At Manor Drive Primary Academy, our Nursery and Reception classes provide a warm, welcoming, and inspiring start to your child’s learning journey. Guided by our core values, Work Hard, Be Kind, Be Brave, we help children grow into confident, curious, and resilient learners who enjoy exploring new challenges.

We are proud that our Early Years provision was rated Outstanding by Ofsted in May 2025, recognising the high quality of teaching, learning, and care that we provide.

Through a carefully planned curriculum, a language-rich environment, and exciting play opportunities, children are encouraged to explore, discover, and develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our Curriculum

Our Early Years curriculum is carefully designed to cover all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Each topic helps children build on their knowledge and skills throughout the year, giving them a strong foundation for the future.

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development – Children learn to be independent, confident, and resilient. They develop strong friendships and learn to work well with others.
• Communication and Language – We focus on developing children’s speaking, listening, and understanding. Key vocabulary is taught in every topic, and adults model clear language. We use sentence stems, Colourful Semantics, and talking partners to help children express themselves in full sentences.
• Literacy – In Nursery, children develop phonological awareness through songs, rhymes, and listening activities. In Reception, they follow the Sounds Write phonics scheme and take home carefully matched reading books. Story corners, baskets, author studies, story voting, morning book share, and our school library encourage a lifelong love of reading.
• Mathematics – Children learn through hands-on activities, guided teaching, and play. We follow the NCETM guidance to develop understanding of number, shape, space, measure, and problem-solving.
• Physical Development – Children enjoy climbing, balancing, creative movement, and handling tools and equipment, indoors and outdoors.
• Understanding the World – Children explore people, places, technology, and nature, developing curiosity and critical thinking.
• Expressive Arts and Design – Music, dance, art, and imaginative play give children the chance to be creative, take risks, and express themselves.

Learning is supported through a mix of adult-led sessions, small group activities, and child-initiated play, allowing children to practise and consolidate skills at their own pace.

Reading

Reading is at the heart of our Early Years provision. Children begin in Nursery by listening to stories, singing songs, and playing with sounds. In Reception, they continue with daily phonics lessons and take home decodable books matched to their learning.

Our classrooms are full of inviting reading corners and story baskets, and children enjoy author focusses, story voting, morning book share, and the school reading hive. We aim to create readers for life who love exploring stories and sharing ideas.

Supporting Every Child

At Manor Drive Primary Academy, we have high expectations for all children and support every child to reach their potential. Lessons follow a clear routine and structure, and adults provide modelling, scaffolds, and practical experiences to help children learn. Children also learn from their peers through paired and group activities.

We focus on early identification of any additional needs. Regular observation, assessment, and discussions between the EYFS Lead, class teachers, practitioners, and SENCO ensure children receive the right support. Parents are always involved, and interventions are targeted to help children progress.

Next steps in learning are displayed in the classroom and regularly updated, so children know what to work on next and parents can see their progress clearly.

Working With Parents

We believe that strong partnerships with parents are essential. Teachers build positive relationships through daily conversations, Class Dojo, and sharing learning updates. Parents can also upload photos and videos of achievements at home and access Tapestry to see assessments and progress.

We offer many opportunities for parents to be involved:

• Stay and Play sessions throughout the year to join children in learning and play
• Book Buzz sessions to share reading experiences
• Parent workshops to support learning at home and align with our teaching methods
• Early Years Nativity performance, celebrating children’s achievements

Through these opportunities, parents and staff work together to support children’s learning and growth.