St Luke’s CE Halsall Primary School Foundation Stage

Times of day Nursery - a.m – 11.45am p.m – 3.30pm Reception – 3.30pm Foundation Stage doors will be opened at the end of the school day at 3.20pm. This is to ease congestion at the end of the day.

Foundation Stage The children learn through a play based curriculum Both classes follow the same curriculum and will plan activities and events together. Continuity and progression is very important. Records are passed up from Nursery to Reception

EYFS curriculum Focus on 3 prime areas of learning. Personal, Social and Emotional development. Physical Development. Communication and Language 4 Specific areas Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive arts and design

Assessment in the EYFS We assess against Development Matters months months months Early Learning Goals

End of Foundation Stage assessments 1. Emerging 2. Expected 3. Exceeding

Learning Through Play Practical Learning Hands on approach. Active Learning

Learning in the Foundation Stage Adult led learning – we plan specific learning, e.g. phonics, number work. This gives the children skills which they can transfer into their own learning. Child initiated learning – the children choose what to engage in, but we as staff scaffold their learning by giving them the resources they need, support their learning and help them to move on in their learning. This way of learning follows more closely the children’s interests.

Personal, social and emotional development Making relationships Self confidence and self-awareness Managing feels and behaviour Children play co-operatively, taking turns with others. They take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity. They show sensitivity to others’ needs and feelings, and form positive relationships with adults and other children. Children are confident to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others. They are confident to speak in a familiar group, will talk about ideas, and will choose the resources they need for their chosen activities. They say when they do or don’t need help. Children talk about how they and others show feelings, talk about their own and others’ behaviour, and its consequences, and know that some behaviour is unacceptable. They work as part of a group or class, and understand and follow the rules. They adjust their behaviour to different situations, and take changes of routine in their stride.

Communication and language Listening and attention Understanding Speaking Children listen attentively in a range of situations. They listen to stories, accurately anticipating key events and respond to what they hear with relevant comments, questions or actions. They give their attention to what others say and respond appropriately, while engaged in another activity. Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events. Children express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.

Physical Development Moving and handling Health and self-care Know the importance for good health of physical exercise, and a healthy diet, and talk about ways to keep healthy and safe. They manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully, including dressing and going to the toilet independently. Children show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.

Literacy Reading Writing Children read and understand simple sentences. They use phonic knowledge to decode regular words and read them aloud accurately. They also read some common irregular words. They demonstrate understanding when talking with others about what they have read. Children use their phonic knowledge to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. They also write some irregular common words. They write simple sentences which can be read by themselves and others. Some words are spelt correctly and others are phonetically plausible.

Reading Nursery Children will bring home a book bag each week. These are not intended for your child to read but for you to read/ share with your child. Reception children will receive a Reading bag which is kindly provided by the PTA. This will initially contain a picture only book. It is VERY important to hear your child read regularly at home.

Mathematics Numbers Shape, space and measures Children count reliably with numbers from one to 20, place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. Using quantities and objects, they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and count on or back to find the answer. They solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing. Children use everyday language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems. They recognise, create and describe patterns. They explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.

Understanding of the world People and communities The World Technology Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They know that other children don’t always enjoy the same things, and are sensitive to this. They know about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions. Children know about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another. They make observations of animals and plants and explain why some things occur, and talk about changes. Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes.

Use of ICT Children will use the: Interactive whiteboard Programmable toys Recording equipment Cameras and recording equipment

Expressive arts and design Exploring and using media and materials Being Imaginative Children sing songs, make music and dance, and experiment with ways of changing them. They safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role play and stories.

“Parents are children’s first and most enduring educators. When parents and practioners work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on a child’s development and learning… A successful partnership needs a two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise.” Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. (DfES) We value OBSERVATIONS FROM HOME about your child.

Home visits for children new to St Luke’s Get to know your child in their own environment. Chance to pass on any information about your child

Links with parents We operate a whole school ‘open door policy’. If you have any concerns and would like an appointment to see Mr Miller or staff, please speak to Mrs Lloyd / Mrs Murrow in the office. Any concerns come and see us straight away. Parent helpers always welcome in school. CRB from the office Red or Blue boxes! Newsletters PSA (Parent Support Advisor) role – Mrs Lloyd

School Dinners All children are entitled to a free school dinner, but you can still choose for your child to bring a packed lunch. The office / kitchen need a weeks notice if you want to change from either one. Extra funding Previously parents in receipt of benefits would have been entitled to free school meals, this automatically meant that your child was entitled to extra support in school. Now we have no way of knowing which children are entitled to extra support unless parents fill in a form from the office. This form is kept in strictest confidence.

Each day the children will be offered milk, water, fruit and /or another snack. If your child is allergic to anything please ensure you inform your child’s class teacher. 50p per week To be paid at the beginning of each term. Occasionally money from the snack fund will be used to enhance an area/topic.

Medicines / Sickness If your children need inhalers please can you let us know. Inhalers should kept in school at all times. Parents responsibility to check they are still within use by date and not empty. If your child is allergic to anything please ensure you inform your child’s class teacher/the office. Medicine forms - see the office

Uniform Nursery wear red sweatshirts and jogging bottoms Reception children wear jade green sweatshirt to match the rest of the school. Please see the school website for more information Hair to be tied back.

We are a church school! Mission Statement: Inspiring lives, building futures, together with Jesus. This means that God is at the centre of all we do. Each day is started with a Christian act of worship for reception children. Nursery come in and join us on some occasions. Links with St Luke's Church.

Absence / Lateness Impact on your child’s education. No entitlement to two weeks holiday. Sign the late book. Happy Club. It is VERY important your child arrives on time and is ready to learn. The school will NOT authorise holidays during school time. If you do need to take your child out of school for any reason, please contact the school office BEFORE your child’s absence. If your child is sick please phone school on the morning of your child’s absence. On your child’s return to school, please send in a letter explaining your child’s absence.

Happy Club Breakfast Club 7.45 – 9.00a.m. After School Club 3.30 – 6.00p.m Wrap around for Nursery children.

Other information Wet weather clothes Name all clothing and footwear Accidents Behaviour Hobbies and skills Change of contact numbers PTA / Parent Govs School website

Our Nursery is not child minding or child care -We are an Educational Nursery. We follow the same curriculum as Reception We don’t see these children as babies. We have the same rules and boundaries as ever other child in the school. Listening skills are important to your child’s learning Toilet training – staff will help and support, but we expect parents to have worked with their child prior to starting Nursery. Self help skills – shoes socks / hanging coats up / tidying up. Care of resources Need support from home in areas of discipline