Curriculum
Children entering Nursery begin a curriculum called the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is followed throughout their year in Nursery and continues until the end of their Reception year.
All subjects which are taught in Nursery follow the guidelines set out in the EYFS Statutory Framework document.
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Academic Year
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Term 1
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Term 2
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Term 3
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Term 4
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Term 5
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Term 6
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| 2025/2026 |
All About Me |
The Sky and Space |
Colour and Artists |
How Things Work |
In The Garden |
Farms and Zoos |
| 2026/2027 |
All About Me |
The Sky and Space |
Exploring My World |
Materials and Forces |
Woodlands |
It's Showtime |
NURSERY CORE TEXTS - ENGLISH OVERVIEW
NURSERY RHYME OVERVIEW
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
At Kirton Primary School, our Early Years curriculum provides a broad, balanced, and engaging start to school life. Learning is organised into seven areas of development:
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Communication and Language
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Physical Development
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the World
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Expressive Arts and Design
These areas are carefully planned through structured activities and meaningful experiences to help children make strong progress.
Learning Through Play
Our approach is rooted in the four principles of the EYFS: every child is unique, children learn through positive relationships, a child’s development is supported by enabling environments, and learning and development are interconnected. Children learn best when they are active, engaged, and able to follow their own interests, which is why play is at the heart of our Nursery. Children do not distinguish between “play” and “work,” and our learning experiences allow them to explore, experiment, and develop skills in ways that suit them best — sometimes active and physical, sometimes talking and collaborating, and sometimes quietly observing and reflecting.
Adults support children by providing a stimulating environment, modelling language, extending play, and encouraging problem-solving. These approaches foster the Characteristics of Effective Learning: playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically. Through this, children develop confidence, curiosity, resilience, and the ability to make choices and take risks.
Classroom Organisation
The Nursery is designed to encourage exploration, creativity, independence, and discovery. Children investigate water, sand, dough, clay, and simple science experiments, while also engaging in painting, collage, junk modelling, and creative design. Imaginative play using props linked to topics helps develop language and social skills, and building and creating with construction materials supports fine motor skills and problem-solving. Quiet spaces provide opportunities for stories, puzzles, early computing, and maths exploration. Children also take part in cooking activities and enjoy snack time, which promotes independence and social interaction.
Through these experiences, children learn through meaningful play in a secure and nurturing environment, building the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that prepare them for Reception and beyond.
Phonics
At Kirton Primary School, we use Little Wandle Foundations for Phonics in Nursery to prepare children for early reading. This programme supports children in developing the essential listening, attention and speaking skills that form the building blocks for phonics in Reception.
Our aim is to ensure that all children leave Nursery with strong foundations in communication and language. We prioritise attentive listening, rich vocabulary, speaking in full sentences, awareness of environmental sounds, and a love of stories, rhymes and songs — skills that are essential for later success in phonics, reading and writing. 
Little Wandle Foundations is delivered through short, engaging adult-led sessions and is woven throughout our continuous provision. Children take part in listening games to develop attention and sound discrimination, enjoy rhymes and songs to build awareness of rhythm and rhyme, and engage in high-quality story sessions that develop vocabulary and comprehension. They are also introduced to oral blending (hearing and joining sounds in simple words) and regularly explore the sounds around them in the environment.
Through these carefully planned experiences, children learn to listen attentively, respond with confidence and participate enthusiastically. They develop a secure awareness of rhyme and rhythm, enjoy sharing familiar texts and begin to blend sounds orally.
If you would like further information about how to support your child at home with songs, rhymes and early sound awareness, please speak to your child’s class teacher.
Click here to access links to the nursery rhymes we are learning.
Parent handout: Introducing Foundations for Phonics
Parent handout: Introducing Foundations for a Love of Reading
Parent handout: Foundations for Language
Parents and Teachers Working Together
We believe that children learn best when there is a strong partnership between home and school. We are committed to keeping you informed about what your child is learning and how you can support them at home.
We value your support and encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions, queries, or concerns — we are always happy to help.
If you would like to find out more about your child’s curriculum, please contact the school office to arrange an appointment with their class teacher.
