Welcome to Dragonfly Class...

Hello and welcome to the Nursery's Dragonfly Class. I am Mrs Childs the class teacher, and I work alongside Miss Chatten-Berry our experienced Early years practitioner and Mrs Ellis, together we form the Nursery Team.  As part of our daily routines your children will get the opportunity to work with all of us in a range of child led and adult focus play. 

Key Information about Leiston Primary School Nursery:

Our Nursery sessions run between 8:30 - 3:30

A 3 hour morning session: 8:30- 11:30

A lunch session 11:30-12:30 (There is an additional charge for these sessions). Parents will need to provide their child with a packed lunch and pay £2.50 for a lunch session or purchase a school meal for £5.20, this includes a school meal and the lunch session. 

A 3 hour afternoon session: 12:30-3:30

Further information about our Nursery can be found by following the link below...

Personal belongings, spare clothes and water bottles:

Please ensure that all children's belongings are named so that any misplaced items can be returned to your child. Please ensure that your child has a clearly labelled water bottle. Your child will have free flow access to the outdoor area so we ask that your child has appropriate clothing for the weather (coats in the winter and hats in the summer). We also ask that your child leaves any toys at home. 

Summer Term at Little Avocets Nursery

Welcome back to the Summer Term at Little Avocets, and a special welcome to the new children and families joining our Nursery community this term.

As always, we will continue to follow the children’s interests while introducing our exciting new learning theme:
"I wonder what lives here..."

This theme will guide our learning as we explore the natural world and the creatures that live within it. Through hands-on experiences, stories, and investigations, children will have the opportunity to discover and learn about:

• Minibeasts
• Bees
• Woodland animals
• Farm life
• Sea creatures
• Beaches
• Fish
• Mermaids and pirates

Our Key Learning Goals This Term:

• To observe the life cycle of a butterfly by caring for and releasing live caterpillars.
• To explore how honey is made and taste honey provided by a local beekeeper.

Sharing Books

We are continuing with our Sharing Book scheme this term. Each week, children will bring home a book to enjoy with their adult at home. Books are changed weekly, offering a wide range of exciting and engaging stories for families to share together.
Please help your child to take care of their book and return it each week so they can choose a new one to enjoy.

Supporting Name Recognition

Each child also has their own name card. We encourage you to support your child in recognising and beginning to read their name at home, which helps build confidence and early literacy skills.

We’re looking forward to a fun-filled term of learning, exploring, and growing together!

Communication & Language – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we provide rich opportunities for children to develop their speaking and listening skills through conversation, storytelling, imaginative play, and shared experiences. We support children in expressing themselves clearly, building their vocabulary, and understanding how language helps us communicate with others.

This term, we’ll continue to explore sounds and spoken language through Phase 1 Phonics, as well as begin to introduce early Phase 2 sounds, where appropriate.

Our Communication & Language learning intentions this term are:

• I can use talk to organise my play and share my ideas with others.

• I can pretend that objects represent something else, for example, “This box is my castle.”

• I am learning to ask and answer “why” and “how” questions in everyday conversations.

• I can respond appropriately during conversations with peers and adults.

• I am learning to use new words I hear in stories and discussions in my own speech.

• I know that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.

• I can answer questions about stories I’ve heard.

• I can talk about what happens next in familiar stories or rhymes.

• I am beginning to use talk to retell simple sequences or events.

Phase 1 Phonics Focus:

Weeks 23–27

• Voice Sounds

• Blending and Segmenting

• Environmental Sounds

• Instrumental Sounds

• Body Percussion

Weeks 28–32

• Blending and Segmenting

• Rhythm and Rhyme

• Alliteration

• Voice Sounds

We may also begin to explore early Phase 2 sounds:
(s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d) – where appropriate.

Through songs, rhymes, play-based storytelling, and meaningful interactions, we help children develop a strong foundation for confident communication and a lifelong love of language.

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

At LPS Nursery, we nurture children’s emotional wellbeing by helping them develop positive relationships, express their feelings, and understand how to interact kindly and respectfully with others.

This term, our focus is on helping children become more aware of their own emotions, begin to understand how others feel, and develop the confidence to express themselves in a caring and respectful way.

Our Personal, Social & Emotional Development intentions this term are:

• I can share how I am feeling with a grown-up I trust.
• I am starting to understand feelings like happy, sad, tired, worried, angry, and scared.
• I am beginning to understand how someone else might feel.
• I can sit during circle time and join in calming class sessions, such as mindfulness activities.
• I can choose resources independently to help me achieve a goal.
• I can show confidence during social situations and when speaking to others.
• I know how to play nicely by sharing and taking turns.
• I am learning to use kind words like “Stop it, I don’t like it” when I feel upset.
• I know it’s okay to talk to and play with others, even in a new or different setting.
• I know that people show their emotions in different ways—for example, smiling when happy or crying when sad.
• I’m learning how to speak politely and understand what kind behaviour looks like.
• I know that it’s okay to disagree with others, but I must always use kind words.

Through everyday play, group times, and adult-led conversations, we support children in becoming kind, confident, and emotionally aware individuals.

Physical Development – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we support children in developing confidence and control in how they move, play, and take care of themselves. This term, we’ll continue to build gross motor skills (large movements) and fine motor skills (small, precise movements) through active, hands-on experiences both indoors and outdoors.

Our Physical Development learning intentions this term are:

• I can move confidently and safely in a range of ways, including running, hopping, skipping, sliding, and jumping.
• I can move with imagination and purpose, using my body to express ideas and feelings.
• I am learning to navigate space carefully, showing awareness of obstacles while running, scooting, or riding a bike.
• I can follow instructions during simple races and obstacle courses, moving at speed and with increasing control.
• I am developing independence with dressing, including putting on my coat and shoes and starting to manage zips by myself.
• I am learning to use cutlery like a knife and fork with growing skill at mealtimes.
• I am beginning to take part in group physical games with support from an adult.

Fine Motor Skill Development:

• I am learning the correct way to hold a pencil for writing and mark-making.
• I can begin to copy letters, especially those from my own name, using a tripod grip.
• I know how to make snips in paper and follow patterns with scissors.
• I can feed materials through my hand as I cut around shapes and objects.
• I am learning to recognise when I need to adjust how I hold or use tools like pencils and scissors.

Through active play, mark-making, creative tasks, and daily routines, we continue to support children's physical confidence, coordination, and independence – key foundations for writing, self-care, and healthy living.

Literacy – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we nurture a love of stories, mark-making, and early reading and writing through play, storytelling, songs, and conversation. This term, we will continue to explore a range of rich texts and provide exciting opportunities for children to express themselves using spoken language and early writing.

Our Literacy learning intentions this term are:

• I can talk about different parts of a story and suggest what might happen next.
• I am beginning to understand that stories have a beginning, middle, and end.
• I can join in with repeated phrases and familiar patterns in stories and rhymes.
• I can recognise familiar words and logos, such as my name and shop signs.
• I can ascribe meaning to marks I make in play and early writing.
• I can use new vocabulary from stories and experiences in my conversations and imaginative play.
• I am developing my ability to orally blend sounds to hear simple words.
• I am beginning to hear and say the initial sounds in words.
• I am starting to record some sounds in order when writing.
• I know that letters make sounds and that we can blend those sounds to make words.
• I can identify and segment the sounds in simple CVC words (like "cat" or "dog").
• I enjoy engaging in conversations about stories we’ve read together.

Phonics Focus (Phase 1 and early Phase 2):

Weeks 23–27:

• Voice Sounds
• Blending and Segmenting
• Environmental Sounds
• Instrumental Sounds
• Body Percussion

Weeks 28–32:

• Rhythm and Rhyme
• Alliteration
• Voice Sounds
• Further development of Blending and Segmenting
• Phase 2 Letters and Sounds (as appropriate: s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d)

Through fun phonics games, meaningful mark-making opportunities, and a rich diet of books and rhymes, children will grow in confidence as early readers, writers, and storytellers.

Mathematics – This Term at LPS Nursery 

At LPS Nursery, we develop early mathematical understanding through practical, playful experiences. Children explore numbers, patterns, shapes, space, and measures through everyday routines, songs, games, stories, and hands-on activities. This term, we will continue to build children's confidence in using number names, exploring quantities, and recognising patterns in the world around them.

Our Mathematics learning intentions this term are:

• I can compare and sort collections by size, amount, or type.
• I can create and lead my own repeating patterns.
• I enjoy exploring puzzles and problem-solving with shapes.
• I can make and extend patterns with a friend.
• I can use games and actions to subitise up to 5.
• I can show and name numbers up to 5 confidently.
• I can create my own patterns using colours, shapes or movements.
• I can count and stop at numbers from 1 to 5.
• I can match, sort and compare sets of objects.
• I can begin to describe and order events using words like "first", "next" and "then".
• I understand and use positional language such as "under", "on", "behind" and "next to".
• I can use the language of "more than" and "fewer than" when comparing groups.
• I enjoy exploring 2D and 3D shapes and can talk about their features.
• I can recognise and name 2D shapes such as circles, triangles and rectangles and describe their properties.
• I am beginning to name and identify 3D shapes like cubes, cuboids, spheres and cylinders.
• I can explore and describe how numbers to 5 (and beyond) can be made up of smaller numbers.
• I can say which number comes before and after within 5.
• I can subitise confidently to 5 – seeing the amount without counting.
• I know that the last number said when counting a group tells me how many are in the group.
• I can recite numbers past 5 and begin to match numerals to amounts (up to 5).
• I can solve simple number problems in real-life play and learning.

Through our maths-rich environment and daily opportunities for exploration, children develop a solid foundation for future learning and build confidence in using mathematical ideas in meaningful ways.

Understanding the World – This Term at Little Avocets

At Little Avocets Nursery, children are encouraged to develop a sense of curiosity and wonder about the world around them. Through meaningful hands-on experiences, we help children explore the natural environment, understand growth and change over time, and begin to make sense of their place within it.

This term, our Understanding the World learning intentions are:

• I can share how I have grown and changed.
• I can talk about people in our community who help us.
• I can describe and sequence simple animal life cycles.
• I can explore changes over time in nature and myself.
• I can grow seeds and help care for plants.
• I know the difference between farm animals and wild animals.
• I can talk about where animals live and why.
• I am learning to care for the environment and living things around me.
• I can collect and observe natural materials like leaves, stones, or twigs.
• I know that different animals and birds produce food that we eat.
• I understand that people grow and make food that we can buy in the supermarket.
• I know simple animal life cycles and how animals change as they grow.
• I can notice and talk about changes in the world around me.
• I can plant seeds and help care for growing plants.
• I can tell the difference between farm animals and wild animals.
• I can sort animals into groups based on what they look like and where they live.
• I know that some animals live on farms, and others live in wild places like forests, jungles, or oceans.
• I understand that wild animals can be dangerous, and we must take care around them.
• I know that animals and birds can give us food like eggs, milk, and honey.
• I know that people grow and make food that we can buy from shops and supermarkets.
• I can collect natural materials and talk about what I see.
• I am beginning to understand how to care for the environment and all living things.

By encouraging curiosity and care for the world, we help every child grow into an explorer who values nature, living things, and the community around them.

Expressive Arts and Design – This Term at LPS Nursery

At LPS Nursery, we foster creativity and imagination through music, movement, storytelling, and art. Children are encouraged to express their thoughts and feelings in a variety of ways, using different materials, media, and role-play opportunities. Through exploring sounds, colour, texture, and construction, children develop confidence and a sense of pride in their creations.

Our Expressive Arts and Design learning intentions this term are:

• I can use props and materials to help me act out and retell familiar stories.
• I can use different construction toys to build things with a purpose.
• I can use my imagination to create my own stories and ideas during play.
• I can represent feelings, sounds, and movement through my drawings and paintings.
• I can explore how colours can be mixed to make new ones.
• I can use musical instruments to accompany songs and create rhythms.
• I can create my own songs and dances using my voice, movements, and instruments.
• I can share my thoughts about music and talk about what I like or don’t like.
• I can change the way I move or sing to show a character or match a rhythm.
• I can choose the materials I want to use when making something and talk about my choices.
• I can use different media and tools confidently to create pictures and models.
• I enjoy making things that link to what I am learning about, such as animals, nature, and stories.

Key dates this term:

Monday 4th May: Bank Holiday

Thursday 7th May: Class photographs

Week beginning Monday 18th May is our Careers Week..

Friday 22nd May: Dress up as a Career Day

Friday 22nd May: Last day before May half term

Monday 1st June: Nursery reopens after May half term

Wednesday 15th July: Provisional date for our Nursery end of year beach visit 

Friday 17th July: Last day before Summer Holidays