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Reception Admission

Preparing for School 2023-2024

Preparing for School 2023-24 .pdf

Our Reception Classrooms - We have two classes in Reception, Spider and Butterfly Class. Even though there are two classes we share the learning area and all play and work closely together. Here are some pictures of our classrooms.

Outdoor Area - We are also lucky to have a big outside area where you can do your learning. Here are a few photos of the outdoor area.

How can I help my child get ready for school?

When children start primary school we don’t expect them to be able to read and write! Every child comes to school with different experiences and skills. It is our job to develop your child’s skills and knowledge from their starting point.

There are many things that you can do with your child that makes the transition into school easier for everyone. Below is a list of things we would love your child to be able to do or have practised when they come to school:

	Dressing themselves Every Wednesday the children will have PE so they need to practise taking off and putting on their clothes.
	Putting on and taking off shoes Velcro shoes are best as they help the children to be independent. Laces are not recommended.
	Going to the toilet independently This included wiping themselves, flushing the toilet and washing their hands.
	Putting on their coat and doing it up. Practise the technique of putting their coat on themselves. A useful tip is to put the hood on their head first and then they find it easier to find the arms. Support your child to learn to click in the zip at the bottom before attempting to pull it up.
	Dining skills Encourage your child to use a knife and fork to eat their hot meals. Model and support their stabbing, scooping and cutting techniques. If your child is going to have a school dinner, it is important to start to practise these skills, so they have more independence and confidence, when tackling lunch time.
	Drinking from a water bottle and cup If your child isn’t use to drinking from these items, please practise with them, so they have confidence with these skills so they can use them when at school

We of course never leave a child to do something themselves if they can’t. However we always encourage them to have a go and support them in being successful.

Here are some other activities that you could practise with your child in preparation for school: -

	Recognising their name The children self-register every morning, by finding their name and placing it into a basket. You could write different names on paper and place them around your home. Can they find their name?
	Colouring and drawing These skills will support your child to develop the fine motor skills in preparation for writing.
	Singing Nursery Rhymes It is important that children learn and know a range of nursery rhymes. ‘YouTube’ and ‘Cbeebies’ are good resources to use to help them learn these songs. Can could learn nursery rhymes such as Twinkle Twinkle Little star, Incey Wincey Spider, Baa Baa black sheep and Wind your bobbin up. Research has shown that if children know 8 nursery rhymes by heart by the time they are 4 they are usually amongst the best readers and spellers of a class by the time they are 8!
	Sharing Books Reading to your child every day gives them the best start to life. Reading books or telling stories is a time when you can be together. Children learn so much from sharing books with adults.
	Talking with your child It is important to listen and respond to your child talking. Encourage them to communicate their wants and needs. Model and support them to talk in phrases and sentences.

Getting them to tidy up their toys and complete household chores.

These responsibilities will help your child develop independence.

Turn Taking Activities

Doing turn taking activities, such as playing with toys can get them use to taking turns and also to understand the concept of sharing.

Trying new food and Eating with others

This will prepare them for snack and lunch times at school, so they are used to sitting with others and trying the food given, especially if they are having school dinners!

Starting School Stories to share with your child

Here are some stories about starting school that you may wish to share with your child. There are many more available.

	Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zQivaCXu-Q
	First Day by Andrew Daddo	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qka8Kl-UgaQ
	Spot goes to School	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKn4FSp6Q-Y
	Amelia Bedilia First Day of School	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZCJyaF7cR0
	I am too absolutely small for school by Lauren Child	https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgbDO-gX9pM