Your Child’s Day at School

Here is a little extra information to answer some questions you may have about your child’s routines at school. We hope you will find it useful and that you will ask if there is anything else we can make clearer for you!

Staff

Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) teachers are Mrs Perry (Class RP) and Miss Thomas (Class RT). Each class works mainly in their own classroom bay and our shared area, where we have continuous provision set up to enhance all areas of learning. In this area, children from both classes will mix (a small number at a time). Our teaching assistants for this year are Miss Johnson and Miss Larkin. The children work mostly within a class group, taught predominantly by their class teacher, but all Early Years Foundation Stage staff are concerned with the welfare and well being of all the children and get to know them all well.

Children entering/leaving school

Thank you for your support in encouraging the children enter school door independently and for your understanding that this is for the children’s safety and well being. The children will become more independent each day. Please try to remember that if your child is ever upset at the beginning of the day, it is most likely that s/he will settle very quickly.

Drinks

We encourage all children to bring a bottle of water to school (which can be refilled with cooled, filtered water.)

Playtimes

Our outdoor play area is used by the Reception children during session time, for curriculum based learning activities. At playtimes, they play out on the playground, with Year 1 and 2 children, as many children come to school looking forward to meeting up with siblings, cousins and family friends at playtimes (and parents often have this wish too!). They are given the option of playing in a quiet, coned off area to the rear of the EYFS unit. The children are seen out by EYFS staff who spend time at the beginning of each playtime ensuring that the children are happy to go out and the children are closely supervised by teaching and support staff. (There is always at least one member of EYFS staff out at playtime). We are very fortunate at our school that we have been able to foster caring relationships between older and younger pupils and the older children are fantastic in helping our new children to settle.

Playtime snacks

At playtimes, children can take a simple snack outside with them. We do encourage them to bring a healthy snack (e.g. a piece of fruit). It is best for your child if s/he knows what his/her snack is and if it is brought into school in his/her reading folder. This avoids confusion and helps independence. If it is raining a little, the children will still play out for a short time for a little fresh air so they do need a waterproof coat with a hood. On extremely wet/windy days, children will stay inside under supervision and will be given simple activities and may watch suitable DVDs during their playtime/lunchtime breaks.

Lunchtimes

Immediately before lunchtime, children all wash their hands and also use antibacterial hand gel. All children eat their lunch in the hall and due to our dining seating, many children find this very exciting and say it is like a cafe! EYFS staff take the children to the hall each day, helping children having hot dinners to make their selections and ensuring they are seated, giving help with cutting food where needed. We also encourage them to eat and drink. Children have as long as they need to eat their lunch and they then play out under the supervision of welfare staff and a team of experienced Teaching Assistants when they have finished their lunch.

Toilets

The children’s toilets are accessed from the cloakroom and EYFS children are always allowed to go to the toilet. They are encouraged to ask a member of staff before they go, so that staff are aware of where they are. All children in EYFS are reminded to go to the toilet at regular times during the day, e.g. directly before playtimes. Sometimes, such young children will have a little “accident” and staff will help them to change into spare clothes. Please try not to worry about this if it happens: the children have a lot to think about at school and in most cases, it is usually just that a child has realised too late that they need the toilet. We would be grateful if you could wash and return any spare clothes your child has used.

P.E.

There is no legal requirement for children in Reception to participate in formal PE sessions. However, in order to teach the children a range of basic physical skills, we do have specific weekly timetable slots for PE in addition to the many aspects of Physical Development in our play provision. There are times in the school year when events in school make it necessary to swap PE sessions with another class, sometimes at short notice, so it is best if your child’s PE kit is left in school during the week. Children are encouraged to be independent but are given help where needed with changing for PE. It is very useful both to your child and to staff if s/he can manage any fastenings on clothes, shoes etc. Writing your child’s name in all items of clothing is very helpful, both to your child and to us.

Home/School diaries

Your child’s “Home/School Diary” will provide a vital link between home and school. We ask that you write in the diary to let us know of any reading, writing, counting etc. your child has done at home and also of any other interesting activities. If you have an urgent message to give to us, it is better that you write it on a note and give it to your child to pass to us on entering school than to write it in your child’s diary.

Assembly

Some children who appear ready for this, will start to join the rest of school in assembly. Many of the children are excited about this. Children who would find this challenging will be working on quiet listening activities in the EYFS unit at that time. Any certificates or medals for achievements in swimming dancing etc. can be presented in our special award assembly on Thursdays.

Thank you for reading this information. If we can answer any more questions, please ask! We will be having a Parents’ Evening later this term but if you have any concerns about your child before then, (however small), please come and talk to us!