Reception Class

Today’s Meeting To tell you how we teach in order to cover the requirements of the Early Years Curriculum. To inform you of those ‘need to know’ matters relating to your child’s first year at school

The Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum What is the EYFS? The Early Years Foundation Stage (E.Y.F.S.) is the stage of education for children from birth to the end of the Reception year. It is based on the recognition that children learn best through play and active learning.

The E.Y.F.S. is based on 4 themes. + + = Children are born ready, able and eager to learn. They actively reach out to interact with other people, and in the world around them. Development is not an automatic process, however. It depends on each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments. The four themes of the EYFS underpin everything we do in reception class and threads throughout our daily practise. A Unique Child Positive Relationships Enabling Environments Learning and Development

Positive relationships Your child’s ‘ key Person’ has been integral in helping your child settle into school life and will continue to be a key point of contact for you as parents.

Parents as partners Communication Diaries A key tool for communicating Our communication diary is an important link between home and school. Please use this to communicate with your child’s key worker. As key workers we will: Make comments on your child’s reading when they have read at school Tell you about any significant things that have happened during the school day e.g. A ‘Wow’ moment! concern or important piece of information about your child Respond to any comments or questions you have written in your child’s diary An ‘L’ means that there is a letter in your child’s book bag. As parents you can use the communication diary to: Make comments after listening to your child read at home Tell us about any significant things that have happened at home e.g. A ‘Wow’ moment!, concern or important piece of information about your child Tell us how you have got on with any ‘phonics’ or Literacy/Numeracy based homework

Parents as partners Learning journeys We’d love to hear what they’ve been up to at home! Your child has a special learning journey folder where we put all the fantastic things that your child has done at school. We use a variety of observations and photos to show you your child’s learning journey throughout Reception class. Your contributions to Learning Journeys are very welcome too! Any special days, achievements, proud moments… photos and/or words would be gladly shared and valued then put into your child’s learning journey.

Learning and Development The revised Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum is made up of seven areas of Learning and Development. The seven areas are grouped into two categories - prime areas and specific areas. The prime areas are important because they lay the foundation for children’s success in all other areas of learning and life. These are: Personal, Social and Emotional Development Communication and Language Physical Development

Personal Social and Emotional Development Your child will learn to share, take turns, work together, share their feelings and become independent learners It is important that you encourage your child to be as independent as possible! Please encourage your child to come into school on their own, this helps to build up their confidence and independence.

Communication and Language Your child will learn to how to communicate their ideas through talking with others in many different situations. At home you can help by teaching your child to take turns in conversations. Big Talk (Sent home on Friday’s newsletter for Big Talk on Monday)

Physical Development Your child will become confident in moving in different ways and will develop an understanding of how to use equipment and tools safely. They will learn about how to stay healthy through exercise, healthy eating practices and through promotion of positive hygiene practices.

P.E Your child will take part in a P.E session every Monday morning. We also spend lots of time practising our P.E skills in the outdoor environment Please make sure your child is not wearing any jewellery including earrings on P.E days. Each child has been given a team colour that they will be in for P.E activities throughout their time at Bowerham. Your child is to wear the same colour t.shirt for P.E lessons. Please see a member of staff if you are unsure of what colour team your child is in.

The four specific areas of learning Literacy Mathematics Understanding the world Expressive arts and design

Literacy Reading Important first step will be lots of story telling using books without words Jolly phonics (Phonics booklet given out at Information Meeting or at Key Worker Settling in Meetings) Writing Letter formation

Lending Library Next half term we will be using the school library. Every week on a set day we will take the children to the school library where they can choose a book to take home. Books will be changed on the same day every week.

Mathematics Your child will learn how to use numbers in relevant and meaningful ways & develop their problem solving skills. They will develop further knowledge of shapes, patterns and measures. Adult led Maths activities will take place every day. On Monday’s our maths problem of the week will be launched. Each week your child will bring home a maths activity to complete. This activity will help your child build on their mathematical skills and will be linked to work covered in class.

Understanding the World Your child will investigate the world around them including their local environment and communities. They will develop their understanding of how and why things work and design and make things with a purpose.

Expressive arts and design Your child will learn how to use different medias and will be encouraged to use their senses to learn about the world around them, They will be encouraged to use their own creativity! Your child will also be encouraged to use their imagination and imaginative skills through role play

Outdoor Learning  At Bowerham Primary School we like to be outside every day! All staff value the importance of the outdoor learning environment and recognise that the outdoors is often where children want to be. The Outdoors gives children unique opportunities to play co-operatively. share resources, take turns, negotiate, communicate ideas and develop friendships. Outdoors children are able to gain confidence in what they can do as well as feeling the benefits of being healthy and active. Please ensure your child brings suitable outdoor clothing e.g. A warm coat, gloves, hat and scarf in cold weather conditions. Wellingtons and a waterproof when it’s raining!

Tracking progress Each child is tracked as soon as they start school to identify where they are at in each area of learning. Each term we will share your child’s progress with you so that you are fully aware of your child’s next steps in their learning. On-going formative assessment is at the heart of effective early years practice. We observe your children as they act and interact in their play, everyday activities and planned activities, and learn from you as parents about what your child does at home.

Reward Systems  Throughout the school we have several reward systems: Marbles Happy box Stickers on stars Every Friday we have a celebration assembly in class. Certificates and rewards are given to children in each class for..... Star of the Week A child who has done something extra special or been particularly good at following the class rules etc. and Bowerham Bear goes home with you! Citizen of the week The ‘value’ of the half term. E.g. Friendship, love We also put the children’s names on our school website and names/photographs in the classroom window!

Our school website Please keep checking our school website! We put regular updates on our class page about what is happening in class. We also put lots of photographs of what we have been doing at school on here too! You will also find the Reception Class Newsletter, Big Talk homework, weekly math's activity and Star’s and citizen’s of the week on here!

Facebook… Bowerham is on Facebook. This is another way of finding out about what’s going on at school.

Any other matters.... First Aid – it is our duty of care to inform you of any first aid that your child has received. Clothing! Especially P.E clothing!! PLEASE label any clothing that your child is likely to take off at school e.g. coats, jumpers, dresses, shirts, trousers, hats, scarves, gloves, pumps, shorts etc

Any Questions?