Applying for a Reception Place 2025

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/ Early Years Teacher (Butterfly Key Person)

Mrs Stevens - Preschool Teacher (Butterfly Key Person)

Miss Murray - Early Years Practitioner (Caterpillar Key Person)

Miss Miller - Early Years Practitioner (Caterpillar Key Person)

Mrs Calin - Early Years Practitioner (SEND Specialist)

What We Are Doing This Week - w/b 18/11/24

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.

To support this early knowledge, please enjoy this rhyme with your child at home and explore the rhyming words with them. You can watch a video of it here which has been produced by Little Wandle. 

Current Core Text 

A fantastic first book of feelings that introduces little ones to a wide range of emotions. Why are the animals happy? What has made them feel sad? What do YOU feel excited about?

We feel happy when reading our favourite book. We feel calm when we have a bath. We feel excited when we go to a party! We Feel Happy is the perfect book for starting a conversation about feelings with children. The animals are experiencing lots of different emotions, from the hippos who are excited to visit their friends to the shark who is grumpy about brushing its teeth.

We will be introducing the children to the Zones of Regulation this half-term, which helps children identify their feelings through colours and develop the tools to regulate them. This video explains what the zones are and which emotions are linked to which colours. 

Tips for reading at home with your child

Little Apples Key Texts