Welcome toWelcome toThe Foundation The Foundation

StageStage

Welcome to Our SchoolWelcome to Our School

We are all looking forward to your child joining us. We We are all looking forward to your child joining us. We will ensure that your child enjoys his/her time with us and will ensure that your child enjoys his/her time with us and will feel safe, secure and cared for. We hope that you will will feel safe, secure and cared for. We hope that you will find this booklet useful. It explains a little about what we find this booklet useful. It explains a little about what we do and will answer some of the questions you may have do and will answer some of the questions you may have about your child’s start at school.about your child’s start at school.

Our StaffOur Staff

Executive Head Teacher: Executive Head Teacher: Mr Paul LovernMr Paul Lovern

Head of SchoolHead of SchoolMr Pauline HupfieldMr Pauline Hupfield

Foundation Stage Staff:Foundation Stage Staff: Miss Linda MartinMiss Linda MartinMiss Harriet RoweMiss Harriet Rowe

Our AimsOur AimsOur EYFS aims to provide an ideal start for a successful Our EYFS aims to provide an ideal start for a successful

future by:-future by:- ••Providing a happy, welcoming, caring, secure and Providing a happy, welcoming, caring, secure and

inspiring learning environment which will foster and inspiring learning environment which will foster and encourage the development of sound moral and social encourage the development of sound moral and social valuesvalues

••Establishing and communicating to the children high Establishing and communicating to the children high expectations and clear targetsexpectations and clear targets

••Providing a broad and balanced curriculum, which will Providing a broad and balanced curriculum, which will enable each child to produce work to the best of their enable each child to produce work to the best of their ability and which is relevant to their needsability and which is relevant to their needs

••Continuing to strive for excellenceContinuing to strive for excellence ••Developing in the children, positive attitudes to learning, Developing in the children, positive attitudes to learning,

self-motivation, self-discipline, enthusiasm and confidence self-motivation, self-discipline, enthusiasm and confidence through active, experience based learningthrough active, experience based learning

••Working together in partnership, children, parents, staffWorking together in partnership, children, parents, staff and governors, nurturing respect, tolerance, sensitivity and governors, nurturing respect, tolerance, sensitivity

and compassion for each other and for the wider and compassion for each other and for the wider communitycommunity

The School DayThe School Day

Reception Session Reception Session 8.50 am – 3.15pm8.50 am – 3.15pm

Absences and Illnesses Absences and Illnesses Please inform us of any change in address or Please inform us of any change in address or

contact numbers so that we can contact you if your contact numbers so that we can contact you if your child becomes unwell. If your child is absent please child becomes unwell. If your child is absent please contact the school as soon as possible. A holiday list contact the school as soon as possible. A holiday list will be given to you when your child begins school. will be given to you when your child begins school.

It is very important that your child has good It is very important that your child has good attendance at school and they arrive for school attendance at school and they arrive for school on time.on time.

End of the dayEnd of the day

If your child is going home with someone other than yourself, weIf your child is going home with someone other than yourself, weask that you let us know in writing or verbally, either on the day ask that you let us know in writing or verbally, either on the day

or inor inadvance, who will be collecting them. If it is an emergency advance, who will be collecting them. If it is an emergency

situationsituationthen a telephone call will be sufficient. We are unable to let then a telephone call will be sufficient. We are unable to let

childrenchildrengo home with anyone who has not been named to us in advance.go home with anyone who has not been named to us in advance.

Partnership with ParentsPartnership with Parents As parents you are the first educators of your children, As parents you are the first educators of your children,

we believe in a close relationship with parents and staff, we believe in a close relationship with parents and staff, as we join you in educating your child. We want to work as we join you in educating your child. We want to work closely with you. Good communication between staff and closely with you. Good communication between staff and parents enables us to inform each other of relevant parents enables us to inform each other of relevant matters concerning your child. Any information given is matters concerning your child. Any information given is treated with the strictest confidence. treated with the strictest confidence.

Reading books are sent home weekly and activities are Reading books are sent home weekly and activities are sent home when appropriate. Please share this work with sent home when appropriate. Please share this work with your child. your child.

The class teacher is your first point of contact if you have The class teacher is your first point of contact if you have any concerns about your child and they will be available any concerns about your child and they will be available at the beginning and end of each day if you need to speak at the beginning and end of each day if you need to speak to them. Feedback about your child’s progress will be to them. Feedback about your child’s progress will be provided at regular intervals throughout the year. provided at regular intervals throughout the year.

Help Us to Help Your ChildHelp Us to Help Your Child

Please name all of your Please name all of your children’s school clothes children’s school clothes (including PE kit). It would be (including PE kit). It would be useful if you could also name useful if you could also name their shoes as many of the their shoes as many of the children will have the same ones.children will have the same ones.

Please ensure that we are aware Please ensure that we are aware of any allergies that your child of any allergies that your child has. If your child is asthmatic has. If your child is asthmatic then please ensure that your then please ensure that your child’s inhaler is named before it child’s inhaler is named before it comes into school.comes into school.

What to have in SchoolWhat to have in SchoolWe like to go outside even We like to go outside even

thoughthough

it is sometimes wet and muddy.it is sometimes wet and muddy.

It would be really useful to haveIt would be really useful to have

named wellies and a waterproof named wellies and a waterproof

jacket in school every day.jacket in school every day.

On hot days, sun cream On hot days, sun cream and a hatand a hat

are needed.are needed.

Early Years Foundation Stage Early Years Foundation Stage FrameworkFramework

We deliver a curriculum underpinned by the Early We deliver a curriculum underpinned by the Early Years Stage Foundation.Years Stage Foundation.

It sets out:It sets out: The legal welfare requirements that we must follow �The legal welfare requirements that we must follow �

to keep your child to keep your child safe safe and promote their welfare.and promote their welfare. The 7 areas of �The 7 areas of � learning and development learning and development which which

guide how the staff engage with your child’s play guide how the staff engage with your child’s play and activities as they learn new skills and and activities as they learn new skills and knowledge.knowledge.

Assessments that will tell you about � Assessments that will tell you about � your child’s your child’s progress progress through the EYFS.through the EYFS.

Expected levels that your child should reach at age � Expected levels that your child should reach at age �5, usually the end of the reception year; these 5, usually the end of the reception year; these expectations are called the expectations are called the “Early Learning Goals “Early Learning Goals (ELGs)”(ELGs)”

How my child will be How my child will be learninglearningYour child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge andYour child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and

demonstrating their understanding through demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning 7 areas of learning andand

developmentdevelopment. Children should mostly develop the . Children should mostly develop the 3 prime areas3 prime areasfirst.first.

Language and communication:Language and communication:  with opportunities for all   with opportunities for all childrenchildren

to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations, to to talk and communicate in a widening range of situations, to respondrespond

to adults and each other, to practise and extend the range ofto adults and each other, to practise and extend the range ofvocabulary and communication skills they use and to listen vocabulary and communication skills they use and to listen

carefully.carefully.

Physical development:Physical development:  with opportunities for all children to   with opportunities for all children to develop and practise their fine and gross motor skills, and to develop and practise their fine and gross motor skills, and to

increaseincreasetheir understanding of how their bodies work and what they need their understanding of how their bodies work and what they need

totodo to be healthy and safedo to be healthy and safe..

How my child will be How my child will be learninglearningPersonal, social and emotional well-being: Personal, social and emotional well-being:

providing opportunities for each child to become a valued providing opportunities for each child to become a valued member ofmember of

their class and the school with a positive self image and high self their class and the school with a positive self image and high self esteem. esteem. Attitudes towards their learning: developing enthusiasm for Attitudes towards their learning: developing enthusiasm for

learninglearningand confidence in their ability to be successful learners.and confidence in their ability to be successful learners.Social skills:  providing opportunities that enable the children to Social skills:  providing opportunities that enable the children to

learnlearnhow to co-operate and work harmoniously alongside and with how to co-operate and work harmoniously alongside and with

eacheachother and to listen to each other.other and to listen to each other.Attention skills and persistence: helping the children to Attention skills and persistence: helping the children to

concentrateconcentrateon their own play or on a group task.on their own play or on a group task.

These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s These prime areas are those most essential for your child’s healthy development and future learning.healthy development and future learning.

How my child will be How my child will be learninglearning As children grow, the prime areas will help them to As children grow, the prime areas will help them to

develop skills in develop skills in 4 specific areas4 specific areas. These are:. These are: ••Literacy; providing opportunities for all children to Literacy; providing opportunities for all children to

explore, enjoy, learn about and use words in a broad explore, enjoy, learn about and use words in a broad range of contexts and to experience a rich variety of range of contexts and to experience a rich variety of books.books.

••Mathematics; with opportunities for all children to Mathematics; with opportunities for all children to develop their understanding of number, measurement, develop their understanding of number, measurement, pattern, shape and space in a broad range of contexts in pattern, shape and space in a broad range of contexts in which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk.which they can explore, enjoy, learn, practise and talk.

••Understanding the world; with opportunities for all Understanding the world; with opportunities for all children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, children to solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts, and to predict, plan and question in a variety of contexts, and to explore and find out about their environment and people explore and find out about their environment and people and places that have significance in their lives.and places that have significance in their lives.

••Expressive arts and design. with opportunities for all Expressive arts and design. with opportunities for all children to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and children to explore and share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of art, design and technology, feelings through a variety of art, design and technology, music, movement, dance and imaginative and role play music, movement, dance and imaginative and role play activities.activities.

How my child will be How my child will be learninglearning

These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and These 7 areas are used to plan your child’s learning and activities.activities.

The staff teaching and supporting your child will make sure The staff teaching and supporting your child will make sure that thethat the

activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This activities are suited to your child’s unique needs. This curriculum iscurriculum is

suitable for very young children, and it's designed to be suitable for very young children, and it's designed to be reallyreally

flexible so that staff can follow your child's unique needs andflexible so that staff can follow your child's unique needs andinterests.interests.

Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active,active,

and through creative and critical thinking which takes place and through creative and critical thinking which takes place bothboth

indoors and outside.indoors and outside.

Snack timeSnack time

Your child is entitled to Your child is entitled to free milk until their fifth free milk until their fifth birthday, but we provide birthday, but we provide milk for the children milk for the children during their time in during their time in Reception. The children Reception. The children have free access to have free access to water throughout the water throughout the day. We are part of the day. We are part of the free fruit for schools free fruit for schools scheme and so provide scheme and so provide fruit for your child each fruit for your child each day.day.

Some important things that Some important things that your child may like you to your child may like you to

know and rememberknow and remember Are my coats easy to manage?Are my coats easy to manage? Please don’t mind if I get paint and chalk on my Please don’t mind if I get paint and chalk on my

clothes as it is quite messy in EYFS!clothes as it is quite messy in EYFS! Please let my teacher know if I am upset about Please let my teacher know if I am upset about

something at home.  It will help them understand something at home.  It will help them understand me at school.me at school.

Please make sure I have had breakfast in the Please make sure I have had breakfast in the morning as my brain finds it difficult to work when I morning as my brain finds it difficult to work when I am hungry.am hungry.

Please make sure that I can go to the toilet and Please make sure that I can go to the toilet and dress/undress by myself.dress/undress by myself.

Please remember to pick me up on time as I hate Please remember to pick me up on time as I hate being the last one left at school. If you are going to being the last one left at school. If you are going to be late for me, please try and ring the school to let be late for me, please try and ring the school to let them know. That way they will make sure I have them know. That way they will make sure I have something nice to do whilst waiting.something nice to do whilst waiting.

Some important things that Some important things that your child may like you to your child may like you to

know and rememberknow and remember Please remember to tell me how good my paintings and Please remember to tell me how good my paintings and

drawings are when I bring them home.  They may not drawings are when I bring them home.  They may not look quite how you would think they should, but I have look quite how you would think they should, but I have tried very, very hard!tried very, very hard!

I might not bring home paintings and drawings every I might not bring home paintings and drawings every day but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working hard.day but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been working hard.

Please remember to tell my teacher all about me Please remember to tell my teacher all about me especially if there are changes at home such as a new especially if there are changes at home such as a new baby as this will help them to understand me a bit more.baby as this will help them to understand me a bit more.

Please help me to remember my book bag every day.Please help me to remember my book bag every day. Please try and spend time with me each day doing a fun Please try and spend time with me each day doing a fun

activity such as reading, counting, helping me to learn activity such as reading, counting, helping me to learn my phonemes/letter sounds and even just talking and my phonemes/letter sounds and even just talking and listening!listening!

Other Useful InformationOther Useful InformationFriday NewsletterFriday NewsletterEvery Friday Mr Lovern sends home a newsletter. This will containEvery Friday Mr Lovern sends home a newsletter. This will containinformation about the forthcoming week’s events and any otherinformation about the forthcoming week’s events and any otherrelevant information you may need. So expect this letter in yourrelevant information you may need. So expect this letter in yourchild’s book bag. If your child has an older sibling in the schoolchild’s book bag. If your child has an older sibling in the schoolthey will receive the letter instead. If you would like your Fridaythey will receive the letter instead. If you would like your Fridayletter sent electronically then please let our secretary have yourletter sent electronically then please let our secretary have youremail address.email address.Community Act of WorshipCommunity Act of Worship Every week we hold a Community Act of Worship in our schoolEvery week we hold a Community Act of Worship in our schoolhall. This is a time when each class teacher gives out praises tohall. This is a time when each class teacher gives out praises todeserving children. Parents are welcome to attend and we are deserving children. Parents are welcome to attend and we are

alwaysalwaysglad to see you.glad to see you.Book BagsBook BagsEach child should come to school with a School Bag. These can beEach child should come to school with a School Bag. These can bepurchased from the school. In this bag will be your child’s readingpurchased from the school. In this bag will be your child’s readingbooks and diary, as well as any permission slips and the Fridaybooks and diary, as well as any permission slips and the Fridaynewsletter. We ask that children bring this bag everyday as it is anewsletter. We ask that children bring this bag everyday as it is ameans of communication between home and school.means of communication between home and school.