We Are Learning… To Count and find out How Many
We will be focusing on developing number confidence, in particular knowledge around number and counting. We will be exploring maths resources, singing number songs and looking at number stories.
The book Ten Black Dots is a fun counting book written by Donald Crews. It’s simple and engaging and explores what you can create with black dots. This book provides children with opportunities to practice counting and explore their creativity. You can watch the story together on YouTube.
Some of the children are able to recognise some numerals, particularly those that are significant to them, such as their age. We will be looking at numbers in the environment and would love it if you could provide a photo of your child next to their house number. They can be emailed to littlehayesn@bristol-schools.uk.
You might like to play a number spotting game with your child and encourage them to keep an eye out for any numbers in the environment (house numbers, car registrations, speed signs etc). Get spotting! Find out about more ways to support maths at home on The Early Childhood Maths Group website.
We Are Learning… To Remember (and Talk about) Significant Events
This term there are lots of events and festivals including bonfire night, Halloween and Christmas.
Linked to bonfire night, we will be creating firework pictures using different tools (e.g. salad spinners, pipettes and syringes), learning an action song, The Firework Song and joining in firework dancing using ribbons and scarves. You can see Ellie singing this song and others on our website.
Come and Meet the Owl!
On Wednesday 12th November we will have a visit from a real owl at nursery. The children will be learning lots about owls, such as their features, food and habitat. We will be learning some new words to talk about owls, like feathers, wings, talons, beak, swoop, carnivore and nocturnal.
The owl will be around at home time and afternoon drop off if you would like to meet it and take photos with your child.
We Are Learning… To use Time Language to Sequence Events in Real Life, and in Story
We have been using our visual timetable to talk with the children about the sequence of the day and what will happen next and later.
This term we are reading Whatever Next! by Jill Murphy, a story about Baby Bear, who wants to make a rocket and fly to the moon.
The children will be learning to retell the story using the language of time, first, next, then, after and finally. There will also be lots of opportunities for imaginative storytelling and exploration with boxes and other props from the story.
We Are Learning… To Participate in Shared Reading and Respond to Elements of a Story
We will be re-introducing Tales Toolkit and continuing to offer daily story times. Tales Toolkit uses resources labelled with easily recognised symbols for Character, Setting, Problem and Solution giving the children a tool to independently weave magical tales. Find out more at Tales Toolkit.
The children can access books in our reading area throughout the day and we offer a variety of fiction, non-fiction, familiar and new stories. Please continue to support their reading at home by bringing in their book bags every Wednesday.
If your child doesn’t have a book bag yet, please let their key person know.
Find out more about sharing stories and supporting your child’s reading at Words for Life.
Starting School in September 2026
Don’t forget that children who were born between the 1st of September 2021 and the 31st of August 2022 will be starting school (reception) in September 2026. Applications must be made before the 15th of January 2026. Now is a good time to visit schools, and many will have events and open evenings. Check on their websites.
For a handy guide and useful links for a positive transition to school, visit Transition – Bristol Early Years.