Welcome to Reception!

A very warm welcome to Reception! We are so excited to be welcoming your child to our school and can’t wait to begin this special journey together.

Starting school is such an important milestone and we know it can bring a mixture of excitement, anticipation and perhaps a few nerves for both children and parents. Please be reassured that our Reception team is here to make this transition as smooth, happy and positive as possible. From the very first day, we want every child to feel safe, valued and excited to come to school.

Our Reception classrooms are filled with opportunities for children to explore, create, imagine and discover. We believe that children learn best when they feel happy, confident and supported, so we provide a nurturing environment where every child develops a strong sense of belonging. We take time to get to know each child as an individual, celebrating their strengths and supporting them as they grow in confidence and independence.

Our learning follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, with a strong focus on learning through play, exploration and discovery. Through a balance of child-initiated experiences, carefully planned teaching and meaningful interactions, children develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need for a successful start to school life.

Children build key foundations in early reading and phonics through FFT Success for All and mathematics through White Rose Maths. Alongside these core areas, they develop their communication and language skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities and understanding of the world around them through a wide range of engaging experiences.

Outdoor learning plays an important role in our curriculum, including Forest School sessions with Mrs Flanders. These sessions provide opportunities for children to explore the natural environment, develop resilience and independence, take managed risks and learn through hands-on experiences and play.

Transition to Reception

We can’t wait to meet you all at our induction evening on Tuesday 30th June at 6pm. During the evening, you will receive lots of information about Reception, have the opportunity to meet staff and collect an induction pack containing everything you need to know before September.

This will be followed by a transition session on Thursday 2nd July, where children will attend either a morning or afternoon session. You should have received information about this via an email from Mrs Wilds. These sessions are for children only and are a wonderful opportunity for them to begin becoming familiar with their new classroom, teachers and friends before they start school.

To help make the transition as smooth as possible, we have already started visiting nurseries to meet children in their familiar surroundings and speak with key workers about any important information that will help us support them. During the first week of September, we will also invite families into school for a chat with the class teachers. This gives us an opportunity to get to know your child even better and for you to share anything you feel would help us support them as they begin their Reception year.

PE

At school, your child will take part in PE lessons either in the hall or outdoors. Please ensure they have their full PE kit in school:

• Yellow t-shirt

• Navy shorts

• Black PE pumps

During colder months, children may also wear navy joggers and a zip-up hoodie.

Please make sure that all items of clothing are clearly labelled. We also encourage children to practise dressing and undressing independently at home, as this really helps to build confidence and independence.

PE bags can be kept in school and will be sent home each half term to be washed. 

Further information regarding Forest School sessions to follow.

Reading and Phonics

Reading together at home is one of the most valuable things you can do to support your child’s learning. Sharing stories develops vocabulary, imagination, language skills and a love of books. Even just ten minutes a day can make a huge difference! Your child will be sent home with a phonics book that closely matches their phonics knowledge. Please aim to read with children at least 3 times a week and record in their reading record. Children should bring books to school each day so we can read with children in school. We will also send a ‘bedtime book’ home for you to share with your child at bedtime. Children can select this themselves from our class library. 

In September, children will begin their phonics journey through the FFT Success for All Phonics programme. They will learn letter sounds and begin blending these sounds together to read and write words. Phonics forms an important foundation for early reading and writing, and we will keep you informed about how you can support your child at home as they progress.

School Meals

During the first few weeks of school, you will choose lunch choices using a paper menu, which will be included in your induction pack. Once your child is fully registered on ParentPay, you will be able to select meal choices online each week.

If your child is bringing a packed lunch, please ensure it does not contain nuts as we are a nut free school.

Snacks

Each morning, children enjoy snack time together. School provides a piece of fruit, such as apples, bananas or oranges. We encourage children to bring reusable water bottles into school each day. Please make sure bottles are labelled.

Keeping in Touch

Our main form of communication with families is through SeeSaw. Information about setting up your account will be included in your induction pack.

SeeSaw allows us to share reminders, celebrate children’s achievements, send home learning activities and communicate with families. We love seeing what children achieve outside of school too, so please do share any special moments, achievements or experiences from home.

Working Together

Above all, we believe that the best outcomes for children come when schools and families work together. We value the relationships we build with our parents and carers and pride ourselves on maintaining open, supportive communication throughout the year.

You know your child better than anyone, and we recognise that you are their first and most important teacher. By working together, we can help them feel confident, happy and ready to flourish during their first year at school.

We are so excited to welcome you and your child to Reception and look forward to a year filled with friendship, learning, laughter and wonderful memories.

See you soon!

A special message for our new starters