1. Dear Parents, We welcome you and your child to Llwynypia Primary School and hope this is the beginning of an important and supportive partnership between home and school.

2. Our school aims to provide as reassuring a start as possible for our children. It is with this in mind that we welcome you and your child to our Foundation Phase Department and hope that we can work together to provide a happy and secure environment in which learning can take place. Before your child starts school you will both be invited for a pre-school visit to get to know the staff and be informed about the school routine If your child attends Llwynypia Primary Playgroup they will also visit the Foundation Phase Unit prior to their official start. They will play with the other children and staff will have an opportunity to get to know your child. On the next pages are some of the people you may meet during your visit and during your child’s time in the Foundation Phase Department. School Terrace Tonypandy R.C.T CF40 2HL Headteacher : Mrs K Emmanuelli Tel :01443 432354 Fax : 01443 43 Hello

3. My Name is Mrs Emmanuelli and I am the Head Teacher. My Name is Mrs Lewis, I am the Deputy Head Teacher and an Early Years Unit teacher. My Name is Mrs Angela Lewis and I am the Chair of Governors. My Name is Miss Hurley and I am an Early Years Unit Teacher. My name is Mrs Lewis and I am the School Clerk.

4. My Name is Mrs Davey and I am an Additional Practioner in the Early Years Unit. My name is Mrs Port and I am an Additional Practioner in the Early Years Unit. My Name is Mrs Williams and I am an Additional Practioner in the Early Years Unit. My Name is Mrs Lewis and I am an Additional Practioner in the Early Years Unit.

5. My Name is Mrs Evans and I am a teacher in the Upper Foundation Phase. My Name is Miss Thomas and I am an Additional Practioner in the Upper Foundation Phase

6. ADMISSION TO SCHOOL This is on a part time, staggered basis to allow each and every child the necessary attention and support from the staff during the settling in period. Children attend morning session and will come from 8.55 am until 11.30 am for the first few days. As soon as your child has settled into school routine comfortably and confidently then their day will soon be extended to an afternoon session. Children who have become happily established in a full morning and afternoon session will soon be able to have their school day extended to include the lunch hour if required. Each child’s day will only be extended at the discretion of the class teacher, using their professional judgement as to when the child shows they are happily established and confident in school. After visits, what next ?

7. How can you help your child before he/she starts school ? Make things easier for your child by :- Labelling all clothing – especially coats, jumpers,cardigans as well as water bottles and lunch boxes - with your child’s name. Dressing your child in easy to manage clothes.(avoid belts, buckles and tights which may be difficult for little fingers to manage). Help your child to be independent by showing them how to :- Put on and take off their coats Go to the toilet by themselves Wash and dry their hands Use a knife and fork appropriately Personal and Social Activities

8. . Talk to your child at every opportunity. Help your child learn through play in every day activities. Read/sing Nursery Rhymes together. Look at books together. Make it fun! Talk about the pictures and the characters as well as the story. Give your child simple instructions to follow, E.g. “put teddy on the pillow”. Encourage your child to tell you about things they have done/seen/heard etc. Encourage your child to hold a pencil/crayon correctly. Language Activities How can you help your child before he/she starts school ?

9. . Maths Activities Sing a range of Number Rhymes and songs with your child. Look for numbers in the world around them.e.g. on front of buses,car number plates, front doors etc. Count with your child – when you go up or down stairs or when doing up buttons etc. Look for shapes around the home and in the outdoors. Help your child become familiar with the language of size; such as big, small, long, short etc.

10. What is the Foundation Phase? How will my child learn? We will learn through play, outdoor learning and ‘hands on’ activities. The Foundation Phase is a new curriculum for 3-7-year- olds. Children will learn through themes and topics.