Hill Class
Preschool
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:
Preschool Teacher and EYFS Lead:
Mrs S Leuty
Preschool Teacher:
Mrs K Abrams-Stebbings
Teaching Assistants:
Mrs C Patrick, Mrs E Palin, Miss J Waling
2024-2025 Autumn
During the first half of the Autumn term, our theme will be 'All About Me.' We will begin by delving into emotions and feelings, fostering relationships and connections among the children. They will learn about their bodies—what they can do and how each of us have individual qualities that make us unique and special. We’ll discuss families and explore how we grow and change throughout different life stages. Additionally, children will reflect on their future aspirations and what they might want to do when they grow up. We will also investigate our local area using interactive maps, books, and photos, as well as through various walks. This will help the children understand their surroundings and compare the history of the area around our school to the present day.
In the second half of the term we will be exploring 'Journeys.' In the second half of the term, the class will explore the theme of travel. We will focus on locational and positional language, modes of transport, and gain insights about the local area where the children reside. Students will reflect on their own journeys, considering various types of trips and the reasons we embark on them. They will also learn about the evolution of transport and the motivations behind traveling.
As we advance through the unit, the children will examine the different forms of transportation available for various journeys. They will specifically consider expeditions to some of the coldest places on Earth, such as the North Pole and South Pole, while also researching explorers and the seven continents.
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).
.
Knowledge Organisers
Please see below for our yearly curriculum overview and our termly overview of learning which this term is 'Animals and their Babies' and 'Heroes and Adventurers.'