Early Writing & Mark Making

We support children as they begin their writing journey through play and exploration.

Children will:

• Enjoy making marks using scribbles, lines and shapes to share their ideas

• Begin to draw people, including themselves, adding more detail over time

• Talk about what their marks mean (for example, “That says mummy”)

• Copy adults’ writing through pretend writing and patterns

• Practise early writing shapes like lines and circles

• Strengthen hand muscles through fun activities such as playdough, tweezers and large-scale mark making

• Start to recognise their own name and, for some, attempt to copy the first letter

Early Letters & Name Writing

As confidence grows, children begin to explore letters and sounds.

Children will:

• Continue to give meaning to their marks with growing confidence

• Try to form recognisable letters, especially those in their name

• Trace or copy their name with adult support

• Enjoy rhymes, songs and rhythm activities to develop listening skills

• Begin to hear and match sounds in words through speaking and listening games

• Add marks or “writing” to pictures, such as lists or cards

• Develop better pencil control and begin to show a preferred writing hand

Foundations for Reading

We nurture a love of books and stories from the very start.

Children will:

• Enjoy looking at books independently and with adults

• Learn how to hold books carefully and turn pages one at a time

• Use pictures to talk about stories

• Join in with favourite stories, rhymes and songs

• Follow simple spoken instructions

• Listen carefully to sounds, rhythms and rhymes

• Recognise their own name and familiar logos

• Notice print in the environment such as signs and labels

Introducing Letters & Sounds

Children begin to understand that letters represent sounds.

Children will:

• Recognise some early letter sounds (such as s, a, t, p, i, n)

• Join in with repeated story phrases

• Answer simple questions about stories

• Understand that print has meaning

• Begin to blend and break down simple spoken words

• Use pictures to predict what might happen next in a story

• Start to recognise a few common words such as I

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

We help children feel safe, confident and valued.

Children will:

• Learn class rules and routines linked to feelings and behaviour

• Get to know staff, classmates and older “buddy” children

• Learn about snack time routines and good hygiene

• Share and talk about their feelings

• Take turns and play simple social games

• Talk about their family, likes and dislikes

• Take part in weekly show and tell

• Explore what makes them special through activities like “I Am Special”

Physical Development

We support both large and small movements through active play.

Children will:

• Take part in weekly PE sessions with Bee Active

• Develop strength and coordination through threading, cutting and dough activities

• Enjoy daily movement sessions such as Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle and Dough Disco

• Practise pencil control and mark making in big and small ways

• Build confidence through obstacle courses, ball skills, bikes and scooters

• Have gross and fine motor skills assessed to support individual progress

Understanding the World

Children explore their environment, communities and the wider world.

Children will:

• Talk about their family and life experiences

• Learn about different types of homes and build them using construction materials

• Observe seasonal changes through walks and weather charts

• Explore nature by sharing treasures from their local environment

• Learn about special events such as Bonfire Night and Remembrance Day

• Discover Polar Regions, including animals and how they adapt

• Explore different celebrations and cultures such as Christmas and Diwali

• Learn why Christmas is special to Christians

Expressive Arts & Design

Children express themselves creatively through art, music and play.

Children will:

• Create self-portraits using a range of materials

• Explore colour mixing and choose favourite colours

• Enjoy music and add favourite songs to the song basket

• Create artwork such as fireworks, poppies and winter trees

• Use instruments to explore sound and rhythm

• Take part in imaginative role play, including home corner and themed play areas

Early Maths

We introduce maths through everyday play and practical activities.

Children will:

• Learn to match, sort and compare objects

• Explore colours, patterns and shapes

• Begin counting and recognising numbers 1–5

• Learn about simple measures and patterns

• Take part in baseline and ongoing assessments to support progress