Hill Class
Nursery
Welcome to Hill Class Page!
In Hill Class, we respect that each child is an individual and will experience positive learning that reflects their personal journey. Early years provides a play-based learning environment which enables a child to learn and grow through experiences both inside the classroom and in the outdoor areas. Children can explore and develop their own ideas, both independently and working with friends and adults through discussion. This enables a child to enhance their own problem solving and gain in confidence in daily challenges which leads to extending their own knowledge and embed a solid foundation for their next steps in education. Children are able to access a range of experiences and activities throughout the day, some of which will be adult led and some will be child initiated, where they will be learning through play. As the foundation step in education, Hill Class promote a positive growth mind set and encourages the children to reflect on their emotions, exploring why we feel the way we do and encourages children to talk and understand the actions of those around them.
Children have the opportunity to take risks, and to be challenged across the prime and specific areas of learning and development. This is done through engagement, motivation, opportunities for critical thinking and problem solving, building upon and developing the characteristics of effective learning.
Throughout Hill Class, the children are encouraged to take ownership of the learning environment, to care and respect each other and develop healthy relationship where every child feels valued as an individual.
In our class you will find:
Nursery Teacher and EYFS Lead:
Mrs S Leuty
Nursery Teacher:
Mrs K Abrams-Stebbings
Teaching Assistants:
Mrs C Patrick, Mrs E Palin, Miss J Waling
2024-2025 Spring
Welcome to an exciting Spring term at our school! In the first half of the term, we will embark on a thrilling exploration of the theme 'Dinosaurs.' Our young learners will be transported back to the Jurassic era as they step into the shoes of palaeontologists. They will engage in discussions about dinosaurs, discover how and where they lived, and investigate their physical characteristics. Who knows? We might even see a surprise visit from dinosaurs in our Nursery!
As part of our learning journey, we will review colours and embed our understanding of numbers from 1 to 5 through engaging texts, lively rhymes, and interactive play. We'll also extend our numerical skills up to 10, paving the way for a solid foundation in mathematics.
In the second half of the term, our focus will shift to the theme 'Growing and Changing.' Here, we will explore the changing seasons and delve into the wonders of the natural world. The children will have the opportunity to grow and nurture plants, gaining insight into what they need to thrive and flourish. This hands-on experience will lead into exciting discussions about food production, from seed to the supermarket shelf. We will also investigate the life cycles of various animals and insects, marvelling at the incredible transformations these living beings undergo throughout their lives. Additionally, our little explorers will embark on shape hunts and learn to describe different shapes while exploring concepts of size.
Stay tuned for a term filled with discovery, hands-on learning, and fun!
The learning environment will also support the children in the recognition of numbers and that number can be represented in a variety of ways. We will continue on our understanding of phonics and develop our independent personal skills, especially those are getting ready for their next step in education and moving on to being ‘school ready.’ These skills include working on fine motor skills which include holding writing equipment correctly, using scissors, using blocks or toys to construct something. The children are encourages to be independent in dressing, and even hygiene tasks like brushing teeth or hair and using a toilet.
Recommended Websites and Apps
Is your child ready for school? Not sure? Check out Pacey's website which is a great tool for helping you to understand your child's learning. If your not sure, please speak to a staff member of Hill Class who can help you.
https://www.pacey.org.uk/working-in-childcare/spotlight-on/being-school-ready/#parents
Phonics play is a great resource for early education games. As we learn new skills, we will include the link on our weekly post or you can research them by using this link.
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
A selection of free interactive games to support your child’s developing phonic knowledge (some games do require a paid subscription).
Tapestry Learning Journals
At our Nursery, every child is provided with a Tapestry learning journal. This platform allows us to document your child's progress and share details about daily activities and special events. We encourage parents to review their child’s journal on a weekly basis. Additionally, you can use this wonderful tool to communicate with us about your child's learning experiences at home. Your involvement is invaluable in supporting your child's growth and development!
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Knowledge Organisers
Please see below for our yearly curriculum overview and our termly overview of learning which this term is 'Dinosaurs' and 'Growing and Changing.'