Nursery World's Noticeboard - Diwali celebrations and more

VIVE LA FRANCE

Puddle Ducks Nursery in London organised a French day to celebrate its launch of French lessons for children over the age of two. The children made French flags and French hats and sang traditional songs. For lunch they ate croissants, brioche and apple tarte tatin.

GREEN WATCH

Children from Pumpkin Patch Day Nurseries in Farnborough, Hampshire, visited their local fire station, Green Watch at Rushmoor, to learn about a firefighter's job and test out the station's equipment.

DESIGNS FOR DIWALI

Early years settings across the country celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, on 26 October. At Early Years Childcare in Haywards Heath, West Sussex (top), children decorated candles with jewels and painted their hands with patterns based on traditional Rangoli designs. The CA Montessori Children's Centre in Slough, Berkshire (second), watched a performance of a traditional Indian dance called Kathak Dance, while Happy Child Nursery in Ealing, London (second from bottom), visited a Hindu temple. Kid Ease Nursery at Hawkinge in Kent (bottom), made diyas, the clay lamps lit for Diwali, and created friendship bands.