Leiston Primary School Early Years Curriculum Goals

At Leiston Primary School we aim for our learners to leave Early Years having achieved the following curriculum goals:

To make friends and get along well with others.

To see how special we are and work on our own and team goals.

To share what we are thinking and feeling.

To use our bodies in fun and exciting ways.

To enjoy and love reading books.

To learn about numbers and solve tricky puzzles.

To learn about ourselves, our friends, and the world around us.

To use our imagination and think carefully.

Spring Term at LPS Nursery

Welcome back to all our families, and a warm welcome to our new Nursery children joining us this term!

This term, we will continue to build on the children’s interests while exploring our new learning theme:
“I wonder what happens next…”

Our lines of learning enquiry this term include:

• Nursery rhymes
• Traditional tales
• Wintertime
• People who help us
• Transport
• Celebrations such as Shrove Tuesday, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Chinese New Year, and Easter

Our key goals for this term are:

• To perform a nursery rhyme
• To visit or speak with someone whose occupation is to help us

Sharing Books
Children and parents who joined us last term will be familiar with our Sharing Book scheme. This term, Sharing Books will continue to be sent home weekly, allowing children to enjoy a variety of stories with their grown-ups. Please help us by keeping the books safe and returning them each week so your child can bring home a new one.

Additionally, your child has a name card—please support them at home in recognising their own name to build confidence and early literacy skills.

Communication and Language – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we foster strong communication and language skills by immersing children in a rich environment of stories, songs, conversation, and new vocabulary. We focus on listening carefully, understanding instructions, and expressing thoughts clearly.

Our Communication and Language learning intentions this term are:

• I can listen and join in with rhymes and familiar stories.
• I can anticipate key phrases and join in with repeated refrains.
• I am starting to speak in 4–6 word sentences.
• I can follow simple 2-step instructions.
• I can take turns when talking and listening in a conversation.
• I can answer ‘who’ and ‘what’ questions about stories we share.
• I can use words I have recently learned when talking with others.
• I can understand and respond to questions, instructions, and simple commands.
• I know that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.
• I can remember and talk about parts of a story I’ve heard.
• I am beginning to pay attention to more than one thing at a time.
• I can categorise objects based on their features (e.g. colour, shape, use).
• I can join in with repeated refrains and respond to rhythm and rhyme.
• I am starting to give meaning to the marks I make.
• I can express my likes and dislikes about a shared story.
• I can clap syllables and hear initial sounds in words.
• I can respond to stories and sounds through mark making.

This term, we continue our Phase 1 Phonics journey through playful sound activities:

Weeks 11–16:

• Body percussion
• Blending and segmenting
• Rhythm and rhyme
• Alliteration
• Voice sounds

Weeks 17–22:

• Environmental sounds
• Instrumental sounds
• Body percussion
• Continued blending and segmenting

By embedding phonics and storytelling into daily routines, we support children to become confident communicators, ready for the next stage of their learning.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we support children to build confidence in themselves, develop independence, and form positive relationships with others. Through play, storytelling, circle time, and everyday routines, children learn to understand and manage their feelings, share and take turns, and follow simple rules and boundaries.

This term, our Personal, Social and Emotional Development intentions are:

• I can usually manage delay when my needs aren’t met straight away.
• I can begin to understand that sometimes my wishes might not be met.
• I am learning to share and take turns with support.
• I can play alongside one or more children, contributing to shared play experiences.
• I can sit and listen during group times, such as circle time.
• I am learning ways to express myself assertively and kindly.
• I am able to follow simple 2-step instructions.
• I can follow rules and routines, showing that I know what is expected.
• I know that I can approach an adult if I need help or support.
• I understand that resources must be looked after and tidied away when I’m finished.
• I am learning to recognise and talk about different feelings like happy, sad, angry, or worried.
• I understand that others have feelings too and that we can all take turns and share.
• I can explore the areas of the nursery safely and confidently.
• I am learning that there are boundaries and that they help us stay safe and happy.

Through warm and supportive interactions, we help children manage their emotions, become more independent, and build respectful relationships with others.

Physical Development – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we support children to grow in confidence as they learn to move, explore, and take care of themselves. This term, we’ll be helping children strengthen both their gross motor (big movements) and fine motor (small hand and finger movements) skills through a variety of fun and active experiences.

This term, our Physical Development learning intentions are:

• I can move my body in different ways, showing control, balance, and coordination.
• I can jump and land safely from a height.
• I can control a ball in different ways and balance on a range of equipment.
• I can move with confidence on bikes and scooters and use climbing equipment safely.
• I show a preference for using one hand and am beginning to develop a comfortable pencil grip.
• I can use one-handed tools such as scissors, hammers, and glue sticks with increasing control.
• I can fill and carry containers with different materials like water and sand.
• I am learning how to safely use tools and materials in creative and practical play.
• I can follow a simple sequence of movements to music or rhythm.
• I can dress and undress with help and am developing independence in using the toilet and washing my hands.

Through movement, outdoor play, and practical activities, we help children build strength, coordination, and self-care skills to support lifelong healthy habits and independence.

Literacy – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we nurture a love for books, stories, and early mark-making through exciting and engaging activities that help children understand the world of print and spoken language.

This term, our Literacy learning intentions are:

• I enjoy listening to and joining in with stories, songs, and rhymes.
• I can join in with repeated phrases and anticipate what happens next in familiar stories.
• I know that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.
• I can answer simple questions about a story, like “Who?” or “What?”
• I can talk about parts of a book, such as the cover, pages, and spine.
• I understand that print carries meaning and can be used to give information.
• I am starting to recognise sounds at the beginning of words and spot them in the environment.
• I know that letters make sounds and are used to build words.
• I can talk about the marks I make and give them meaning.
• I can draw lines, curves, and shapes to support my early writing.
• I am beginning to hear and identify syllables and rhyming words in stories and songs.

We are also continuing our Phase 1 Phonics work, focusing on key skills that build the foundations for reading and writing:

Weeks 11–16:

• Body percussion
• Blending and segmenting
• Rhythm and rhyme
• Alliteration
• Voice sounds

Weeks 17–22:

• Environmental sounds
• Instrumental sounds
• Continued blending and segmenting

Through storytelling, phonics games, and opportunities for mark-making, children develop essential skills for communication, comprehension, and early writing in a fun and engaging way.

Mathematics – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we explore early maths through fun, hands-on experiences, songs, stories, and play. Children are encouraged to notice patterns, compare quantities, and explore shapes as they build a secure understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts.

This term, our Mathematics learning intentions are:

• I can recognise 1, 2, or 3 objects without counting (subitise).
• I can show 1, 2, and 3 using my fingers or objects.
• I can say how I know there are 1, 2, or 3 items (e.g. “1 and another 1 is 2”).
• I can count 1, 2, and 3 objects reliably.
• I am beginning to recognise numerals up to 3.
• I can say number names to 5 and am learning to count beyond 5.
• I know that the last number I say tells me “how many” in a set.
• I understand that each object should only be counted once.
• I can compare the height and length of objects using simple words like “tall,” “short,” “long.”
• I can describe objects using size and weight words such as “light,” “heavy,” “full,” and “empty.”
• I am beginning to recognise and talk about 2D and 3D shapes using everyday language.
• I can spot, create, and extend simple patterns (e.g. AB patterns).
• I can match, sort, and group objects by their features (shape, size, colour).
• I enjoy singing number rhymes and counting songs.

These early maths skills are developed through daily routines, sensory play, building activities, and interactive learning indoors and outdoors.

Understanding the World – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we encourage children to be curious and explore the world around them through hands-on discovery, storytelling, celebrations, and meaningful experiences that help them make sense of their environment, community, and cultures.

This term, our Understanding the World learning intentions are:

• I can talk about people in my family and listen to stories about my past.
• I can share simple memories and experiences from home.
• I know about different celebrations such as Easter and why they are special.
• I am learning about animals – wild, farm, and pets – and what makes them different.
• I can sort animals into groups based on their features or where they live.
• I am beginning to understand how we care for living things and our environment.
• I can talk about how things move or change, such as with push or pull.
• I know that adults have different jobs and can name some people who help us.
• I can explore similarities and differences in transport and how we travel.
• I can notice seasonal changes and explore weather in winter and spring.
• I am learning how people celebrate around the world – e.g., Easter, Mother’s Day, Holi, and Chinese New Year.

Through exploring natural materials, stories, and celebrations, children begin to understand their place in the wider world and develop respect for others and their environment.

Expressive Arts and Design – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we encourage imagination, creativity, and expression through music, movement, role play, and a wide range of art materials. Children are supported to explore their ideas, make choices, and develop their artistic voice.

This term, our Expressive Arts and Design learning intentions are:

• I can create closed shapes using continuous lines to represent objects.
• I am beginning to include details in my drawings and paintings.
• I can explore how to mix colours to create new ones.
• I can choose which materials to use and combine them in creative ways.
• I can construct with a purpose in mind, using tools and materials safely.
• I can make music using percussion instruments, changing how I play to match feelings or stories.
• I can follow instructions such as “stop” and “play” when using musical instruments.
• I enjoy singing songs I know and learning new ones.
• I can use lines and shapes in art to represent real things or my own ideas.
• I know that different types of art come from different cultures, such as Rangoli patterns and Divas from India.
• I can act out familiar stories using props and costumes with my friends.
• I can talk about what I have created and how I made it.

By providing open-ended creative experiences, we help children express themselves confidently and develop a sense of identity and imagination.

Welcome to the Autumn Term at Leiston Primary School Nursery

A warm welcome to all our new children joining us this term, and to those who joined during the Spring and Summer terms – we are thrilled to have you with us! It’s a joy to see so many happy faces, and we’re excited for all the learning, exploration, and fun the year ahead holds.

This Term’s Learning Theme:

“I wonder what is special…”
Throughout the Autumn term, alongside following the children’s own interests, we’ll be exploring this theme through a range of engaging and meaningful experiences. Possible areas of learning include:

• Ourselves and our birthdays
• Our families and friends
• Autumn and harvest
• Weather and rainbows
• Colours
• Celebrations such as Halloween, Bonfire Night, Remembrance Day, Diwali, and Christmas

Termly End Goals

By the end of the term, we aim for the children to:

• Follow a simple recipe to bake bread or make a cake
• Take part in and perform a Christmas play for their grown-ups

Sharing Books

If your child was with us last term, you’ll be familiar with our Sharing Books – a lovely way for children to enjoy stories with their adults at home. We will be reintroducing Sharing Books in the coming weeks. Books will be sent home weekly and changed regularly, allowing children to enjoy a wide variety of stories. Please ensure books are returned each week so your child can take home a new one to enjoy.

Communication and Language – This Term at LPS Nursery.

Supporting children’s communication and language is a key focus at LPS Nursery. Through stories, songs, and playful conversations, we are helping children to become confident communicators and active listeners.

This term, our Communication and Language learning intentions are:

• I am learning to use words that are important to me, like names of people and special objects.
• I am starting to ask questions like “who?”, “what?”, “when?” and “how?” to help me understand the world around me.
• I am beginning to understand and follow simple instructions.
• I know it’s okay to talk about what I want or need.
• I am learning that stories have different characters – some are real and some are pretend.
• I am starting to understand that stories have a beginning, a middle and an end.
• I can listen to longer stories and remember some of the key events.
• I can retell nursery rhymes and number rhymes from memory.
• I am learning to sing clearly and confidently.

As part of our phonics focus this term, we will also be exploring early sound skills through Phase 1 activities:

Weeks 1–4:

• Environmental sounds
• Instrumental sounds
• Body percussion
• Blending and segmenting

Weeks 5–10:

• Rhythm and rhyme
• Alliteration
• Voice sounds
• Continued blending and segmenting
• Revisiting environmental and instrumental sounds

These fun and engaging activities lay the foundations for strong listening and speaking skills, and help prepare children for early reading.

We begin the term with a two-week settling-in period, helping children feel safe and secure in their new environment before diving into our rich language curriculum.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) – This Term at LPS Nursery.

At LPS Nursery helping children feel secure, confident, and connected is at the heart of all we do. This term, we are supporting the children with the following PSED learning intentions:

• I am becoming more confident around unfamiliar people and in new situations.
• I can play with another child, joining in and adding my own ideas to the play.
• I am learning to take turns and follow simple rules.
• I am starting to understand and talk about my feelings, such as happy, sad, or tired.
• I know I can ask a grown-up for help when I need it.
• I am learning how to manage my behaviour in line with our nursery routines.
• I am growing in confidence to express myself and talk about what makes me unique.
• I know that eating healthy foods and looking after my teeth are good for me.

These skills and knowledge help each child develop the confidence and social skills needed to build friendships, manage emotions, and become increasingly independent in their learning journey.

Physical Development – This Term at LPS Nursery.

At LPS Nursery, we support children to grow in confidence as they learn to move, explore, and take care of themselves. This term, we’ll be helping children strengthen both their gross motor (big movements) and fine motor (small hand and finger movements) skills through a variety of fun and active experiences.

Our Physical Development learning intentions this term are:

• I can move my body in different ways, showing control and balance.
• I can move in time to music, stopping and starting when the music does.
• I can explore moving to different beats and rhythms – fast and slow.
• I can use my feet to climb, stepping one foot at a time.
• I can use mark-making tools like paintbrushes and scissors safely and confidently.
• I can make snips on paper using scissors.
• I can use one-handed tools like pencils or glue sticks with control.
• I can draw simple shapes like lines and circles using big arm movements.
• I can feed myself and ask for help when I need it, for example with opening lunch containers.
• I am becoming more confident in dressing myself and taking part in self-care activities.

We will also support children to develop their self-care and hygiene skills, helping them become more independent:

• I am learning to take care of my toileting needs most of the time.
• I know how and when to wash my hands, especially after going to the toilet and before eating.
• I know the importance of keeping myself clean and tidy.

These daily routines and physical play activities help children build confidence, independence, and healthy habits for life.

Literacy Learning – This Term as LPS Nursery.

At LPS Nursery, we nurture a love for books, stories, and early mark-making through exciting and engaging activities that help children understand the world of print and spoken language.

This term, our Literacy learning intentions are:

• I show interest in books, pictures, and signs in the environment.
• I am learning that print has meaning and that it can be used to give us information.
• I can name parts of a book such as the front cover, back cover, pages, and spine.
• I know that in English, we read text from left to right and top to bottom.
• I can join in with repeated phrases from familiar stories.
• I am developing early book-handling skills.
• I can express simple thoughts and preferences about stories we share.
• I know that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.
• I know that letters make sounds and are used to build words.
• I am starting to notice the first sounds in words and spot them in my environment.
• I can ascribe meaning to my own marks and the marks I see around me.
• I can draw lines and curves to support my early writing and mark-making.

We are also focusing on Phase 1 Phonics, which supports children’s listening and sound discrimination skills:

Weeks 1–4:

• Environmental sounds
• Instrumental sounds
• Body percussion
• Blending and segmenting

Weeks 5–10:

• Rhythm and rhyme
• Alliteration
• Voice sounds
• Continued blending and segmenting

Through stories, songs, nursery rhymes and playful exploration of sound, we help build the foundations for reading and writing, while fostering confidence and curiosity in all our children.

Maths Learning – This Term at LPS Nursery.

At LPS Nursery, we explore early maths through fun, hands-on experiences, songs, stories, and play. Children are encouraged to notice patterns, compare quantities, and explore shapes as they build a secure understanding of numbers and mathematical concepts.

This term, our Mathematical Development learning intentions are:

Number:

• I can say number names in order up to 5.
• I know the last number said tells me “how many” there are altogether.
• I can show finger numbers up to 3.
• I can count one item at a time and match each object with one number.
• I am starting to recognise numerals for 1 and 2.
• I can recognise 1, 2 or 3 objects without counting (subitising).
• I can talk about how I know a number of objects is 1 or 2 (e.g. “it’s all by itself” or “1 and 1 makes 2”).
• I enjoy singing number songs and rhymes to help with my counting.

Pattern:

• I can join in with repeated patterns and predict what will come next.
• I can create and continue simple ABAB patterns (like red-blue-red-blue).
• I can spot and fix a mistake in a repeating pattern.

Shape, Space and Measure:

• I explore and build with a range of 2D shapes and objects.
• I use everyday language to describe shapes (e.g. sides, corners, straight, flat).
• I can talk about size using words like “bigger,” “smaller,” and “same.”
• I can compare and sort items by size, shape, and colour.
• I can complete simple insert puzzles using shape recognition.

Colour Recognition:

• I can identify and name colours: red, blue, yellow, green, and purple.
• I can sort and match objects by colour.
• I enjoy exploring colours and mixing them during creative play.

Our maths learning this term will be supported by hands-on activities, daily routines, and opportunities for the children to explore and apply their learning in meaningful ways. Through songs, stories, play and practical experiences, children will develop confidence and curiosity with number, shape, pattern, and measurement.

Understanding the World – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we explore what makes us special by learning about our families, friends, and the world around us. Through engaging activities, stories, and play, children discover how the seasons change and explore a variety of celebrations and traditions.I can talk about the things that make me unique.

• I can describe how I am similar to and different from my friends and family.
• I can recognise and talk about special times and events for my family and friends.
• I can talk about what it means to grow up.
• I can talk about family celebrations.
• I can explore changes that happen in Autumn.
• I can talk about my immediate family and my role in it.
• I can talk about events and celebrations from different groups of people.
• I can explore what happens on cold winter days.
• I can recognise who is part of my family and talk about different family structures.
• I can understand that everyone has a birthday and talk about how birthdays are celebrated around the world.
• I can understand that some celebrations belong to certain cultures, like Diwali, Hanukkah, and Christmas.
• I can make Rangoli patterns using different materials.
• I can learn stories and traditions related to Autumn festivals.

Expressive Arts and Design Learning – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we inspire children to explore music, movement, and creativity through playful activities that encourage self-expression and sensory development.

This term, our Music and Creative Arts learning intentions are:

• I can create movement in response to music.
• I join in with simple, repetitive rhymes and songs.
• I can make choices about which materials to use when creating.
• I can join different materials together safely to build and craft.
• I can perform songs and dances in our Christmas performance.
• I know that different musical instruments make different sounds.
• I can listen carefully and share my thoughts and feelings about the sounds I hear.
• I know that there are different types of art and ways to be creative.
• I understand how different colours and materials can be combined to make new effects.
• I learn about art and craft traditions from different cultures, such as Rangoli patterns and Diwali decorations.

Throughout the term, children will explore a range of musical sounds, experiment with colours and materials, and develop their fine motor skills through creative activities. Our aim is to nurture confidence, curiosity, and an appreciation for the arts in all children.