Seedlings and Saplings

Spring Term 

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Welcome to the Spring Term. As a team we have been reflecting on a wonderful first term with the children and all the learning and progress that has taken place. We have been busy planning for the coming weeks and adapting the environment to match the developing needs of the children.

This half term our learning and activities will be based around the themes 'What is Space' and 'Who is Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf'. We will also be learning about Valentine's Day, Chinese New Year and Easter. Details of the learning opportunities, activities and lines of enquiry the children will be involved in are available to view on the parents notice board. You can also view weekly updates below.

All the important information you will need is available in our newsletter. Copies are available to view on this page and on the parents notice board in the unit entrance hall. You will also receive a copy in your child's book bag. Please ask if you do not receive one.

We are excited to announce that a sports coach will be continuing to work with the children on Thursday mornings. Also, our popular Stay n Play sessions continue- dates detailed below. 

Thank you for all your support during the Autumn Term.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to speak to a member of the team.

Thank you in anticipation of your support and help

The Early Years Team

Important Dates

Monday 6th January              School re-opens

Week Beg. 20th January       Parent/Carer Stay n Play sessions

Friday 24th January               Friends Quiz Night (Details to follow)

Week Beg. 3rd February        Chinese Friendship Week

Thursday 6th February           Science Show with Adrian Bowden (Reception class invited)

Thursday 13th February         Valentine Disco (Details to follow)

Friday 14th February              School closes for half-term

Week Beg. 2nd March            Parent/Carer Stay n Play Sessions

Thursday 5th March               World Book Day

Monday 23rd March               Parents Evening

Wednesday 25th March         Parents Evening

Friday 27th March                  Friends Easter Bingo 

Friday 3rd April                       School close at 3.30pm for Easter   

Phonics/Early Reading

Nursery- Nursery will be working on various aspects of phase 1 including, 'rhythm and rhyme', musical instruments, environmental sounds. Mrs Geelan, our music specialist, will be supporting us with these aspects on Monday mornings.

Reception- This half term Reception class will continue working on phase two of the Letters and Sounds programme and consolidating this work by drawing on elements of phase four of the Letters and Sounds programme. 

Guided Reading for Reception takes place weekly and the children bring home a new reading book each Monday.

Nursery and Reception are read to daily and we ensure we read a range of texts including rhyme books, poetry, non-fiction, fiction and non-worded picture books. 

The children have access to an attractive reading area which contains a range of texts, comics, soft toys to read to, story puppets and rhyme spoons.

Writing

Nursery- This term Nursery will continue to work on writing their names using correct letter formation and mark making in a variety of ways including paint, in sand, using pencils, felt tips and crayons. We will continue dough disco to strengthen our hand and finger muscles. 

Reception- This term Reception will be working on caption writing, recipes and ingredients, story mapping and short sentences.

Home Reading Books

Nursery- Will continue to bring home a rhyme card each Friday. Please ensure the card and home reading record book are in your child's bag on Fridays ready to change.

Reception- Are allocated one book for their reading bag and one E-book on Phonics Book each week. Please make a comment in their reading record book to let us know if they enjoyed the book; what discussions you had together about the story/information; what other reading has been taking place at home.

Please don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions about phonics and reading. 

Maths

This half term the Reception children will focus on counting and recognition; adding and subtracting; time and 3D shapes.

This half term the Nursery children will focus on making sets, comparing group; numerals in the environment; simple number problems and shapes in the environment. 

PE

All the children have daily access to our outdoor learning environment and a range of physical and sporting activities including balance and two wheel bikes, climbing, balls, netball hoop and running space. In addition we have PE with our sports coach Rick on Thursdays. This half term the Rick is teaching ball skills.

RE

We are using 'Chatter Boxes' to teach . Our themes this term are- 'Stories Jesus Heard', Stories Jesus Told', Easter'. The children are learning our daily prayers and we have a weekly assembly led by Mrs Howard.