Welcome to Nursery and Preschool

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Nursery and Preschool class page.

We hope you had a restful and enjoyable break with your families over Christmas. We are excited for the term ahead. Our aim in Preschool and Nursery is to provide children with a happy, safe and nurturing environment where they can make an exceptional start to their early education.

In Preschool, the children’s day becomes more structured, similar to Reception. This includes self-registration, a daily timetable with academic learning, and planned activities linked to current topics. We encourage independence in all areas of learning, especially personal care, with support provided whenever needed.

All Preschool children should be fully toilet trained before starting Reception. Our staff are happy to offer guidance if you would like support with this at home.

Staffing in Nursery and Preschool

• Miss Robinson – Class Teacher
• Mrs Ubaid – HLTA
• Mrs Sabar – TA

Attendance and Prompt Arrival

Nursery gates open at:

• 8:30am–8:45am (Morning Session)
• 12:15pm–12:30pm (Afternoon Session)

Arriving on time ensures your child does not miss valuable learning. Regular attendance helps children build good habits, develop friendships, and experience continuity in their learning. Higher attendance leads to better progress and readiness for school.

Home Time

Gates open for home time at:

• 11:15am–11:30am (Morning Session)
• 3:00pm–3:15pm (Afternoon Session)

If someone new is collecting your child, please inform the school and ensure they know the collection password. Without this, we cannot release children, for safety reasons. We also advise that children hold an adult’s hand as they leave the school site.

Clothing, Uniform and Footwear

We enjoy outdoor play in all weather. Please ensure your child wears suitable clothing, including a waterproof coat, and that they have a pair of wellies to keep at Nursery.

Preschool pupils and Nursery children who are already three years old should wear Brookhouse uniform each day. Please speak to a member of staff if you have any uniform questions.

Curriculum and Learning

More information on our Early Years curriculum for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds can be found in the Early Years section of the school website.

This half term our topic is ‘Walking through the jungle’. The knowledge organiser includes the stories, songs and rhymes we will be learning. Below is a summary of our learning focus for each curriculum area.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Staff consistently reinforce rules, boundaries and expectations. We praise and encourage children who follow routines and play cooperatively.

Children will be supported to talk about their feelings using words such as happy, sad, angry or worried. Staff model how to use resources independently and creatively.

Nursery targets this half term:

• Develop independence, using phrases such as “me do it”.
• New starters: feel calm and comforted by their key worker.

Preschool targets:

• Remember rules without adult reminders.
• Understand why rules are important.
• Play with one or more children, extending and developing play ideas.

We will be introducing the toothbrushing scheme in Nursery and Preschool. This supports but does not replace brushing at home; children should continue brushing morning and night under adult supervision.

Communication and Language

Our curriculum is rich in stories, language and rhymes. Children will retell familiar stories using puppets, masks and props, both indoors and outdoors.

Staff support vocabulary development by modelling language, using open-ended questions and providing visual cues.

Preschool targets:

• Sing a wide repertoire of songs.
• Know many rhymes.
• Talk about familiar books.
• Tell a long, sequenced story.

Nursery targets:

• Recognise and point to objects when named.
• Use language to describe objects.
• Develop pretend play with increasing imagination.

Physical Development

Children will develop fine motor skills through activities such as playdough, painting, threading, and using small tools. Daily outdoor play supports gross motor development through climbing, bikes, scooters and large mark making.

Nursery targets:

• Begin to kick, throw and catch.
• Clap and move to music.
• Move in different ways independently.

Preschool targets:

• Match physical skills to specific tasks.
• Choose the right resources for their plans.
• Use one-handed tools (e.g., scissors) with increasing control.

Literacy

Early literacy is closely linked to communication and language. Stories are shared daily, and reading areas are designed to be cosy, inviting and vocabulary-rich.

We strongly encourage families to share stories regularly at home, supporting language development and strengthening bonds.

Preschool targets:

• Begin writing some letters accurately.
• Develop phonological awareness.
• Understand that print has different purposes.

Nursery targets:

• Develop story-themed play using props.
• Enjoy drawing freely.
• Join in with rhymes and songs, copying sounds and rhythms.

Maths

Maths is taught through practical, engaging activities. Children will explore numbers through rhymes, games, role play and hands-on experiences.

Nursery targets:

• Show early counting behaviours (pointing, vocalising).
• React to changes in small groups of objects (up to 3).
• Combine materials such as stacking blocks or cups.

Preschool targets:

• Link numerals and quantities up to 5.
• Discuss routes and locations (e.g., in front of, behind).
• Explore 3D shapes using informal and mathematical vocabulary.

Understanding the World

Children will explore natural materials and outdoor environments with support from staff.

Our RE topic this term is ‘How do you celebrate special times?’ Preschool children will explore special occasions such as birthdays, new babies, weddings, and celebrations like Chinese New Year, Jewish New Year and Shrove Tuesday.

Preschool children will also plant seeds, explore material properties and discuss changes they notice.

Nursery targets:

• Explore natural phenomena.
• Make connections between their family and others.
• Repeat actions and observe their effects.

Expressive Arts and Design

Children will develop imagination and creativity through art, role play, music, construction and model making.

Nursery targets:

• Move and dance to music.
• Explore their voice and enjoy making sounds.
• Join in with action songs such as Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Preschool targets:

• Show different emotions in their drawings and paintings, like happiness, sadness, fear etc.
• To explore colour and colour mixing.
• To listen with increased attention to sounds.

Further Information

We are very much looking forward to working with your children this half term. We hope you find this information helpful. If you have any questions, please speak to a member of our team.

Kind regards,

Miss Robinson, Mrs Ubaid and Mrs Sabar