Welcome to St Bonaventure`s Catholic Primary School

1. Welcome to St Bonaventure`s Catholic Primary School New Parents’ Meeting Wednesday 3rd October 2012

2. Early Years Foundation Stage What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? The Early Years Foundation Stage sets the standards to ensure that children learn and develop well and are kept healthy and safe. It promotes teaching and learning to ensure children's ‘school readiness’ and gives children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provide the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.

3. 3 Prime Areas Personal, Social and Emotional Development Physical Development Communication and Language 4 Specific Areas Literacy Mathematics Understanding the World Expressive Arts and Design The curriculum is organised into seven areas of learning :

4. Characteristics of Learning. • Playing and exploring – engagement • Active learning – motivation • Creating and thinking critically - thinking

5. The Prime areas begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences and run through and support learning in all other areas . They continue to be fundamental throughout the EYFS. • The Specific areas include essential skills and knowledge, they grow out of the Prime areas and provide an important context for learning. • The 3 characteristics underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.

6. Each of the 7 areas of learning has its own set of ‘Early Learning Goals’ which determine what most children are expected to achieve by the endof Reception Class. Monitoring Progress e.g. PSED Making Relationships ‘ children play cooperatively taking turns with others’.

7. The first few weeks We will find out what the children already know & can do & use this information to help us develop an effective, exciting, varied and progressive learning programme. We would value any contributions you would like to make in helping us get to know your child’s needs. You will be invited to discuss your child’s progress & adjustment to school within the first term. • Tuesday 16th October and Thursday 18th October

8. A typical day in Reception……. • Prayer/Carpet Time • Adult led activity/ Indoor/Outdoor Play • Snack Time • Group Activities • Prayer/Carpet Time • Lunch • Registration/Carpet Time • Adult led activity • Child initiated activity • Circle Time/Story/Song • Prayer/Home Time

9. Reading and Phonics • Listening • Speaking • Reading • Writing • How can you help your child? • WOW Stickers

10. Other matters… • Children will usually read once a week with an adult so please bring reading folder everyday! • Children can change free reader daily if they wish. • Please ensure that your child looks after school books etc

11. What can you do to help your child’s mathematical development? • Practise counting at any time-climbing the stairs, shopping etc • Play simple board games • Sing number rhymes and songs together • Number recognition in everyday situations • Maths challenge cards

12. Uniform • Please ensure that names are in EVERYTHING!!! • Send coats EVERYDAY • Sensible shoes and no jewellery

13. Communication Between Home & School • Weekly Newsletter every Thursday • Absence Notification / Phone Call • Home/school book in Reading Bag

14. And Finally… • If you have any worries or concerns please come in and see us and we will do our best to help you 