1. A New Parent’s Guide to Meadow Vale Foundation Stage

2. Mr Duncan – Head teacher Mrs Stembridge - Deputy Head - KS1 Manager Mrs Parsons - Deputy Head - KS2 Manager Miss Maddock -Foundation Manager

3. Nursery Staff (F1) Miss Sheridan – class teacher Mrs Jones Mrs Maynard

4. Reception Staff (F2) RD Mrs Doyle – class teacher Mrs Hall Mrs O’Keeffe RA Miss Aston –class teacher Miss St. John Miss Julian-Jones RM Miss Maddock- class teacher Mrs Hern Mrs Lloyd

5. Class Structure at Meadow Vale Primary School Foundation Stage- F1 (Nursery) and F2 (Reception) Key Stage 1- Years 1 and 2. Key Stage 2 – Years 3, 4, 5 and 6.

6. What is the Foundation Stage? The Foundation Stage begins in Nursery and continues through to Reception. We help the children to learn through playing, exploring and being active. This means children will take part in a range of fun, practical activities; some of which are adult led, some guided by adults and some will be child-initiated. We follow the EYFS Framework which explains how and what your child will be learning. It is very flexible so it can be adapted to the children’s needs and interests.

7. 7 Areas of Learning Your child will be learning skills, acquiring new knowledge and demonstrating their understanding through 7 areas of learning. The 3 Prime Areas –Personal, Social and Emotional development. –Communication and Language. –Physical Development The 4 Specific Areas –Literacy –Maths –Understanding the World –Expressive arts and design

8. Key Person Each class is split into small mixed ability groups, known as Key Groups at the beginning of the year. A ‘Key Person’ is responsible for each group. These members of staff are there to build strong relationships with your child and make sure they feel happy, confident and settled in school. The Key Person is also there to act as another point of contact for you, alongside the class teacher.

9. Parental Involvement You are an important partner in your child’s learning and we really value your knowledge and input. We encourage parents to be involved as much as possible. We have many ways of keeping in touch with you including: - Termly parent consultations - Termly written progress summaries - Information meetings - Parent Mail - Weekly information sheets to inform you what your children will be learning each week. - Informal discussions We also welcome any parent helpers who may wish to spend some time supporting the children in the classroom.

10. Meadow Vale School Association There is a very strong Meadow Vale School Association (MVSA) and they are always looking forward to new members. You are welcome to join the MVSA and support them in their fundraising events.

11. General Information All children must wear school uniform. Please ensure everything is clearly named. Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times as the children go outside in all weathers. - Warm coat, hat, scarf, gloves in winter. - Sun hat, sunglasses and sun cream in summer. - A pair of named wellies must be left at school. As part of the curriculum the children will be encouraged to take part in a variety of messy activities to enable them to have a wide variety of learning experiences. Every child needs to have a book bag. Books are available for children to take home from the Library on a weekly basis.

12. Reception Routine 8.50 Children arrive and join key groups. Please be prompt! 9.10 Phonics session 9.30 Activity time - includes adult led & child-initiated activities. 11.20 Maths session 11.30 Lunch 12.45 Key groups 1.00 Phonics groups 1.20 Activity time - includes adult led & child-initiated activities. 2.30 Playtime 2.50 Story time 3.15 Home time Throughout the week we visit the ICT suite, the Library and use the hall for PE.

13. Food and Drink The children have access to milk and fruit throughout the day. We ask that all children bring a named bottle filled with water to school every day. This will then be taken home at the end of each day to be refilled. Children can have access to this water at anytime during the day. At lunch children may have: -A packed lunch and drink: brought to school in a named lunchbox. We are a ‘Healthy School’ so we ask that children are given a healthy lunchbox with no chocolate bars or sweets. or -A school dinner: which they can order each morning at a cost of £2.00 (including a drink £2.38). You will receive a menu enabling you to help your child decide what meal they would like to choose. There are three choices: main, vegetarian or jacket potato/wraps. Please make sure your children are able to use a knife and fork.

14. What will your child need? A school uniform (all items named) A spare set of school clothes kept at school for emergencies. A pair of wellies kept in school. A waterproof coat. Appropriate clothing for all weathers i.e. warm clothes for winter, sun protection for summer. A PE kit kept in school during the week. A school book bag to take home reading books, library books and important letters. A lunchbox or purse for school dinner money. A water bottle for use in the classroom.

15. Starting School Starting school is a scary time for both children and their parents! We aim to make this transition into school as smooth and happy as possible. To do this we stagger the children’s entry to school. Stay and Play Tuesday 4 th – Wednesday 5 th September During the first 2 days of term you will be invited into school for an hour’s ‘stay and play’ session. During this time you will have the opportunity to explore the Reception area with your child, meet the staff and have a short meeting with your child’s teacher to share information. There is a sign up sheet in each classroom-please make sure you sign up for a time slot tonight!

16. Starting School After these sessions the children will begin to attend school on their own. Details of your child’s start date can be found in your Parent Information Pack, which can be collected from your child’s classroom at the end of this presentation. On your child’s first day they will be encouraged to enter the class without their parents/carers as this helps them to settle more quickly and creates a calmer atmosphere for all the children.

17. If you have any queries or concerns about your child’s individual needs please speak to your child’s class teacher and arrange a time to discuss these. We would now like to invite you to visit the Reception classes.