Welcome to Diamond Class!

Early Years Foundation Stage

FS1 and FS2

Starting school is such an exciting milestone for both you and your child. At North Wheatley, we understand that this first step into education is a big one, and we are here to make the journey as smooth, happy and memorable as possible.

In our Early Years setting, children are welcomed into a caring and nurturing environment where they can feel safe, valued and confident. We follow the Curiosity Approach, which means learning is driven by exploration, imagination and discovery. Using natural resources and authentic play opportunities, we encourage children to wonder, ask questions and develop a lifelong love of learning.

During this first half term, our main focus will be helping children settle into their new routines, form positive relationships and become increasingly independent. Stories including The Colour Monster, Ruby’s Worry, Ravi’s Roar and Our Class Is a Family will help us explore emotions, friendships, belonging and what it means to be part of a caring community.

In English, children will develop early writing skills through drawing, mark-making, recognising and writing their names, creating labels and making simple lists. We will also explore A Squash and a Squeeze, encouraging children to talk about its characters, setting and sequence of events.

Reception children will begin learning letter sounds through phonics, while Nursery children will strengthen their listening, attention and sound-discrimination skills. In Maths, children will match, sort and compare objects, explore measures and patterns and investigate circles and triangles through practical play.

Our outdoor provision will offer many opportunities for child-led discovery. Children will observe seasonal changes, investigate bugs and other creatures and use natural materials to create bridges, dams and musical instruments. They will also help to develop our EYFS garden and learn how to care for plants and seeds.

In Understanding the World and RE, children will explore what makes a church special, visit our local church and learn about some of its key features. Through art, music, technology and imaginative play, they will draw from observation, create story props, explore Beebots and cameras and express their own ideas.

We look forward to a joyful half term filled with friendship, curiosity and discovery!

Play is at the heart of everything we do. Through a careful balance of child-led exploration and guided activities, children develop early skills in communication, language, literacy and maths. Just as importantly, they build friendships, resilience, independence and curiosity—qualities that will help them thrive not only in school but in life.

We know that every child is unique, and we celebrate their individual strengths, interests and achievements. By working closely with you as parents, we create a strong home–school partnership to support your child every step of the way.

We are so excited to welcome your family into our Early Years community and begin this wonderful journey together.

Information for parents