Nursery & Preschool, Sidcup – Newsletter September 2025
Welcome to our first month of the Autumn term at St Peter Chanel Pre-School in Sidcup! It has been a joyful start, with children settling beautifully, making new friends, and exploring both our indoor and outdoor spaces. We are so proud of how quickly everyone has adapted to the new term and embraced our exciting activities. Our new building is fantastic, with staff and children all delighted with the space, the quality of the new space as well as the new toys and furniture!
A Wonderful Start to the Term
From the very first week, the children have shown confidence and enthusiasm. They have loved playing on the new decking area, exploring the school field, and watching the garden improvements take shape – especially the arrival of our new climbing frame and slide! These experiences are helping build confidence, independence, and friendships.
Our Topic:
Marvellous Me!
This term’s theme is all about celebrating what makes us unique. Children have:
Created self-portraits and paper plate faces.
Talked about their families and special qualities.
Taken part in a listening walk, tuning into sounds like birds singing, cars zooming and leaves rustling.
Read storybooks such as “The Best Me” and “My World, Your World” to explore similarities and differences.
Thank you to all families who have sent in photos for our display. If you haven’t yet, please do share a picture of your child and family – either printed or by email.
Building Early Years Skills
At our Sidcup nursery and preschool, we nurture both early literacy and maths skills through fun, engaging activities:
Nursery Rhymes – from “A Sailor Went to Sea” to “Baa Baa Black Sheep” and “1,2,3,4,5 Once I Caught a Fish Alive”, these help with memory, rhythm, and language development.
Counting Practice – children are encouraged to point and count objects, building strong number foundations.
Big Movements & Fine Motor Skills – streamers, cutting, and creative play help coordination, balance, and hand strength.
Little Wandle Foundations Programme – older children preparing for Reception have started this early language and phonics programme, alongside fun “Rhyme Time” sessions that develop listening, syllables, rhyming and alliteration.
Supporting Learning at Home
You can help your child’s development with simple daily activities:
Count stairs, toys, or grapes at snack time.
Sing rhymes together to build language confidence.
Dance with scarves or tea towels to encourage cross-body movement.
Talk about what makes your child special, or draw a picture together of their favourite things.
Reminders for Families
Please label water bottles, coats, jumpers, shoes, and lunchboxes clearly.
Flat book bags are available from the school office (£7.50) – these help us keep children’s work neat at home time.
If you need to speak with staff, fee free to speak to us after pick-up so we can give you our full attention.
Looking Ahead
If your child turns four before 31 August 2026, it’s time to apply for a primary school place. Applications close 15 January 2026. More details: Bexley Council Admissions.
We are also hosting St Peter Chanel open mornings for parents interested in joining Reception in September 2026. Upcoming dates:
Wednesday 15 October 2025 – 9.30 to 11.00am
Wednesday 12 November 2025 – 9.30 to 11.00am
Friday 28 November 2025 – 9.30 to 11.00am
A big thank you for the continued support from our families – from donating fruit for snack time (the pineapple was especially popular!) to helping children settle into routines.
It has been a fantastic first month at our nursery and preschool in Sidcup, and we are excited for all the learning and fun still to come.
With warm wishes,
The St Peter Chanel Pre-School Team