Welcome to our Nursery class (Reception 1). The Early Years Foundation Stage provides high quality learning experiences for our children. We ensure that they make good progress in a healthy and safe environment, that they become confident and independent through playing, exploring and active learning.
By exploring, asking questions, hands-on experiments and excursions, the children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world around them.
In order to promote each child’s physical development the students participate in a planned programme of games, exercises and activities, where they learn to move confidently, controlling their body and handling equipment. These skills are demonstrated in our annual Sports Day at the end of the year.
Creative development is promoted by exploring with paint, clay, scissors, glue and a wide variety of tactile materials.
As parents are the child’s first and most important educator, there is always an open dialogue to support them and their child. Daily messages and notes are written in each child’s diary and in Google Classroom to keep a two-way communication system open and available for both teachers and parents. With encouragement and support, a nurturing environment and a stimulating programme, Reception 1 students grow steadily and mature with a smile of satisfaction.
The Nursery Timetable (Reception 1)
8:30am – 09.00
Welcome children
Parents usually leave at this point as the group prepares to start the day.
09:00 – 09:20
Registration/Circle time
09:20 – 09:50
EYFS Activity
09.50 – 10.30
Snack/Patio
10:30-11.15
EYFS Activity
11:15-12:30
Lunch & Patio
12:30-13:00
Quiet time
13:00-13:30
Child-led free play
13:30-14:00
EYFS Activity
14:00-14:30
Spanish
14:30-15:00
Snack & Patio
15:00-15:30
EYFS Activity
15.30-15:45
Story time
15:45
Home Time
Areas of Development
Communication Language & Literacy
In both small and large groups, children are encouraged to extend their vocabulary and fluency by talking, listening and responding to stories, songs and rhymes.
Children are helped to understand that written symbols carry a meaning, to be aware of the purposes of writing, and when ready, to use drawn and written symbols themselves.
Opportunities to do this are always available – notebooks during role-play, writing books and freely available paper for any purpose.
A well stocked book corner gives every child the opportunity and encouragement to become familiar with books, to be able to handle them and understand that they can be used as a source of reference and for story telling.
Personal, Social & Emotional Development
Within a nurturing environment, children are individually supported in developing confidence, autonomy and self – respect. They are encouraged to co-operate and share with children and adults in the group, as well as to play independently.
Through activities, conversation and practical example, they learn acceptable ways to express their own feelings and to have respect for the feelings of others. All children are given the opportunity to take responsibility for themselves, as appropriate, as well as the property of the other children and adults in the group.
The children have daily circle time where thoughts and feelings, achievements and celebrations can be discussed and shared.
Problem Solving, Reasoning & Numeracy
By means of both adult led and child initiated activities, children become familiar with sorting, matching, ordering, sequencing and counting, which form the basis for early mathematics.
As they use their developing mathematical understanding to solve practical problems, children are assisted to learn and use mathematical language including shape names, position, size, volume and number.
Songs, games stories and picture books help children become aware of number sequences, and we provide a wide range of mathematical games and activities for the children to help them use and develop their mathematical skills.
Knowledge & Understanding of the World
A safe and stimulating environment allows the children to observe and experiment with a range of natural and manufactured materials. They learn to recognise differences, patterns and similarities, and to share and record their findings. Children are assisted in exploring and understanding their environment, both within the group and also in the wider community. They learn to respect other people, and expect to be respected themselves.
An array of safe and well maintained equipment enables children to extend their technological understanding, using simple tools and techniques as appropriate to achieve their intentions and to solve problems.
The topic for each term also extends children’s awareness and understanding of the world. Recent topics have included Growing, Penguins and Safe in the Sun. We also celebrate different festivals from around the world and encourage children to recognise and respect cultural differences.
Regular nature walks around the school area give the children first hand experience of what is happening around them.
Physical Development
A range of equipment and opportunities, both indoors and out, allows children to develop confidence in the uses and development of their own physical skills. A high level of adult supervision enables children to create and meet physical challenges safely, developing increasing skill and control in moving, climbing and balancing. At the same time, children are helped to develop the fine motor skills they will need to use tools such as pencils and the handling and manipulating of small objects, for example, puzzles. We have access to the school hall and gym equipment and also the adventure playground, as well as our own play area equipped with slide, playhouses and sandpit and water play.
Children are also encouraged to develop awareness of their own bodies and how to stay healthy.
Creative Development
Children are encouraged to use a wide range of resources in order to express their own ideas and feelings in two and three dimensions. Art equipment which enables them to do this includes: paint, glue, crayons, chalks, junk modeling, fabric, etc. These provide open-ended exploration of colour, shape and texture and the development of skills in painting, drawing and collage.
Children join in with and respond to music and stories, and there are many opportunities for imaginative role-play. The role-play area changes its focus regularly, often linked to the theme for the term; recent examples include a shop, kitchen, and The Antarctic (Penguins). Daily singing and music sessions teach the children a range of songs and sounds for their own enjoyment and for performances such as Christmas, and other holidays.