FSU
Welcome to our Foundation Stage Unit
Mrs Emptage, Mrs Hinchliffe, Mrs Baker, Nikki, Julie, Alice, Mrs Beer, Mrs Dennis, Miss Mayne, Miss Turner and Anela
Sunflowers (Nursery 2 Year Olds)
Caterpillars (Nursery 3-4 Year Olds)
Butterflies (Reception)
FSU Parent Information Booklet FSU Information Booklet Updated October 2025 Step 1 Complete Application Form DCAF-0_25-26_1.pdf Step 2Parent Declaration Form 2025-26 (July 2025) EYPP Form for Children in Care 2025-26 July 2025 Curriculum Goals Butterflies (End of Reception) Sunflowers Autumn 2 Winter Autumn 1 Caterpilllars Overview FSU Curriculum Overview Autumn 1 2025 Caterpillars Autumn 2 WinterButterflies Autumn 2 WinterOur Favourite Five Books
At Monkleigh School, we are passionate about igniting a love and passion for reading from the very start. In FSU, Sunflowers, Caterpillars and Butterflies all have a selection of Favourite Five books - these are five books that are always on display in the classroom. We read these books again and again over the year - they are rich in language, rhyme and repetition and are excellent stories. If you are ever looking to buy your child a book for Christmas or for their birthday or if you would like some ideas for books to borrow from the library, please take a look at our Favourite Five Reads:
This week the Sunflowers welcomed the wintery months. We explored different textures to create our own snowy picture. Sunflowers enjoyed the sensory experience of 'jelli snow' to make homes for the penguins. We look forward to exploring winter further next week too, before the excitement of Christmas begins!
Caterpillars have been exploring Winter and all of the wonderful signs of winter. They have been dazzling the unit with their glitter skills and have created some fabulous Christmas cards. The children have been developing their oral blending skills and have been thinking about the clothes that they need to wear to keep warm and dry in the winter. They explored snow dough and loved making snowballs.
This week, Butterflies have been learning all about deciduous trees - they have made up a new rhyme - deciduous trees lose their leaves! The children have continued to think about the changes that Winter brings. The children have enjoyed creating winter small world scenes and have shown a great deal of creativity. They are doing amazingly with their word writing and letter formation.. In maths, they have explored the properties of circles and triangles.
This week in Sunflowers we have started to prepare for the winter and the change in weather ❄️. We introduced the children to hibernation. We created warm dens for the animals in the sensory tray; created a bear using a mix of painting and sticking skills; and we practised our fine motor skills to create play dough hedgehogs. The children also enjoyed creating their own dens to sleep in.
Caterpillars have been exploring the Hindu festival of Diwali this week. The Unit has been a dazzling picture of colour and lights. The children have enjoyed learning about the celebration and how Hindu children prepare to celebrate Diwali. The children have enjoyed immersing themselves in music, art work and stories and information books all about Diwali. The children have explored the similarities and differences between the Hindu celebration of Diwali and how they might celebrate birthdays and family celebrations.
Along with the Caterpillars, Butterflies have been learning all about the Hindu celebration of Diwali. their focus has been on the similarities and differences between this celebration and celebrations that they might prepare for. They have also developed their understanding of what Hindu temples are like and how families prepare to celebrate Diwali. The children have continued to develop their clay and fine motor skills - this week making Diwa Lamps. We also enjoyed a visit to Merry Harriers cafe to learn what it is like to work in a cafe - this will help us to develop our own cafe role play in FSU.
An Explosion of Colour
Caterpillars have had a colourful and explosive return to school! This week, they have been learning all about fireworks. They have flashed back to previous learning about colour and have been exploring lots of different art processes. Mark making in glitter has also been a sparkly highlight! The children have been learning about the importance of safety when watching and being near fireworks and sparklers. They have also thought about how fireworks can affect animals and what we can do to help them. What a fabulous start to the new term!
Butterflies have been immersing themselves in fireworks, colour and poetry this week! They have loved every minute of exploring colour and the different ways that firework art can be created. They have learnt the poem Zim Zam Zoom off by heart and have created a video of their poetry recital to share with their parents. On Friday, the children visited Harbour in Bideford to deliver all of the school's harvest donations. They helped to put all of the donations on the shelves and discovered lots about the role of of foodbanks in the local community. It's been a super start to the term!
Caterpillars have been helping the Squirrel from The Leaf Thief this week. They have continued to explore signs of Autumn and investigate what happens to the leaves during Autumn. The children have continued to develop their fine motor skills through making Autumn wreaths and scarecrow collages - the collages all had such character! There has been a very cosy feel to the week, making mini apple pies has been great fun - they were delicious! We have enjoyed welcoming our lovely parents and carers this week for Play and Progress Sessions. It has been lovely to share stories and celebrate the progress that the children have made since September. Thank you so much to parents and carers for all of your support this term. Have a very restful holiday!
Pumpkins pumpkins everywhere! The children have thrown themselves into all things Pumpkin Soup this week. They have been exploring the roles of the characters in the story and thinking about the setting and problems in the story. It has been incredible to see the progress that the children have made with their reading, writing and maths this term. The children have been showing off their writing skills by labelling an illustration from the story with words containing three sounds. They are using their Fred Spelling really well! Carving and scooping out the pumpkins has been great fun. The children used their fine motor skills to chop and blend some tasty Pumpkin Soup.
This week Sunflowers have enjoyed hunting for the bear. We have visited the outdoor learning space, and been for a walk in our local area; we even found a bear! We’ve explored different sensory experiences to help us recall the story in our play, as well as using our bodies to move around in different ways as we’ve acted out parts of the story. Sunflowers have also been practising using some of our prepositions, to place the bear under and over objects in our play.
Butterflies have been reading the wonderful story It's a No Money Day. This explores the themes of community and foodbanks. The story has given the children the opportunity to explore feelings and emotions associated with the story. They have explored the important role of foodbanks in the community and developed a good understanding of the meaning of the word donate. The children have thought carefully about what they would like to do on a 'No Money Day' and have drawn some wonderful illustrations to help them explain. In maths, we have explored repeating patterns and enjoyed using a Topmarks Maths online game. Butterflies are looking forward to visiting Harbour in Bideford after half term to deliver Harvest Donations from children and parents in school. Thank you for the wonderful donations, they will be gratefully received. Have a lovely weekend.
Looking after our Teeth and our Bodies
Sunflowers this week have explored our emotions, and looked at how our faces change in the mirror. We shared a story about how it’s ok to be sad or frustrated, and talked about the different ways we can ask for help to calm our bodies again. We made our own sensory bottles, using our fine motor skills to fill the bottles with glitter and beads, and pour in the coloured water. We enjoyed shaking them up, and calmly watching it dance around. Sunflowers enjoyed created different faces and making Mr Potato Head too.
Caterpillars have been learning about the importance of brushing their teeth and keeping their bodies and hands clean. They have been working on their fine motor skills and holding a toothbrush to clean the babies and the teeth models. The children have been learning all about germs and took part in an interesting pepper and soap experiment to find out what they need to do to wash their hands well. They have enjoyed reading Be Brave Little Penguin and have created their own wonderful penguins. Have a lovely weekend!
Butterflies have been learning about the importance of Healthy Eating and eating a balanced diet. They have also been exploring emotions and different feelings that they might experience and what they can do to help them or others. The children enjoyed making tasty smoothies, they chopped and prepared their own fruit and enjoyed drinking their smoothies. Butterflies enjoyed exploring Weare Woods to look for signs of Autumn and to find fairies! Have a lovely weekend.
Healthy Body and Healthy Mind
Cheese! This week Sunflowers have explored and learnt about teeth cleaning through their play. We have 'cleaned' teeth, painted with the tooth brushes, looked at our own teeth with mirrors and tried some yummy and healthy fruits. The children have learnt a new song about brushing teeth, and shared with each other who in their house helps them to make their smiles sparkling. We have used gross motor movements to mimic the circles, and up and down motions we use to brush our teeth.
Caterpillars have enjoyed experiencing and tasting a rainbow of fruits and vegetables this week. The children have been thinking about healthy food choices. They have explored printing and painting with various vegetables and have created some vibrant paintings. Threading pasta on the string has given the children the opportunity to work on their fine motor skills. The children have been exploring different sour, sweet and salty foods and using their words to describe the foods. They have created their own recipes and meals with small world items and have enjoyed talking about recipes.
This week, Butterflies have been learning all about the importance of exercise and getting enough sleep. They have enjoyed retelling and sequencing the story Peace at Last using pictures and our wonderful story sack. It was fabulous to hear them retelling the story with such expression. The children have been drawing their favourite sports and exercise and have been telling the adults all about what they do to stay active.
Please scroll down to find out what we have been up to!
Welcome to School!
Caterpillars have thoroughly enjoyed exploring their understanding of going to school this week. They have read Lulu's First Day which is a wonderful story which introduces the children to the routines and experiences of school. The children have been thinking about being a kind friend and playing kindly with their friends. The children have created the most wonderful circular patterns which are inspired by Lulu's dress that she wore on her first day at school. They used their developing fine motor skills to hold the poms and print lots of different colour. The children have enjoyed playing Guess Who? With pictures of all of the members of staff in school. They have continued to immerse themselves in learning about colours and shades through painting and their play. Have a restful weekend!
Butterflies have fallen in love with the Colour Monster this week while reading The Colour Monster Goes to School. They have considered what they need to bring to school to be ready for learning. The Colour Monster brought alien seeking goggles - the children decided they didn't need to bring these to Monkleigh! The children have created their own colour monster pictures and a large scale collage of the colour monster. The children have enjoyed carrying out a photograph trail around the school and have welcomed Mrs Reeves - Our Headteacher into class to ask her questions about what she does in school. In maths the children have been developing their sorting and matching skills using a range of objects.
Families Families Families
Caterpillars have had a truly amazing week this week and are settling in so well! They have had a wonderful week of creating family collages and talking fondly about their families and pets. The children's cutting skills are really coming along. Caterpillars have been exploring colour this week in maths and have found lots of objects in school that are different colours. The children have enjoyed music and exploring rhythm with rhythm sticks. The children have thoroughly enjoyed reading Families Families Families and celebrating differences in families. Have a lovely weekend.
Butterflies have had a wonderful week this week! They have been learning all about families and sharing lots of stories and information about their own families. They have created the most fabulous photo frames for their family photographs and are really proud of what they have achieved. In maths, the children have been matching and sorting socks, cubes, feathers and bears! The children have worked hard on their fine motor skills and have created their own friendship bracelets with beads and pipe cleaners. Their concentration was very impressive. We were also really impressed with their drawing skills when they were drawing and telling us all about their favourite toys. What a super week! Have a restful weekend!
Welcome Back!
Wow what an amazing start to the year. We have loved seeing everyone back after the summer break, and welcoming some new faces too. Sunflowers have spent the week focusing on settling in, and building relationships with both peers and the adults caring for them. Together, we have read the book ‘Goat Goes To Playgroup’, enjoying comparing our day at school to Goat’s. Sunflowers have quickly built on their confidence exploring both inside and out; experimenting with the climbing and balancing equipment; playing with the vehicles in the sand; and a favourite of the week for many, getting messy with the paints.
We are so incredibly proud of all of our Caterpillars. They have settled so well into the term. They are forming strong relationships with all of the adults and are enjoying exploring our setting and all of the experiences we have on offer. They have enjoyed stories, cuddles and playing over the week and have been reading the book It's Me! The children have created some lovely face pictures and enjoyed their first Forest School Sessions this week. Have a lovely weekend.
Wow! Our new Butterflies have been truly fabulous from the very beginning of the year. They have come into school smiling and full of enthusiasm. It has been wonderful to share their lovely timeline scrapbooks and powerpoint presentations with them and to learn lots about them, their families and their lives. The children are settling into routines and have enjoyed reading Super Duper You - this book features our motto for the year - Be Proud, Be Brave, Be Brilliant!
Celebrating the Final Days of the School Year!
Sunflowers have welcomed summer the last few weeks. We made the most of the sunshine we were treated with, getting lots of outdoor and water play in. We have continued to explore ocean animals, making our own turtle crafts through different painting techniques. Sunflowers then stepped back onto dry land, with our focus being more beach based. We have painted shells, made ‘ice creams’ and decorated sun catchers (trying to entice the sun back!). We continue to use books to help us extend our learning; helping us experience things we may not have done yet, as well as a useful tool to aid us with our language skills and recalling our own past events.
Wow what a year it has been. We’ve had lots of fun in sunflowers, and they have all made incredible achievements. We are all very proud. We would like to wish everyone a very happy summer holidays. Look forward to seeing you all in the new school year, as well as welcoming some new friends too.
The Sunflowers have taken a deep dive into the ocean this week. We have explored the different animals in the sea with the use of water play and different books. We have built on our fine motor skills, threading onto the jellyfish tentacles and going fishing with the magnetic rods. Sunflowers have also created a colourful fish, using and extending our colour knowledge.
This week Caterpillars are starting to learn about Brazil! We have been reading the story of Tico Tango. In the story Tico Tango steals, lots of fruit from his friends. The fruit included passionfruit, papaya and mango, so the children have been trying these fruits and discussing their thoughts about them. The children have made their own fabulous Tico Tangos too! Caterpillars have also been introduced to some samba dancing and are really enjoying this! Next week we will be exploring the Amazon rainforest and learning more about the culture of Brazil!
Butterflies have been flashing back to learning from their beach visit last week and have been learning about the harmful effects of plastic pollution on our oceans, sea creatures and birds. They have read the story Duffy's Lucky Escape and have been discussing how harmful plastic can be to our ocean animals. The children have been learning about the importance of recyling and making their own fish out of plastic bottles and waste. We are looking forward to flying off to Australia next week!
Sunflowers this week have taken their learning about habitats to the woods. We enjoyed exploring the different animals in the sensory tray, painted a woodland tree picture, and used triangles of various sizes to create a fox picture. As always, having a selection of books (both fiction and non-fiction) have helped to extend understanding and vocabulary, as well as continuing to build independence with use of and the enjoyment of books. We have also learnt a new woodland themed song.
Butterflies have had a very busy couple of weeks. FSU Sports Day was a huge success. They have enjoyed reading Sally and the Limpet and developing their sentence writing skills. They have explored characters, settings and problems in stories. Delving into the world of rock pools before our beach trip has also been very exciting. Butterflies had a very exciting visit to the beach and the rock pools and enjoyed exploring the habitats. Transition day went well as we waved our fluttering Butterflies off to Year 1 for the day and welcomed our Caterpillars who soon will become Butterflies!
This week the Sunflowers have been to the jungle. We have had lots of fine motor skills practice; creating a stripy tiger with cotton buds, and completing puzzles. We have created a jungle scene in the sand, and decorated a springy snake. Sunflowers have enjoyed learning new words linked to the different animals we have explored.
This week our Caterpillars have been sharing the story of Tiddler, a strong favourite amongst them! They have loved joining in with the familiar phrases of the story! They have made some play dough and have been putting their dough gym experience to the test and using dough challenge cards, this meant the children had to find ways to manipulate the play dough to create starfish, seaweed and tentacles to name a few! They have played with the under the sea jelly and sand to experience two different sensory experiences. They have been using a step by step to draw Tiddler and have created some fantastic fish as well as keeping those fingers busy through many under the sea related activities! The children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring marine animals!
This week, Butterflies have been diving into habitats and learning all about rock pools in preparation for our up and coming beach trip. The children have enjoyed reading Sharing a Shell and engaging with lots of communication and language activities about the characters and setting in the story. They are creating some excellent sentences on a daily basis now. A real highlight this week has been playing rock pool bingo! We also welcomed a visitor from South West Water who talked to the children about plastic pollution - this has really set up our learning about plastic pollution. We are very much looking forward to sports day next week!
