Early Years provision at Grasmere promotes parental contribution and we work hard to build successful partnerships. Our children benefit enormously from the rich, shared experiences this collaboration brings. We appreciate the skills and talents parents and carers offer. We aim to nurture and support wellbeing in the Early Years with parental links being a priority. 

The children in our Nursery and Reception follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum framework. We offer our children the opportunity to learn through a wide range of rich, meaningful and multi-sensory practical experiences, in both indoor and outdoor learning environments. Children learn best through play-based activities and first-hand experience.  

In the Foundation Stage, we aim to deliver this by looking at what the children can do and supporting them to fulfil their potential, interests and needs. We aim for the children to become independent learners through the provision of a balance of child initiated and adult led experiences. Through continual and careful observation and assessment of the children, we are able to plan meaningful, motivating and personalised learning which the children can enjoy and be challenged by. 

Within the Early Years Foundation Curriculum there are four key themes, which underpin  seven areas of learning: 

The Four Key Themes 

A Unique Child - Every child is a competent learner from birth who can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured. 

Positive Relationships - Children learn to be strong and independent from a base of loving and secure relationships with parents and/or a key person. 

Enabling Environments - The environment plays a key role in supporting and extending children’s development and learning. 

Learning and Development - Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates and all areas of learning and development are equally important and inter-connected. 

The Seven Areas of Learning 

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development 
• Communication and Language 
• Literacy 
• Maths 
• Understanding of the World 
• Physical Development 
• Expressive Arts & Design 

Your Child’s Development 

Your child’s development and progress is assessed against the Development Matters Goals in Nursery and the Early Learning Goals in Reception.  You can find a PDF at the bottom of this page of these goals. 

In Nursery and Reception all children contribute to a shared class Floorbook.  This special book shows how your child is learning, interacting and developing in all 7 areas of learning.  Their individual progress is mapped and assessed using an online tracking system called Insights.   We will regularly look through the floorbook with your child.  This provides them with a starting point for talking about shared memories. The book will include photographs, observations and work by your child.   

Admissions to Nursery & Reception 

Places for Nursery are applied for through our school. Please see information on our Admissions  Page.  

 

All Reception places are applied for directly through Hackney Education – Admissions and Transfers.  For full details of Reception applications and admission please go directly to The Hackney Learning Trust website: