Nursery

In Nursery, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. We provide children with a blend of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Our aim in Nursery is to encourage children to explore and question the world around them in order to learn new skills and information, as well as help the children to become more confident with their listening and speaking skills.

In Nursery, our learning is led by the interests of the children or by making a link to what is happening in the lives of the children who attend our nursery, for example, exploring and celebrating festivals that are important to our families. Our Nursery team cleverly interweaves the teaching of skills and knowledge with the interests of the children in order to create an engaging and fun curriculum.

The Team

Early Years Leader: Ms Hempston

Nursery Class:
Class Teacher: Mrs Bishop
Teaching Assistant: Miss Shaw

30 hour provision:
Lead Practitioner: Mrs Gray
Teaching Assistants: Mrs Tingley and Miss Din.

Trips and Visitors

Nursery can often be seen exploring the school grounds whilst on a seasonal walk or visiting the many animals we have on site. However they also have some exciting workshops visit including:

- In the spring term, we will be visited by Mill Cottage Farm who will bring an array of farm animals for the children to meet. The children will learn about what the animals need to stay healthy as well as helping to feed and brush the animals. Approximate cost of this experience is £4.50 a child.

- In the summer term, we will be visited by Zoolab during which we will learn about our own senses and whether different animals have the same senses as us. We will also get to hold many animals including snakes, gerbils and African Snails. Approximate cost of this visit is £6.50 a child.

There may be additional workshops over the year which link to themed events or occasions the school is celebrating. For many of these trips, we will need parent helpers so do make yourself known to the class teacher if you are available.

Sharing Our Learning

Performances

In the summer, the nursery children will share the year's learning with a celebration performance.

Open Afternoons

Every term, Nursery will host open afternoons to share the children’s learning with you as parents. You will be invited into school to engage in learning activities and to explore your child’s learning journey. The date for the spring open afternoon will be announced soon!

How can you help at home?

Every Thursday, a weekly feedback sheet is uploaded on the Google Classroom. This will give you an overview of the week in Nursery, explaining what your child has learnt and how you can support at home, including a challenge to complete.

You can upload any completed challenges to the Google Classroom and your child will be able to share this in class each week. We also encourage you to upload any other exciting things you have been up to at home.

In addition to the information on Google Classroom, here are some practical ways to support your child at home:

Daily Storytime: Make storytime a regular part of your routine. Choose a variety of stories to enhance vocabulary and stimulate imagination, fostering literacy skills.

Play-Based Learning: Engage your child in creative activities such as building blocks, puzzles, and role-play. This encourages problem-solving and creativity.

Encouraging independence: Allow your child to make small choices, like selecting their clothes or snacks. Encourage toilet independence and practising dressing themselves to build confidence and essential life skills.

Establishing a Routine: Create a consistent daily schedule. This helps your child feel secure and understand what to expect, supporting their emotional development.

Nature Exploration: Spend time outdoors observing plants and animals. This nurtures curiosity and a love for nature, aligning with their understanding of the world.

Household Involvement: Include your child in simple tasks, such as sorting laundry or setting the table. This teaches responsibility and teamwork, contributing to their social development.

Arts, Crafts, Music, and Movement: Provide materials for drawing, painting, and crafting to encourage creativity. Incorporate music, singing, and dancing into your day to promote rhythm, coordination, and self-expression.

Maths and Numbers: Introduce counting games in everyday activities, like counting steps or toys. Incorporate numbers into conversations to develop early mathematical skills.