Little Apples Pre-School
Little Apples is a friendly, successful pre-school within the unique setting of Speen Church of England School. Situated in an area of outstanding beauty, our facilities include well-resourced indoor and outdoor areas that the children can access throughout the day. Children can also explore their wider environment during weekly Forest School sessions. We are also able to enjoy the large school field and playground facilities.
Here at Little Apples pre-school we value each child as an individual. We follow the Early Years Foundation Curriculum, providing a broad and varied curriculum that meets all areas of development. Each child has a key person who is a point of contact for both parents and child, and with whom they can share information. We work in partnership with parents, valuing them as the child’s first educator. Little Apples uses ‘Tapestry’ online (accessible to parents) to log each child’s developmental journey. This is what one of our parents said:
"We love the Tapestry updates. The children enjoy looking back at the photos and videos, so thank you to the staff for taking the time to do all the uploading – I appreciate there must be a fair amount of admin involved but it is lovely to see all the amazing things they get up to during the course of the year."
Our timetable offers children opportunities to cook, garden and experience music, movement and singing. There is a focus on ‘natural materials’ and moveable loose-parts allowing children the freedom to create.
We are pleased to be able to offer our facility to all and are proud of the facilities and learning opportunities that we provide to all those that choose to come to Little Apples.
Staff in Little Apples
Mrs Fenton - Preschool Lead Teacher (Wednesday to Friday)
Mrs Stevens - Preschool Teacher (Monday and Tuesday)
Miss Murray - Early Years Practitioner (Monday to Thursday)
Miss Miller - Early Years Practitioner
Mrs Calin - Early Years Practitioner
What We Are Doing This Week - w/b 30/06/25
| Monday |
Messy Monday - We will be doing some sewing and threading! The day is predicted to be very warm so there will be lots of water play, so please send in spare clothes. |
| Tuesday |
Transition Tuesday - The Butterfly group will be spending the morning with Mrs Fenton in their Reception classroom, and the Caterpillar group will be doing some fun games with Mrs Stevens and talking about being the oldest children in preschool in September! |
| Wednesday |
Wednesday Wiggle - We will start the day with some dancing and will play a game of 'Spot the Rhyme' and 'Mr Crocodile'. In topic we will be thinking about staying safe at the seaside with some fun games. |
| Thursday |
Thursday - PE will be on the playground. If your child is starting school in September, please can you remember to send a PE kit in for them to get changed into. Library - Please send the children in with their books to be swapped for another one to share with you at home. |
| Friday |
Physical Friday - We will have a pen disco practising our 'x' and anti-clockwise circles for pre-writing skills using Letterjoin, our handwriting scheme. We will use the big wheels on the playground if it isn't too warm! |
Nursery Rhyme of the Week
'When parents introduce their child to nursery rhymes it is most unlikely that eventual success in reading is in their minds. Yet...early knowledge of nursery rhymes plays a considerable role in preparing the child for reading and spelling.' Bryant et al 1989.
For the rest of the term, the children will be choosing a different rhyme to sing each day from our Nursery Rhyme folder, which we have built up over the year. We will be trying to remember the words and actions we learnt! Please ask your child which rhyme they sang today.
Current Core Text
“Can you love and care for your Baobab tree so it grows big and healthy like Dad’s tree?” asks Grandma. And Eve says, “YES, I CAN!”
Eve loves all the trees in the forest near her home. She feels their magic, but her favourite is the Baobab tree. If only she could talk to the trees! Then, on a birthday visit to Grandma, deep in the forest, Eve gets a magical surprise. What could it be? It’s something that Eve must take care of, something that will connect her forever with the forest she loves. Happy birthday, Eco Girl!
An inspirational and heart-warming book for younger children that shows the importance of looking after the trees in our world.
Tips for reading at home with your child
Little Apples Key Texts
