Nursery R & A 2026 - 2027
Mrs Roche
Miss Akhtar
We would like to begin by saying 'Welcome’ to all our new Nursery children and families.
We have a busy and exciting half term to look forward to.
On this page you will find information about the current topic, news and updates regarding special events and dates to remember as well as access to photographs of the children and the fun things they have been doing whilst in school.
The class teachers for Nursery this school year are Mrs Roche (class NR) with Miss Holt and Mrs Akhtar (class NA) with Mrs Hodge. Also, Mrs Pople and Mr Hewlett who work with the children on a Thursday.
This half term your children are taking a big step to begin their journey through Primary School. We begin this term with a part time transition. This is to allow your child time to adapt to their new environment and meet lots of new people. Some children may be a little unsettled to begin with and may take little time to settle into their new routine. But we would like to reassure you that we are here to help your child and you with this time of transition so if you have any concerns please speak to a member of the Nursery Team.
Let’s Learn through Colours
Our topic for Autumn 1 is ‘Colours’ this topic supports the children to have a greater understanding of our living world around us, we look at ourselves, and our environments inside and outside. We discuss and explore the colours that we see and what they might mean to us. In our weekly investigation lesson, we will also explore colours through mixing colours in different ways, exploring colours inside and outside of the classroom through nature walks, art, and colour hunts.
This half term we also have a large emphasis on children’s Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) skills and will endure to support the children to settle into Nursery, make friends, be resilient, independent and confident learners that enjoy coming to school, learning and playing alongside their friends.
For our Literacy lesson we will be focusing on text ‘Dog’s colourful day’ and ‘Happy to be me’ written by Emma Dodd; and ’Pete the cat’ by James Dean and Eric Litwin. Literacy lessons will build and develop children’s love of stories and extend their book knowledge skills. As always, we will place a large emphasis on ‘Communication and language’ by supporting children to use new vocabulary, speak using simple sentences and be confident to ask and answer questions.
In Maths children will be developing their confidence with numbers 1,2 and 3 and compare quantities e.g. you have more than me. We will also use colours to sort and match. Getting use to our daily routine and class timetable (these require the children to use their sequencing skills). We will look at shapes through insert puzzels and building materials and use language to describe materials we use such as: pointy, flat, curved, round.
This half term we also introduce the children to phonics lessons. These lessons support the beginning of phase 1 phonics which encourages the children to develop good listening skills through listening to Nursery Rhymes and introducing the children to listening to Rhyming; Environmental sounds: Voice sounds and Syllables Using the Nursery Rhymes as a focus for the lessons. This half term we will be focusing on the following Nursery Rhymes:
Week 3: Humpty Dumpty.
Week 4: Pat a cake.
Week 5: Wind the bobbin up.
Week 6: Row, row, row your boat.
Week 7: Hey diddle diddle.
We will introduce the children to a weekly ‘Music Assembly’ whereby the children sing songs and explore sound and instruments. We will also have a celebration assembly each Friday to award our ‘Stars of the week’ in class, we will also upload a photo of your child that week to Tapestry. During this half term we will not be inviting parents and carers into school for an assembly. With the children just settling into their new environments of the classroom and dinner hall. We feel that introducing a room full of strange people may be a little too much for the children at this time. We will review this decision moving into second part of the Autumn Term.
Please see the 'Files to download' section below to find out more about your child's daily timetable and curriculum.
Reminders:
As we are now heading into Autumn please send a coat with your child everyday as the weather can change and be sunny in the morning but may rain in the afternoon. Please make sure your child is bringing a water bottle to school which they can access throughout the day to stay hydrated.
As the weather is changeable please also make sure you are sending appropriate colder weather items e.g. hats, gloves, mittens ….
If you would like your child to wear their own Wellington boots please send in a pair for your child. We play outside in all weathers and the children really do love to splash in muddy puddles.
We would like to remind all parents that as part of your child’s school uniform. Please have a spare set of clothes in school at all times. This is in case there are any toileting accidents or messy play mishaps. It is an expectation that children come to school toilet trained but we appreciate this isn’t always so easy and will support them as best we can in school.
Homework – Once all the children are settled we will start to send home their homework book which is sent home on a Friday and must be returned by the following Wednesday AM.
Application for Reception September 2025.
Please find below in the 'files to download' the application form for requesting your child’s place in Reception for September 2027. All Nursery children need this form to be filled in and sent to Manchester Council. Please send your form to: school.admissions@manchester.gov.uk If you have any questions about this process please ask a member of the Nursery team.
Thank you for your support, we look forward to our continued work with until the end of the year and beyond!
One final message...
Here in Early years at Ashbury meadow primary school we put every effort into building strong relationships with our pupils so that school is a place they not only enjoy, and feel safe but THRIVE and communication and Language forms the foundation of this, please take a few minutes to watch this TED talk which encompasses our ethos
How Every Child can Thrive by Five by Molly Wright