Reception

“Dream what you want to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be.”

Dear Parents / Annwyl Rhieni,

Transition from Nursery to Reception

We endeavour to ensure that the children experience a smooth transition from the Nursery to Reception continuing their Early Years Foundation Stage education. Learning through play will continue to be an important part of the school day. The children will work in small focus groups on Literacy and Mathematics activities to promote motivated, enthused and eager learners. Please do not hesitate to come and see me either before or after school if you have any questions or queries.

Aims of Reception:

More independent
Able to Work with others and independently
Become more confident
Motivated, enthused, eager learners through small focus groups in Literacy and Mathematics.
Ready for the next steps in their education.
Able to review previous learning, acquire new skills and have lots of fun along the way!

Our Big Questions!

Autumn Term 2024- What makes me Special?

Spring term – What do we learn from Fairy tales?

Summer term – Do Animals help the Earth?

Reception throughout the week

The children will continue with their outdoor learning. Each week the children will take part in ‘Fun Friday’. Throughout the day the children will have activities based in the outdoor area. Therefore the children will need to bring to school a pair of wellingtons and wear clothing that you are happy to get dirty (waterproof outerwear will be provided).

Reception P.E days are : Tuesday (Outdoor)/ Friday (Indoor)

P.E Kit: Trainers, White t-shirt (polo shirt) and dark shorts/ joggers. For the outdoor sessions you may want to provide your child with a warm jumper.

My PPA session will be on a Tuesday afternoon, and the class will have Mrs Richardson to cover.

Reading in Reception:

During the coming weeks your child will receive their home reading book and reading record.

The children have a daily shared reading lesson with activities, and individual reading to promote reading for enjoyment and information at school.

The 1:1 reading with your child at home is really beneficial- it gives your child a chance to practice what they have learned, build up their reading knowledge and learn about how books work- it is an essential part of their learning. To ensure reading continuity between home and school, we suggest that your child brings their reading/sound book to school everyday. Thank you for your support.

Reading Books

These will start to contain simple words which the children will meet regularly – we call them ‘tricky words’ and throughout year the children will build up their sight vocabulary of them e.g. the, go, to. The books also have words that they can blend with their letter sound knowledge e.g. c-a-t. Please try to find a quiet time (without distractions) when you can share this book with your children. Talk to them about the pictures, help them if they are finding it tricky, discuss with them if they liked the book or their favourite part, the illustrations etc. When they have finished the book please write a comment in their reading record return them to school and we will change it for a new one during the week. Please keep on reading other books to your child as it helps them build up vocabulary, story patterns and knowledge of how books work

Writing

This year we will be helping your child with the formation of letters, the placement and size on the line.
Every week the children will be part of a focussed handwriting sessions, we will be encouraging an efficient and comfortable grip to allow their handwriting to flow.

We will also be looking at upper and lowercase letters, ensuring that they are able to use them confidently (especially when writing their name)
Our handwriting formation is cursive, and the reception children follow this ‘rule’ from the beginning, please help your child to practise their formation following our scheme. (Correct cursive letter formation can be found on our school website.)
We begin to encourage independent writing skills, whereby the children create their own independent sentences and they then have support to record this.
Using fun opportunities at home for independent writing will help to support your child further, creating lists, postcards, birthday cards…. Writing in the steam on a window! Will all help towards a fun learning experience.

Mathematics

We will start looking at basic number skills, the identification of number, addition and subtraction, and how number relates to the child in the wider world.
It is essential for the children to experience Maths as part of their everyday lives in order for them to understand its use.
Estimating, weighing, measuring are all good to discuss and do practically.
Money – Support your child with using it in the shops, adding two items together, or simply finding the money in their purse for one item questions e.g. How much does it cost? What coins will we need? What coin is this?
Addition, subtraction skills will be developed throughout the year in practical contexts, the use of Numicon is embedded within class activities, and this will support understanding of number.
Reading and writing numbers to 20
Multiplication and division – using practical activities, sharing sweets, using shapes, singing rhymes.
Problem solving activities will be used to help the children apply their skills in meaningful contexts

Multilingualism

Welsh in the Reception is fun and integrated into all areas of learning, through song and stories the children experience a positive introduction to the language.
Learning new patterns through role-play and song.
The children will also practise their welsh skills through a drilling slot, this will focus on the main language patterns used in Reception, and help them to use these patterns in everyday school activities.
Children are taught about their Welsh heritage
Children are taught incidental Welsh (commands in Welsh in every lesson)
Emphasis on developing knowledge of the Welsh language.

Working Together

The 1:1 support with your child at home is extremely beneficial- it gives your child a chance to practice what they have learned, build up their knowledge and confidence – it is an essential part of their learning.
By working together, we will make this year a very happy, productive time for your child.
Please help us by taking an active role in your child’s education.
Please share important information about your child with me e.g. medication.
Encourage your child to become more independent where possible.

Homework

The Reception children begin the year revising and reviewing their sounds, blends and number knowledge.
Spelling homework will be introduced as the children become more confident in the sound system.
If your child has begun or is beginning their reading journey, please ensure your child brings his/ her reading book to school every day and complete the parent/ pupil column to let us know about the reading undertaken at home. This will help us to focus on any difficulties found at home.
Occasionally the children will be given a topic based homework to support their learning in school.

Outdoor Learning 

The children will be working outdoors regularly throughout the week, whatever the weather.  Therefore, please ensure that your child comes to school dressed appropriately for the weather e.g. coat, sun hat etc.

General Reminders…

We are a Healthy school and therefore encourage our children to choose a Healthy snack for morning break. We encourage the children to have a piece of fruit, some sliced vegetables, plain biscuits, rice cakes and raisins etc. The children are also encourage to bring a refillable bottle, and have the opportunity to re-fill at our cold water station.
If children choose to have packed lunches, we encourage chocolate or crisps to be kept as part of their lunchtime meal.

Please remember that all children need to come to school with a warm coat as they will continue with outdoor learning and play. Alternatively if the weather is fine please could your child bring a hat and ensure sun cream is applied.

Please ensure to label ALL of your child’s clothing. If things get misplaced it helps us to match the item to the child quickly before things get lost or muddled with another child’s clothing. (Please do not send you child into school with anything expensive or valuable)

Finally…

hope you have had a lovely time over the summer and I am sure you are now ready to start the new school year, welcome to Reception! I am looking forward to continuing to work together so that we have a very exciting and productive year. I’d like to say a very big welcome to everyone and to the new children and their families that are joining us this year. I hope that you all enjoy the new challenges and approaches to learning that Reception has to offer!

Once again, please feel free to talk to me about any questions/ concerns that you may have. May I take this opportunity to thank you in anticipation for your support throughout the coming year. Let’s make this a positive start to your child’s learning journey in Pontlliw Primary School with many new and exciting opportunities along the way, I look forward to sharing these experiences and celebrating your child’s successes.

Mrs. Colasanto