Hello everyone, and welcome to Ballykeel Nursery! The adults in our class this year are Miss Millen (Teacher) Mrs Richmond (Classroom Assistant) and Miss Cameron (SEN Assistant).

Things I Need for Nursery

• A suitable waterproof coat
• Correct nursery uniform
• Black trainers/shoes
• Box of tissues
• Soap
• Full change of clothes in a plastic bag

Settling In & Routines:

During this time, your child will learn to follow some new rules and routines.  These are as follows;

Routines

• Snack time
• Tidy up time
• Story time
• Toilet time

Rules

• Walking indoors
• Kind hands and feet
• Listening ears
• Gentle voices
• Taking turns/sharing
• Good tidying

These rules and routines are so important for the health and well-being of the children, and we kindly ask that you support your child as much as possible to develop these new skills at home.

We hope that your child will settle into nursery life with ease and that they enjoy meeting some new friends. Please don’t be alarmed if they need a little extra support to settle in as this can be perfectly normal.

Topics this term:

Term 1

In Term 1, we will support the children as they settle into nursery life and build up to full sessions. September’s theme, All About Me, will help children explore their identities, families, and new friendships, while October’s theme, Harvest, will focus on autumn changes, seasonal foods, and woodland animals. In November and December, we will enjoy the magical world of Fairytales and prepare for Christmas with crafts, letters to Santa, and festive activities, finishing with our Nursery Singalong and open morning at the Primary School.

Term 2

In Term 2, our learning will begin with Winter and Cold Lands, exploring how to stay safe and warm, caring for birds, and discovering cold land animals. February will bring our theme of People Who Help Us, alongside Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. In March and April, we will continue this theme with visitors to the nursery, learning about caring for pets, and we will celebrate Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Spring, and Easter. Numeracy and literacy skills will be supported through the recognition of colours, patterns, shapes, and counting, with simple ideas for families to join in at home.

Term 3

In Term 3, our focus will be The Farm and Minibeasts. We will learn about animals and crops and we will go on a special trip to the farm.  The children will enjoy taking part in insect hunts and creative activities to discover the world of minibeasts. As summer approaches, we will explore the Beach and Ocean Life, learning about sea creatures and how to care for our environment. We will also begin preparing the children for their transition to Primary 1, encouraging independence, confidence, and readiness for this exciting next step.

We look forward to the year ahead!

Miss Millen & Mrs Richmond