Nursery Curriculum News

St. Mary’s R. C. Primary and Nursery

Nursery Curriculum Newsletter Class Teacher: Mrs Braisdell HLTA: Mrs Subachus Teaching Assistants: Mrs Ellis, Mrs Napier and Mrs Wilks January 2014

Dear Parents, This term our topics are ‘Winter’, ‘Chinese New Year’ and ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’.

Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning and development.

Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas first. These are:  Communication and language;

RELIGION During this half term, our R.E. theme is ‘Getting to know Jesus’.

With memories of Christmas still fairly fresh, the children will be learning that Jesus has a great love for each one of us and will be encouraged to think of ways in which we can show our love for him.

In the second half term, as we begin Lent and begin to look forward to Easter, our theme is ‘Sorrow and Joy’.

We will be looking at and reflecting on the statements to live by.

 Physical development;  and Personal, social and emotional development.

These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

As children grow, the prime areas will help them to develop skills in 4 specific areas. These are:  Literacy;

We will encourage your children to:

 Mathematics;

* Have a positive approach to activities

 Understanding the world;  And Expressive arts and design.

* Increase their independence so they are able to select and carry out activities without an adult. * Encouraged to persevere at their learning and keep going even when they think they cannot do something. * Put on their own coat and shoes. * Build an awareness of their own safety and that of others.

Communication and Language

Mathematics

Through fun activities your children will: * Join in with number songs and rhymes We will provide your child with the opportunities to learn to: * Listen and respond to simple instructions and join in with conversations Use talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and recall events

* Show an interest in numbers and counting and be able to use numbers accurately * Start ordering and numbers from 1 to 5

recognising

* learn about sizes, shape and patterns * use positional vocabulary

Physical Development Literacy

All their experiences in our Nursery will promote your child’s ability to: * Be able to take part confidently in activities requiring hand/eye coordination, for example, threading, using scissors, mark making, playing with play dough and using small tools. * Increase their physical ability to ride bikes, scooters, hop, jump, balance, run and dance.

Our core stories this term are Rhyming stories, Goldilocks and the three Bears and We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. The children will learn new words related to these stories and will continue to bring home their word packs.

Clothing

Understanding the World The children will be learning about the features of Winter and how we keep warm. They will also be leaning about bears linked to Goldilocks and the three bears and be involved in planning and making a bear cave.

Expressive Arts and Design The Nursery is full of opportunities for your children to: * Explore a variety of different media, for example, paint, modelling, making collage pictures, printing with leaves. * Make 3-dimensional models by choosing their own materials from a variety of sources

Parents can provide a spare set of clothes including underwear if they wish. This should be brought in a bag clearly labelled with your child’s name and kept on their coat peg.

Please can you ensure your child brings a warm, washable coat to school. The children will be learning in the Outdoor Area in all weathers!

The children also need to ensure they have a pair of wellies to keep in school clearly labelled with their name.

Please can you encourage your children to put on and fasten up their own coats. They also need to be responsible for their own hat, scarves and gloves.

*Start using scissors with confidence. * Learn to be proud of what they have achieved

HOLIDAY PATTERN 2014 SPRING TERM 2014

REMINDERS

School re-opens Monday 6th January 2014 School closes Friday 14th February 2014

KEY WORKER In line with the Early Years Curriculum each child has been assigned their own key worker. This member of staff is your first port of call for information about your child. However you are always welcome to speak to the class teacher Mrs Braisdell.

Half Term 2014 School re-opens Monday 24th February 2014

EASTER 2014 School closes Wednesday 16th April 2014

SUMMER TERM 2014 Bank holiday closure – Monday 5th May 2014 School re-opens Tuesday 6th May 2014 School closes Friday 23rd May 2014

NURSERY FUND Nursery Fund is 50 pence and is collected every Monday.

Half Term 2014 School re-opens Monday 2nd June 2014

Summer 2014 School closes for the Summer Break on Friday 18th July 2014