We are so excited to begin this new term together. Our classroom is ready to be buzzing with curiosity, laughter and new friendships.
Our priority is to make sure every child feels happy, safe and cared for, while also being encouraged to try new things and develop a love of learning.
We can’t wait to share lots of stories, songs, adventures and creative activities as we continue this exciting journey together.
This term in Nursery, our topic is The Animal Kingdom. The children will explore a wide range of animals, learning about different habitats, life cycles and the ways animals live and grow. Through stories, small world play and real-life experiences, the children will begin to understand similarities and differences between animals and develop a curiosity about the natural world.
We are very excited to welcome some special visitors into Nursery this term, including opportunities to meet real animals and observe living things up close, helping to bring our learning to life in meaningful and memorable ways.
In Literacy, we will continue to develop a love of stories through daily protected story times and extended conversations. The children will learn new vocabulary linked to animals and their environments and begin to talk confidently about what they have heard and seen. Some of the key texts we will be sharing this term include Dear Zoo, What the Ladybird Heard, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Handa’s Surprise. We will continue to build on our understanding of how print works, recognising familiar words and beginning to retell simple stories.
In Phonics, we will continue following Letters and Sounds, focusing on Aspect 6: Voice Sounds. The children will explore how to use their voices in different ways, including making animal sounds, experimenting with pitch and tone and developing their listening and attention skills. We will also continue to build phonological awareness through activities such as identifying rhymes, clapping syllables and recognising initial sounds.
In early writing, the children will continue to give meaning to their marks and write for a purpose within their play. This may include creating labels for animals, making simple lists or recording their ideas. They will practise writing their names and begin to use recognisable letters, particularly initial sounds, in their writing.
We will also continue to use our early writing programmes Drawing Club and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, supporting the children to develop confidence, creativity and the physical skills needed for writing.
In Mathematics, we will continue to build confidence in counting to 5, ensuring children can say one number for each item and understand that the final number tells us how many there are altogether. We will develop our subitising skills, recognising small quantities quickly and continue to match numbers to amounts.
We will be using White Rose Maths for Nursery to support our learning, helping the children to build strong foundations in number, pattern and mathematical thinking. The children will also explore patterns, shapes and measures within the context of animals, such as creating repeating patterns, comparing sizes and talking about positions. We will continue using language such as more than, fewer than and same to compare groups.
In Understanding the World, the children will learn about animals from around the world, including where they live and how they grow and change. We will explore life cycles and begin to understand how to care for living things.
Through outdoor learning and woodland sessions, the children will observe the natural environment, noticing changes in the season and exploring minibeasts and wildlife. These experiences will support their curiosity and understanding of the world around them.
This term, we will continue to develop the children’s confidence, independence and ability to work alongside others. Through group activities and play, the children will practise sharing, taking turns and solving problems together.
Learning about animals will also provide opportunities to discuss caring for others, showing kindness and understanding different needs.
Across the wider curriculum, the children will explore creativity through animal-themed artwork, construction and role play. They will use a range of materials to create their own representations of animals and habitats, developing their imagination and fine motor skills.
In Physical Development, the children will continue to strengthen their gross motor skills through climbing, balancing and moving in different ways. We will also explore movement inspired by animals, encouraging coordination, control and confidence.
Our Woodland Mornings will continue, offering valuable opportunities to explore the outdoor environment. The children will investigate natural materials, observe wildlife and take part in physical activities that support their development. These sessions encourage curiosity, resilience and a love of the natural world.
It promises to be an exciting and engaging term, full of discovery, curiosity and hands-on learning. We are looking forward to watching the children grow in confidence and deepen their understanding of the world around them as they explore The Animal Kingdom at Charnwood.
To see some important dates that are coming up this term, useful information about our class or current topic and hints for helping your child at home, please check out the Useful Documents & Links section on this page.
We love to share the children’s learning journey with you, so regular photos and videos will be added to the ‘Stories’ section on our Class Dojo page. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to send me a message on Class Dojo or ring the school office — we are always happy to help.
The Little Leaves Team,
Welcome Song:
We sing the first verse of this song together every morning.
“Hello, Hello, how are you? Hello, hello, how are you? Hello, hello, how are you? How are you today?”
Days of the Week Song:
SUAT supports and leads in the set-up of new academies joining the partnership. The services provided by the central support function cover both educational and non-educational support. In terms of educational support, SUAT is linked to the School of Education of Staffordshire University, which is an outstanding ITT provider.