EARLY YEARS FOUNDATION STAGE

WELCOME BOOKLET

2020

Our Mission Statement

Mrs Nicola Fox

Headteacher

Mrs Rosemary Plevey

Chair of Governors

Welcome to Bishopthorpe Infant School.

We are very much looking forward to meeting you and

your child and hope that you all settle quickly into our

school. We are very proud of our school and aim to provide

the best possible care and learning experiences for our

children. We operate an open door policy and are always

happy to answer questions or discuss your concerns

however small they seem.

I look forward to meeting you all soon.

Mrs Seager School Admin Assistant

I am looking forward to meeting you all over the next few

weeks. I am often the person who will answer your questions

in the office through phone calls, emails or when you pop in.

Please do contact me if there is anything that I can help you

with.

Mrs Goodall EYFS Leader

I am really looking forward to meeting all the children,

and getting to know them. Miss Patrick and I will be

happy to answer any questions that you have over the next

few weeks and when the school year starts in September.

Mrs Branton Office Manager

It will be lovely to see our new reception class pupils and

meet their families over the coming weeks. If you have any

questions or there is anything that we can help you with,

please do not hesitate to contact the school office.

Hello I’m Rosemary. I have been a governor at

Bishopthorpe infant School since 2014 and Chair of

Governors since 2017. Prior to that I was a governor at a

school in Birmingham. All of my working life I have

been involved with children and education. As Early

Years Link Governor I visit frequently and see how the

children enjoy their activities in Early Years every day. I

am looking forward to meeting you and the children.

Welcome to our school!

Welcome to Bishopthorpe Infant School

We hope this booklet helps to provide you with the information you need

about your child starting school. There may be questions that you would

still like to ask so please don’t hesitate to contact the school office and

they will do their best to help you. Once your child has started school we

are always available to discuss any queries or concerns. We also hold a

Parent’s Evening early in the first term so you will have the opportunity to

discuss with your child’s teacher how they have settled into school.

EYFS Staff - Who’s Who!

Mrs Rachel Goodall EYFS Leader and Class 2 Teacher

Miss Nicola Patrick Class 1 Teacher

EYFS Curriculum

The Early Years are vitally important in forming the foundation stones for all future development. A child’s

first year in school is part of the Early Years Foundation Stage, the curriculum which caters for children

from birth to the end of the academic year in which they turn five. There are currently seven areas of

learning which make up the curriculum. These are split into three prime areas which are fundamental in

supporting learning to an additional four specific areas. These are:

Prime Areas

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

The teaching and learning experiences we offer are designed to give children a rich variety of opportunities

in a way that meets their individual needs, enabling them to develop a wide range of skills through play and

exploration. We have created an environment that facilitates independent learning, indoors through our

many areas of provision, and outside in our designated area which allows for continuous use.

The DfE is intending to introduce a revised EYFS framework on a statutory basis from September 2021. We

have volunteered to use the new framework from this September with the revised framework due to be

published in the next few months. We will provide more

information about this in September.

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile

We will complete an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Profile for each child by the end of each academic year. This

profile will describe your child’s development and learning

achievements at the end of the EYFS. It is based on on-going

observation and assessment in the Prime and Specific areas. We record observations and comments made

by the children during child-initiated learning and take photographs of their achievements. We also monitor

the children’s progress during adult-led activities. We then use these observations and assessments to plan

for each individual’s interests, needs and next steps. As parents/carers you have a major influence on your

child’s learning throughout their time in school and beyond. We encourage you to contribute to and

participate in completing your child’s EYFS Profile. More information on the Early Years Foundation Stage

Profile will be shared with you during the Parents Evening in the Autumn Term.

Tapestry – An Online Learning Journey

In EYFS at Bishopthorpe Infant School we use a piece of educational software called ‘Tapestry’ which

means that every child will have their own individual online Learning Journey. By logging on with a secure

username and password you will be able to access your child’s journey as they progress through the EYFS.

You will only be able to view your own child’s journey and all information is stored on a highly secure

server, which is monitored closely.

Your child’s online Learning Journey will contain observations we make and photos/videos we take

throughout the year, gradually building up a picture of your child's learning. Observations will reference

your child’s learning to the EYFS profile and this will keep you informed of your child’s progress and also

the age band they were working in for the observed activity. You will receive an email telling you when a

new observation or piece of work is available for you to view. You can add comments so that your child’s

teacher can find out about activities your child really enjoys and about the valuable learning that takes

place outside of school.

Our School Day

This is the timetable for a typical school day in EYFS. The children also take part in forest schools sessions,

PE, ICT and music activities.

8.45am Doors open

8.55am Registration

9.00am Phonics

9.20am Plan, Do and Review

9.30am Child-initiated play/adult-led activities

11.10am Plan, Do and Review

11.20am Busy Fingers

11:30am Maths

12.00pm Lunchtime

1.05pm Registration

1.05pm Literacy

1.30pm Child-initiated play/adult-led activities

2.45pm Story

Reception Baseline Assessment

The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) is a new national assessment which is intended to become

statutory in September 2020. The RBA is a short, teacher-mediated assessment carried out in the first 6

weeks of reception. It is very similar in nature to the on-entry activities that we already use to make

judgements about children’s skills in language, communication, literacy and mathematics. Please speak to

your child’s class teacher if you would like any further information regarding the RBA.

Your Child’s First Morning/Afternoon at School

On arrival at school please wait outside your child’s classroom until the class teacher opens the door at 8:45 or 12:45, depending on if your child is attending morning or afternoon sessions. Once inside the classroom please help your child to do the following things:

Find their peg in the cloakroom and hang up their PE bag and coat. Wellies can be left underneath the bench.

Water bottles will need to be put in a designated basket/box in the classroom.

Your child will have a drawer with their name on in the classroom and this is where they need to leave their book bag. If you have anything that needs sending to the office then please take this out of your child’s book bag and put it in the box in the classroom.

Help them find their name card and put it in the basket to self-register.

Please say goodbye to your child in the classroom and then direct your child to the carpet (in front of the Smartboard) so that they can sit down ready for the register. Try to keep your goodbye short, reminding them to have a good time and that you'll be back to pick them up later. Prolonging this for too long can end in tears. If your child is upset then please try not to worry as most children settle quickly once the parents have left and the classroom is quieter and calmer.

Your child will need to bring their water bottle home at the end of each day so that it can be washed and

refilled.

Please note that wellies and PE bags will be sent home at the end of each half term so that they can be

washed and checked for sizing.

Full Time School

Please make sure that your child knows what they are having for lunch and help them to put their name

card in the correct basket (packed lunch, hot dinner, vegetarian hot dinner or jacket potato) before they sit

down on the carpet for the register.

School dinners are free for children in Reception, Year One and Year Two. The menu can be found on the

schools website and is also displayed on the class noticeboard.

If your child has a packed lunch then please help them to put it on the packed lunch trolley which can be

found in the shared area (the area between the two reception classrooms).

Going Home Arrangements

If your child is going home with someone different from usual e.g. a grandparent or friend then please use

the class ‘Going Home’ book to record the arrangement. This book can also be used to record any regular

arrangements such as a child minder or after school club picking your child up at the end of the school day.

Newsletters

Every half term we will send home an EYFS newsletter in your child’s book bag. This will contain

information about topics, events and any other relevant information you may need. This will also be

available for you to view on the school website.

Planners

Your child will be given a school planner during their first few weeks of school. We use the planner to keep

you informed about what the children are learning each week and also to let you know when they have

been reading with an adult at school. Please use your child’s planner to communicate with us about

reading at home.

School Uniform

The following is a list of our school uniform, which can be purchased from:

Emblazon 138 Micklegate, York, Tel: 01904 651133 The school logo is optional so you can also purchase uniform from any other shop so long as it is in school colours.

Navy jumper/cardigan

Navy or white polo-shirt

Blue summer dress

Royal blue jersey dress

Grey or navy trousers, skirt or pinafore Additional items available to buy from Emblazen are:

Navy drawstring PE bag

Navy bookbag

EYFS children go outside in all weathers, so please ensure your child comes to school with a suitable coat

and sensible footwear, including wellies!

Children also need to have a full change of clothing for PE and may not wear earrings of any kind or any other jewellery. This is a requirement under DfE regulations for Health & Safety. We ask that they bring this to school in a suitable bag. This will need to consist of:

A white T-shirt

Navy or black shorts

A pair of plimsolls or trainers Please ensure each item of uniform, including PE kit, is labelled with

your child’s name.

Book Bags

Your child will need a book bag to transport reading books, library books, letters etc. to and from school

every day. Please make sure this is clearly labelled with your child’s name and class. Book bags with the

school logo can be purchased from Emblazon.

Star Assembly

Every Friday morning at 9.00am we hold a ‘Star Assembly’ in our school hall. Each class teacher will pick a

child from their class who they are particularly proud of to be ‘Star of the Week’. Parents are usually

notified the week before and are invited to come and watch their child receive their certificate. It is also a

time to celebrate achievements outside of school so if your child has a certificate or trophy they would like

to share then please hand it to a member of the EYFS staff on a Friday morning.

Class Jobs

Each child will work as part of a small team and be responsible for ensuring their area is tidy at ‘Tidy-Up

Time’. This helps to give each child a sense of belonging and responsibility, as well as promote their

independence.

Healthy Snack

We offer a free healthy snack on a daily basis, which EYFS children can access independently. Milk is also

provided free for children under five. If you wish your child to continue having milk when they are over

five, you will need to pay for this prior to each new term. This can be arranged via the school office.

Water Bottles

Please provide water in a clear bottle that is clearly labelled with your child’s name so that they can have a

drink of water when needed. The children’s water bottles will be kept in a basket/box in the classroom.

Things to Practise Before Starting School

Can you put your coat on by yourself and do it up?

Can you put your shoes on by yourself?

Can you eat your dinner with a knife and fork?

If you wear tights, can you pull them up by yourself?

Can you go to the toilet independently?

Can you talk about the pictures in a book?

Can you speak in full sentences?

Can you write your name?

Can you share your toys with your friends?

Can you help your family to tidy up your toys?

Our School Aims

School Address

Bishopthorpe Infant School,

Sim Balk lane,

Bishopthorpe,

York

YO23 2QQ

Tel: 01904 707506

Email: bishopthorpe.infant@york.gov.uk

Website: www.bishopthorpeinfantschool.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to Bishopthorpe Infant School and hope

that you have found the information in this booklet helpful.

Please do contact school if you would like any further information or would like to discuss

your child starting school with Mrs Fox, Mrs Goodall or Miss Patrick.