Welcome to Willow Class
Willow Class is our Nursery and Reception class. Your child can join us the term after they turn 3.
Puller Memorial school offers every child small class sizes and big opportunities. We have a large outside space including play equipment, an outside classroom and a field and playground. The Nursery and Reception children also benefit from a separate secure garden area with spaces for play, story-telling and gardening. We offer the Nursery and Reception children regular wellie walks in the local area.
Puller offers each child a friendly, nurturing environment for them to flourish and develop into confident and able learners. With our small school size every adult knows each child individually and can cater for their strengths and areas for development. There is a real family feel shown through the caring nature of the older children for the youngest members of our school community. All children leave Puller with a sense of confidence and self-assurance due to taking part in plays and being a member of sports teams which they may not get the chance to do in a larger school.
Children in Nursery and Reception are given a variety of learning opportunities every day which range from daily phonics sessions, maths, literacy, RE and topic learning.
We offer delicious, hot lunches cooked on site and we can also offer wraparound care including a breakfast club and an afterschool club. Nursery hours can be flexible dependent on parents needs and work situations. We can take up to 15 children with 30 hours free childcare and this can be taken as needed. We can also offer paid for extra sessions if your child doesn’t qualify for the 30 hours free childcare.
Puller Memorial is a place where children Achieve, Believe, Challenge, Develop, Excel and Flourish. Please come and see for yourself. Phone the office to make an appointment or to ask any questions – 01920463178 or e-mail admin@puller.herts.sch.uk
Curriculum
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
We have weekly PSHE lessons following the ‘Jigsaw’ scheme.
We use Jigsaw Early Years resources to meet the needs of Personal Social & Emotional Development in early years. The children will meet Jenie Jigsaw and Jerry Cat. Discussions will help children understand and develop their Personal, Social and Emotional needs.
We have regular times to discuss anything that has happened to ensure children know they are in a safe and in a secure space where they can talk about how they feel and express their opinions.
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Communication and Language
Communication and Language
We have regular communication and language sessions including rhyming games and role-play. We model good communication and language skills regularly through adult - child interactions.
We assess the children using Welcomm and support children to make good progress where needed.
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Physical Development
Physical Development
We have a weekly PE session that follows the Get Set 4 PE scheme of work. We also use the outdoor area to strengthen gross motor skills.
We provide the children with many activities to develop their fine motor skills and work on pencil control and scissor skills.
The children are encouraged to be independent changing their clothing and shoes.
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Literacy
Literacy
The reception children follow a programme called Little Wandle to teach them to read and write. It teaches children phonemes and how to blend these to make words.
. Nursery children will engage in activities to develop their understanding of syllables, rhymes, alliteration and identifying and distinguishing different sounds.
The children have a focus book each week that staff read to them.
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Mathematics
Mathematics
Nursery Children develop children's understanding of number, shapes and measures by exploring through play and focussed activities like, measurement and counting in cooking, shapes and patterns in art.
In Reception class we follow the White Rose Maths scheme.
The children learn concepts of number, shape, pattern and measures
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Understanding the World
Understanding the World
Knowledge and Understanding of the World relates to children's everyday lives, their homes, families, other people, the local environment and community, and the wider world. There are three main areas in this area of learning -
Places and people (Geography)
Time and people (History)
Myself and other living and non-living things (Science)
Through different types of play, active, and experiential learning opportunities as well as practical activities, children will be provided with meaningful experiences. These will stimulate their senses as well as encourage them to ask questions, explore and wonder at their environment. They will undertake investigations that engage their interests, and develop awareness of the beliefs and views of others.
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Expressive Arts and Design
Expressive Arts and Design
Willow Class are taught by a music specialist once a week. They explore instruments and learn new songs.
Children will use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through the range of opportunities. provided, both during adult led and child-initiated sessions.
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RE
RE
During RE as well as learning about the Christian faith, the class also learn about other religions.
Willow Class join the rest of the school for Collective Worship in the school hall on a Friday. They also attend church to celebrate Harvest Festival, Christmas, easter and the Leaver’s Assembly.
There is a quiet area in class for the children to pause and reflect.
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What we are learning this half term
Home Learning
Reading
The Children will be sent home with a library book of their choice every week. We ask that this stays in their green book bag. They will also be sent home with a reading book from the Little Wandle Phonic scheme. This book will focus on the sounds learnt during phonics lessons and will give children an opportunity to consolidate their learning at home. Please try and read this book with your child five times a week. As well as reading this book daily with your child we also ask that they are sharing a wide range of other stories to help develop their love of reading.