General Information

Welcome back for what is going to be a very busy Summer Term!  The majority of children seem to have settled back well after their two week holiday and we now look forward to a productive and enjoyable term working with you and your children.  Now for a few bits of important information:

• We will continue to provide a piece of fruit or vegetable for snack time; however you are also welcome to provide a healthy alternative.
• Wednesday will continue to be our P.E day, so please provide a pair of shorts, if you have not done so already.  Also ensure your child is wearing shoes (without laces) and socks (rather than tights) that are easy for them to take off and put on independently.
• Nursery Sports Day will be held on Thursday 1st July am children in the morning and pm children in the afternoon.
• Morning nursery will have consultations this term on, Tuesday 6th July and Thursday 8th July during which we will share your child’s learning journey.  Afternoon nursery will have Parents Evenings on the 13th and 14th of July, during which you will discuss your child’s end of year report.  In the meantime we are always happy to discuss your child’s progress or any concerns you may have at the end of a session.
• Please note that the Nursery will be closed for the day on Wednesday 7th July to enable the staff to carry out home visits for the children starting in September.
• Bring your Dad to school day will be on Thursday 17th June.  A great opportunity for you to join in with activities.
• Please make sure you read the Nursery notice board and door regularly.  We will display important notices and anything we would like the children to bring into Nursery.
• We welcome any volunteers to come and help in the Nursery.  If you would be able to give any time to help please come and speak to a member of staff.
• Please consider us if you are having a ‘clear out’ of any kind- we can normally make use of most things, especially boys dressing up clothes! 

Many Thanks!  Please feel free to approach any member of staff if there is anything you wish to know or discuss.  We are only too pleased to help.

Communication, Language and Literacy

A range of activities are covered for this area of your child’s learning.  Once a week during Small Group Time we read and discuss various ‘big books’ connected to our topic.  The children learn about various parts of a book such as, front and back cover, title and author.   Our Graphics Area contains many inviting resources and activities that encourage the children to have fun with drawing, mark making and letters.  All children are shown how to hold a pencil correctly and will continue to be encouraged to ‘write’, for a range of purposes.  Children are encouraged to start with the letters in their name, trying to write all letters (in lowercase) with the correct formation. Fine motor activities include threading, cutting, painting and manipulating malleable materials, such as playdough.
Every child will have opportunities to speak in front of their peers during ‘Circle Time’ or during our daily ‘recall’ sessions.

Mathematical Development

All the children will continue to have a Maths session in their small groups once a week.  In addition to this there will be Maths activities available for the children to use inside and outside every day during Free Play sessions. 
For the afternoon children we will be concentrating on counting at least 10 objects accurately from a larger amount and recognising numbers to 10 and beyond.  For the morning children we will consolidate their knowledge of numbers to 5 then extending to 10 and beyond when they are ready.
We will also be focusing on calculating numbers (adding two groups of objects together, understanding language more/less).
All the children will be taking part in activities to help them learn about 2D (flat) and 3D (solid) shapes e.g. looking at shapes in the environment, printing, building and making collages with shapes. Part of the term will be spent looking at measures; we will be ordering objects according to length and weight.  We will also be learning about patterns, looking for patterns in the environment and beginning to make our own repeating/symmetrical patterns.

Topic Work (PSE, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Creative Development, Physical Development

Our topic until half term is ‘Minibeasts.  We have planned a variety of activities related to this topic, including a minibeast hunt in our grounds; we will discuss the minibeast’s homes, learn how to identify minibeasts and imitate their movements through creative development. 
We will also be spending time learning about the importance of healthy eating and exercise.  We will be making a range of healthy snacks (using minibeast as a theme) for the children to try alongside our usual snack of fruit/vegetable. 
‘Relationships’ will be our basis for PSE this will be followed by ‘Changes’ after half term. 
Our topic also changes to ‘Water’.   We will be talking about the importance of water, for drinking and washing.  We will also be learning about different types of water and the animals that live there. .  The children will also have opportunities to explore the properties of water
While practising for our Sports Day the children will be learning how to take part in team games.
Over the last two weeks of term the Nursery children will be taking part in the school’s ‘International Festival’ Foundation stage have chosen India as a basis for the festival.  The children will be learning about food, music and faith. They will also be working on a piece of big art throughout the festival to be displayed in a communal area. 

Planned Educational Visits:

A minibeast hunt around our grounds.        ‘Teddy Bear’s Picnic’ to celebrate summer and the end of term!