1. Early Years Foundation Stage Key information for new families.
Swallow Dell Primary School
and Nursery

2. Admission
Your child will attend for either an AM (9.30 am am) or PM (1pm-3pm) session on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th September
Your child will then stay for a full morning session and for lunch (8.50am-1.30pm) on Friday 6th and Monday 9th September 2019.
The children will then all be in school full time ( ) from Tuesday 10th September 2019
*This transition period can be extended if in agreement with you as their parents/ carers we feel that it may be in the best interests of your child.

3. Keyworkers Orange Group Green Group Yellow Group Red Group Blue Group
Mrs London
Teacher
Mr McLaughlin
Miss Gorman TA
Ms Darvill
Ms Martin
To help ensure that your child has a smooth transition into Reception, we run a keyworker system for the first half term. Your child will start and end their day in a group of no more than 12 children and they will have a named member of staff to help them to settle in and feel safe and secure in school. This system reflects that of Nurseries and Preschools in the area. All Reception staff will complete observations on your child but Mrs London and Mr McLaughlin as the class teachers will maintain overall responsibility for your child’s assessments and for planning their learning experiences in order to meet their next steps. Although your child’s keyworker will be your first point of contact for day to day handovers, Mrs London or Mr McLaughlin should be your first point of contact for any big queries or concerns.

4. Daily Routine Self registration and Busy Fingers in Keyworker Groups
The School day starts at 8.45 and ends at However for the first 5 school days of transition into Reception, your child will attend on a reduced timetable more of which we shall discuss later. Here is the basic daily routine once your child is attending full time:
Self registration and Busy Fingers in Keyworker Groups
Keyworker Focus Teaching Time
Child Initiated Learning ‘Planning Time’ with rolling snack.
Phonics Time
Songs and Rhymes
Lunch time in the Sweet Briar dining hall
Play time on the KS1 playground
Child Initiated Learning ‘Planning Time’
Story Time
Home Time
*This routine will be adapted when needed to ensure that the changing needs of the children continue to be met.

5. Self registration and Busy Fingers in Keyworker Areas
Carpet Area
Chestnut Classroom
Green Group
Mr McLaughlin
Carpet Area-Pine Classroom
Orange Group
Mrs London
By Blue door in
Both Classes
Blue Group
Ms Martin
Chestnut Classroom
Red Group
Ms Darvill
Pine Classroom
Yellow Group
Miss Gorman
Please note that we expect you to come in with your children in the mornings and to safely hand them over to the adults in the classroom. Please be aware however that the cloakrooms can get congested so we would like you to stand back and encourage your children to change their own shoes, hang up their own coat etc. Your child will then place their book bag in their colour groups box (located in their area) each morning.

6. Learning Journeys
During their time in Reception your child will have observations and photographs taken to go in their own individual Learning Journey. We use Tapestry, an online learning journey which you will be asked to sign a consent form for. You will then be able to see what your child has been up to as their learning journey gets updated on a regular basis. However a big part of your child’s learning will take place at home! We would therefore like you to have an active part in your child’s learning journey! You will also be able to upload photos and information of things your child has done at home or complete a Magic Moment and we will put it in your child’s learning journey!

7. Uniform
*School Sweatshirt or Cardigan *Yellow T-shirt *Black jogging bottoms *Plimsolls *School Book bag *Purple or yellow checked Summer dresses and black shorts if preferred in warmer weather *PE bag and PE Kit- white T shirt and black shorts (needed after October half term)

8. How you can help! Pre reading skills Mathematical skills
Reclaimed materials
Helping in class
Making sure ALL clothing is named!
Coats every day please
Asking teachers/key workers
Helping your child with their reading and homework
Workshops: phonics, reading and writing, numbers and counting.
Magic Moments and uploading things you have done at home on Tapestry

9. Further Information Can be Found…..
THE EARLY YEARS CURRICULUM
Early_Years_Outcomes.pdf
HOW WE TEACH PHONICS
IDEAS TO HELP AT HOME
SONGS RHYMES AND EARLY MATHS SKILLS
PHONIC SONGS

10. Deciding Class Groups CHESTNUT CLASS PINE CLASS Mr McLaughlin
Once your children have settled in and just after the October half term, your children will be split into two classes with 30 children in each. Classes will be decided upon based upon what the class teachers feel is best for your child and we ask that you trust their professional judgements at this time. The children will then be prepared for this change and you will be informed of their new class at an October parent and keyworker meeting.
CHESTNUT CLASS
PINE CLASS
Mr McLaughlin
Mrs London
Ms Darvill
Ms Mizon
Ms Gorman
Ms Martin

11. We look forward to having a long lasting partnership with you!