1. Welcome to Acorns Class
Parents Information

2. Finalised EHCP
If you receive your finalised EHCP by 22nd July (our last day of term for this academic year)then we will be able to commence your child’s phased entry into school on 5th September 2016
If however we do not receive this before 22nd July 2016 and it comes through during the summer holidays we will give you a starting date for later in September – it will be as soon as we can arrange it – it will not be during the first week back.

3. Phased Entry All children come into school on a phased entry.
Week 1 children stay to 11.50am
Week 2 children stay to 1.00 pm
Week 3 full time to 3.15 pm
So those starting on 5th September that will be week 1.
12th September will be week 2 &
19th September will be week 3.

4. Phased Entry
Please note those on Transport – Parents will be responsible for collecting their child in weeks 1 & 2.
The Taxi companies cannot accommodate the phased entry this year.

5. Uniform Its very basic – white polo shirt with grey trousers or skirt.
Along with a school jumper that can be ordered from the school reception desk
(I recommend V neck jumpers, they seem to cause less problems getting over heads & not catching on ears)
Please make sure all items of clothing are named – despite all our efforts things still manage to disappear.

6. PE Kits
Please provide a simple PE kit – white t shirt, black shorts & plimsolls. Again all to be named.
Although we don’t do anything necessarily requiring specialist clothes, we do encourage the children to get changed for themselves as much as possible – so all part of learning self help & independence.
SWIMMING Kits – we do try and get into the hydro-pool each week. So a towel, swim wear & swim pads are required. (Named!)

7. Other things your child might need!
A spare set of clothes is always useful:
In case of accidents or
Getting wet through water play.
Please can all items be named

8. Hot Weather:
Sun hat
Sun cream
Water bottle
Wet Weather:
Waterproof coat
Waterproof over trousers
Wellington boots
Named please!

9. Permission Forms
We have a range of Permission Forms that will be sent to you along with the admission forms.
Things like Permission for photographs to be taken & then where used e.g. for personal evidence or up on the school website. Off site activities in local area e.g. York Parade Shops or Library, Teeth Cleaning after lunch and swimming in our Hydro-pool. (This is not the whole list!)

10. Medical
We do have school nurses on site - they can give medicines such as antibiotics if required.(Permission forms will need to be signed)
Clinics – the community Paediatrician Dr Gupta holds clinics in school regularly instead of having to have hospital appointments. All Reception age children will be invited to at least 1 clinic in their 1st year here.
There are also a range of other clinics – Orthotics, Wheelchair, Continence, Feeding all held in school. Please ask if you want further information.

11. Head Lice
Just to warn you this is quite a common problem in Early Years.
Please can you check your child’s hair regularly with a fine toothed comb.
Head lice don’t seem to like ‘tea tree oil’ and there are some cheap shampoos and conditioners with tea tree in.
If you have any concerns our Nurse is always there to give advice.

12. Toilet Training
Many parents ask us about toilet training – when a child shows signs they are ready for this, we are more than happy to try this usually in the warmer months.
Until then we would respectfully ask if you could keep your child in pads. We know many like to try pull ups, but for us during toileting it means we have to remove shoes & trousers. Whereas with pads its just a case of lowering trousers.

13. Therapies
We do have Occupational & Physiotherapists in school – if it is felt your child will benefit from seeing a therapist and they are new to the service we do have to make a formal referral & this does take time to get through the system.
We have an Early Years Department Speech & Language Therapist – Rosie Nelson who can help with communication needs and support such how to use PECS at home & school.

14. Lunch Time at School
If you so wish you can take advantage of having a free hot school meal at lunch time.
Or you are welcome to send in a packed lunch.
If you have a fussy eater we can try learning plates (formally taster plates)

15. Free School Meals & Pupil Premium
Although all Reception age children receive free school meals getting Pupil Premium is not automatic.
If you receive certain benefits you have to make a formal application for free school meals in order to qualify for pupil Premium
Please look on school website – Parent Information for further details.

16. Reporting Absences
We all get ill sometimes, and very often when starting school the children catch a whole lot of different illnesses – lots of different bugs to be caught.
Please ring in to school each day your child is off and then a written note when they return as to the reason – even if it’s a quick note in the home school contact book. That saves the office sending you a letter. (Its all record keeping & required by the LEA – we get asked to account for absences)
Please note that in cases of sickness or diarrhoea your child should not return to school for 48 hours after last occurrence.

17. Holidays during School Time
As a general rule we respectfully request that holidays are taken during term breaks.
If you feel there is a special circumstance around taking a break in school time, there is a request procedure to go through and a request form to complete.
These can be obtained from the reception desk at school.

18. School Website
Has lots of useful information on it – term dates, clinic dates, what’s on guide etc.
Specifically for EYFS go to Lower school & Upper School Departments – School Departments – EYFS. On there you will find Information, Timetables, Module Summaries, Activity Photographs etc.
(And a copy of this!)

19. Welcome Pack
Your child will have a booklet sent to them before they start (and a copy will be on the Website)
Telling them all about being in Acorns class.
Hopefully this presentation, the school prospectus & website will answer all your questions.
We will also arrange individual transition meetings to help the move into school go smoothly & answer any of your questions.

20. EYFS Parents Meetings
We have an EYFS parents group that generally meet once a term
At this meeting we discuss a range of topics and have speakers we invite in.
You can ask questions and get to know other parents
So come and join for ‘tea and biscuits’ (coffee, hot chocolate)

21. Topics for year 2016/17 Term 1 – Weather
Term 2 – Different Materials/Christmas
Term 3 – Home and Family
Term 4 - People Who Help Us
Term 5- Plants and Living Things
Term 6 – The Environment and Journeys

22. Term Dates 2016/17 Term 1 – 5th September 16 – 14th October 16
Staff Training Week 17th – 21st October 16
Term 2 31st October 16 – 16th December 16
Term 3 3rd January 17 – 10th February 17
Term 4 20th February 17 – 31st March 17
Term 5 18th April 17 – 26th May 17
Term 6 5th June 17 – 26th July