers your anxiety can help you deal with it more effectively and enjoy this time of year. Common triggers when kids are going back to school include Major changes in routine: The shift from summer’s relaxed schedule to the structure of the school year can be challenging. Concerns about your child: You might worry about how your child will adjust, make friends, or perform academically, especially if they have a birth injury or disability that may make it more difficult for them to succeed. Uncertainty and lack of control: The unknown aspects of the school year — like new teachers, potential challenges, or health and safety concerns — can fuel anxiety. By understanding these triggers, you can anticipate and prepare for moments of heightened anxiety, so you can make the most of the new school year. For more information on this, please visit: www.lawfirm.com/birth-injury/back-to-school-guide-for-parents/ . Francine Heller has allowed us to share this fantastic resource, and we couldn't recommend it enough. Read their article and find out their professional tips on Getting organised Establishing a routine Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques Physical activities Preparing your child - talking to your child about going to school Recognising signs of stress and anxiety in your child Developing emotional and social readiness Building a support network Connecting with other parents Seeking professional help if needed

We know that little learners at Ducklings love to explore, discover and ask “What’s that sound?” So today we’re excited to share a brand-new free printable Sound Scavenger Hunt  that your child can take home — no membership, no cost, just fun and learning! Whether you’re doing this indoors on a rainy day, or out on a nature walk, this is all about listening, investigating and talking together. Why a Sound Scavenger Hunt? Listening is one of the most important early-years skills. When children tune into the world of sound, they are developing: their awareness of the environment (what happens around them) vocabulary (naming what they hear) attention and memory (remembering “that sound I heard earlier”) communication (talking about what they think made the sound) At Ducklings we believe that learning doesn’t always have to be sitting at a table — it can be moving, exploring, listening and wondering. How to Use the Printable Sound Scavenger Hunt Sheets Download and print the scavenger sheet (link below). Invite your child to become a “Sound Detective”. Ask them to listen for the sounds listed. Encourage them to: tick/check  each sound they hear, make a note or drawing of it, or even record the sound if you can (with a phone or tablet). After the hunt, talk together: “What was your favourite sound? Why?” “Was there a sound you didn’t expect?” “Where do you think that sound came from?” Extend the activity: try to recreate a few sounds (clap, tap glass, rustle leaves), or go on a second round with a different focus (e.g. animal sounds, kitchen sounds, outdoors sounds). The options are endless! You don't even need to print off these sheets, feel free to grab any piece of paper and simply write out 10-12 different sounds you wish to 'hunt' Click here to download your Sound Scavenger hunt PDF, it's absolutely free with no sign-up required!