Class Name	Teacher	TA
Squirrel	Mrs Watson	Mrs B
Hedgehog	Miss Arthurs	Mrs Beech

Click here for the Curriculum Overview
 

Curriculum Newsletter

Curriculum Newsletter - Term 1

 

We strongly believe that children need the

best foundations to be able to grow into lifelong learners. 

 

We have developed a provision where children are immersed in a play based curriculum that is built

around the interests of the children. We have a well resourced indoor and

outdoor environment to support independent learning and our own EYFS forest school space. 

 

The provision encourages children to 

explore by showing curiosity, initiate ideas and seek challenge, persist and bounce back after

difficulties and be creative whilst thinking critically. 

 

Positive relationships between staff and

families are formed as children start school to ensure the transition between nursery and

starting school is smooth.

 

Here are some of the exciting topics that we cover during the Year.

Term 1	Term 2	Term 3	Term 4	Term 5	Term 6
Let’s Explore	Sparkle and shine	Once upon a time	Ready, Steady, Grow	Animal Safari	On the beach

 

 

Let’s Explore -
During this topic children have the opportunity to learn about the environments that they share with others, including their homes, school and places in the local community.  We will be looking at ourselves, our families and communities that we belong to to understand and deepen a sense of belonging.

Sparkle and shine - 

Sparkle and shine allows the children to discover the different  celebrations that take place during the autumn and winter seasons, and focus on the significance and symbolism of light at this time of year. We will look at celebrating birthdays, Halloween with Room on the Broom, Diwali, Bonfire night and Christmas. 

Once upon and time - 

This project supports children to develop a love of stories and reading. It encourages children to learn, retell and act out familiar and traditional tales including Cinderella,  Goldilocks,  Little Red Riding Hood,  The Three Little Pigs and  The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

 

Ready, Steady, Grow - 

In Ready, steady grow we will be looking at  food and farming and exploring themes, including where food comes from, what plants and animals need to grow and survive and what constitutes a healthy lifestyle. We will be trying new root vegetables, growing our own plants from seeds as well as investigating what a plant needs to grow. 

Animal Safari - 

In Animal Safari we will be finding out about the animals that live around the world, how to look after animals and the importance of caring for our local and global environments. We will be using our trip to the Zoo to discover more about a range of different animals; what they eat or where they live. We will also use this topic to explore the minibeast we find in our outside area or own gardens, 

On the beach - 

This project teaches children about the plants and animals that live at the seaside. It also explores holidays in the past and the importance of keeping safe in the Sun.

 

Freeflow Learning  - We operate a free flow learning environment at Westlands Primary School to encourage independent learning through play. The classrooms have doors in between them and these are opened in the morning and afternoon to allow children to mix between the two classrooms. We have a core text approach where each week the children will be exposed to a story book and all activities will be linked to this text. 

We take into account the children's interests and ensure our planning is centered around these. We have a range of practical, creative and messy play activities for children to engage in as well as providing first hand experiences for the children and liking enrichment activities to the topic. 

 

Outside learning - We are very lucky to have a lot of outside space within out school grounds.  The EYFS classrooms have direct access to a large outside area that is used as an extra classroom.  We like to let the children use this area in all weathers and have wet weather clothes for the children to use if it is wet. 

The outside area is set up with activities that link with the weekly core text and topic so children have access to reading, writing, small world play, water play, sand play and many more activities.