Welcome to Bluebell Nursery Class!
We are very pleased to be able to share the virtual tour of our Early years Foundation Stage with you.
Please click on the link to watch
Meet the team…
from left to right we have Bethan (teacher), Catherine (teacher), Karen (teaching assistant), Charlane (teaching assistant) and Mobeen (teaching assistant).
Email Bethan: bethan.baldwin@stnicholasprimaryschool.org.uk
Email Catherine: catherine.collins@stnicholasprimaryschool.org.uk
What do we do in Bluebell Class?
To find out what we are going to be learning in nursery this term, please click on the ‘Learning Web’ link below…
Bluebells class learning web Autumn 1 2020
Bluebells class learning web Autumn 2 2020
Bluebells class learning web, Spring 1 2021
Bluebells class, learning web, Spring 2 2021
Bluebells class, learning web, Summer 1 2021
Bluebells class, learning web, Summer 2 2021
Storytelling
We are following the ‘Talk4Writing’ approach in lots of our adult-led learning.
Our core story for the final half term of this year is The Train Ride by June Crebbin
During the first half of the Summer term our core story was The Very Busy Spider, by Eric Carle. 
The children really enjoyed hearing and telling the story, complete with actions and animal sounds. Here are some of our fantastic spiders in their webs:
We had great fun during STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Week 8-12 March investigating properties of water, making toys out of recyclable materials, observing the natural environment around us (it was a very windy week!) and exploring what happens when we mix oil and coloured water.
Here are some photos of our EYFS garden and Bluebells’ classroom:
We also have a child-friendly book about Bluebells:
Welcome to Bluebells photo book
Communication
Due to restrictions on parents coming onto the school site at present, please do use the ‘Email Bethan’ or ‘Email Catherine’ button at the top of this page if there is anything you need to get in touch with us about.
‘Values’ in our school
We are a values-based school.
Our values for the summer term are Honesty and Forgiveness.
Lunches
Your child can bring a packed lunch to school or you can order a cooked school lunch made on site for £2.10.
Please use Scopay to order your child’s cooked lunch in advance:
https://www.scopay.com/login.html
The children eat their school lunch in the main hall at 11.35, along with the other children from EYFS.
Children eating a packed lunch will eat their lunch within the EYFS area. When preparing your child’s packed lunch, please remember to cut grapes in half (or smaller) as whole grapes are a dangerous choking hazard.
We are a ‘nut free’ school – please do not include any foods containing nuts in your child’s packed lunch.
Please click on the link below to see the school lunch menu:
3 week school menu April to July 2021
Nursery Rhymes
We sing familiar nursery rhymes daily and teach new songs and rhymes that tie in with seasonal or other activities and celebrations. The children are learning lots of traditional rhymes such as:
Incy Wincy SpiderHickory Dickory DockOld MacDonald Had a FarmBaa Baa Black SheepHumpty DumptyIf you are unsure about the words or tunes you could have a look at Mr Tumble on Youtube:
Online Learning Journal
We use an online learning journal app called Tapestry for every child, which we use to track, record, assess and share with you significant learning experiences that your child has had, using comments, photographs and short film clips.
We really appreciate your comments and feedback on the observations that we share with you. Don’t forget that you can upload media to share with nursery staff too.
Parents/carers are able to access their own child’s journal using a secure password. Please contact me if you are having any difficulties in accessing your child’s journal.
We will use Tapestry as the primary means of communicating and supporting home learning should we need to move to remote learning due to Covid19 so please make sure that you check Tapestry frequently.
We also use Tapestry to share our rhymes, stories and other Bluebell learning opportunities with parents so that you feel informed about what is happening in nursery.
How Young Children Learn
Children in our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) unit learn through a balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences. Young children learn best when they explore and investigate things first hand through play-based experiences. Our staff team are experienced in supporting children to make the most of learning opportunities. We will be putting your child’s emotional and physical well-being at the heart of all that we do.
Curriculum
The EYFS is a distinct phase of education with its own curriculum from birth to the end of the Reception year. Please cut and paste/ click on the link below to find out more:
www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2012/03/Development-Matters-FINAL-PRINT-AMENDED.pdf
What does ‘EYFS’ mean?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets standards for the learning, development and care of children from birth to 5 years old. All schools and Ofsted-registered early years providers must follow the EYFS, including childminders, preschools, nurseries and school reception classes.
Wishing Tree Appeals
Please keep an eye on our virtual wishing tree appeals. Your donations of items are much appreciated and are used directly for activities with the children (craft items, cooking ingredients etc). They really do help to enhance your children’s experiences at school. We would be especially grateful for donations of tissues during the winter months!
Things that your child needs to bring to school
- A small named plastic bag containing spare clothes etc
- A water bottle
- A named warm coat (ideally waterproof/water resistant) as we use the outdoor area in all weathers.
- A named pair of wellies that can be left in school (we have some spare pairs in school so don’t worry if you don’t have any)
Donations
If you have any puzzles, games or old toys that are in good condition, we would be happy to give them a new home! We are particularly in need of battery operated ‘technology’ toys with buttons to press (e.g. VTech/remote controlled cars). Large pieces of material that can be used for our role play areas would also be welcomed!
With warmest wishes from the Bluebells team.