As we move into the Summer term, our learning is centred around the concepts of
'​​​​​​Creativity, Imagination and Growth'.

Children are encouraged to explore their ideas through play, develop their confidence and independence, and begin to understand how they are growing and changing.

Our curriculum is carefully planned to build on children’s interests while introducing rich opportunities for exploration and discovery. We use high-quality texts, stories and hands-on experiences to support communication and language, early literacy and imaginative play. Children will explore storytelling, small world play, mark-making and role play, helping them to develop their ideas, vocabulary and understanding of the world.

What this looks like in the classroom

• Children learn through a balance of adult-guided activities and carefully planned continuous provision, both indoors and outdoors.
• Adults model language, extend children’s ideas and support them to develop their communication through play, stories and everyday interactions.
• Opportunities for mark-making, early writing and fine motor development are available daily, helping children build the foundations for writing.
• Mathematical understanding is developed through practical experiences such as counting objects, comparing quantities and exploring patterns in play.
• Children access outdoor learning regularly, including Forest School, where they develop independence, confidence and problem-solving skills.

Staff support children to build positive relationships, take turns, share and begin to manage their feelings appropriately.

As children approach the end of Nursery, we begin to gently prepare them for their transition into Reception. This includes developing independence in routines, building confidence in new environments and supporting children to communicate their needs and ideas more clearly.

We work closely with Reception staff to ensure a smooth and supportive transition. Children have opportunities to become familiar with their new classroom, adults and expectations, helping them to feel secure and confident for the next stage of their learning.

Communication and language remain at the heart of our provision. Children are supported to develop their speaking and listening skills through stories, songs, rhymes and high-quality interactions throughout the day. Adults model clear language, introduce new vocabulary and extend children’s thinking through conversation, helping them to express their ideas with increasing confidence.

We place a strong emphasis on talk, encouraging children to listen carefully, take turns in conversation and build their sentences over time. Through play and shared experiences, children are supported to talk about what they are doing, recall events and begin to explain their ideas.

These strong foundations in communication and language support all areas of learning and ensure children are well prepared for the next stage of their development.

Early writing begins long before children are expected to form letters or write words. In Nursery, we focus on building the strong foundations that children need to become confident writers.

Children develop their early writing skills through mark-making, drawing and developing their fine motor control. They are encouraged to explore a wide range of materials, both indoors and outdoors, and to give meaning to their marks through talk and play.

Communication and language are at the heart of early writing. Adults model language, introduce new vocabulary and support children to talk about their ideas, helping them to understand that writing is a way of communicating.

Children are also supported to develop the physical skills needed for writing, including hand strength, coordination and control. Activities such as dough, painting, threading and construction all contribute to this development.

Through these experiences, children begin to build the confidence, independence and understanding needed for writing, ensuring they are well prepared for the next stage of their learning in Reception.

Early phonological awareness is supported through songs, rhymes and listening games, laying the foundations for later reading.

ELS Phonics Information Evening  

For more information on how we teach Phonics, visit our Phonics page.

In mathematics, children develop their understanding through practical, play-based experiences that are carefully planned and sequenced. Children begin to build a secure sense of number by counting, recognising small quantities and linking numbers to amounts. They are supported to compare quantities, noticing when groups have more or fewer, and to use mathematical language such as big, small, full and empty within meaningful contexts.

Through everyday opportunities, children explore patterns, shape and measure. This includes recognising and creating simple patterns, exploring 2D and 3D shapes and making comparisons between objects, such as size, length and capacity. Adults model mathematical language and thinking, supporting children to talk about what they notice and explain their ideas.

Mathematics is embedded throughout the environment, with opportunities to count, sort, build and problem-solve during play, both indoors and outdoors. These experiences support children to develop confidence, curiosity and independence in their mathematical thinking, laying strong foundations for future learning.

As part of our curriculum, we place a strong emphasis on children’s wider development, independence and real-life experiences.

Children’s physical development is supported through a balance of indoor and outdoor learning, including fine motor activities to strengthen early writing skills and larger movements through active play. Our outdoor provision and Forest School sessions provide valuable opportunities for exploration, problem-solving and developing independence in a natural environment.

Throughout the term, we continue to support children’s personal, social and emotional development by helping them to build relationships, manage their feelings and develop confidence in new situations.

Outdoor Learning

Our outdoor environment is an essential part of the curriculum and is used daily in all weathers. Children take part in activities such as water play, construction, exploration and imaginative play, supporting all areas of learning.

Please ensure children have appropriate clothing, including a waterproof coat and wellies, so they can fully access outdoor learning.

    FootieBugs

As part of our Physical Development curriculum, the children take part in weekly FootieBugs sessions, led by experienced coaches. Using fun, football-based activities, the children not only build their physical skills such as coordination, balance and control, but also develop important personal and social skills.

Through games and team challenges, children learn to listen carefully, share, take turns and work together, supporting the Early Learning Goals for Physical Development and Personal, Social and Emotional Development. These sessions are active, engaging and designed to build confidence, teamwork and a love of being active.    

VIPs

This term we are encouraging the children to become VIPs –
Very Independent People!

We support children to take responsibility for their belongings, dress themselves and manage everyday routines independently. You can help at home by encouraging your child to practise dressing and organising their belongings.

We welcome donations of outdoor equipment or junk modelling materials such as clean bottles and containers. These resources support creativity and imaginative play within our provision.

PE Kits and School Uniform

Please ensure all clothing is clearly labelled, as children are becoming increasingly independent.

Messy Play

During the year, children take part in a wide range of messy, hands-on learning experiences. While we use aprons, children may occasionally come home a little messy—this is often a sign of a busy and engaging day of learning.