New Entrants Meeting 2015

Dorset Road Infant School EYFS Teacher

Mrs Otieno

What can I do to help my child before they start school?

Practise putting their coat on and off and doing it up. Practise getting dressed and undressed. Practise turning their clothes out the right way.

Please make sure that your child is potty trained before they start school. It can cause them discomfort if they are not sure what to do! If your child has toileting issues please let us know on the forms.

If your child is beginning to write their name, please ensure they only use a capital letter at the beginning. Practise cutting skills using safety scissors.

If my child is having school dinners, help them to practise cutting up their dinner. If they are going to be packed lunch, help them to practise opening their lunch box (water or milk provided) Please send your child into school with water, in a plastic labelled bottle.

From September 2014 all pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England were eligible for free school meals.

Pupil Premium If you are in receipt of certain benefits then under the old system you would have been entitled to free school meals. However all the children currently get free school meals anyway so should you bother to claim now?

YES!!! If you receive benefits then you should still fill out the form in your welcome pack. Your child’s school will receive something called ‘Pupil Premium’ which we use to fund enrichment activities for your children. See Mrs Bale before you leave for more details.

Uniform Please ensure that ALL items of uniform are named including hats, shoes and lunch boxes. Please buy velcro plimsolls and shoes. They are much easier for the children to put on and take off.

We use the outside area everyday and in all weathers so please ensure that your child has a waterproof coat in school everyday. During warm weather the children will need a sun hat and sun cream applied before they come to school.

When your child starts school they will probably be very tired, even if they have been used to going to nursery. It will really help if they have a regular, early bedtime.

Home Visits Please fill in a time on the home visit sheet on the table. This is an opportunity for the staff to meet your child in their own environment. The TA will talk to your child and share a book with them. The teacher will talk to you about your child’s likes/dislikes and answer any questions you may have.

Tuesday 1 st September: Inset day Wednesday 2 nd Sept, Thursday 3 rd Sept, Friday 4 th Sept : Home visits New children start on Monday 7 th September 2015 First week – 7 th Sept 2015 children to come in for the morning session only – parents to collect at 12 Second week – 14 th Sept 2015 children to come in for the morning session and lunch – parents to collect at 1.00pm Third week – children to stay all day – parents to collect at 3.15pm

The school day EYFS staff will open the classroom doors at 8.55am If your child is upset please just leave them with EYFS staff as they will settle quicker. If your child was distressed for an extended period of time we would contact you.

The children’s day is very structured so it is important that they are on time (so they don’ miss any fun) so please ensure that your child is at school early every day!

Children will come out from their classroom door at 3.15pm Don’t be surprised if your child says they haven’t done anything at school all day. However this is not the case! Curriculum is play based, both inside and outside the classroom. A combination of adult led and child initiated activities.

Recommended Phonics Websites for EYFS Starfall.com opened in September of 2002 as a free public service and has been teaching children to read with phonics ever since. Their systematic approach, in conjunction with phonemic awareness practice, is perfect for children who have learnt all phase 2 sounds and want to practice using this for reading. Children can also recap sounds they have already learnt using fun songs. Phonics games will help your child to practise sounding out words, which will help them to read. Initially, children will learn basic letter sounds, such as "c-a-t" for "cat". Later they will move on to sounds such as "th", "sh" and "ch", then "oo", "oa" and so on. Once they recognise a few basic letter sounds, they will be able to work out what a written word says for themselves, a skill which they will be very proud to show off!

Phonics Workshop Wednesday 8 th July 9.30am Phonics workshop by our Literacy Coordinator – Miss Woodhead Write it in your diary now!

Workshops in Autumn Term Monday 14 th September 9.30am Fine Motor and Handwriting Wednesday 16 th September at 9.30am Reading and Phonics Monday 21 st September at 9.30am Maths Wednesday 23 rd September at 9.30am e-safety and communication

Final reminders Please collect your child’s pack and sign up for a home visit Fill out your entitlement to FSM form for Pupil Premium Please don’t go back to your child’s classroom until 3.00pm Enjoy a cup of tea / coffee!

Further Advice and Information Mrs Oke: Deputy Head Teacher/ SENCo Mrs Linford: Family Worker Feel free to come and ask Mrs Brinkley or Mrs Oke any questions you may have. Mrs Bale is our expert on Uniform, School meals and most other things.