Foundation stage play or concert?

[MilestoneMum]

If your foundation stage didn't do a nativity play but sang carols instead, can I ask why? Is it because the school didn't think the children were capable or it is too much hassle or other?

When my wife was a private nursery supervisor thirty years ago they used to put on amazing pantomimes, or one year a Nativity. But they were able to spend several months learning the songs bit by bit, and whether kids who had speaking parts actually said them at the performance or not, didn't really matter, as it all looked so lovely!

I made a miniature spinning wheel for Sleeping Beauty. For the wedding scene at the end the 'princess' had a REAL wedding dress, donated by a very small mother, with a train so long the child was lifted into position, and the train was draped around her. The 'prince' was so good, that in years to come he went on to be a star performer at secondary school.

For the Nativity, I made a small wooden crib, and a thatched stable roof from a sheet of hardboard with real straw, held on by garden netting, and suspended over the stage.

Ours don't do a full-on nativity as we have a combined play for YR/1/2. This year all of YR are stars who come on near then end, do a little dance and then sit down. Y1 all have a small speaking part and the Y2 have the main roles.

Mine did Nativity play in Nursery and did group costumed parts in a bigger play, written by the teachers, in YR, Y1 and Y2. All schools are different and some religious affiliated schools will perhaps have nativity type plays for longer. The teachers put in a huge effort and so did the parents. I made my DDs costumes although luckily in YR only a t shirt (green) was needed. After that it was an elf costume and a sea creature. I could not praise the teachers highly enough. Sometimes schools do an end of year play if Christmas is not such a big effort. All children should be given the chance to take part as it definitely improves confidence and working with other children in a different way is a bonus. I loved every minute of it!