1. Aims of the Nursery Meeting
To learn more about the curriculum your child will be following.
Find out how you can help at home.
Visit the Nursery setting.
Ask questions or share information with staff.

2. What is the Early Years Foundation Stage?
We refer to this as the E.Y.F.S.
It is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of their Reception year.
It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and taking an active part in their learning.

3. Positive Relationships Enabling Environments Learning and Development
In Nursery we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. At the heart of the curriculum are 4 principles which are central to our practice. The 4 principles are:
A Unique Child
Positive Relationships
Enabling Environments
Learning and Development

4. Areas of learning… The Foundation Stage Curriculum
3 Prime Areas
1. Personal, Social and Emotional
Development
2. Communication and Language
3. Physical Development
These are crucial for developing children’s curiosity
and enthusiasm for learning.

5. Areas of learning… The Foundation Stage Curriculum
Then there are 4 Specific Areas 4. Literacy 5. Mathematics 6. Understanding the world 7. Expressive arts and design

6. Characteristics of Effective Learning
The characteristics of effective learning underpin the curriculum and support children in becoming effective, independent learners.
There are three key areas:
Playing and Exploring
Active Learning
Creating and Thinking Critically

7. Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Becoming confident, independent learners.
Making and building relationships.
To know what their own needs are.
Making choices for themselves.
Managing their feelings and
behaviour.

8. Communication and Language
Encouraging children to develop and use their conversational skills in a range of situations.
Enabling children to express themselves and understand and act on instructions given to them.
Helping children to develop
their listening and
concentration skills.

9. Physical Development Supporting children’s healthy development.
Providing opportunities for using a range of large and small equipment.
Helping children to develop a sense of space around themselves and others.
Handling equipment and tools effectively.
Encouraging balance.
Developing basic hygiene skills.
Beginning to dress and undress
independently.

10. Literacy Reading Enjoying rhyming and rhythmic activities.
Listening to and joins in with stories and poems.
Looking at books independently.
Writing
Sometimes giving meaning to the marks they make when drawing and painting.
When we start our phonic activities we begin to hear and say the initial sounds in words.

11. Mathematics Using some number names accurately in play.
Singing lots of number songs together.
Showing an interest in number problems.
Sometimes matching numerals and quantities correctly.
Showing an interest in numbers in the environment.
Showing an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects.

12. Understanding the World
Showing an interest in the lives of people
who are familiar to us.
Talking about significant events from their own experiences.
Showing an interest in different occupations and ways of life.
Showing care and concern for living things and the environment.
Talking about why things happen and how things work.
Using simple technology and ICT equipment.

13. Expressive Arts and Design
Singing lots of familiar songs and exploring sounds and instruments.
Exploring colour and how colours can be changed.
Using various construction materials.
Exploring different forms of expression.
Engaging in imaginative role-play based on their own first-hand experiences.
Capturing experiences and
responding with a range of media.

14. Tracking Progress
We use an online tracking program to make observations of children when they are playing or busy with activities.
You will be given a password to access your child’s ‘Learning Journey’ and please add information or things from home to build up a full picture of your child.
Staff use this information to make judgements and plan the ‘next steps’
to help your child progress to
their next stage.

15. What can you do to help your child when they start Nursery?
Share lots of books and talk about the pictures.
Encourage mark making activities at home.
Encourage children to talk about their play.
Practise counting including stairs, toys etc.
Look for numbers in the environment.
Play games together.
Sing rhymes and songs together.
Encourage children to put on their
own shoes and coats.
Encourage children to use a knife
and fork.

16. Communication Our school website www.ashlandsprimary.org.uk
Parent mail
The Early Essence online profile mapping your child’s ‘Learning Journey’.
Feedback on the website-Nursery page.
Half termly newsletter.
Parents Evenings in Oct, March
and an Open evening in July.

17. Other matters…
If somebody different is collecting your child you must inform us by ringing the school office or please speak to a member of staff when you drop off.
Please name all items of clothing.
Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and activities in Nursery.
We are really looking forward to a happy partnership!