Nursery

The Nursery curriculum is broken down into seven main areas which are explained in more detail below.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

This is one of the most important areas of learning in our Nursery. The children are taught the life skills such as;  making relationships with their peers and adults, becoming self-confident individuals, becoming aware of their own feelings, knowing how to manage those feelings and how to adapt their own behaviour.

Communication and Language

A key area which is continually modelled by staff. Here children will develop the skills they need to become proficient listeners and speakers who can maintain their own concentration when they are listening. Who can understand what is being said to them and can use speech to communicate their needs, wants and interests.

Physical Development

This area has two parts. The first is movement and handling – this is where we teach the children how to use their bodies to make large movements such as climbing play equipment or kicking a ball. Also how to make small, precise movements such as snips with scissors or using a pencil to form recognisable letters.

Physical Development

The second part of this area is focused on health and self-care. This is where we support the learning that has gone on at home with regards to healthy eating. This focus on health will continue throughout your child’s time here at Minet. We also help children to dress independently and to be able to use objects and equipment safely.

Literacy

We initially teach a range of pre-reading and writing skills such as mark making, listening to stories, handling books carefully and enjoying rhyming activities. For those children who are ready we introduce initial sounds through songs and rhyming games.

Mathematics

Here we teach the children about numbers, shapes and measures. We teach in an interactive and exciting way which often involves a song and some acting! We start with counting and recognising numbers before putting then into order and eventually writing them down.

Understanding the World

This area is split into three main ideas; learning about people and communities, the world around us and technology. They are all integrated into our daily learning throughout the year.

Expressive Arts and Design

In this area the children will have lots of opportunities to be creative and use their imaginations to create songs, dances, pictures, construction models and role play.

PE lessons in Nursery

We start in the Spring term with a focus on fundamental skills such as balance, throwing and catching. The emphasis is on enjoyment and participation while encouraging the children to recognise space, boundaries and rules of various games.