Reception Classes Letter

Dear Parents/Carers

We hope your child has enjoyed their first few weeks at school. It has been a very exciting week with both groups meeting for the first time.

We will be holding an informal meeting on Thursday 1^st November at 2.30pm in the Blue Room on the Upper School site to give you further information on the Foundation Stage.

We have enclosed an information pack of support materials which we will discuss further at the meeting. We hope you find these useful. If you have any queries about the pack there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the meeting.

As we move forward in the induction process we would like your support with the following points:

• Cloakrooms
  We have noticed that the cloakrooms are very hectic and crowded in the mornings. It would really help the children if you could say goodbye to your child, and encourage them to be independent by organising their belongings themselves. As space is tight we would appreciate it if each child is accompanied by only 1 adult. Thank you for your help with this, it will make mornings much more enjoyable for the children.
  
• Reading Books
  The children have really enjoyed sharing books at home and we have appreciated your comments in the Reading Record Books. We will be changing reading books on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. However please feel free to come into class at the end of the school day to change books yourself if you wish to change on other days. If your child is ready to change their book and you have written a short comment or indicated that you have read the book, please remind your child to put it in the basket in the cloakroom. Reading Record books need to remain in book bags on Tuesdays and Thursdays so that staff can write in them if necessary.
  
• Raincoats
  As we go outside in all weathers your child will need to wear or bring a suitable raincoat. You may wish to buy one of the school’s reversible fleecy jackets or alternatively have a cagoule-type jacket which you can keep in your child’s book bag.
  
• Names
  Can you please ensure that all school clothing, shoes and equipment are clearly named. We have already found unnamed items which have been put in lost property as with so many identical items it is impossible to know who things belong to. Can you also check drinks bottles regularly as the names do get washed off. Naming the lid is also useful so children can identify their bottle quickly.
• Hair
  Please can we remind you that for health and safety reasons (head lice!!) long hair should be tied back at all times.
• Illness
  If your child is unwell please ensure they are fully recovered before returning to school. In the case of sickness and diarrhoea children can return to school 48 hours after they stop being ill. We would really appreciate your support with this as it is extremely easy for an outbreak to affect the class.

We hope your child enjoys the rest of the term and we look forward to seeing you at the meeting next term.

Mrs Margaret Harrison and Ms Di Rhodes
Reception Class Teachers