Reception H

(Foundation Stage 2)

Welcome to F2H!

Hello and welcome to your child’s Reception class! I’m Miss Hussain, one of the Reception teachers at Chapelfield Primary School. You’ll often find me with my head in a book or attempting to be graceful at Pilates and Yoga! Most importantly, I love spending as much time as I can with my amazing friends and family. We will be supported by Miss McNicol, who loves singing songs and being with her family!

Starting Reception is such an important milestone in your child’s life and it is so exciting to be part of this time of learning and development. We hope to make this transition smooth and spark a love of learning in your child, which will set them up to be passionate, lifelong learners. Your support is key as we work together to achieve the best outcomes for your child. There are so many exciting experiences planned for our class, and we can’t wait to see where the year takes us. What an adventure!

Meet the Team

Class Teacher: Miss Hussain

Teaching Assistant: Miss McNicol

Lunchtime Supervisor: Miss Crowther

Brief Curriculum Overview

Staff have worked together to create a Foundation Stage Curriculum designed specifically for the children of Chapelfield. Our new approach is skills based, and we aim to teach these skills thorough high-quality texts, experiences and topics that engage and inspire the children to achieve their potential and leave our unit at the desired level set out by the government. Alongside our Curriculum we plan early reading and writing skills, using our phonics scheme Read Write Inc (RWI). We teach mathematics using materials from the National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM). We use My Happy Mind to promote emotional well-being and Write Dance and Dough Disco to improve physical development. 

What We're Learning This Year

Our Topics for Cycle B include:

Autumn 1 – Terrific Tales

Children will explore a range of traditional tales and enjoy retelling familiar stories. They will talk about characters, settings and key events while developing their communication and imagination. Children will also explore families, routines and what  makes them feel happy and safe as they begin their Chapelfield journey.

Autumn 2 – Sparkle and Shine

Children will explore a variety of celebrations from different cultures, families and backgrounds. They will learn about special traditions, foods, music and ways people celebrate together. Through stories, creative activities and discussion, children will develop an understanding and respect for different celebrations.

Spring 1 – Snow and Ice

Children will discover the fascinating world of polar regions, exploring snow, ice and the animals that live in these environments. They will compare the weather, landscapes and wildlife of the UK with those found in the Arctic. Through hands-on experiences, children will investigate freezing, melting and other changes in materials.

Spring 2 – Everyday Heroes

Children will learn about real-life heroes who help us in our communities, such as doctors, firefighters, police officers and teachers. They will also explore heroic characters from familiar stories and consider what makes someone a hero. Through role play and discussion, children will develop an understanding of kindness, bravery, helpfulness and caring for others.

Summer 1 – Deep Dive

Children will take a deep dive into the fascinating world beneath the sea. They will discover a variety of sea creatures and explore their habitats, features and ways of life. Through stories and investigations, children will develop their understanding of oceans and the importance of caring for our seas.

Summer 2 – Watch Me Grow

Children will explore the world of plants and discover what they need to grow and stay healthy. They will observe changes over time and learn about different life cycles, including the growth of plants and animals. Through planting, growing and hands-on investigations, children will develop their understanding of the natural world.

Class Timetable

In Foundation Stage we plan and teach through a mixture of small group, whole class, guided and independent teaching sessions. Some of our learning is taught through our continuous provision both inside and outside the classroom. For example, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language are taught each and every day, through our guided and independent learning sessions.

Our Weekly Timetable

Home Learning

• We recommend reading daily with your child, with a minimum expectation of reading at home 3x a week, for them to receive a sticker on their reading chart and win a book from our book vending machine! Please use your child’s reading record to record each time they’ve read at home. Reading records will be checked every Friday.
• Children will take home 2 story books weekly to share with you at home. We currently change books on a Tuesday and Friday.
• We send home RWI Phonics sheets supporting your child’s letter formation in their reading packs.
• For online learning, see Parent Hub messages as we send out weekly links to videos that support your child’s Read Write Inc learning.

Useful Information

Equipment

• Bookbag, water bottle, wellies in a named bag - please label everything! Our children will be outside in all weathers. Please ensure they have a warm, waterproof coat with them, along with their wellies which are to be kept in school to ensure they can access this outdoor learning.
• Children will be provided with reading packs in September, please ensure these are brought in every day.
• Your child will need a PE kit in the Autumn 2 term, we will send out a letter detailing exact equipment needed. 

Class routines

• We provide a snack every morning, please do not send food from home with your child as we do have children in school with allergies.

 Supporting learning

• Read, read, read! We cannot emphasise the importance of sharing stories and asking questions about them at home. Please record the stories your child has read in their reding record books.
• Please complete all phonics work sent home and share the RWI videos we send via parent hub.
• Drawing, colouring and cutting really help develop pencil control and early writing skills. Any opportunities to do these things at home will greatly help your child to develop their writing fluency.
• Singing nursery rhymes and number rhymes helps to develop children’s awareness of language pattern and rhyme as well as early number skills.

How To Contact Us

If you have any questions, please contact Miss Hussain  via the school office – chapelfield@bury.gov.uk – or speak to a member of staff at pick-up time.

• RWI Phonics Meeting – Thursday 1^st October  

• Parents Evening - Wednesday 21^st October

• EYFS Open Evening – Thursday 11^th November 4pm - 5:30pm

• EYFS Nativity – Wednesday 9^th December 10:30am