Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We value the perspectives of our parents and take all comments seriously as they help us improve the quality of care and education we provide.
We are sorry to hear that you now feel your son did not reach certain milestones at the nursery, specifically regarding writing his name and numbers.
Our approach at Little Bear’s is rooted in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which emphasises learning through play as a crucial development component. By 48 months, when your son left nursery for Reception in September 2024, his fine motor skills were developing, including recognising his name and using a tripod grip when holding a pencil. This demonstrated typical development for his age and was not a concern.
We also appreciate that children develop at their own pace and are glad to hear of your son’s progress in Reception. At age 4, many children are still developing their fine motor skills, which can affect their ability to write their names or numbers consistently. It is usual for children aged approximately 48 months to 60 months (4 to 5 years) to begin to write their names with some assistance before writing independently.
Our team carefully observes and supports each child, maintaining open communication with parents to align on strategies. We encourage parents to share concerns during daily interactions or parent meetings to ensure appropriate support is provided. Having reviewed the Learning Journey, I can see that many matters were discussed between the nursery and yourself over the 3 years your son attended; however, none related to the development of his fine motor skills.
Play remains essential in fostering creativity, problem-solving, and social skills, and we continually adapt our approach to support all children’s development, including literacy and numeracy.
We sincerely hope your son continues to thrive in Reception, and we thank you again for your comments. If you would like to discuss any of your concerns further, please don't hesitate to get in touch.