All You Ever Wanted to Know About Starting School Mrs Pippa McConnell Head of Early Years The Manor Preparatory School

Starting School

Preparing your child in advance Read story books

Preparing your child in advance Talk about school and your happy memories

Preparing your child in advance Encourage playing schools

Preparing your child in advance Drive, cycle or walk past the school and give it a wave!

Preparing your child in advance Settling in Sessions

Preparing your child in advance Join the school’s PTA

Preparing your child in advance Plan play dates with other children in their class

What will my child need to know? How to use the toilet independently and wash their hands Be able to dress themselves where possible Eat independently and use cutlery Recognise their written name Understand the need to share, listen and be quiet when asked Coat flip trick video

Helpful Hints Label everything! Snacks – healthy, easy to open, drinking water Share information with the school – likes, dislikes, family information Medical and dietary information Be proactive and work with your child’s teacher Try not to have parent/teacher discussions in front of your child Comforters Consider necessary practical arrangements

School Uniform

Prepare your child for their first day Fun first day of school ideas *Arrange a visit from the ‘Bag Fairy’ *Pack a lunchbox note Serve a special breakfast Uniform fashion show Make a time capsule A first-day picture *Me and you date School supply scavenger hunt

On the very first day of school Don’t rush Be organised Pick your battles! Be positive Be calm

On the very first day of school Settle your child and do not linger Don’t cry in front of your child Make plans for yourself after drop off

After School Expect your child to be tired Expect your child to be hungry Do not believe everything they say! Check book bag/link book for messages

Ways to ask “How was your day?” What was the best part of your day? What did you eat for lunch today? (What did your friends have for lunch?) What would you like to forget about today? What do you wish you could do more of at school? Which part of the classroom do you think I would like the best? What was your teacher wearing today? More questions available at the back of the room

Curriculum Take a look at the Government document called Parents Guide to the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework https://www.foundationyears.org.uk/files/2014/08/EYFS_Parents_Guide-amended.pdf Hard copies can be found at the back of the room

Curriculum Overview Prime Areas Communication and language Physical development Personal, social and emotional development Specific Areas Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the world Expressive arts and design

Communication and Language Conversation Listening Concentration Express themselves Following instructions

Physical Development Healthy development Use a range of large and small equipment Develop a sense of space around them Balancing skills Dressing skills Handling equipment and tools eg pencils, scissors Fine motor skills

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Self-confident and self aware Making and building relationships Dress and undress independently Manage feelings and behaviour

Literacy Reading Rhyming string linking sounds and letters Blending sounds to read words Read words and simple sentences Writing Pencil control Identifiable letters Writing for purpose eg name

Literacy

Mathematical Development Numbers Counting Understanding numbers Shape, space and measure Use mathematical vocabulary to describe and compare. Sorting and matching objects Understand shape and size including 2D and 3D shapes Pattern play

Understanding the world People and Communities Explore, Observe & Investigate Designing and Making Use of Technology both at home and in schools

Expressive arts and design Explore colour and colour changes Explore materials, tools and techniques Experiment with design & textures Music, singing and moving to music Imaginative play

Characteristics of effective learning

Reading Example The boys’ arrows were almost gone so they sat down on the grass and stopped hunting. Over at the edge of the wood they saw Henry making a bow to small girl who was coming down the road. She had tears in her dress and tears in her eyes. She gave Henry a note which he brought over to the group of young hunters. Read to the boys, it caused great excitement. After a minute but rapid examination of their weapons, they ran down the valley. Does were standing at the edge of the lake, making an excellent target.

Reading Example The boys’ arrows were almost gone so they sat down on the grass and stopped hunting. Over at the edge of the wood they saw Henry making a bow to small girl who was coming down the road. She had tears in her dress and tears in her eyes. She gave Henry a note which he brought over to the group of young hunters. Read to the boys, it caused great excitement. After a minute but rapid examination of their weapons, they ran down the valley. Does were standing at the edge of the lake, making an excellent target.

Foster a love of reading

Make the story come alive

Learning to read How should we say our Phonics Sounds?

The words that can be made from the letters found in section 1 Learning to read This is the order in which children will learn the letter sounds, names and formation. The letters come in this order to enable the children to make a large variety of words if they are ready. The words that can be made from the letters found in section 1 at, a, sat, pat, tap, sap, as, it, is, sit, sat, pit, tip, pip, sip, an, in, nip, pan, pin, tin, tan, nap

What about words we cannot sound out? Learning to read What about words we cannot sound out?

Sight Words or Tricky Words Learning to read Sight Words or Tricky Words

Thank you for coming! Please feel free to explore our Reception classrooms and activities Our Reception Teachers are here to answer any questions you may have

Useful Websites Familiesonline.co.uk OxfordOwl.co.uk FoundationYears.org.uk