To support the teaching of phonics, we follow the ELS (Essential Letters and Sounds) scheme. 
In order to give children the best chance of becoming fluent readers within their time at school, we teach them to use synthetic phonics to work out what unknown words are. Your child will be encouraged to learn letter sounds, as well as the sounds of groups of letters, in order to use and apply them to read different words.

ELS Parents Information 

To support learning in Phonics we also send sound packs home weekly. These will work alongside the sounds being taught. Your child may already be familiar with some of these sounds, but we will be securing this knowledge by using the sounds to blend and create words, form the letter correctly and begin to use and recognise the letter. ‘High Frequency Words’ (HFW) and ‘Tricky Words or Harder to Read Words’ will be sent out in phases and each week on the weeklies notices we will notify you of which words we are focusing on.

For more information on how we teach Phonics, visit our Phonics page.

Reading in EYFS  consists of two dimensions: Word reading and Comprehension (both listening
and reading). It is important to develop both aspects. Good language comprehension, necessary for both reading and writing, draws from linguistic knowledge and knowledge of the world. By listening and talking about stories, rhymes and poems, and non-fiction books, children develop knowledge of themselves and the world in which they live. Skilled word reading involves both the speedy working out of the pronunciation of unfamiliar printed words (decoding) and the speedy recognition of familiar printed words. It is also crucial for children to develop a life-long love of reading.

For information on how we teach and deliver reading, please click HERE      

For an update on our reading scheme and some tips and advice to support you at home, click HERE

Children in the EYFS learn by playing and exploring, being active, and through creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside. We recognise that children learn through routine, continuous provision and incidental learning opportunities, as well as planned sessions and activities. Mathematical understanding is developed through stories, songs, games, routine, questioning, imaginative play, child-initiated learning and structured teaching.

During Mathematics sessions we will continue to develop number recognition and counting skills. We shall continue to count objects to 10 and beyond and practice writing our numbers correctly. Using shapes, we will be exploring patterns and positional language.

We will be beginning to introduce the children to forming their letters correctly. It is very important that children use the correct formation of letters all the time, as it can become very difficult for a child to change their formation once they have formed a style.

Please click for more information on our handwriting scheme.  

Physical Development

In PE lessons, the children will be developing gymnastic skills, playing games and undertaking dance and movement activities.  Please ensure that your child has a named kit and plimsolls in school at all times.  We may not have a PE session in the hall each week.  As with other areas of the curriculum, we will teach and develop skills as the children demonstrate a need to develop them further.  Many of their physical skills will be developed in our carefully designed Outdoor Learning Environment.

Expressive Art and Design

The children will be developing their creative skills by expressing their ideas and feelings through music, art, dance and drama.

The children will be building a repertoire of songs and dances and will be given the opportunity to explore musical instruments. The class have continuous access to a large range of construction and craft materials to aid their learning in this area.

Understanding the World

We see your child’s continuing learning journey as a partnership between yourselves as parents/carers and us in school.   If you could email observations from home, that would greatly enhance our assessment of your child and give us a well-rounded picture of your child.

If you have any questions about the class structure or curriculum, or any areas of concern with your child or their learning please feel free to discuss these with us. 

We will continue to read one to one with your child as often as possible and if any parents would like to volunteer their help in school and listen to some children read we would be very appreciative of your support.

Outdoor Provision

As part of the EYFS curriculum, the outdoor area will be available to the children throughout the year and in all weathers, lots of excellent and fun learning can take place during rain and snow. Can you please ensure that your child has a waterproof coat and wellies that can be left at school all year round. For the colder months, please ensure your child has a hat, scarf and gloves. Please make sure all items are clearly named to stop any confusion or lost items.

‘FootieBugs’ will continue in Reception, developing ball skills and coordination skills based on stories and adventure. Each class will have 6 weeks at a time on a rota basis.               

This term we will be encouraging children to become VIPs (Very Independent People). To help them, please encourage your child to dress independently at home to get ready for school. This will really support them when they need to get ready for PE. Please also encourage your child to come into school by themselves and put their belongings away.

We are making a plea to parents and carers. We would love to receive donations of any outdoor equipment that you no longer want, along with junk modelling e.g.washed out squirty bottles like ketchup bottles, milk bottles, soap liquid bottles or washing up liquid bottles that you have finished with.  

This will really help us to be creative.

 PE Kits and School Uniform

Please ensure that everything is labelled. The children are becoming more independent now and we do change for PE weekly and have our coats on and off throughout the day. Children’s clothing can sometimes be mixed up.

During the year your child will be exploring, experimenting and investigating the world around them. We will therefore be using a variety of materials such as paint, sand, water, mud etc. So please do not be upset if your child returns home a little messy (we will of course be wearing aprons, but sometimes the fun can get away with us) it just means we have had a busy day learning.

The children attend assembly every day and we all have a Celebration Assembly on Friday mornings. This assembly is very special as we share the children’s achievements with all of Key Stage 1. One child from each class is chosen every week for their achievement.