1. “Every child deserves the best possible start in life and support to fulfil their potential. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right, and it provides the foundation for children to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up”. DfCSF 2008

2. Who’s Who? Headteacher- Miss Harries Deputy Headteacher- Mr Gubbins Early Years Leader and KS1 Leader- Miss Donald and Mr Burt Pastoral Care Worker- Mrs Miller Teaching Team- Miss Donald, Mrs Butcher, Miss Hearn, Mrs Hellyer, Mrs Winters, Miss Buxton, Mrs Noyes, Mrs Dearden, Mrs Elliot, Miss Howlett

4. Development Matters There are 3 characteristics of effective learning which help us to focus on and understand how children learn. We will need to become familiar with them and reflect on how they can help us to support children’s learning and development by providing activities we know the children will enjoy. As practitioners we need to plan in activities and experiences that will allow the children opportunities to develop their skills in these particular areas.

5. Aims of the Reception Year Become a valued member of our school community. Learn how to co- operate and communicate with others. Develop concentration and play skills.

6. Aims of the Reception Year Share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through art, design and technology, music, dance, drama and role- play. Solve problems, make decisions, experiment, predict, plan, think for themselves and begin to raise lots of questions.

7. Aims of the Reception Year Investigate how numbers work, patterns, shape, space and measurement in a variety of contexts. Be given a rich environment to explore language, books and their imagination.

8. Aims of the Reception Year Have an opportunity to practise fine and gross motor skill, increasing their understanding of how their body works and stays healthy. Find out about their environment, the people and places that have significance in their lives. Use a range of ICT confidently.

9. Have good self- image and self esteem. Have lots of fun! Aims of the Reception Year

10. During your child’s Reception year at Old Town Infant School we hope to nurture and develop a whole range of important ‘life’ skills. We build on from all from all the wonderful work YOU and the pre-schools have started. We also work really closely with other EYFS providers that your child might still be attending.

11. The seven areas of learning Communication and Language. Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Physical Development. Literacy. Mathematics. Understanding of the World. Expressive Arts and Design. A record of children’s development across all of these areas provides a picture of the whole child at the end of the Foundation Stage.

12. Assessment We will do lots of observations of your child playing and exploring and match them carefully to the Early Learning Goals within the seven areas of learning. At the October parents meeting we share your child’s “Learning Pathway” which celebrates achievement and sets targets for progress through the Foundation Developmental stages. Children who have special educational needs will have a detailed Individual Education Plan put in place to support their needs.

13. “We know that every child is different. They look different, they behave differently. They develop at different rates and at different times. They learn at different rates and in different ways”. Please don’t be tempted to compare your child with others. Value them as an individual, we do!

15. Routines of the school day School begins at 8:55am when the register is taken, the children may come into the classroom from 8:45am. If your child is late please sign in at the office first. When your child is unwell please telephone on the first morning before 9:30am to tell us the problem. The morning your child returns to school send in a letter confirming the illness.

16. School Routines While your child is attending school mornings only, the session will finish at 12.00pm during the first week and then 1.15pm during week 2. Please ensure you are there on time waiting in the reception outside area. If you are going to be late telephone the school office so we can prepare your child and settle them for a short wait.

17. School Routines It is important that holidays are booked during the school holidays and NOT during term time. If this is not possible then a letter must be written to the head to ask permission and explaining why this is exceptional circumstances. The holiday may be authorised by Miss Harries and only if your child has attendance of 95% or more. The EWO may ask school to not authorise holidays or any leave if your child does not attend school to an acceptable level.

18. School Routines If somebody different is going to pick your child up, either regularly, or as a one off, please put your arrangements in a letter to the class teacher. We love to share things of interest with the children and celebrate swimming and dancing awards brought in from home. We do not encourage the children to bring in toys from home unless they are connected with our topic and requested by staff.

19. Angelfish,Seahorse and Puffer Fish Class Routines Pegs Book bags Bug Rug Water bottles

20. Rainbow time Busy Jobs Board Angel Fish, Seahorse and Puffer Fish Class Routines

21. Behaviour System Super star Smiley Awards Angelfish,Seahorse and Puffer Fish Class Routines

22. From September 2014, a free hot lunch is available for all infant children. Menus are published on the website or in the office and are available in your pack. Parents may, if they wish, choose to send in a healthy packed lunch. However, the cooked meals are provided free of charge and we would encourage parents to consider this option. It is not possible from September for parents to mix and match with hot meals and packed lunches due to the funding arrangements. Parents to make a decision from the start of school as the funding will not be there later in the year if you change your mind! Parents will need to choose one or the other from the start of the year. Please note that if sending packed lunches, no fizzy drinks or sweets are permitted in school. We have several children in school who have a nut allergy which means any contact with nuts or products containing nut oil could prove fatal. Please avoid sending these products into school. Any sent in will be removed and an alternative food item given. Lunch!

23. Induction Period 8 th September to 20 th September 2014 During the induction period your child will come to school for the mornings only for the first 2 weeks. For week commencing 8 th September the school day will finish at 12.00pm. For week commencing 15 th September the school day will finish at 1.15pm. From Monday 22 nd September the children will attend school full-time. Children will require a packed lunch or a hot school meal. Please see the information in your pack.

24. Pupil Premium For the 2014/15 financial year, pupil premium funding rose to £1,300 per eligible pupil. For all children who are entitled to the pupil premium we offer an individual programme to boost their learning. The money is specifically used for your child and does not go into a general “pot” of money. This support is in addition to any normal class support offered to all children.

25. Your child may be eligible for Pupil Premium if as parents you are in receipt of any of the following benefits: Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit Child Tax Credit, provided the parents are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190 Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax credit Universal Credit Children who receive a qualifying benefit in their own right are also allowed to receive pupil premium. Your child will only receive the funding if parents register that they are entitled to it.

26. Staying all day From Monday 22nd September, children will be entitled to start school full-time. School will begin at 8.55am and finish at 3.00pm. Children are allowed into their classroom from 8.45am.

27. Forms and Visits.. Forms - please take home and complete and return to school before the summer break. Do ask about anything you are unsure of! Hot meals have to be ordered before starting so please make you selection from the menu and return to school this term. Sign up for a school visit if you haven’t looked around already. Visit the classrooms and chat to staff!