Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope this letter finds you well. It has been a wonderful start to the new school year, and I am so pleased with how well the children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 have settled into their routines. They are already showing enthusiasm for their learning, and it is clear that your support at home, especially with smooth and positive morning drop-offs, is helping them to feel confident and ready to start their day – thank you for this.

Phonics and Literacy

• Nursery: In Nursery, children are beginning their phonics journey through simple Fred Games. These involve breaking words into their individual sounds, for example, “cat” becomes c-a-t. Playing these listening games at home can really help your child develop their early sound awareness.
• Reception: Reception children are now learning their initial letter sounds. We will be sharing videos with you via Dojo so you can practise together at home – please look out for these and encourage your child to join in.
• Year 1: Year 1 children are building on previous knowledge and moving onto Set 3 sounds. These are more complex sounds which will support them in developing fluency and confidence in their reading.

I will also be presenting a Phonics Parent Talk soon, where I will explain how we teach phonics and reading in school. This will be a great opportunity to see the strategies we use and to ask questions. Please keep an eye on Dojo for the confirmed date.

As always, reading at home is hugely important. Please share stories, poems and rhymes regularly, and aim to read your child’s reading book at least three times a week. Talking about stories together – characters, settings and favourite parts – makes reading even more enjoyable and meaningful.

Maths

• Nursery: The focus will be on recognising numbers in the environment, singing number songs, and beginning to count small sets of objects through play.
• Reception: Reception children will work on recognising numbers, careful counting, and exploring patterns. They will also be comparing amounts and beginning to think about simple addition and subtraction through play.
• Year 1: In Year 1, children are developing their understanding of number bonds, place value, and addition and subtraction strategies. They will also be exploring shapes and patterns in more detail.

Topic Learning

• Nursery and Reception: Our topic this term is All About Me. The children will be celebrating who they are, learning about families, their likes and dislikes, and what makes each of them special.
• Year 1 (and Year 2): Our topic is How Am I Making History? The children will compare life in the past and present, reflect on their own place in history, and explore how everyday life has changed over time.

Staffing

• Staff in Class 1 will be Mrs Morgan, Leanne, Becky all day and Mrs Lovejoy for part of the morning and the whole afternoon.
• Mrs Morgan is teaching in Class 1 full time. Mrs Lovejoy will teach Class 1 on Monday afternoons while Mrs Morgan is out of class for PPA (planning, preparation and assessment time) supported by Leanne and Becky.

Reminders

• Outdoor Learning is on Friday – please ensure your child has suitable clothing and footwear for all weathers.
• P.E. is on Thursday – children need their full P.E. kit in school.
• Please label all clothing clearly to avoid items getting lost.
• Please bring bookbags and coats in daily.

Communication

If you would like to chat or arrange a meeting, please do not hesitate to contact me – I am always happy to talk through any questions, concerns or celebrations.

It has been a joy getting to know your children already, and I look forward to working in partnership with you this year to ensure that every child continues to thrive and enjoy their learning journey.

Thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Warm regards, Mrs Morgan