A Parent's guide to Reception

Miss Longhorn is teaching Rome 

Mrs Gratton is teaching Berlin

Our teaching assistants are Mrs Pownall, Mrs Palin and Miss Boschi

Miss Friesener teaches Reception on a Tuesday morning alongside the sports coaches. Please come in PE kits on Tuesdays.

Our homework is reading and practicing writing your child's names.

General Information

  • Reading books and records need to be in school everyday so that children can read with a member of staff.
  • Reading books are changed twice a week and your child will bring home a book banded reading book and a shared book. 
  • Please look after books and return them to school after use.
  • Children will need to have wellies and a waterproof coat in school at all times to play outside in all weathers.
  • Please can you name all of your child's belongings and help them to practise recognising them at home.

What are we learning at the moment?

Our topic this half term is 'All about Me'

  This Autumn term we will be using 'The Gingerbread Man'. We follow the pathways scheme and the key skills are detailed below.

 

 

Phonics

We follow the Rocket phonics scheme and will be learning our first few sounds during this term. The children learn how to blend and segment words with the sounds that we have learn. Please refer to the sound mat that we sent home in your welcome pack or see the below link to a  useful parent information leaflet.

Rocket Phonics Parent Leaflet

Reading

How to support your child with reading at home

  • Read with your child nightly, this should not be the full book, just a few pages is fine

  • Reading should be fun to encourage a love of reading, some nights this may be you reading a story to them which supports fluency or having a discussion about a story which supports comprehension

  • A library and a colour banded book will be sent home, Reading books will be changed twice a week.

  • Initially your child will receive a lilac book which does not contain any words.  This is to develop language and discussion skills that support reading comprehension. Make sure you have watched the video above for some top tips.

  • Remember to re-read stories to develop fluency

  • Children will read to an adult in school at least once a week

  • When we feel your child is ready, they will move up a colour following an assessment.  The assessment covers fluency and comprehension as well as word recognition

 

 

What to Bring to School

School book bag - this can be purchased from the office

Reading books should in your bag every day (these will be provided in the first few weeks of term)

Home school diaries (this will be provided)

School water bottle (these will be provided in the first week of term - dont worry about buying one!)

Waterproof coat and wellies (if these could stay in school that would be great!) 

Sun hat and sun cream on hot days

Woollen hat and gloves on cold days

PE kit  (the children can come into school dressed in their PE kits on those days, we will tell you which days this will be needed)

Spare underwear and socks

Packed lunch if your child is having one. (Please note that all children in EYFS are entitled to a free school lunch. More information on school lunches is available on the website)

Please note that you do not need to provide a snack for your child. Fresh fruit is available every day.  

 

 

In this section you will find links to websites and apps which you can use to support your childrens learning at home 

Reading and Writing 

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this writing prompt may help your child if they confuse their b and d
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a document showing how we teach letter formation in EYFS
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https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/  using the following free login details username: jan21      password: home

https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ -This is often free if used on a computer. Small charge for use on ipads / other devices 

https://www.phonicshero.com/ - sometimes offers a 7 day free trial 

https://readingeggs.co.uk/- Often offers a 30 day free trial for website and app users

Alphablocks are another fun way to  learn phonics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01cz0p1/alphablocks   

Tricky Words

https://www.youtube.com/watch/TvMyssfAUx0?safe=true - Tricky word songs that we use in school 

A Website with lots of ideas for teaching tricky words 

https://phonicshero.com/teach-tricky-words/#:~:text=Play%20memory%20games%20such%20as,or%20Letters%20and%20Sounds%20words.

Tricky Word Activity Mats 

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Maths

Numberblocks are a great way to learn numbers and have fun - available on IPlayer and as an app too!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/numberblocks-help-your-child-with-maths

Other websites to support with learning in EYFS

Twinkl  https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parents They are currently providing some activities and resources for free. 

https://www.topmarks.co.uk - some brilliant games and activities!

http://www.ictgames.com - ICT games for different subjects 

www.busythings.co.uk  - Excellent site built around the 7 areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. You can access a free 7 day trial but you need to subscribe after this period to access the content – various subscription packages available.

http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/barnabybear/  - Visit the world with Barnaby Bear!

 

Don't forget that as EYFS parents, you can keep up to date on what you child has been learning and any WOW moments, by accessing the tapestry website or app. 

You can also add photographs and videos from home too! 

https://tapestryjournal.com/

If you do not have access to this, please speak to the school office staff. 

This video tutorial shows you how to add photographs and videos from home 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=espJ96TJHV8

Physical Development

The children are encouraged to be physically active throughout the day. However we we do some focused physical activities during our Physical Development day.

We will be starting focused PE days on Monday 6th November 23

Reception have focused PE twice a week - Monday and Thursdays

On these days we ask that children come to school in their PE clothes rather than their school uniform.

Weather dependant they can wear their shorts and school coloured PE T-shirt and House PE sweatshirt. If the weather is cold, then track suit bottoms/leggings would be more suitable. Trainers are preferable to pumps as it is possible the children may be outdoors for some lessons.

We want the children  to think about how they can express themselves, talk about how they are feeling, and also who they can talk to if they are not feeling ok. 

More information for parents can be found here: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/

Below, we have uploaded some activities to help you and your children think about and support their mental health.

Please remember, all the staff at Church Lane are here if you are your child need us - please contact us if you need us.

Draw your feelings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STdJ__8ORyE&feature=youtu.be

A great activity in which your children can draw their body and think about how they are feeling – they can express this in any way they choose. The video goes through this step by step.

Meditation and Yoga for children

Your children will already be familiar with “cosmic kids yoga”

On this website you will also find guided meditations for children.  They are called “peace out”

https://cosmickids.com/

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We have uploaded some mindfulness colouring sheets to the class page that your child may wish to use this week.

Play some calm, relaxing music as your child completes these. You may wish to do one too!

Non-Screen Time

Take some time away from your screens today

Here are some ideas you could use:

https://medium.com/pobble/simple-and-fun-non-screen-activities-that-children-can-do-at-home-115543cb3b9c

Parents Information Powerpoint 

We invite parents of children due to Start Reception in Septmber 2023 to an information evening on Wednesday 5th July at 6:30 pm.  

Documents to help with starting school 

Here are some useful hints and tips for parents  when preparing for and when starting school 

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Documents

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