Welcome To Early Years at Northdown Primary School

The early stages of a child’s life are vitally important and that is why at Northdown Primary School we invest a critical amount of time in developing a child’s social, emotional, personal, physical and academic ability.

We aim to nurture the full potential of all children by:

Providing them with an enriching, broad and balanced curriculum, which creates excellent foundations for their future learning
Offering a wide range of new and exciting experiences across all areas of learning that are stimulating and challenging and offer unlimited opportunity for development
Providing a happy, positive and inclusive environment that is sensitive to the needs of all pupils, being mindful of gender, race, language, religion or belief, disability or Special Educational Need
Developing excellent relationships with parents and carers to build a strong partnership in supporting children
Creating a stimulating and safe environment where children and adults are able to make mistakes and learn freely from them

At Northdown Primary School, the children are able to begin their learning journey within our Nursery the term after their third birthday.

Our sessions for our school-based Nursery are five mornings from 9:00 am until 12:00 pm. This equates to 15 hours. Whilst in our care, Nursery children are provided with a range of exciting and new experiences which offers them unlimited opportunities for development. Parents will always be contacted if these experiences happen outside of the Nursery hours and parental permission will be requested.

Our Reception children start full time school during the academic year in which they are 5 years old.

Our Early Years Team

Nursery Team

Mrs Harris

Miss Bushell

Reception Team

Miss Filmer

Miss Cooper

Miss Newson

Curriculum

At Northdown Primary School, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and we are guided in our practise through Development Matters and the Statutory Framework for the Early Years.

The Early Years Foundation Stage is made up of seven key areas. These areas are as follows:

Prime Areas

● Communication and Language
● Physical Development
● Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

● Literacy
● Maths
● Understanding of the World
● Expressive Arts and Design

These areas are delivered throughout our theme and are all connected together. They are equally important and depend on each other. All areas are delivered through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

In the Early Years, we make our curriculum as enriching and exciting as possible as this gains the most enjoyment and engagement from the children. On the first day of each term we have an off-timetable ‘Hook Day’, which is specifically designed to grip the children’s excitement into the new theme. We also strive to have enrichment opportunities during the term, which further engage the children in the topic – these can include trips and visitors coming into school.

Themes that are Taught During the Year

Early Years Long Term - Nursery

Reception Theme Plan

Learning Through Play

Throughout the day, the children have opportunities to extend their learning through Learning Through Play. This time is dedicated for the children to experience new learning as well as build upon previous learning through continuous provision. This dedicated time is influential to a child’s development as they are able to grow as an individual as well as learn important life skills. During this time, children show a wide range of characteristics which influences their learning. These characteristics of effective learning are as follows:

● Playing and exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’

● Active learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties and enjoy achievements

● Creating and thinking critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things

The Early Years Environment

The Early Years environment is to inspire independent, creative, curious learners that will harness and develop an array of skills which enhance their learning. We have a variety of areas within the environment where children are able to imagine themselves as someone else, for example, being a builder in the construction area or being a dentist in the role play area. Within the environment, we also have a creative area where the children are encouraged to use their imagination and fine motor skills to create, make and mould what they wish, for example making a rocket using junk modelling or creating a picture using different textures.

The outside environment is extremely important for a child’s development as it extends the children’s learning and wellbeing. We provide the children with regular opportunities to explore their learning outside and this is complemented by ensuring continuous provision is planned, resourced and ready in the environment.

In the outside environment, the children can investigate nature by going on bug hunts, exploring the mixture of sand and water and being imaginative in the mud kitchen whilst making mud pies!

The adults outside encourage the children’s imagination and communication by playing alongside the children and observing the children at play.

Parent Participation

At Northdown Primary School, we believe working together with our parents will enhance the child’s emotional wellbeing. For this reason, in Early Years we invite parents in regularly to explore the classroom and the children’s work, as well as to join in with fun, exciting activities.

Early Years Long Term – Nursery

Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4	Term 5	Term 6
Magnificent Me! (3 weeks)	Let the lights shine (2 weeks)	Memories (1 week)	Stepping into Spring (1 week)	Once upon a time… ( 4 weeks)	Minibeasts in our garden (3 weeks)
This theme allows the children to explore similarities and differences between themselves and their friends. The children learn about what makes them special and unique.	During this theme, the children learn about the importance of Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day.	This theme allows the children to reminisce about different memories that they have had. They are able to discuss and share their memories with their friends.	In this theme, the children are able to explore the changes of the environment as we enter a new season. They are able to go on a seasonal walk and explore Spring art and craft activities.	This theme allows the children to explore traditional tales and their meanings. Some of the activities the children get to explore in this theme are reenacting stories, exploring puppets, and being creative with the arts and crafts.	Throughout this theme, the children are able to explore a range of bugs that live in the environment. The children are able to go on bug hunts, create bug houses and begin to explore bug habitats.
Life beside the sea (2 weeks)	Exploring Autumn and Winter (1 week)	Sensory experiences (3 weeks)	Amazing Animals (3 weeks)	Children’s Choice (2 weeks)	Cool Campers (2 weeks)
During this theme, the children will be exploring where they live, where they go to school, and how close it is to the sea. They will also be exploring the meaning of their classroom name.	In this theme, the children are able to explore the changes in the environment as we enter a new season. They are able to go on a seasonal walk and explore Winter art and craft activities.	This theme allows the children to explore different textures, tastes, and smells in a range of ways, such as exploring different foods.	In this theme, the children will be learning about different animals around the world. They will learn about the animals’ habitats as well as the reasons why animals live in certain areas.	This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.	During this theme, the children are able to explore a range of summer activities. They are able to learn about the season as well as the effects it has on the environment.
Children’s Choice (2 weeks)	Children’s Choice (2 weeks)	Children’s Choice (2 weeks)	Children’s Choice (1 week)		Children’s Choice (2 weeks)
This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.	This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.	This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.	This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.		This theme allows the children to explore their own interests and the theme is decided by the children beforehand so adults can prepare accordingly.
	Merry Christmas (2 weeks)		Easter (1 week)
	In this theme, the children are able to explore the importance of the Christmas story as well as being involved in the school Nativity.		During this theme, the children are able to explore the importance of the Easter Story and the meanings of the story for Christians.

Reception Theme Plan – Yearly Overview

Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4	Term 5	Term 6
I am unique (3 weeks)	Let’s Celebrate (2 weeks)	Traditional Tales (3 weeks)	The Jurassic World (4 weeks)	Superheroes (2 weeks)	Worldwide Bugs (3 weeks)
This theme encourages our children to explore what makes them different and why they are special. We celebrate each other’s differences through creating portraits of ourselves and talking about our likes and dislikes.	In this theme we explore the celebrations Bonfire Night and Diwali, and where these celebrations originated from. We also talk about Remembrance Day and why this is an important day for lots of people.	Throughout this theme, the children explore various fairy tales and their meanings. They have the opportunity to recreate these stories, for example through role play or puppets.	In this theme, the children think about ‘life before us’ through exploration of the dinosaurs! We learn about different types of dinosaurs, in particular carnivores and herbivores, and their diets..	In this theme, we look at what it means to be a superhero, for example being brave and helpful. The children have the opportunity to write about themselves as superheroes and what powers they would have.	Throughout this theme we look at bugs and their habitats, and the children have the chance to hunt for bugs themselves. We also learn about the life cycle of a caterpillar.
Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:
‘Super Duper You’ – Sophy Henn ‘What makes me a me?’ – Ben Faulks	Rama and Sita: The story of Dawli’ – Malachy Doyle ‘What do you celebrate?’ – Whitney Stewart	Goldilocks and the Three Bears Jack and the Beanstalk Three Little Pigs	‘Welcome to Dinosaur School’ – Rose Cobden ‘Big Book of Dinosaurs’ – Alex Frith ‘Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs’ collection – Ian Whybrow	‘Supertato’ – Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet Superkid – Claire Freedman Sarah McIntyre	‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ – Eric Carle ‘Do you love bugs?’ – Matt Robertson ‘Mad about Minibeasts’ – Giles Andreae
Elmer (3 weeks)	Space (3 weeks)	Chinese New Year (1 week)	The Easter Story (2 weeks)	Our Heroes (4 weeks)	Life Under the Sea (3 weeks)
In this theme, we continue thinking about the value of individual differences through the book ‘Elmer the Patchwork Elephant’ by David McKee. We also use the text to explore color, shape, and repeating patterns.	Throughout this theme, the children learn about our solar system, including the characteristics of the different planets. They also consider what it would be like to visit space.	During this week, we explore the traditional story of the Chinese Zodiac. The children also have the chance to try some Chinese food!	In this theme, we explore the Easter Story and why it is important to some Christians. We also explore the season of Spring and what physical changes the children might see outside, for example, blossoming on the trees.	Continuing on from our Superhero theme, we then look at ‘Real life heroes’ and the people who help us. The children learn about doctors, the police, and firefighters. We also have visitors in to talk about their different professions.	In this theme, we consider ‘what lies beyond’ through exploration of the creatures that live under the sea. We look at how animals have adapted to live underwater.
Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:	Key Texts:
‘Elmer the Patchwork Elephant’ – David McKee ‘Elmer’s Colours’ – David Mckee	‘How to catch a star’ – Oliver Jeffers ‘Meet the planets’ – Caryl Hart	‘The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac’ – Emily Hiles	The Easter Story	‘Real Superheroes’ – DK and Julia Seal ‘You can’t call an elephant in an emergency’ – Patricia Cleveland-Peckand David Tazzyman	‘Commotion in the Ocean’ – Giles Andreae ‘The rainbow fish’ – Marcus Pfister ‘Sharing a Shell’ – Julia Donaldson
	Christmas (2 weeks)	Habitats (2 weeks)
	In this theme we explore the traditional Christmas Story and why it is important to some people. The children have the opportunity to create Christmas crafts and perform their own Nativity!	This theme encourages the children to think about where different animals live. We consider the physical adaptations animals have made to live in either really hot climates, or in icy environments.
	Key Texts:	Key Texts:
	‘The Night Before Christmas ‘ – Clement C Y Moore ‘Christmas Around the World’ – Anna Claybourne	‘Where is my home?’ Lucy Parrianen

Join us for an Open Day

BOOK NOW

Early Years