The Munch Bunch

What is the Munch Bunch?

The Munch Bunch is the Woodcote Pre-school's small and friendly parent and toddler group. It is designed for children from the age of 18 months. Munch Bunch is open to anyone, whether or not their child attends the Pre-school, and younger siblings are welcome. We limit numbers to 10 children, so you will need to telephone us to book a place.

When and Where is the Munch Bunch run?

The Munch Bunch is held in our cosy and cheerful afternoon room on Monday mornings between 10.00am and 11.30am during term times.

What does the Munch Bunch do?

Munch Bunch is based around a theme of food. Each week, the children undertake at least one cooking or baking activity, followed by one or two craft activities. Very often, the activities follow a theme. For instance one week we made jam tarts, followed by a puppet show of the "Queen of Hearts", after which the children made glittery crowns.

Every week, the children join in a short singing and/or story session, whilst enjoying a drink and a biscuit. Very often the children get to eat what they made earlier in the session, which creates the real sense of achievement which Woodcote Pre-school tries to promote in all its activities.

For many years, Woodcote Pre-school has had an organic allotment. The Munch Bunch has its very own organic allotment. We are very proud of our tradition of organic gardening, so the Munch Bunchers, in addition to baking and making, get stuck into growing things. In the winter months we do indoor gardening. For instance, we have planted bird seed, just to see what came up, and have planted pansies and hyacinths in decorated pots. We visit the allotment weekly between March and November.

We grow a wide variety of vegetables, including:

aubergines beetroot broccoli cabbages carrots courgettes cucumbers french beans

garlic leeks marrows nasturtiums onions peas peppers pot marrigolds

potatoes pumpkins runner beans shallots sweetcorn tomatoes turnips

June 2004

July 2005

In 2005 we installed a wildlife area with a small grilled-over pond. A scoop of mud from an established pond ensured an instant population of beetles, snails and waterboatmen. The children were fascinated by the half-dozen frogs that immediately took up residence. We have acquired a second allotment, currently under old carpet, and awaiting taming over the winter. We plan to install a fruit cage, poly-tunnel and sensory garden.

Lifting carrots, June 2004

Vacuuming flea beetles, July 2004

Looking for beans, September 2004

Picking French beans, September 2004

Heave! September 2005

Woodcote Pre-school also prides itself on its wide range of outdoor activities. Our children do not simply play in an outside play area; if the weather is fine, they visit the village as a whole. Regular trips are made to the library, garden centre, allotment and playground. In keeping with this tradition, the Munch Bunch sometimes go on short outings. For instance we have had an autumn nature walk in Dean Wood.

What do I need to bring?

Munch Bunch is messy and fun. Wear old clothes and bring suitable outdoor clothes in case we go out.

How much does Munch Bunch cost?

Subs are £3.50 per week per child, which are payable half-termly in advance.

The Munch Bunch Cook Book

In October 2004 Woodcote Pre-school published the first volume of the Munch Bunch Cook Book. Each recipe is in an easy to follow, full-colour format, as shown below. There are ten recipes in all, presented in a sealable plastic wallet, designed to be child and cake-mix-proof. Copies of the cook book cost £3.50 and may be obtained by telephoning Woodcote Pre-school.

Our Patron and the Munch Bunch

Antony Worrall Thompson is a patron of Woodcote Pre-school and the Munch Bunch.

The price is correct at Saturday 08 March 2008, but may be subject to change.

This page was last updated on Thursday 05 January 2006 Copyright © 2003–2008 Rob Hubbard and Woodcote Pre-school Group