PSED Focus – Autumn 1: “I Am Special”

We have had such a wonderful start to the new academic year, welcoming our new September starters into our Big Acorn family. The children already in Nursery have shown great kindness and maturity by helping their new friends settle in, showing them around, and helping them learn our daily routines. It has been lovely to see the children building confidence in new surroundings and forming the first friendships of the year.

As part of our “All About Me” focus, the children have shared their special boxes with great pride, talking about their families, pets, and favourite things. These moments have helped us celebrate what makes each of us unique, encouraging everyone to listen, take turns, and value one another’s ideas.

In our SCARF sessions, we have explored the theme “I Am Special”, learning about people who help to keep us safe and how we can look after ourselves and our friends. The children have enjoyed practical activities, such as safely crossing a pretend road in the garden, and taking part in our Big Brush Club to learn how to care for their teeth. We have also been practising good hygiene through regular hand washing, helping the children develop healthy, independent routines.

This half term has given our Acorns a strong foundation in understanding themselves and others — learning to be kind, confident, and responsible members of our nursery community. We are so proud of the relationships they have built and the care they are showing for themselves, their friends, and their environment.

Communication and Language in the Autumn Term

At our nursery, the Autumn term is a vibrant time for promoting communication and language skills, and we embrace this with warmth and enthusiasm. Our theme, “I Am Special,” allows children to explore their identities and share their stories. One of the highlights is our ‘All About Me’ boxes, where each child presents items that reflect their family and interests. This activity encourages them to express themselves and engage in meaningful conversations with their peers.

Throughout the term, we focus on learning through play, which is fundamental to developing language skills. We use storytelling to help children voice their emotions, allowing them to connect with characters and scenarios that resonate with their own experiences. Rhymes and songs are also integral to our approach, as they not only enhance vocabulary but also make learning fun and interactive.

Additionally, we incorporate the ‘Wellcom’ programme, which supports children’s emotional well-being and communication skills. By creating a nurturing environment, we ensure that every child feels valued and heard, fostering a love for language that will last a lifetime.

We support this learning beyond the classroom by encouraging our families to document their 'wow' moments on our tapestry. Sharing these moments has been a real joy and has helped the children feel confident talking about their experiences with their peers and staff.

Physical Development - Autumn Term

In Nursery this autumn, we place a strong focus on developing both fine and gross motor skills, supporting children to grow in confidence, coordination, and independence.

Through our daily Funky Fingers sessions, children engage in carefully planned activities that strengthen all aspects of fine motor development. These include enhancing hand grip, wrist strength, hand–eye coordination, and early mark-making skills. Each activity is purposeful and engaging, laying the essential foundations for early writing and self-care.

We also follow the Squiggle While You Wiggle programme, which combines music, movement, and large-scale mark making to support children’s physical development. This fun, energetic approach helps children develop shoulder strength, core stability, spatial awareness, and the gross motor control they need before moving on to more refined fine motor tasks.

Additionally, children spend time exploring both our indoor and outdoor environments, learning how to navigate routines and move safely around the nursery. We practise balancing, climbing, negotiating space, and controlling our bodies through games, movement challenges, and outdoor play.

A key focus this term is building independence. Children are encouraged to put on—and begin to fasten—their own coats, manage simple tasks for themselves, and build the confidence to ‘have a go’ before asking for help.

Overall, our physical development curriculum provides children with fun, active, and purposeful opportunities to strengthen their bodies, develop coordination, and build self-belief as they become confident, capable learners.

Literacy - Autumn Term

At our nursery, we believe that literacy is a joyful journey that begins with playful exploration and meaningful interactions. Our approach to literacy encompasses a variety of engaging activities designed to nurture a love of reading and writing from an early age.

We incorporate Funky Fingers activities that focus on developing the fine motor skills essential for handwriting. These fun exercises target specific muscles in the fingers, wrists, hands, and arms, helping our little ones build strength and coordination. Daily sessions ensure that children are not only improving their dexterity but also having fun while doing so!

In addition to our physical activities, we implement the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds foundation programme. This structured phonics scheme introduces children to the sounds of letters in a playful and engaging manner, laying a solid foundation for reading and writing skills. Through songs, stories, and interactive games, we make learning to read an exciting adventure.

We also prioritise creating a love of reading that extends beyond the nursery. Our staff encourages parents to share stories at home, fostering a shared reading experience that strengthens the bond between children and their families. By building a rich literacy environment both in nursery and at home, we aim to inspire a lifelong passion for reading and learning in every child.

Maths - Autumn Term

At our nursery, we believe that maths is everywhere! During the Autumn term, we embrace the exciting world of numbers and shapes through our Master the Curriculum approach. Our focus is on engaging children in meaningful play that nurtures their natural curiosity and love for learning.

This term, we explore a variety of autumn-themed maths activities that are both fun and educational. Children will delight in discovering colours, matching them, and sorting objects into groups of small and big. These hands-on experiences help them develop essential skills while enjoying the beauty of the season.

We also introduce the concepts of patterns, where children learn about AB and ABC patterns. Through playful activities, they will create their own patterns using leaves, conkers, and other autumn treasures. This not only enhances their understanding of sequences but also encourages creativity and critical thinking.

Our nursery environment is designed to be warm and inviting, allowing children to explore maths concepts at their own pace. We celebrate their achievements, no matter how small, fostering a positive attitude towards learning. By making maths a part of their everyday experiences, we lay a strong foundation for future learning and inspire a lifelong love for the subject. Join us this Autumn as we embark on this exciting mathematical journey together!

Understanding the World - Autumn Term

In our Nursery this Autumn, we embark on an exciting journey of discovery as we explore the theme of ‘Understanding the World’. This term, we celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights, where children learn about its significance and engage in creative activities, such as making Diya lamps, rangoli patterns and sharing stories about light and hope.

As the nights draw in, we also discuss fireworks, encouraging children to express their thoughts and feelings about the sights and sounds. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about safety and the importance of looking after ourselves and others during celebrations.

We focus on learning about ourselves and our families, fostering a sense of belonging and community. Children are encouraged to share their family traditions and experiences, helping them to appreciate diversity and develop their social skills.

A highlight of our term is a visit from the local fire engine! This exciting experience allows children to meet the firefighters, learn about their vital role in our community, and understand the importance of safety in our everyday lives.

We also take our learning outdoors, exploring the natural environment and discussing how to care for it. Through hands-on activities, children develop an awareness of their surroundings and the importance of looking after our planet.

Together, we create a warm and nurturing environment where curiosity and exploration thrive!