Welcome to Early Years!

‘You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus’.

~ Galatians 3:27 ~

'Play is the highest form of research.'

~ Albert Einstein ~

Hello, my name is Mrs Holden and I am delighted to be teaching in Reception Class. Other members of staff within the setting include Mrs Brown (EYFS Teaching Assistant), Mrs Ramsbottom (Teaching Assistant) and Mrs Wills (Special Support Assistant). All of our staff have extensive Early Years experience, having worked in Reception Classes for many years.

The Reception year is a very exciting time of change for both parents and our children. During this year, we will all work as a team to ensure that your child flourishes through a fun, stimulating and active environment. The experiences we provide will be designed to ensure that every child reaches their full potential in all aspects of the curriculum. We will be encouraging your child to become an independent learner and take risks as they embark upon new challenges. We pride ourselves in offering a nurturing, language rich learning environment that teaches the essential skills necessary to build positive relationships and prepare them for later life as Global Citizens of the future.

We hope your child enjoys the start of their learning journey here at St Cuthbert's and our Early Years fun 'play-based' approach towards learning. We are very much looking forward to working alongside parents and carers in order to offer the very best educational experiences.

Key Information

P.E.

Our P.E. session with Mr. Ellison will be on Monday and Thursday. Children should come to school in their PE t-shirt and shorts with their school jumper or the school P.E. zip up top over. Plain black or grey un-branded joggers can be worn over the shorts in colder weather if desired. Children can come to school in trainers or school shoes. Named pumps should be sent into school in named P.E. bags, to be kept in the cloakroom for times when it is necessary to hold P.E. inside.

Outdoor Explorers!

Outdoor Explorers will take place on Tuesday in the morning for Early Years children this half term. Please see Class Dojo for notification of groupings for those sessions.

Clothing for outdoor learning should be comfortable, suitable for the temperature and a condition that you don't mind your child getting very messy in! Puddle-suits/all-in-ones over the top of old clothes are ideal (but not essential). Wellies are a must! In a named carrier bag, please send in a pair of shoes for your child to change into afterwards and some spare bottoms are useful if they have not worn an all-in-one/puddle-suit.

Uniform 

Just a reminder at the start of the school year, that all items of uniform must be labelled with your child's name in order to avoid misplaced items.  Children do, at times, need to take their jumpers off in class, and clothing can quickly become lost or mixed up if it isn't labelled.

Please also try to encourage your child to practise putting coats and jumpers/cardigans on and off independently.

Class Dojo

We will communicate predominantly through Class Dojo and update you regularly with photographs of your child's activities and achievements.  If you haven't already, you will be able to download the app to your digital device then begin to interact with you child's profile and our whole 'class story'.  If you would like to connect an additional person to Dojo, please let me know, however we are unable to connect anybody other than parents/guardians. 

Please note that Dojo messages will only be received during the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday, so please don't worry if you don't receive an immediate response.

Reading

Why read? Sharing books and stories with your child is fun! It is a great way to build special memories and moments with your child, and can easily become a favourite part of the day.

It also helps children:

• Understand the world around them.

• Develop social and emotional skills.

• Build confidence with communication.

• Strengthen their bond with you and other family members.

Children's school reading books will be collected each day. Please sign and date their reading record when you have read together. You are welcome to write feedback, such as their enjoyment, engagement, understanding or any questions/comments they make or you have.

Please ensure you send in books and book bags daily, so we are able to read with your child in school.

If you would like more information on reading at home with your child, please see the fantastic resource below from 'The Book Trust' which contains lots of great information and advice.

If you were unable to attend our phonics introduction evening, please see the informational presentation below or if you need any other guidance or advice, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Our Early Years Curriculum