Nursery R & V 2024 - 2025

We would like to begin by saying 'Welcome back’ to all our new Nursery children and families.

We have a busy and exciting half term to look forward to.

On this page you will find information about the current topic, news and updates regarding special events and dates to remember as well as access to photographs of the children and the fun things they have been doing whilst in school.

The class teachers for Nursery this school year are Mrs Roche (class NR) with Miss Davies and Mrs Vaughan (class NV) with Mrs Hodge. Also, Miss Calvert and Miss Dunlop work with the children throughout the week.

This half term your children are settling well into their routine at school.  We will add an addition session into our afternoons twice a week to help to support the children’s fine and gross motor skills in preparation for writing skills. As always if you have any concerns at any time regarding your child and their learning please speak to a member of the Nursery Team.

Let’s Learn through Celebrations

Our topic for Autumn 2 is ‘Celebrations’ this topic supports the children to have a greater understanding of our living world around us, we look at ourselves our families and how we celebrate in our community. We continue to look at our changing environments inside and outside. We discuss and explore the celebrations we take part in and see and what they might mean to us. In our weekly investigation lesson, we will explore the different religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity.

 This half term we also have a large emphasis on children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) skills and will endure to support the children as they continue to settle into Nursery, make friends, become more resilient, independent and confident learners that enjoy coming to school, learning and playing alongside their friends.

For our Literacy lesson we will be focusing on text ‘Meg and Mog’ by Helen Nicoll and Jan Pienkowski and ‘Kipper’s Birthday' by Mick Inkpen. Literacy lessons will build and develop children’s love of stories and extend their book knowledge skills. As always, we will place a large emphasis on ‘Communication and language’ by supporting children to use new vocabulary, speak using simple sentences and be confident to ask and answer questions. This half term we are continuing to use our new ‘FANTASTIC Foundations’ scheme.  In line with the rest of the school. 

In Maths children will be developing their confidence with numbers 1,2 and 3.  We will also introduce the children to patterns.  They will be able to spot and talk about patterns, explore ABAB patterns using natural and manmade objects.

In Phonics this term the children will begin our ‘Little Wandle Letters and Sounds' programme. During these lessons, the children play different games and are introduced to new items that begin with the sound of the week.

This term the sounds we are learning are:

Week 1: s

Week 2: a

Week 3: t 

Week 4: p

Week 5: i

Week 6: n

Week 7: m

Week 8: d

The children will continue with their weekly 'Rainbow challenge’. This is used by the children during their ‘continuous provision time’ after adult input lessons. It is broken up into different areas/tables for the children to learn and play e.g. the ‘Construction area’ or the ‘Writing table’ or the ‘Reading corner’ and each are associated with a specific colour. Children are encouraged to explore their whole environment throughout the week and in doing so gain a coloured lollipop stick for each area they have engaged with. If they complete the Rainbow they are rewarded with a sticker and a prize at the end of the week.

In addition, we will also introduce the children to a weekly ‘Music Assembly’ whereby the children sing songs and explore sound and instruments. We will also have a celebration assembly each Friday to award our ‘Stars of the week’ and our new certificates that reflect on our characteristics of effective learning. During this half term parents and carers will have the opportunity to come into school for Celebration Assembly and see their child receive their certificate on Thursday 14^th November in the School Studio at 9am. We also have our EYFS Nativity on Wednesday 18^th December at 2.00pm in the School Hall.

Please see the 'Files to download' section below to find out more about your child's daily timetable and curriculum.

Reminders:

Diary Dates:

Parent’s evening: Monday 11^th and Tuesday 12^th November.

EYFS Celebration Assembly Thursday 14^th November at 9.00am in the school studio.

Children in need (wear something spotty or yellow) £1 donation Friday 15^th November.

Nursery Phonics workshop Tuesday 19^th November 8.45 am in the school hall.

Nursery Library visit Thursday 28^th November in the afternoon.

Thursday 12^th December Christmas Jumper and Christmas Dinner day.

EYFS Nativity Wednesday 18^th December 2.00pm in the school hall.

As we are now heading into Autumn please send a coat with your child everyday as the weather can change and be sunny in the morning but may rain in the afternoon.  Please make sure your child is bringing a water bottle to school which they can access throughout the day to stay hydrated.

As the weather is changeable please also make sure with you are sending appropriate colder  weather items e.g. hats, gloves, mittens ….    

Please remember to send in a pair of Wellington boots for your child. We play outside in all weathers and the children really do love to splash in muddy puddles.

We would like to remind all parents that as part of your child’s school uniform.  Please have a spare set of clothes in school at all times. This is in case there are any toileting accidents or messy play mishaps. It is an expectation that children come to school toilet trained but we appreciate this isn’t always so easy and will support them as best we can in school.

Homework – The children’s homework book and bag are sent home on a Friday and must be returned by the following Wednesday AM.  This allows the staff to review the Homework and get the new homework ready to send out on the Friday.   

 Application for Reception September 2025.

Please find below in the 'files to download' the application form for requesting your child’s place in Reception for September 2025. All Nursery children need this form to be filled in and sent to Manchester Council. Please send your form to: school.admissions@manchester.gov.uk If you have any questions about this process please ask a member of the Nursery team. 

Thank you for your support, we look forward to our continued work with until the end of the year and beyond!

One final message...

Here in Early years at Ashbury meadow primary school we put every effort into building strong relationships with our pupils so that school is a place they not only enjoy, and feel safe but THRIVE and communication and Language forms the foundation of this, please take a few minutes to watch this TED talk which encompasses our ethos

How Every Child can Thrive by Five by Molly Wright

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aISXCw0Pi94