Welcome to Nursery!

We are so pleased that you have chosen West Town Lane Academy Nursery to begin your child's learning journey. Here you will find helpful information regarding your child's learning, key dates and events. 

Nursery Staff

Teachers: Mrs Owen (M, T, W) & Mrs Burchill (TH, F).

Keyworkers: Mrs Burchill (M,T,W,) Miss Stephens (FT) & Mrs Pomphrey (Th, F) 

Additional Support:

Daily Overview

Please note that we will be working towards the Daily Overview as the year progresses and the children settle into Nursery. 

12.00 -1.00 LUNCH

NB Wednesday timetable differs because of changeover of Part Time children with lunch time being from 11:30am-12:30pm

 

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Term 1- 'Who am I?'

During this term, the children will embark on an engaging learning journey designed to support their transition, build confidence, and foster a love for discovery. Starting with a gentle induction period—featuring stay-and-play sessions with parents before moving to independent sessions—the children will settle into their key worker groups, explore the classroom environment, and establish classroom expectations through our core values: being safe, ready to learn, and respectful.

Our learning will be brought to life through a wonderful selection of core texts and poems, with extended activities for the children to fully explore the story. These stories will inspire rich discussions about families, feelings, daily routines, and the environment.

Key areas of learning across the curriculum will include:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED): Developing independence by managing personal belongings (like backpacks and water bottles), understanding feelings using words like happy, sad, angry, and worried, building friendships, and communicating personal needs such as needing a drink or using the toilet. Children will also be introduced to Character Education characters like Respectful Rabbit, Adventurous Alpaca, and Determined Donkey.

• Communication and Language: Expanding vocabulary through rhymes and stories, joining in with peer conversations, listening to environmental sounds on a Meadow listening walk, adding sound effects to key texts, and learning the Good Morning Song and the "We are Special" song.

• Physical Development: Enhancing gross motor skills through garden play, climbing equipment, bikes, scooters, and acting out stories with large muscle movements (like jumping in mud or pushing through grass). Fine motor skills will be developed through mark-making with jumbo resources, threading, playdough, handling tweezers, and baking bear cupcakes.

• Literacy: Enjoying high-quality books, learning concepts of print (such as holding a book correctly and turning pages), recognising and forming the initials of names, and engaging in sensory retellings and small-world play of favourite stories.

• Maths: Developing early counting skills, subitizing small numbers up to three, counting spots on ladybirds, matching and sorting objects by size and shape, exploring colours through the Master the Curriculum scheme, and experimenting with number shapes and patterns.

• Understanding the World: Exploring family photographs and investigating Autumn nature changes (like falling leaves), engaging with home-corner role-play, discovering simple technology like iPads and remote-control cars, and exploring sensory tuff trays representing story settings.

• Expressive Arts and Design: Enjoying free painting opportunities, mixing colours, painting rainbows and animals, exploring musical instruments to make a band, responding to beats, and getting creative with water play and imaginative role play.
  
  We look forward to sharing these wonderful experiences and watching your children grow, learn, and thrive throughout the term!

Please see below for the Induction timetable 

      

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

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Please see below a list of useful links to support you:

FLORA (Families, Local Offer, Resources and Advice) provides information, advice, signposting and support for families who are in the early stages of identifying that their child may have additional needs. Call: 0117 352 6020 Email: FLORA@bristol.gov.uk

ERIC Potty training support https://www.eric.org.uk/guide-to-potty-training

Children's Centre Welcome - South Bristol Children's Centres (southbristolcc.org.uk)

The link below gives you more information on 15 hours and 30 hours of childcare funded by the government;

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds