Gwyn Jones Primary School

Nursery Newsletter Spring 1

Dear Parents/Carers,

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your Christmas cards, gifts and good wishes for the holiday. We hope you all had a good break and wish you a very happy 2020.

This half term we are learning about Journeys. You will find a brief overview of the topic and some ways to help you extend your child’s learning over the page. 

As the junk modelling area is becoming more popular donations of recycling are welcome.  Any empty clean card boxes, bottles, bottle lids, card tubes, clear fruit trays etc can be donated at the nursery door.

Please remember that the nursery curriculum requires free access to the outside area in all weathers. Literacy, maths and science activities are planned for the outside environment and all children are expected to participate.  To ensure they are comfortable at nursery please remember to dress them in clothes they can move freely in and are able to manage when going to the toilet.  For safety reasons shoes should not have high heels and should support the child’s foot securely. In wet or muddy weather a pair of wellington boots is sensible.  

The snack table is available throughout the session providing fresh fruit or vegetables.  Please ensure your child’s water bottle is clearly labelled.

We have been encouraging independence and most children now are putting on their own coats and zipping their zips alone. 

The morning session starts at 08:45am and finishes at 11:45pm. The afternoon sessions begins at 12:15pm and finishes at 3:15pm. Please be prompt. The gate is secured 10 minutes after the start of the session to ensure the safety of all children. Please use this 10 minutes to look at your child’s special book, to change their reading book and pass on any information you wish to share.

It has been a privilege to work with your children and we are looking forward to the term ahead enormously.  
Yours sincerely,
Miss Rorke and the Nursery team
Personal, social and emotional:
This term we will focus on turn taking, independent learning, negotiating and co-operative learning. Children will ‘plan do and review’ so that a cycle of continuous improvement is established.
Communication and language:
Daily phonics activities follow Phase 1 of the Letters and Sounds programme.
Children will move away from answering the questions of adults and begin to develop their own questions. They will engage in ‘ping pong’ conversations with others. They will recall and retell events that have personal significance.
Things to remember:
The morning session starts at 08:45 am and ends at 11:45pm.
The afternoon session starts at 12:15pm and ends at 3:15pm.
Please ensure your child is on time.
Please call the school and inform us if anyone else is picking your child up. 
020 8556 7904  
Please ensure that all your children’s
clothes, water bottle and bags are clearly labelled with their name and class.
Expressive arts and design:
We have continuous access to resources that allow children to plan and create to their own ideas and designs.
The children performed their end of term songs with confidence. We continue to continue to introduce new songs with daily access to musical instruments and a weekly formal music lesson with Miss Leonard O’shea.

Maths: This term children will use puzzles depicting transport.  In cooking they will use standard and non standard measures.
Understanding the world:
Children will consider their own social worlds through the topic Journeys. We will consider the wider community by celebrating Chinese New Year.
Physical development: We will continue to develop balance and gross motor skills. We will be considering lifestyle choices to maximise health. Planned fine motor activities will build hand strength for writing.
How can you help?
Ensure your child arrives and is collected from Nursery on time.
Ensure your child changes their reading book at least once a week
Read a book with your child every day.
Encourage your child to draw and mark make at home
The Spring 1 Topic is 'Journeys'. We have already started by reading a range of story and information texts about varying journeys on land sea and in the air. The role play area will include a bus and bus stop as well as writing and speaking and listening opportunities when making tickets and planning a journey with their friends

Please remember that the nursery curriculum requires free access to the outside area in all weathers and your child will need warm waterproof clothing for cold, wet days.

• To ensure they are comfortable at nursery please remember to dress them in clothes they can move freely in and are able to manage when going to the toilet.
• Shoes should not have high heels and sandals and other summer shoes must support the child’s foot and be securely attached with a suitable strap.
• Toys should not be sent in to nursery.
• The snack table is available throughout the session providing fresh fruit and or vegetables. Water is available at every session and milk will also be offered daily.
• Please remember to label all of your child’s clothes with their name, including a change of clothes, which should be left in a bag on your child’s peg.
• The morning session starts at 8:45 am and ends at 11:45pm The afternoon session starts at 12:15pm and ends at 3:15pm Please ensure your child is on time. Please call the school on 020 8556 7904 and inform us if anyone else is picking your child up.