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During this term the Nursery children will have the opportunity to explore our Forest School.

Time in the Forest School will support play, exploration, understanding of the world and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Further information will be shared with you in the coming weeks.

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I wonder what animals we will learn more about?

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During the first part of the term, we will be exploring the different animals which live around the world. The children will familiarise themselves with safari animals, sea animals, jungle animals as well as pets and minibeasts they may already know. We will discuss what they already know about these animals, before formulating questions about what they want to find out: which may include where the animals live, what they eat or what makes them special and unique. Asking questions is a key skill throughout the Early Years and beyond. We will be exposing the children to high level vocabulary, introducing them to information texts and extending their conversational skills. Throughout this unit, the children will also have many opportunities to mark make.

Our learning about animals will be accompanied by listening to and retelling animal stories, such as 'Dear Zoo', 'Giraffes can't dance' and 'Handa's Surprise'

This term, we will also have a greater emphasis on mark making, giving meaning to the marks the children make and writing their names. One focus linked to this is developing your child's hand muscles and establishing your children's pencil grip in preparation for writing. There are many fun activities which can develop your child's hand muscles (fine motor) such as manipulating playdoh, using clothes pegs or tweezers to pinch and press, zipping up a coat, singing finger rhymes and doing the actions, drawing using their fingers in sand or shaving foam to name a few. In Nursery, we have a table dedicated to playdoh and a fine motor skill development area.

You can support your child at home by encouraging them to talk about their learning in nursery, helping them to talk about the pictures in the books, treating books respectfully, sharing books with them on a daily basis (sharing a book at bedtime is often a favourite) and encouraging them to strengthen their hand muscles through a range of activities.

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During the second half of the term, we will be learning about the past, initially we will be talking about our own past and then looking further back at the prehistoric era of Dinosaurs. We will begin by exploring what the world was like, before looking closely at similarities and differences between the dinosaurs and being able to identify and name them. As there are many different types of dinosaurs, we know we will not be able to learn about them all! We have planned some very fun, creative activities and as always, there will be plenty of opportunities to talk, explore and learn!

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This term we will be comparing amounts of objects, exploring 2D and 3D shapes, problem solving as well as counting everyday objects and developing maths vocabulary. We will also support your child's counting by singing number rhymes too.

You can support your child at home by encouraging them to count everyday – count steps/stairs, cups, sweets, books, fingers….anything! Spot numerals while you're out and about – in shops, house numbers, number plates, etc. Sing the number songs we send home.

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Teams is our main form of communication between class teachers and parents/guardians. Please check this daily for updates and key information/reminders.

The parent newsletter is sent out weekly, via email, on a Monday. A link to this will also be posted on the Nursery Parent Teams page. Please read this every week for the most recent updates on events and school news.

Key dates

Summer Term 1

Friday 1st May - Parent curricular meeting

Monday 4th May - May Day Bank Holiday (School closed)

25th-29th May - May half term (School closed)

Summer Term 2

Monday 1st June - First day of Summer term 2

Tuesday 2nd June - Class photos

Friday 12th June - Provisional Nursery Sports Day

Tuesday 30th June - Meet the Teacher

Wednesday 1st July - Reception new parents meeting

Tuesday 21st July - Nursery graduation and celebration (last Nursery session)

Wednesday 22nd July - Last day of school, End of Year Summer picnic (11.30am)

You can also contact us through:

School office 01753 524989

Send an email mail@wexhamprimary.com

See what we've been doing on X @WCPnursery

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Nursery children go out in all types of weather, please make sure your child is wearing suitable clothing for the season/weather.

In Nursery children are encouraged to be active and busy whether this is running, climbing, balancing, jumping, throwing, skipping, dancing, yoga or crawling along the floor while pushing or pulling an object. It is essential that they are strengthening their muscles, defining their skills and accuracy and understanding the importance of physical health.

You can support your child at home by encouraging them to be active (why not make it a family thing?) - encourage walking, make time for trips to the park or open spaces, try yoga/calm time, encourage skills such as throwing/catching or kicking a ball, using a scooter or bike, or go swimming.

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Language is essential to your child’s development, it forms the foundations for interactions with others, communicating needs, and expressing thoughts and feelings. We develop language in our immersive environment of words, sounds, rhythm, as well as verbal and non-verbal expression.

You can support at home by encouraging them to talk in full sentences. Ask them open ended questions (not yes/no questions) or I wonder what...., ask their opinion (would you prefer.... I like_____ what do you like), encourage them to ask for things they need and to use more words not gestures. If your child mispronounces a word, please say it back to them correctly. Make sure you look at your child when talking and they look at you......... and enjoy a chat with them.

Don't forget, talking in your home language is just as important!

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Correct Tripod Pencil Grip for Writing. How to Hold a Pencil Correctly

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Holding a pencil correctly is essential before a child begins to write. A pencil is held differently from a paintbrush or spoon. A tripod grip ensures the writer has control and accuracy while mark making.

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Correct Tripod Pencil Grip for Writing. How to Hold a Pencil Correctly For Foundation & Kindergarten

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Please ensure the school has the correct contact details for you - telephone number, mobile number, email and address.

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In Nursery, children spend a lot of time playing - why?

Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals and solve problems. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults.

(EYFS Framework 2020)

Play, both indoors and outdoors, makes a powerful contribution to children’s wellbeing, development and learning.

Play offers children the opportunity to:

Have fun and 'have a go'

Take things they already know and combine them in new ways so that their understanding deepens,

be in charge of their play, make decisions, become independent and take on responsibilities,

Develop and refine communication skills and vocabulary,

Establish and expand friendships,

Develop turn taking, including when having a conversation,

Use and develop their imagination,

Explore new resources and experiences

Ignites excitement, deepens learning and develops interests......and SO MUCH more

These are some of the reasons why play is SO important in Nursery!

Why not come and play with us - look out for dates/details on the Nursery Teams.

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Nursery rhymes and singing songs plays a huge part in our Nursery learning. It is often the first introduction children have to literacy/storytelling and rhyming words. In Nursery, we are passionate about teaching children a range of rhymes and songs which will be shared in their 'Read and Rhyme' folder.

You can support your child at home by sharing the nursery rhyme sent home, reading rhyming books and encouraging them to guess/repeat the rhyming word in the story, by singing nursery rhymes and playing rhyming games. Also come and join us when we have our 'Sing and Stay' sessions.

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This term we will continue to encourage the children to share books together: develop book language and talk as well as establishing respect and care for them.

Reading is an essential life skill and in Nursery we aim to establish a love of books and language. Every Friday, your child will have the opportunity to choose a library book to borrow and share with you at home. Our Library books are wordless to help encourage the children to talk! We would encourage you to spend time together to explore the book and talk about the pictures and story.

Things you could talk about while reading the book:

- things they can see in the pictures

- who the characters are and what is happening in the picture

- character emotions

- if they have any links to the story - Remember when we went on a plane/went to the beach/do you like the slide at the park.....

You can support your child at home by sharing their library book with them, talking about the books they have, sharing the rhymes and text maps in their rhyme folder with them and reminding them to be respectful of books - any lost or damaged books will need to be replaced and will be charged for.  .

Why not visit your local library - Libraries are free to join and offer a huge range of activities NOT just books!!

https://www.slough.gov.uk/libraries

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Ruth Miskin letters and formation rhymes

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We will continue to introduce a sound a week to your child using our phonics scheme -Ruth Miskin Read Write Inc. During our daily phonics session we will review all the sounds we have learnt so far as well as introducing the new sound of the week. The links for the sound of the week will be shared on Teams and a sound of the week sheet will be sent home on a weekly basis to consolidate learning at home.

Please remember we teach the letter sound not name (a as in apple not ay).

There will be a greater emphasis this term to encouraging the children to use these sounds in blending, in order to read simple CVC words.

You can support your child at home by watching the sound of the week links sent via Teams, playing phonics games (I spy, can you find a letter, spotting graphemes while out and about) and encouraging your child to use the sound of the week sheet sent home.

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Every Friday, a 'new' fruit is introduced to the children. We talk about the shape, size and colours of the fruit, as well as how they are eaten/prepared (sliced like melon, peeled like a banana or eaten as it is like an apple). We also talk about where it is grown and what it looks like inside. This is also a great opportunity to use vocabulary such as 'like/dislike, sweet, juicy, peel, crunch, soft, etc' - why not try some 'new' fruits or foods at home. It also encourages the children in Nursery to try and eat more fruit, reinforcing the school healthy eating policy.

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Please can we remind parents to keep the Nursery/School updated with any changes in your child's medical needs. If your child requires medication (prescribed by a doctor) within their Nursery session, please collect a medical form from the school office.

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Nursery children enjoy the outdoors, especially when the sun shines! Although we do have shade in the garden, we encourage all children to wear a suitable (named) sun hat while outside during the summer term. To continue staying safe in the sun, we recommend applying a high factor sun cream to your child before they attend their Nursery session. It is also important that children stay hydrated during their sessions, so please provide your child with a named water bottle, daily, filled with fresh cooled water.

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Slough Family hubs are great places to meet other families, join pre school and baby groups as well as getting information about supporting your family and children.

There are 3 local hubs - Penn Road, Romsey Close and Chalvey Grove.

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It is important to recognise ALL emotions - they are all valid!

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Through stories, interactions and play your child will develop a greater understanding of them as an individual, their likes/dislikes, gain a deeper knowledge of their emotions, how to play/socialise with others and begin to recognise the emotions/needs of others.

You can support your child at home by setting and sharing clear boundaries, talking about feelings and encouraging sharing.

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Last term was SO busy and full of learning, discovery, laughter and achievements -

We began by welcoming our January children into Nursery, who settled in quickly and have grown immensely in confidence across the term.

It was lovely to see the children fully immersed in the stories of Goldilocks and the 3 bears and The 3 little pigs - they tasted porridge, explored materials, role played the story, learning key phrases and by the end were confidently able to retell the stories using story language.

Another highlight from that unit was watching a performance of 'The Gingerbread Man' which supported our retelling of the traditional tales as well as seeing the excitement of the children when the characters 'came to life'!

Watching the children confidently use hammers, tacks, screwdrivers and screws to create models, while adapting and developing their ideas was another highlight in Nursery. This enabled many children to explore and experiment their creative side as well as strengthen their motor muscles and hand/eye co-ordination.

Through the Cultural Days, the children have learnt more about their community as well as celebrating together and dressing up!

We are very excited to be a part of your child's learning journey and can't wait to see them reach their next goal!