1. Welcome to Sandygate A Christian family enriching lives, encouraging growth & creating possibilities Reception Parents Meeting Wednesday 1st July 2015

2. We do this by: Believing in everyone’s potential Providing challenging independent learning opportunities Offering a rich, exciting and stimulating environment Encouraging a love for learning Helping everyone take responsibility for their own development Nurturing resilient learners At Sandygate we value everyone as an individual

3. A love for children Pleasure in seeing the enjoyment children have in their learning Making sure that each child reaches their full potential What motivates us at Sandygate...

4. The EYFS team Mrs Howarth Mr Richardson Mrs White Mrs Van Eden Mrs Sam Mrs Burkitt Mrs Downing Miss Carreras

5. Home and School is a partnership Together we ensure that each child has... Love and care Physical contact and comfort Security and stability Nutrition, warmth and protection Play exploration with managed risks Education Friends Expectations Attendance Values and purpose in life

6. How we prepare your child for school Transition afternoons Information pack Transfer morning All about me preparation activities Home visits

7. Information pack Designed to provide you with all the information you need to understand how we operate at school What you can expect as a parent What is expected of the children and of you as parents Forms which MUST be completed (in the back of the pack)

8. Transfer morning All children come into school to spend the morning in their classes July 7th 2015 ◦ 9.15 ◦ 9.30 ◦ 9. 45 (your time will be in your information pack) Bring your child in and drop them off Pick up at 12 noon from the classroom (come to the Foundation Stage sliding doors not the main school entrance)

9. All about me preparation activities Complete ‘All about me’ with your child This gives your child’s teacher an initial understanding of their starting point It is important that this is an honest reflection of what your child is able to do This information will be used to plan early lessons Return to school by Wednesday 22 nd July

10. Home visits Proved beneficial last year so we are offering them again Allow the teaching team to see your child in their own environment Your chance to share information about your child on a 1:1 basis Each visit is about 20 minutes Visits will take place between Wednesday 2 & Friday 4 September Please complete the form if you are interested and return by Friday 10th July

11. Home visits “A very warm, welcoming experience that really prepares the child & parent before the nerve wracking first day! Both teachers coming was really unexpected and very nice. Reassuring and all questioned answered. Brilliant idea!” “A great opportunity to discuss personal issues about our child. They both demonstrated a genuine interest in understanding our child. Made our child feel comfortable and more confident to meet his teachers at home in a relaxed environment. A great opportunity for teachers to interact with their pupils on their own territory.”

12. How you can prepare your child for school Sing number rhymes & songs together Share books & talk about the pictures Encourage making marks, shopping lists Lots of counting! (time-climbing the stairs, shopping, house numbers…) Encourage children to talk Play simple board games

13. Key dates Open evening - Wednesday 8th July 4–6pm Foundation Stage curriculum evening – Monday 14 th September 7-8pm Back to school barbecue – 26th September Meet the Teacher – 9 th September Foundation Stage phonics evening – Monday 21 st September 7-8pm Other suggestions ◦ Picnics with classmates during the summer

14. What do I need to remember... Uniform ◦ Red sweatshirt/cardigan with school logo ◦ Grey shorts or skirt ◦ Red summer dress for girls ◦ Black shoes ◦ All in one suits for outdoor play ◦ A pair of wellies to stay in school ◦ PE kit (details in parent pack) Please ensure EVERYTHING is named! Send coats EVERYDAY Sensible shoes and no jewellery

15. On Monday 7th September ◦ Staggered drop off times  9.15  9.30  9.45 ◦ Pick up at 12 noon from sliding doors if you have chosen mornings only Tuesday 8th September onwards ◦ Drop off at sliding doors from 8.45am ◦ Pick up at either 12 noon or 3.15pm What happens when my child start school

16. All children stay for 5 mornings ◦ 8.45am - 12noon Choose whether you wish your child to stay for afternoons We anticipate all children will be full time by after half term Please arrange to see the head teacher if you wish to discuss this Organisation…

17. A typical morning in reception 8.45 - Welcome and self register. 9.00 - 9.15 Assembly 9:15 – 9:20 Dough disco 9.20 - 9.30 Input 9.30 - 11.00 Play learning & adult led activities 10.00 – Snack & milk time 11.10 - 11:30 Phonics 11:30 - 12:00 Story, interventions & getting ready for lunch

18. A typical afternoon in reception 12:00 - 1.15 Lunch 1.15 - Registration 1.20 - 2.30 Play learning, guided reading, letter workshops and adult led activities 2.45 Tidy away and a story 3.15 Home time

19. Communicating with your teacher Morning drop off End of the day Make an informal appointment By phone or email (via the office email address) Formal parent consultations – details in September Meet the teacher session Stay and play sessions

20. Lunchtimes From September 2014 all children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 in England were eligible for Free School Meals We have been providing Hot school meals in school for nearly 3 years using a catering company called Dolce Please supply your details so that you can be registered for an account to order from home

21. Attendance It is important that your child attends school on the days/times agreed until their 5 th birthday From their 5 th birthday it is your legal obligation to ensure that your child attends school full time How to report sickness and the difference between authorised & unauthorised absences are in the pack

22. Why is attendance so important? Poor attendance can seriously affect each child’s:- attainment in school relationships with other children and their ability to form lasting friendships confidence to attempt new work and work alongside others relationships with teachers and other school staff general behaviour

23. Early Years Foundation Stage Hands on learning Fun and creative approach Learning through play Open, fluid learning environment Learning takes place indoors and outdoors 2 classroom bases What learning looks like

24. The First Few Days... There can be a lot to remember in the first few days. Please do not worry as your child will quickly be teaching you the routine! All clothing named! Book bag everyday Lunch boxes or hot school dinner Gates open at 8:45am

25. Our wonderful PFA Parents and Friends Association, is an organisation designed to encourage closer links between school & home Facilitates social functions, connecting parents, staff and pupils Fundraising for the school to support: ◦ Enrichment activities ◦ The nice-to-haves….tablets, PC furniture

26. Our hardworking Governors Ensure clarity of vision, ethos and strategic direction of the school Hold the head teacher to account for the educational performance (school, pupils and staff) Oversee financial performance of school to ensure money is well spent

27. Thank you We look forward to a happy partnership in your child's first year at school and beyond