Is this the norm? Nursery.

[SleepingWithABrokenHeart]

DD has been at nursery since Jan, and has come along quite well. She gets homework every week, basically its to recap what they've been learning throughout the week. But since the start of term, she seems to be back to learning the basics. A few examples..

I have to help her learn the colours red and green.. (she knows all her colours)
I have to count to 10 with her (she can count to 100) sometimes it can be a struggle for her but she can go way past 10, is my point.
Before they broke up she was learning to write her name, which has now suddenly stopped?

The children get separated in to classes, assuming its because there's so many, but surley it would make sense to have the children that have been there longer and already learnt a lot of stuff should be separated from those who have just started, so they can all learn on their own level?

It is probably to do with scaffolding their learning. Which is a fancy pants teaching method of double checking that the earlier concepts are firmly entrenched before delivering something new that uses those concepts.

So colours - it might be that they are planning on introducing colour mixing so the concept of colours will be stretched.

I can't see that you have said how old your dd is, but honestly try not to worry, it really isn't a race especially in the beginning of their academic careers.

Btw there is nothing stopping you doing more at home if you want to, but nursery should be about learning through play and learning how to get along with others - skills that are also really important.

Thanks, I guessed it was proberly to do with them just comming back from the holidays, they might be going through it again to just refresh their little minds.

But just before we started to break up we kept getting letters, they couldn't stress enough how much (those going up to school) needed to know how to write their own name, so I thought it was a bit odd that that's been put on hold. Luckily, I do it with her so its not something she should forget.

She was so shy before she started, and now shes a very confident little girl, so I know they must be doing something right eh?

It varies so much. I have one dc who is a September baby and another who is a late July. Not surprisingly the September child started reception being able to write her name and all her numbers. The July child could write the first letter of his name.

Move on four years and there isn't that much difference in their relative achievements.

She will be great, honestly!

It doesn't get much better further on... DS 's maths homework this week is counting in tens. He's in Yr3 and has been able to count in tens confidently for years, but apparently this needs consolidating for all children after the holidays.

Sounds rather dull. Do you really want this type of learning in nursery?

My nursery child (age 3, nearly 4) doesn't get any homework except he brings home a book for me to read to him. Time enough for homework when they start school imo!

Is this nursery or pre school?
I thought they just played until they started school. There seems no point when they do these things in reception.

No. It's not normal to get homework from Nursery and nor should it be.

I'm a nursery teacher and I'm appalled at the idea of weekly homework. Children should be learning through play, and applying mathematical knowledge in practical ways. There is no need for children to be able to write their names before they start school, although some can. It's really helpful if they can recognise their name, but they don't need to be writing it. There's plenty of time in Reception for things like that.

I'm a nursery teacher too and I agree with Littlefish. Every word, in fact.
Homework at nursery? and for the children

They don't have to do the homework, but I get nagged to do it with her the min we walk through the door!

And she goes to pre school.

I teach in a pre-school, but it is called a nursery, as in a nursery class in a school.

I think I'd be annoyed if homework was even suggested at preschool!

I've worked in nursery for over 18 years and have never done homework with any child.

DD gets homework from her nursery. It's usually a piece of colouring in that never gets returned!

The only thing is want DC bringing home from nursery is their own clothes and a still slightly wet through too much paint painting.
I would not be happy with writing or homework.

Like I said, its not compulsory that they do the homework, its mainly just to recap what they've learnt through the week or been doing at school.

This week it was coloring in a few apples. If she enjoys it, I have no problem letting her do it.

goodness, DD is coming up for 4 and we've never had homework (it's a nursery, not a pre-school) and I would be extremely unhappy if she did. They are starting phonics and I've asked what scheme they are following as we would like to continue with it at home, but that is absolutely our choice (and I've no idea if we'll actually do it anyway!).

The more I read about pre-schools the less I like the sound of them. Though I appreciate this is just one.

I am really confused about this. Are these 3 and 4 year olds going to school next year? Is this a nursery attached to a fee paying school?

Mrs Oakenshield, my dds have been to 3 preschools between them, and none of them did any sort of homework or any sort of organised learning. It has all been playbased, with encouragement to be able to recognise their own name, get their own coat on and off, and to be able to sit quietly at carpet time.

I wouldn't think they are recapping the basics. I'd say they are starting afresh with the new starters! They don't really differentiate at this age, academic learning is not the priority & not part of their targets really.

My ds also started preschool in January. They do basic phonics & spend a week learning a letter sound, they start with S A T P I N. My DS is reading at home.

Despite this, he still loves preschool, it is excellent for social skills, practical skills like zipping up your coat etc. They try new foods daily. They paint.

They have homework but it's called a Fun Book. DS loves this because it makes him feel like a big boy, like DS1.

Definitely go for doing a bit of phonics at home if she's showing interest. Jolly Phonics are great!

TheBakeryQueen- a good nursery will ABSOLUTELY differentiate at this age. It is vital to do so- to ensure every child gets fair access to the curriculum!!

The curriculum is massive & all children are very different- in terms of their development and understanding and interests.

Academic learning should not be the main priority if personal, social, emotional, communication or physical development needs to take priority, but it is definitely a daily part of planning & provision and definitely part of target setting for every child.

In answer to your question OP- do you have any opportunity to talk to your child's keyperson or look at their special book? Perhaps then you could find out how they are specifically supporting your child's individual learning & development.

Hi everyone,
I am new to this group and education system here but I don't understand why mums are so reluctant to do some homework with children?
A little encouragement from us will take our child to achieve that extra mile and get them interested in learning which will help them in future.
My Tan will be 3 in Dec and he is very interested in learning everything I teach/explain him. He know all Colours, enjoy counting till 20, know all capital, small alphabets,animals,birds, nursery rhymes etc and also enjoy playing like other children do...
I believe if we sit down with the child and teach him/her things personally then they basically become interested and their brain develops the aptitude towards learning.