Chessel Centre

The Ruby Room has space for 30 of our older children aged 3 plus, all year round. The children in Ruby Room follow a great schedule which gives them all the opportunities to learn and have fun.

Much like the Stackpool Room and the Raleigh Room at the Southville Centre, the children in the Ruby Room are encouraged by the practitioners to increase their independence in preparation for their journey to school. During group meal times, the children are encouraged to serve their own food and pour their own drinks. Throughout the room, there are plenty of activities and resources for the children to explore, including musical instruments and a creative area.

We follow a play-based approach, where children can take ownership over their learning and experiences; centring the children’s ideas and voices to create enabling environments and activities which scaffold learning. With a focus on providing children with opportunities to be independent learners, we encourage our little ones to develop through self directed play and by reflecting on their own experiences. Weaved throughout the daily routine are opportunities for children to make decisions and develop their skills and autonomy.  Our children thrive with regular chances to take part in show and tell during circle times, sharing their own worlds and unique experiences.

See what the Ruby Room have been up to:

September 2024

In September, in the Ruby Room, we have been very creative. The children have been working on their own self-portraits, this is to allow them to understand what they look like and to celebrate their own individuality.

We have also celebrated Julia Donaldson by doing a range of activities throughout the week, that each related to a different Julia Donaldson book. On Monday we decorated biscuits for the Smeds and the Smoos. Throughout the week, we did cave painting like Cave baby; made Stickmen like Stickman; made potions like the witch from Room On The Broom and made Superworms!

Another exciting thing we did was we went on an outing to the park and did some fun yoga. The children also got to run in the field to stretch their muscles and test their speed.

This month we also lent a helping hand to the Arts Trail and the children got a taste of what it’s like to take part and create their own artwork to display for the event. We worked on a theme of belonging and ‘where we live’. We went on an outing in BS3 to see some houses to get some inspiration for our creations, then the children made some beautiful house drawings using various colours. We loved seeing our work displayed like other artists!

August 2024

Throughout August, we have had lots of exciting changes and plans. As a result of this, we have been going on lots of little outings. We have been to the park for stories, to the fruit and vegetable shop on West Street to buy some snack and we have written letters, and taken them to the post box to post them!

Also, we have celebrated the Bristol Balloon Fiesta and have painted a beautiful window display of balloons different colours, shapes and sizes. Finally, we said a huge and sad goodbye to our school leaver graduates. We had an amazing party in Milford Hall with balloons, glitter tattoos, a bubble dance party and lots of fun activities! What a super month!”

July 2024

It’s been a busy and fun-filled month. We have been on trips, hosted events and participated in amazing activities. We have been making use of our left over bananas at the end of the week, by making tasty banana muffins. The children used the scales and were recognising the numbers and helping to pour in and mix the ingredients.

As we’re in the summer season, we have been making pom-poms and the children have had great concentration and hand-eye coordination during this.

We have also been on some visits to the farm. The children different herbs, vegetables and flowers. In addition to this, we have seen various animals and have been able to pet and feed some.
Finally, we hosted the amazing Teddy Bear’s Picnic and got to see our artwork displayed in such fabulous ways. We got to have face paint and listened to a lovely story, ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.