Nursery Manger - Miss Oxley 

Room Leaders - Mrs Simnett & Miss Gillatt 

Key Workers - Mrs Rawlin, Mrs Dyson, Miss Burton, Miss Kilby, Miss Barker & Mrs McDonnell

In FS1, our main focus is to develop a love of learning in every child and prepare them for their exciting journey through school. We create a nurturing, play-based environment where children can explore, discover, and grow in confidence as they take their first steps in education. More information on our curriculum can be found on the Foundations@Waverley page. 

Our topic for Autumn 1 is Fairytales

        

This topic will be brought to life through a series of engaging traditional tales, with each week focusing on a different story to inspire learning across all seven areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children will enjoy acting out and ordering the key events from each story, completing creative activities such as handprint hens, paper plate bear faces and designing a troll and going in with Maths games and tasks focussing on counting. They will take part in circle times and yoga and enjoy exploring different tuff trays. This half-term's WOW Moment will be decorating gingerbread men! 

 

Super Sounds Phonics 

Super Sounds is our pre-Phonics programme in FS1, designed to build the essential foundations children need before they begin formal phonics teaching. The programme focusses on developing three key skills: listening and attention, phonological awareness, and early reading skills including blending and segmenting sounds. Children take part in daily activities delivered in small groups, ensuring each child receives focused support. The sessions are fun and engaging, using games, songs, and interactive activities to help children develop a love of sounds and language whilst preparing them for their phonics journey.

The Super Sounds Long Term Plan can be found at the bottom of the page. 

 

Handwriting 

In FS1, we take a carefully structured approach to developing the physical skills children need for handwriting. Our programme focuses on building strong foundations through:

Daily Dough Disco sessions – Every day, children participate in Dough Disco, a fun, music-based activity that strengthens hand muscles and improves fine motor control through manipulating playdough.

Targeted small group activities – Following Dough Disco, children take part in small group activities that focus on developing both fine and gross motor skills. These activities are carefully planned to build the strength, coordination and control needed for writing.

Progressive handwriting sessions – As children's physical development progresses, we introduce handwriting sessions where they learn key strokes and letter formation patterns. This gradual approach ensures children are physically ready before formal letter writing begins.

Summer term guided drawing – In the summer term, we add guided drawing sessions to further develop pencil control and hand-eye coordination.

Key focus areas throughout:

• Correct pencil grip development
• Proper sitting posture for writing
• Hand strength and stamina
• Fine motor control and precision

This developmental approach ensures that every child builds the physical foundations they need to become confident, fluent writers as they progress through school.

The Dough Disco Long Term Plan can be found at the bottom of the page. 

The Autumn 1 Activity Planning can be found at the bottom of the page. 

 

Story time 

Books shared at story time have been carefully selected to ensure our pupils; learn new vocabulary, speak in clear sentences, develop their conversational skills, deepen their understanding and ask and answer questions.

The FS1 Story Time Planning can be found at the bottom of the page.