So your child will be joining us in September – time flies! We want it to be a happy time for everyone.

We want you to feel confident about leaving your child in our care and we want your child to feel happy and settled. know that if parents and children are happy then our task of teaching will be easier and more effective

Induction Programme

During the Summer Term your child will have been invited into school on three Wednesday afternoons.
Your child will have had the opportunity of participating in a variety of learning experiences, e.g. pencil play, tracing, colouring, painting, plasticine, jigsaws, language and number games, sand, water and construction toys.

It is hoped that these sessions will make the transition from home to school a little easier.

The Reception Year

The Reception year is the last year of EYFS focusing on the distinct needs of children from birth to the end of the reception year in primary school.

To encourage the development of your child’s independence we actively request that you support your child to follow the early routines we are setting up.

The Reception year has seven areas of learning covering children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. Our teachers plan a wide range of opportunities for the children to learn both indoors and outdoors, joining in with the children’s learning, extending their language and thinking and helping them to make progress.

Well planned play is also central to the children’s learning in the Reception year. That way learning is both challenging and fun.

You have already done the hard work

You are your child’s first teacher. They have been learning from you since they were born. More happens between birth and the age of four than in any other four years of life. They can walk and run, they can speak and listen. Every time you have read a book to them they have enjoyed the story and they have learnt that you read from left to right and from top to bottom.

You have counted with them, taught them nursery rhymes, helped them with jigsaws and games and encouraged them to draw and crayon.

Please continue with this essential work, talk about new experiences, trips in the car, visits to the supermarket, and programmes on the television. Teach them to take care of themselves, eg dressing themselves and going to the toilet. Try to be consistent in your approach and then the transition to school should be smooth.

Managing for themselves

Please encourage your child to take off and put on their coat, shoes, boots etc. We do not expect them to manage laces and hard buttons or buckles, but it helps if they can make some attempt at dressing and undressing. All clothes need to be clearly labelled.

The toilets are child sized and the children should be able to see to themselves.

The night before

Make sure everything is ready – clothes, shoes, shoe bag, lunch etc. Try to avoid a last minute rush.

In the morning

Allow plenty of time for getting ready. School starts at 8.50am.

Teachers can take a quick message at this time but is not the time for a long chat – they are busy seeing to the children.

After a few days most children are happy to come into the classroom with their friends. We kindly ask that all parent and carers remain outside the classroom door and enable the children to come in independently and let the staff take full responsibility for settling them into the class. Eventually your child will line up in the playground and then be taken to class by their class teacher.

Our first day

Make sure everything is ready:-

labelled uniform

PE bag

lunch box if they are not having a hot school meal

a labelled drink

Mid-morning break

The children should bring in a drink to have during their morning playtime. During morning playtime the children are provided with a fruit snack. We encourage the children to eat one piece of fruit or vegetable at this time, not chocolate, biscuits or crisps.

There are water fountains which are available for the children to use. Milk is available for under 5 children. Once your child reaches 5 years then you can purchase milk through Cool Milk.

Lunchtime 12 noon - 1 pm

The children in Reception classes are provided with a Universal Infant Free School hot lunchtime Meal and drink for lunch. Menus for the UIFS Meals are available on our School Money website for you to make choices. You will be notified through our Parkfield School newsletter when the menus are available.

The end of the day

School finishes at 3.30pm. You are welcome to come into the playground at 3.25pm to be ready to collect your child from the classroom. Please try to be punctual, children become worried if you are late.

The children are not allowed to climb on fences or go onto walls around the playground. Please ensure that their little brothers and sisters do not climb on them either. Your child is allowed to ride a bike or scooter to school but must not ride on the school premises.

The Reception children will remain in the classroom until you come to collect them. Please notify the class teacher at the beginning of the day if your child will be collected by someone else.

We are approachable

Reception teachers are usually available for a quick chat about how your child is settling in at the end of the day.

If you have any worries or require a more lengthy session then make an appointment with the class teacher. We are always willing to see you.