The nursery class curriculum is based on the non-statutory curriculum 'Development Matters'.  This forms the first year of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) applies to children from birth to the end of the Reception year. At St Thomas we have a Nursery for children aged 3-4 years and Reception, 4-5 years.

The EYFS is based upon four principles:

• every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured;

• children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships;

• children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers;

• children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

Our curriculum gives children memorable and inspiring experiences, opportunities and direct instruction that will motivate their learning and increase their engagement. Books and stories are woven through our provision and our practice ensuring that children leave the early years with a love of reading. The curriculum is designed to constantly flow from

• the known to the unknown

• the familiar to the unfamiliar

• the local to the global

• the first-hand to the secondary

The seven areas of learning and development and how we implement them

The EYFS is made up of seven areas of learning and development which are equally important, interlinked and depend on each other.

These areas are delivered through well planned continuous provision, daily routines and adult led opportunities. We aim for a flexible mix of adult led and child-initiated activities within an environment which is designed to support them. Adult led encompasses whole class input, small group work and intentional interactions during child-initiated learning. 

                                    Nursery 22-23

                               Summer Term 2022-2023

                                    Spring Term

We started Lent this week by making pancakes for Shrove Tuesday. Father David led the Ash Wednesday service for YR and YN and distributed the ashes. To help us think about our Lenten Promise, we have been colouring in crosses each morning. We will be talking about the significance of Lent for our RE lessons this term in preparation for Easter.

The children are getting use to waiting for their turn in our cooking activities. Making pancakes, they took turns to count in the spoonfuls of ingredients and stirring the mixture. It has also supported literacy skills for ‘Talk for Writing’ by emphasising the vocabulary for recounting the recipe. For example, ‘first’ we put in the flour, ‘then’ we beat the eggs, 'next' we add the milk etc.

                                                        Our Easter Parade

                                    Making toys with recycled materials

After making their toy boats the children experimented to see if they would float. They created wind by blowing and watched how they were able to move the boats across the water. They discovered that when the water went into the boat, the boat sank to the bottom.

                                                 Autumn Term