This week at Storytellers, we have been learning more about our bodies, with a special focus on our teeth.

 The children have enjoyed exploring books and stories about teeth and talking about why it is important to look after them. We have also introduced new toothbrushes and practised brushing our teeth, learning how to brush carefully and keep our smiles healthy.

 Our role-play area has been a particular favourite, giving the children opportunities to act out visits to the dentist, take on different roles and talk about what happens when we visit the dentist.

 Through stories, discussion, role play and hands-on activities, the children have been developing their understanding of healthy choices while building confidence and independence in caring for themselves.

The children have settled really well into our nursery routines this week and are becoming increasingly confident and comfortable back in the class.

We have been exploring our topic ‘All About Me’, looking at our similarities and differences and talking about what makes each of us unique. The children enjoyed looking at their reflections in the mirror before creating their own self-portraits.

We have also been learning about different parts of our bodies through dancing and singing along to ‘Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes’, helping the children to identify and name different body parts while developing their listening and movement skills.

Our learning continued through a range of puzzles, matching games, and activities that supported problem-solving, concentration, turn-taking, and skill development through play.

The highlight of the week was drawing around one of our littlest members, then taking turns adding their features to our giant person. The children absolutely loved this activity and worked together brilliantly.

It has been lovely to see the children developing friendships, confidence and independence as they settle into life at Storytellers.

 Welcome to our Nursery blog ...

In our spacious, inviting nursery, we work hard to provide a nurturing, supportive learning environment where children can thrive and grow. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum with an emphasis on promoting the characteristics of effective learning. 

This approach fosters a love of learning and provides challenges linked closely to developmentally age-appropriate experiences. We strive to create an environment where children feel confident in exploring and discovering new things. We offer weekly forest school activities and have constant access to an ample, safe outdoor space and an all-weather area. All meals are cooked daily on site by our excellent cook. 

As a Nursery, we understand that all children are unique and understand the importance of following their individual interests.

We are set just outside the beautiful village of Blisland, which is 10 minutes from Bodmin town centre.

Because we are a smaller setting, we can offer 10 places per year group. This ensures a very high level of interaction with adults and quality input for your child while they are with us. We are a very family-oriented organisation with strong community connections. 

We can offer places to children from age 2 and offer 15- and 30-hour funding. More information can be found here: www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

Morning sessions are from 9 am to 12  pm and cost £16.80

Lunch is available from 12-1 pm at £5.60 plus meal cost, or you can bring a home-packed lunch.

Afternoon session: 12-3 pm at £16.80 plus meal cost, or a home-packed lunch. 

All-day session: 9 am - 3 pm, £33.60 plus the meal cost, or a home-packed lunch.

We are very flexible with hours and days, so please feel free to ring for more information.

We also run a parent and toddler group, ' Twiglets', on a Wednesday, 9 am- 10.30 am, where you can come along to stay and play and meet new people, have a coffee and get a feel for what we are all about; this runs weekly in term time, and it's free. Bump to 4 years.    

Weekly information is also available on our 'Twiglets' Facebook page. 

By following our nursery blog, which we hope to publish every week, we will show you, through words and pictures, how we promote your child's learning in the nursery. It is also an excellent way for you to discuss with your child at home what they have been doing each week. 

Kind regards 

Mrs Pearce & The Storytellers Team 

Ahoy, me hearties! What a fantastic Pirate Day we've had at Storytellers Nursery!

Our little pirates had an amazing day filled with adventure and creativity. We created brilliant pirate pictures, made beautiful mermaids, and enjoyed a fabulous pirate feast together outside in the sunshine.

The afternoon was all about keeping cool with lots of splashing in the pool, zooming down the slip and slide, and hunting for hidden gold coins in the sand. There were smiles, laughter and plenty of pirate fun from start to finish!

To round off our wonderful day, every little pirate went home with a special party bag full of treasures.

Thank you to all our families for the fantastic pirate-themed outfits and for helping make the day so special. We hope everyone has enjoyed their swashbuckling adventure as much as we have!

What an amazing day our Storytellers Nursery children have had exploring the incredible marine life at Newquay Aquarium!

 The children loved getting hands-on with some of the fascinating creatures that live around our beautiful coastline, discovering more about the amazing wildlife found right here in Cornwall. They were full of excitement as they explored the aquarium, carefully searching for fish hiding amongst the rocks and seaweed, and there were lots of gasps of amazement as the huge turtle gracefully swam above their heads!

Despite the very warm weather, the children coped incredibly well throughout the day. We made sure to keep cool with plenty of drinks, enjoyed a well-deserved ice cream break, and finished with a lovely lunch together.

 It was a fantastic day full of curiosity, learning, laughter and unforgettable memories. We are so proud of how well all of the children behaved and embraced every new experience.

 Storytellers is delighted to be working alongside Jasmine on the Bodmin Carnival 2026 project, 'Mini Beasts of Bodmin'!

  Following the success of last year's beautiful community project, we are excited to be involved and help celebrate the wonderful wildlife that shares our local environment.

  This year's theme focuses on pollinators, insects, creepy crawlies and our native mini beasts, linking closely with the National Curriculum. Through creative activities and exploration, the children will be learning about the important role these tiny creatures play in our world, developing a love and respect for nature, and discovering how we can all make a positive impact on our community and local eco-systems.

  We have been learning all about butterflies and their fascinating life cycle. The children explored their beautiful colours and patterns before getting creative and designing their own wonderful butterfly crowns. These special creations will be proudly worn as part of the carnival celebrations, helping the children represent Storytellers and the amazing mini beasts that inspire us.

   We can't wait to see the children's ideas come to life and be represented as part of Bodmin Carnival 2026. Watch this space for updates on our Mini Beasts of Bodmin journey!

Summer 2

Nursery

Nursery have had a wonderfully busy and engaging start to the term, centring their learning around the much-loved story Dear Zoo. The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring the different animals from the story through a range of creative, playful and sensory activities. From crafting animal masks to investigating textures and sounds inspired by the animals, the topic sparked imagination and hands-on discovery across the classroom.

A real highlight of the term was our exciting visit from Zoolab. This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to experience animals up close in a safe and interactive way. The session was filled with awe and curiosity as the children met a variety of fascinating creatures. Particular favourites included a friendly gecko and a scorpion that glowed under ultraviolet light! This unforgettable experience encouraged the children to ask questions, share their thoughts and develop confidence around unfamiliar animals. It also helped to deepen their understanding of the natural world in a memorable and meaningful way.

As we begin our final topic of the term, Oh We Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside!, the excitement continues to build. The children will be diving into all things coastal, exploring beaches, sea creatures, boats, pirates and traditional seaside fun. Through stories, role play, art and exploration, the class will develop their understanding of seaside environments while continuing to build key early learning skills.

We are particularly looking forward to our upcoming Aquarium visit, where the children will have the chance to observe marine life up close. This will be a wonderful extension of their classroom learning and a chance to spark even more curiosity about life beneath the waves.

To round off the topic, we also have an exciting Pirate Day planned. This promises to be a fun-filled day of treasure hunts, imaginative adventures and creative play, giving the children plenty of opportunities to immerse themselves in their learning and make lasting memories.

Nessa Class

Nessa Class have been hard at work this term, exploring the fascinating topic of what life is like in the Alps as part of their wider curriculum. This has allowed the children to develop their geographical understanding while learning about mountain environments, climate and how people live and work in such unique conditions.

In English, the class have been focusing on descriptive writing, particularly when creating vivid settings. Using the film Avatar as inspiration, the children have been experimenting with powerful vocabulary, imagery and figurative language to bring their writing to life. It has been wonderful to see their creativity flourish as they describe imaginative and detailed worlds.

In science, the children have been studying animals, including humans. This has involved learning about nutrition, skeletons and classification, helping pupils gain a deeper understanding of how living things function and how they are grouped. The children have shown great curiosity and enthusiasm, especially when exploring how the human body works and what it needs to stay healthy.

A special highlight for the class has been the Year 6 treat day, where pupils celebrated the end of their primary school journey with a trip to the water park at Adrenaline Quarry. The children had an absolutely fantastic time, enjoying the activities, challenges and chance to celebrate together. It was a well-deserved reward and a memorable way to mark the end of their time at Blisland Primary.

Kensa Class

Kensa Class have also had an engaging and creative term, with a strong focus on both science and art. In their learning about Charles Darwin, the children have been exploring his famous voyage to the Galápagos Islands and the remarkable discoveries he made there. This has helped pupils understand the importance of observation, exploration and scientific thinking, as well as introducing key ideas about evolution and adaptation.

In science lessons, the class have been applying their knowledge by classifying animals. They have learned how to group living things based on their characteristics, developing important skills in observation, comparison and reasoning. It has been fantastic to see the children confidently discussing features and explaining their thinking.

Creativity has also been a key part of Kensa Class's learning. Inspired by Henri Matisse's artwork The Polynesia Sea, the children have been creating their own vibrant collages. They have explored colour, shape and composition, producing beautiful pieces of art that reflect their individuality and imagination. The results have been truly impressive and demonstrate great attention to detail and artistic flair.

Overall, it has been a busy and rewarding term across the school, with all classes showing enthusiasm, creativity and a love of learning. We look forward to an exciting end to the term and all the wonderful experiences still to come.

Today, the children at Storytellers proudly set off on their Big Toddle to raise funds for Barnardo's!

Despite the rainy weather, our little fundraisers braved the puddles with huge smiles and had a fantastic time splashing their way around the toddle route. Everyone came dressed as their favourite animals and looked absolutely fabulous, making the day even more special.

To keep our energy levels up, we enjoyed some delicious animal-themed cakes before proudly receiving our well-earned medals at the finish line.

We are delighted to share that, so far, we have raised an amazing £224 for Barnardo's! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us and donated to this wonderful cause.

Thank you for helping our little toddlers make a big difference!

World Ocean Day

Today, the Storytellers celebrated World Ocean Day by taking part in a variety of ocean-themed activities. The children explored a large ocean play mat, using sea animals and ocean resources to create their own underwater adventures while developing their communication, imagination and storytelling skills.

The children also enjoyed making shell prints in playdough, carefully pressing shells into the dough to create different patterns and textures. This encouraged curiosity, fine motor development, and discussions about the creatures and objects found by the sea.

We created our own mini ocean sensory tray where the children explored what belongs in the ocean and what does not. The children sorted different items, identifying rubbish and discussing why it should not be in the sea. This activity helped to develop their understanding of caring for the environment and the importance of keeping our oceans clean to protect marine life.

Today, Storytellers Nursery were very excited to welcome David from ZooLab for a fascinating animal encounter linked to this term's topic. The children had an amazing hands-on experience meeting a variety of wonderful creatures and learning all about their habitats, features and how they survive in the wild.

The children met Tiny the gecko, Abbey the snake, Gapoy the millipede, Shelly the snail, Lawla the cockroach and Grumpy the scorpion. David taught the children lots of interesting facts about each creature, including what they eat, where they live and how they protect themselves.

The children showed fantastic listening skills and were incredibly gentle and respectful as they carefully held and stroked the animals. Some children were a little nervous at first, but with encouragement and support they bravely explored and joined in with the experience.

The Storytellers have been eagerly waiting for our duck eggs to hatch, but as they are now overdue, we are still keeping our fingers crossed that our little ducklings will arrive soon!

 In the meantime, we were very lucky to have a fabulous parent bring in some newly hatched chicks for the children to see and gently handle. This was such a wonderful experience for the children, giving them the opportunity to observe the tiny chicks up close, talk about how to care for animals, and learn about the life cycle of birds.

The children were incredibly calm, gentle, and caring whilst holding the chicks, and they thoroughly enjoyed watching them cheep, move around, and snuggle together. It was a lovely hands-on learning experience that created lots of excitement, curiosity, and conversation throughout the day.

Storytellers set off on a big bug hunt through our beautiful forest and hedgerow habitat, but before we began exploring, we talked about where insects and bugs might like to live and what they might need in their homes, such as leaves, logs, damp soil and long grass. 

The children each took a little toy bug with them and carefully searched for the perfect place where they thought their bug would like to live. Some chose cosy spots under leaves, while others found fallen logs, mossy areas and tiny hiding places amongst the hedgerows.

 The children thoroughly enjoyed exploring the woods, climbing, searching and discovering the natural world around them. Activities like this help children build confidence, curiosity and an understanding of nature, while developing their communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills through play and exploration

 Storytellers Nursery has been making the most of the warmer days by getting outside and starting work on their vegetable patch. The children enthusiastically dug holes ready for planting potatoes, taking turns with tools and working together as a team. They also carefully filled trays with compost before sowing a variety of vegetable and herb seeds, showing great concentration and care as they completed each step.

 Spending time outdoors and engaging in gardening activities brings so many benefits for young children. It supports their physical development as they dig, carry, and scoop, helping to build strength and coordination. It also encourages teamwork, communication, and confidence as they share ideas and work alongside their friends.

 Gardening is a wonderful hands-on way for children to learn about the world around them. They begin to understand how plants grow, what they need to thrive, and where food comes from. This early connection to nature can help foster a sense of responsibility and care for the environment.

 Being out in the fresh air also supports children's wellbeing, helping them feel calm, happy, and engaged. Activities like these spark curiosity and excitement, creating meaningful learning experiences that the children will remember as they watch their plants grow and flourish over time. 

Huge thanks to everyone who donated seeds and plants. We really appreciate it 

  Storytellers Nursery has had a wonderful start to the half-term with our exciting new topic, The Zoo. The children have shown great enthusiasm as they begin to explore the world of animals and where they live.

This week, we have been learning about different animals and their habitats. The children have enjoyed discovering how animals live in a variety of environments, such as jungles, oceans, farms, and deserts. Through stories, discussions, and play, they have started to understand what animals need to survive and why their habitats are so important.

 A highlight of the week has been the children creating their own habitats for a chosen animal. Using a range of materials, they have built imaginative homes, thinking carefully about what their animal would need, such as water, shelter, and food. It has been lovely to see their creativity and growing understanding come to life.

We have also been looking at animals within our own environment, encouraging the children to notice and talk about creatures they may see every day. This has helped them make connections between their learning and the world around them.

It's been a fantastic start, and we're looking forward to continuing our zoo adventures over the coming weeks!

Blisland Primary Is Chess‑Crazy!

A Fantastic Term for Our Chess Club

Over the past six weeks, Blisland Primary Academy has been buzzing with excitement as more than 20 children from Year 2 through to Year 6 have taken part in our rapidly growing Chess Club. What began as a weekly after‑school activity has quickly turned into a whole‑school passion, with pupils discussing strategies in the playground and chess boards appearing across classrooms throughout the week.

One of the most impressive parts of this half‑term has been watching the children's skills develop so quickly. For many, these were their very first chess lessons, yet the improvement has been remarkable. Pupils have learned how to open games with confidence, exploring several well‑known opening ideas-including the incredibly popular London System, a favourite among beginners and experienced players alike for its solid structure and clear plan.

We also spent time studying some essential end‑game techniques. A highlight for many children was mastering the ladder checkmate, a satisfying and important pattern that teaches players how to coordinate their rooks effectively. Seeing pupils spot opportunities for this checkmate in their own games has been a proud moment for everyone involved.

Chess enthusiasm hasn't been limited to club time, either. The school has become truly chess crazy, with spontaneous games breaking out during lunchtimes, wet play sessions, and even outdoor breaktimes whenever a board is available. It has been wonderful to watch children of different year groups mixing together, teaching each other new ideas, and celebrating both their victories and their learning moments.

We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the parents and families who have kindly donated chess sets. Your generosity has allowed more pupils to join in the fun and has helped the club grow far beyond what we first imagined. Thanks to your support, we now have enough boards for 10 games at the same time.

As this term's sessions come to an end, we are thrilled with the progress, enthusiasm, and sportsmanship shown by all players. We will be picking up Chess Club again next year, and we cannot wait to see how our young strategists continue to develop.

Well done, everyone-and keep practising those openings and end‑games! ♟️

 Storytellers had a wonderful and memorable visit to a local dairy farm, where the children learned all about where milk comes from. They were fascinated as they watched the milking parlour in action, seeing the cows being gently cupped up while the milk flowed through the tubes.

 The children discovered how farmers care for their cows, learning about the special collars the cows wear that provide important information about their health and well-being. They even had the chance to look into the huge tank where the milk is stored before enjoying a taste of delicious milk themselves.

  Exploring further, the children visited the area where the cows sleep and were curious to smell the specially prepared food that keeps them healthy. A particular highlight was the colourful disco light in the barn, much to their amusement! They learned that it plays an important role in keeping starlings away.

 There was great excitement as the children climbed into a huge tractor, bringing big smiles and lots of chatter.

 This fantastic experience helped the children to better understand where our food comes from and truly brought their learning to life. A huge thank you to Archie's family for making this special visit possible.

At Storytellers, we have been busy preparing something very special to celebrate Mother's Day. The children carefully decorated their own plant pots, using bright colours and patterns to make each one unique. They took great pride in their creations and enjoyed talking about the special people they wanted to give their pots to.

 Once the pots were decorated, the children planted them with beautiful flowers. They carefully filled the pots with soil and gently planted the flowers, learning about how plants need water, sunlight and care to grow.

 The children were very excited to take their special flower pots home as gifts for their mums, and we hope they will enjoy watching their flowers grow together. It was a lovely activity that combined creativity, learning about plants and celebrating the people who care for us so much. 

Storytellers Nursery had a wonderful time celebrating St Piran's Day with a day full of Cornish-inspired activities. The children enjoyed making their own delicious scones, carefully mixing the ingredients and helping to prepare them ready for baking. There was great excitement as the scones came out of the oven, warm and smelling wonderful.

  We also spent time exploring the beautiful daffodils that are beginning to appear around us. The children looked closely at their shapes, petals and bright colours before creating their own artwork. Using watercolours, they painted delicate yellow daffodils, experimenting with colour and brush strokes to capture what they had observed.

 In the afternoon, we set up a very special afternoon tea, which the children absolutely loved. They carefully spread their scones with delicious Rodda's clotted cream, obviously Jam first, taking great pride in doing it themselves. There were lots of smiles as they enjoyed their tasty treats together around the table.

  The children also had great fun pouring their own tea, practising their careful pouring and developing independence. Sitting together, chatting with friends and enjoying their homemade scones made the afternoon feel very special and a lovely way to celebrate St Piran's Day.