EYFS - Nursery
Nursery - Explorers 1 
Welcome to our Nursery Class! We believe that every child is unique, and we celebrate their individual learning journey. In our class, we use a child-led, play-based approach to learning, which means we encourage curiosity, creativity, and exploration. We understand that young children learn best when they are engaged in activities that are meaningful to them, so we create a warm and stimulating environment where they can discover, explore, and build new skills at their own pace.
A key part of our nursery curriculum is developing early literacy skills, with a strong focus on phonics. Every day, we have phonics lessons designed to build essential skills in the Foundations stage of the Little Wandle Phonics Programme. These lessons help children develop their listening and speaking abilities, laying the foundation for reading and writing. Through songs, games, and fun activities, we introduce children to sounds, rhymes, and patterns in language, allowing them to explore the world of words in an interactive and playful way.
In our nursery, we focus on the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), following the Dimensions curriculum learning adventures, which are inspired by children’s interests. Here’s how we approach each area:
Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED): Through play, children build friendships, learn to share, take turns, and manage their feelings. We encourage them to express themselves and develop their confidence, allowing them to make choices in their learning while exploring both structured and free play opportunities.
Communication and Language: We provide rich language experiences throughout the day, whether through conversations, songs, or interactive storytelling. Phonics sessions, group activities, and role play encourage children to listen, speak, and engage with others, supporting their growing communication skills in a fun and engaging way.
Physical Development: Through outdoor play, dance, and movement activities, children develop their fine and gross motor skills. We provide opportunities for climbing, running, and balancing, alongside activities that involve drawing, cutting, and building, all helping to strengthen hand-eye coordination and overall physical confidence.
Literacy: In addition to our daily phonics lessons, we provide a variety of books, storytelling sessions, and mark-making opportunities, both indoors and outdoors. Children are encouraged to explore writing through play, whether it's drawing maps, creating lists, or labelling their artwork, helping them build a love of reading and writing.
Mathematics: Using hands-on activities such as counting games, number songs, and puzzles, we introduce early number skills. Children explore shapes, patterns, and simple measurements through practical experiences in their play, enabling them to make connections between numbers and the world around them.
Understanding the World: Through exploration, investigation, and play, children develop their understanding of the world around them. Whether learning about animals, seasons, or different cultures, we encourage curiosity through sensory play, nature walks, and themed activities based on their interests, helping them to explore and understand the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design: In our nursery, children are encouraged to explore creativity through a variety of media, including drawing, painting, music, and role play. We offer opportunities for children to express themselves, whether through dramatic play or creating artwork, allowing them to develop their imagination and sense of self-expression.
By nurturing a love of learning through play and phonics, and incorporating the interests and curiosity of our children, we aim to give each child the best possible start to their educational journey.
Please view the following documents for more information:
