Nursery Class Teacher - Miss Hughes

Learning Support Officers - Mrs Harris, Mrs Evans, Mrs Steptoe & Miss Lewis

Welcome to the Autumn term in Nursery! This term will be spent getting to know our new friends, our teachers and our school. The children will be spending time exploring their new learning environment and we will be discussing our classroom expectations, rules and routines. Our overarching concept as a school this term is Human Kind, Identity, Diversity and Discrimination; in this concept, we will begin to think all about ourselves, our identities and what makes us special. We will learn about friendships, family and caring for others. The children will develop their social skills by beginning to play alongside and cooperatively, and respond appropriately to both adults and peers.

During the first few weeks of term, we will be using the Foundation Phase Profile and WellComm assessment tools to help us to get to know your children. The children will be completing play-based activities within the classroom while being observed by members of staff. Throughout the Autumn term, we will be developing the children’s vocabulary and language skills through various activities and group discussions. We aim to foster a love of reading utilising our book corner and through our daily class reading. After half term, we will begin introducing the children to the Core Knowledge Literacy programme starting with the 'All About Me' domain. During these sessions, children will begin to learn how to ask and answer questions appropriately, listen to others with growing attention and express their opinions to their peers. Children will begin to learn to follow simple Welsh instructions and use incidental Welsh through our daily activities and Helpwr Heddiw sessions.

This term, we will begin by finding out what mathematical knowledge the children are starting out with using the Foundation Phase Profile to enable us to plan effectively. Throughout the term, we will investigate and explore numbers through songs, play and structured activities. The children will be given opportunities to count, make sets and develop their understanding of numbers using a variety of resources both inside the classroom and in our outdoor area. The children will also be introduced to Numicon, a mathematics resource that we will continue to use in play and structured activities throughout our year in Nursery. Later on in the term, we will introduce the children to a variety of other mathematical equipment including dice, counters, 5 frames and number blocks. The children will also listen to, and begin to use and respond, to mathematical language and key vocabulary.

This term we are focusing on learning all about ourselves and sharing our experiences with our friends. Using the children's 'All about me' books created at home, we will discuss our similarities, differences and what makes us special. We will be given opportunities to get creative by creating collages in the creation station, painting self-portraits, playing musical instruments and dancing expressively. We will explore exciting areas of our school including the mud kitchen, the learning lodge and the 4D room. We will introduce the children to new technology including the learning app 'Seesaw', which acts as a platform for the children to complete and upload their work. We will also get to meet and spend time with our school dog, Barney!

Please ensure children bring water bottles with their name clearly labelled on them every day and that they contain water and not squash.

Please could all parents ensure that they regularly update their child's spare clothes bag to ensure there are clothes should an accident occur.

We have a number of children in school with a nut allergy. We strive to be a nut free school so please do not send in nut products in packed lunches.

PE will be on a Friday afternoon, children will need to wear their PE kit to school on a Friday.

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To contact your child's teacher please drop us an email via ask@oldcastleprimary.co.uk or call us 01656 815790.

Don't forget to download our School App via the Play or App stores - The School App will provide you with up to date information about activities and events at Oldcastle Primary School. Please look out for our weekly newsletter issued via The School App and available on our website on a Friday afternoon.