Early Years at St Mary’s School

Entry to the Early Years building is through the Key Stage 2 gate which is to the right of the main school entrance.

Morning Entry

You will enter your child’s classroom via the doors at

the back of the Early Years building. There will be a lunch box trolley outside these doors for children

who bring in a lunch.

At 8:50 the double yellow gates will be opened by a member of the Reception

Team.

A typical day in Early YearsMorning welcome time

Morning activities will be set out each day. Parents are welcome to join in with the activities in the classroom between 8:50 and 9:00 AM.

Encourage your child to put their belongings away independently upon entry. There are boxes for their: book bags, water bottles, letters for the teacher, homework books and reading books.

A typical day in Early YearsRWI Phonics

Phonics takes place every morning. The school uses the Read, Write, Inc. phonics program. Please see the website below for further information:https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/

A typical day in Early YearsMaths

Maths takes place every day using the Numicon program which is a multi-sensory approach to teaching maths. Please see the website below for further information:https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/books/numicon-guide-for-parents/

A typical day in Early YearsChild initiated learning time In their child

initiated learning time challenges are set for the children to try. Staff support children in their chosen activities to scaffold and extend their independent play.

Please see the school website for the Reception Teaching and Learning Policy which explains this way of working .

A typical day in Early YearsLunch

The children eat their lunch in the Hall. They can have a free hot dinner or bring their own lunch box. The Lunch Time Supervisors help to support the children at lunch time. All Reception Teaching Assistants are also Lunch Time Supervisors.

A typical day in Early Years

Afternoon Activities

In the afternoons the children have a group input by their teacher. This then leads to an adult led activity. They also have time to continue to develop their independent learning.

A typical day in Early YearsStory time Stories are integral to our daily routine;

we always finish our day with our special story time but also have stories throughout the day. We have a reading corner in each classroom where we encourage the children to read independently, read with a friend or an adult.

Children take home books from the start of Reception to share with their parents. They begin with non-worded books to help develop their story telling. As children learn letters sounds and how to blend to read they are then sent home worded books. Each child is sent home a book to match their ability.

Weekly Events:

• PE

• Library

• Music

Each week we have a PE session in the school hall and also visit the school library. The children also have a weekly music session.

You will be informed of your child’s library and PE day at the beginning of the school term.

Parent and School PartnershipTo develop the partnership between school

And home we:

• Set weekly Homework

• Have regular parent evenings

• Hold Stay and Play Sessions

• Hold weekly Parent Reading Mornings (every Friday)

• Post a weekly Reception Blog

• Set up an on-line Learning Journey for children

How to prepare your child for school

• Teach your child to dress themselves• Teach your child to be independent

using the toilet• Encourage them to listen to a story• Teach them some nursery rhymes• Play simple board games• Let them participate in creative

activities

Daily Resources• Coats• Hats• Water bottles• PE bag• Wellington boots• Waterproofs• Book bag

Please ensure your child hasthese resources everyday.

Please label all of your child’s belongings. Your child will be going outside every day and will need appropriate outer wear. You can storeyour child’s water proofs on their coat peg. Welly boots are stored outdoors on our welly boot rack.

Yearly Events

• Christmas Concert• Sports Day• Forest School• School discos• Visitors• School fetes• PTA fundraisers• Class trips