Reception
Welcome to our Reception class page!
On this page you will find lots of information about the Reception year at
Wistaston Church Lane Academy. If you have any questions please get in touch.
Our Staff
The Brown Bears Class teacher is Miss Longhorn.
The Hungry Capterpillars class teacher is Mrs Clyne.
Mrs Earl is acting EYFS Lead whilst Mrs Booth is on maternity leave. She will not be teaching in Reception, but will be overseeing the day to day running of our early years classes.
Mrs Pownall - teaching assistant
Mrs Palin - teaching assistant
Miss Goddard - apprentice teaching assisstant
General Information
General Information
- Reading books and records need to be in school everyday so that children can read with a member of staff.
- Reading books are changed twice a week and your child will bring home a book banded reading book and a shared book.
- Please look after books and return them to school after use.
- Children will need to have wellies and a waterproof coat in school at all times to play outside in all weathers.
- Please can you name all of your child's belongings and help them to practise recognising them at home.
Summer
As we approach warmer months, please could we ask that children come to school with a labelled hat and have suncream applied before they come into school. Children can bring a small bottle of suncream in to top up their suncream, please can this also be labelled.
What are we learning at the moment?
Our topic this half term
This half term we will be exploring what school was like 150 years ago, summer senses and how to take care of ourselves, caring for animals and dinosaurs! We will be having a special visitor on the 24th May 2024 for our dinosaur day where we will be learning all about different types of dinosaurs. Our jigsaw theme this half term is relationships.
In literacy, we are studying the text "Gigantosurus". we will be learning lots about dinosaurs and we will be retelling the story in our words at the end of our topic. 
Phonics
We follow the Rocket phonics scheme and will be learning our first few sounds during this term. Learn how to blend and segment words with the sounds that we have learn. Please refer to the sound mat that we sent home in your welcome pack.
Homework
Homework details are sent via a memo on Tapestry and on our New Learning posters.
We may ask you to uploaded items to share on Tapestry.
Dont forget, you can always use your Ten Town logins at any time!
Reading is the main expectation of homework. Please record reading done at home in your child's school diary.
Useful Resources, Websites and Links for EYFS
In this section you will find links to websites and apps which you can use to support your childrens learning at home
Reading and Writing
b-and-d-poster-1.pdf - this writing prompt may help your child if they confuse their b and d
Letter-Formation-Guidance.pdf - a document showing how we teach letter formation in EYFS
Reception-High-Frequency-Words.pdf
https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/ using the following free login details username: jan21 password: home
https://www.teachyourmonstertoread.com/ -This is often free if used on a computer. Small charge for use on ipads / other devices
https://www.phonicshero.com/ - sometimes offers a 7 day free trial
https://readingeggs.co.uk/- Often offers a 30 day free trial for website and app users
Alphablocks are another fun way to learn phonics - https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b01cz0p1/alphablocks
Tricky Words
https://www.youtube.com/watch/TvMyssfAUx0?safe=true - Tricky word songs that we use in school
A Website with lots of ideas for teaching tricky words
Tricky Word Activity Mats
Tricky-words-make-and-read-activity-mats-1.pdf
Tricky-words-activity-booklet-phase-2.pdf
Powerpoint from support session - tricky words
Maths
Numberblocks are a great way to learn numbers and have fun - available on IPlayer and as an app too!
https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/numberblocks-help-your-child-with-maths
Other websites to support with learning in EYFS
Twinkl https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resources/parents They are currently providing some activities and resources for free.
https://www.topmarks.co.uk - some brilliant games and activities!
http://www.ictgames.com - ICT games for different subjects
www.busythings.co.uk - Excellent site built around the 7 areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. You can access a free 7 day trial but you need to subscribe after this period to access the content – various subscription packages available.
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/Early-Years.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/barnabybear/ - Visit the world with Barnaby Bear!
What should I bring to school?
What to Bring to School
School book bag - this can be purchased from the office
Reading books should in your bag every day (these wil be provided in the first few weeks of term)
Home school diaries (this will be provided)
School water bottle (these will be provided in the first week of term - dont worry about buying one!)
Waterproof coat and wellies (if these could stay in school that would be great!)
Sun hat and sun cream on hot days
Woollen hat and gloves on cold days
PE kit (the children can come into school dressed in their PE kits on those days, we will tell you which days this will be needed)
Spare underwear and socks
Packed lunch if your child is having one. (Please note that all children in EYFS are entitled to a free school lunch. More information on school lunches is available on the website)
Please note that you do not need to provide a snack for your child. Fresh fruit is available every day.
Tapestry
Don't forget that as EYFS parents, you can keep up to date on what you child has been learning and any WOW moments, by accessing the tapestry website or app.
You can also add photographs and videos from home too!
If you do not have access to this, please speak to the school office staff.
This video tutorial shows you how to add photographs and videos from home
PE
Physical Development
The children are encouraged to be physically active throughout the day. However we we do some focused physical activities during our Physical Development day.
Our PE days are on Monday and Friday.
On these days we ask that children come to school in their PE clothes rather than their school uniform.
Weather dependant they can wear their shorts and school coloured PE T-shirt and House PE sweatshirt. If the weather is cold, then track suit bottoms/leggings would be more suitable. Trainers are preferable to pumps as it is possible the children may be outdoors for some lessons.
Children's Mental Health
We want the children to think about how they can express themselves, talk about how they are feeling, and also who they can talk to if they are not feeling ok.
More information for parents can be found here: https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/parents-and-carers/
Below, we have uploaded some activities to help you and your children think about and support their mental health.
Please remember, all the staff at Church Lane are here if you are your child need us - please contact us if you need us.
Draw your feelings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STdJ__8ORyE&feature=youtu.be
A great activity in which your children can draw their body and think about how they are feeling – they can express this in any way they choose. The video goes through this step by step.
Meditation and Yoga for children
Your children will already be familiar with “cosmic kids yoga”
On this website you will also find guided meditations for children. They are called “peace out”
Mindfulness Colouring
We have uploaded some mindfulness colouring sheets to the class page that your child may wish to use this week.
Play some calm, relaxing music as your child completes these. You may wish to do one too!
Non-Screen Time
Take some time away from your screens today
Here are some ideas you could use:
Starting School this year?
Parents Information Powerpoint
We invite parents of children due to Start Reception in Septmber 2023 to an information evening on Wednesday 5th July at 6:30 pm.
Documents to help with starting school
Here are some useful hints and tips for parents when preparing for and when starting school
Skills-for-starting-school.pdf
Activities which you and your child could be doing before you start school
Skills-for-starting-school-1.pdf
Activities-to-do-before-your-child-starts-reception.doc
If you or your child have any fears around starting school - look at this document:
A list of books you could be looking at prior to starting school - starting-school-booklist.pdf
