Reception Staffing Structure
EYFS Lead:
Mrs Sara Deakin
Teacher:
Mrs Sara Deakin (Reception)
Teaching Assistants:
Mrs. Amanda Coates
Reception is the final phase of the Early Years Foundation stage. We focus on guiding children to become curious, confident, independent and resilient learners. In Reception, we believe that play is the foundation of development and learning for young children. We plan our topics throughout the year to ensure that children are provided with a wide range of high-quality learning experiences. In the EYFS we follow children’s interests where possible and planned topics are regularly adapted to take these into account. Your child will take part in many adult-led and child-initiated indoor and outdoor play activities that will help them to learn and have fun as they work towards the Early Learning Goals.
Our morning session concentrates on building Literacy (mainly phonics based) and Numeracy skills whilst the afternoon sessions are dedicated to the remainder of the curriculum, which is generally delivered using a termly topic from our creative curriculum and continuous provision.
There are regular opportunities for parents to meet with the EYFS staff to discuss their child’s development.
Teaching and Learning in Reception
Our Reception Curriculum Overviews
You can view or download our long-term plan and EYFS curriculum overview by clicking the link below:
PE Kit
Children will do PE one afternoon each week. To maximise lesson time, children should come into school wearing their PE kit on the day that they have their PE lesson. Our school PE kit includes a white T-shirt or polo shirt, black shorts, jogging bottoms or leggings and trainers. Children should wear their school jumper over the top of their PE kit. Parents will be informed which day their child will be doing PE via Class Dojo. PE days may change throughout the year for various reasons but we will always keep you updated.
Please note no jewellery is allowed to be worn during PE for safety reasons and will need to be removed during PE and sporting activities.
Class Dojo
Each class has their own Class Dojo page where teachers will put regular updates on what has been going on in their class. Important messages and information will also be shared on Class Dojo so if you are not connected to your child’s class, let their class teacher know and they will sort that out for you.
Reading
Our school uses Little Wandle Revised Letters and Sounds SSP to teach phonics. Children are taught to hear and recognise letter sounds which they then learn to blend together to read words and then sentences. More information about our phonics program can be found in the Reading and Phonics section (under Early Reading)
Homework
Once your child has settled in to Reception, Mrs Deakin will begin sending regular home reading tasks in children’s book bags. Reading books are sent home and changed weekly. Initially children will receive phonics cards to allow them to practise the sounds they have learned each week as well as a reading book with words when they are able to read them. Your child will also bring home a weekly Storytime sharing book for you to enjoy reading to them. We ask you to listen to your child read their reading book at least 4 times per week to help them develop their reading fluency. Please send your child’s book to school every day as children read regularly with a member of staff.
Outdoor Learning
In the early years, we believe that ‘there is no bad weather, only bad clothing!’ Learning outdoors is not only fun but it is also proven to enhance children’s understanding of the world around them and their motivation to learn.
We hold weekly outdoor learning sessions in our school grounds and we will be outside in all weathers. Please make sure you send your child to school with clothing that is appropriate to the weather. For example, a warm coat, hat and gloves in the winter and a sun hat and sunscreen in the summer. We will provide waterproof clothing for wet weather but ask that you provide a pair of wellingtons that can stay in school.
Breakfast and Snack
In both Nursery and Reception, children are provided with toast or bagels for breakfast when they arrive at school. This provision is part of the Magic Breakfast program which funds a free breakfast for every child in the school. Children in Reception and Nursery have access to healthy snacks during the day. Children come to the snack table and serve themselves from a choice of fruit, and other healthy options and a choice of milk, water, or juice. At VLA we are committed to teaching children about healthy eating and lifestyles and would like to provide your child with a daily choice of healthy snacks. We also like to do cooking and baking activities with the children. We encourage them to learn about different types of healthy food and to try some more unusual fruits or vegetables that they may not have seen before. In order to provide this service, we ask for a small contribution of £1.00 per week to go towards buying the snack foods. The money also goes towards providing ingredients for cooking and different foods to taste during topics as well as purchasing ingredients to make play dough and other sensory resources.
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