Hello! Welcome to Reception class, also known as Ladybirds. Ladybirds class teacher is Miss O’Toole. Our team of support staff consist of: Miss Perry, Mrs Clarke, Miss Manuel and Miss Woodhouse. Our Early Years Lead is Miss Hennessey. Our goal is to create a safe, secure and welcoming environment for each child so that they have the confidence to make friends, play and explore. We can’t wait to get to know your child and we look forward to sharing many new learning experiences with you throughout the year! Please look over our Seesaw and Class dojo pages for regular updates about what we have been up to. It is important that you are connected to your child’s pages so that you can see their learning journey and we can share exciting opportunities with you.
Please click on the links below to access more information about Reception. On this class page you can find essential information, as well as ideas to support your child’s learning at home.
Our staff are dedicated to following children’s individual interests which develop and change throughout the school year. We have themes which we introduce to provide opportunities for the children to reach their full potential here at Gwladys Street Primary School. In Nursery we deliver the curriculum through practical, active learning experiences that develop curiosity and independence. Through purposeful play, supported by the adults and purposeful talk to guide the learning for children to develop a wide range of skills and concepts needed for their learning. Throughout the school year we focus on children’s interests and plan using curriculum PLODS (Possible Lines of Development). The curriculum PLODS help us to provide children with opportunities to develop their interests in depth and reach their full potential. Please look at our EYFS curriculum page to look further at the EYFS curriculum.
We invite families to be a part of their child’s learning journey as much as possible. Ask a member of staff about upcoming stay and play sessions. Here is a calendar list of upcoming visitors, trips and events:
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| Pumpkin Picking | Imagine That | Fire Services | Dylan’s Reptiles | Croxteth Park Farm | |
| Midwife |
Please look at our EYFS curriculum page to look further at the EYFS curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage – Gwladys Street Community Primary & Nursery School). Additionally, look over our Seesaw and Class dojo pages for regular updates about what we have been up to.
Uniform: Your child should arrive to school wearing their full school uniform (blue jogging bottoms, white polo t-shirt and Gwladys Street School jumper). We would also like to remind you that no jewellery should be worn to school and shoes with velcro should be worn unless your child can independently lace and fasten their own shoes. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to label all items of clothing brought to school. It is also helpful if packed lunches are named, it helps us get belongings back to you more quickly when they are misplaced.
Behaviour and Expectations: In Ladybirds classroom, we ensure to follow and adhere to classroom rules and expectations. We ensure to do this by having a structured routine to support everyone to feel happy, safe, and ready to learn. We use kind hands and kind words, listen carefully, take turns, and tidy up when we’re finished playing. By following our routines, we all work together to make Ladybirds a joyful place to grow and learn!
Outdoor Learning: Outdoor learning is a fundamental part of our curriculum. Children will have the maximum opportunities to develop their exploration and critical thinking skills. In order to ensure that your child can make the most of the outdoor provision, please dress them appropriately for the weather. School will provide wellington boots and wetsuits when needed.
Water bottles: Please ensure your child brings their water bottle to school every day, filled with fresh water. All the hard work and learning in Reception is thirsty work and therefore it is essential the children stay hydrated! Juice is not permitted in school and all water bottles must have a sports screw lid and clearly labelled with your child’s name. You can purchase a school water bottle from our school office for a cost of £2.
Snack: Children will have the opportunity to access snack daily. Snack will consist of a range of healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables and bagels. We also bake within our sessions and encourage children to explore new foods. Children will be provided with the opportunity to access milk and water at their leisure, throughout the day.
Attendance: Daily attendance at school from an early age supports children to fulfill their full potential. Remember that every second of every day counts and please notify the school office on your child’s first day of absence.
Reading: Once issued with a school reading book we expect that children bring their books to school every Wednesday, so that the book can be changed to go back out with your child on Fridays. If you listen to your child read please make a comment and update their reading record. We will send additional information regarding reading to you throughout the year. If you misplace your reading record or book, we please ask that you speak with your class teacher, additionally you can purchase a reading record for a cost of £5 at our school office.
Homework and Reading Books: Reading books are an essential part of your child’s learning and development to ensure progression. We ask for you to ensure that you are reading each night with your child at home. School provide your child with a reading book for you to read for pleasure with your child and a book based upon their phonics group. Please could you sign and comment in your child’s reading record once complete. Homework is optional, however we recommend to complete homework with your child to ensure progression of their development.
Your child’s reading book is to be returned to school every Wednesday, along with their reading record and homework. This is so that their books and homework can be changed. This will then go out with your child on Thursday/Friday.
Phonics: Children should engage with phonics reading at home, it is important that adults reading with the child use pure sounds when practicing.
Supporting reading in EYFS:
Liverpool Early Reading Pathway
This year so far…
Useful Links for Reception Parents
Liverpool Early Reading Pathway PowerPoint Presentation
WELLCOMM Support for Parents WellComm Early Years: Supporting language at home – GL Support
Words for Life by the National Literacy Trust Words for Life | National Literacy Trust | Words for Life
Bladder and Bowl Support Home – ERIC
Top Tips for Ditching the Dummy Tips for ditching the dummy | Toddler | Health for Under 5s
NSPCC Tips for Parents Look, Say, Sing, Play – Brain-building tips | NSPCC
Read, Write Inc a guide for Parents Parent guide to Read Write Inc. Phonics – Oxford Owl
Nuffield Early Language Intervention for Parents Home | Nuffield Early Language Intervention (NELI)
School’s Communication Protocols: Staff are always available, however due to pre arranged meetings and arrangements, we will always endeavour to respond and get back to you within 48 hours.
● Where staff use social media platforms (such as Seesaw. Class Dojo and
others), we will expect a professional, courteous and productive dialogue
between staff and parents.
● Parents/carers are encouraged to use Class Dojo to message teachers and open
a positive dialogue or contact the school office or meet class teachers at class
doors.
● Staff reserve the right NOT to respond to messages which are received out of
normal school hours, which are sent via Class Dojo
● Staff reserve the right NOT to respond to messages which are inappropriate,
offensive, threatening or abusive.
● Photos may be shared between parents and staff through school’s approved
social media platforms – if they are appropriate, non-offensive and celebratory.
● Staff will use our platforms to share news, learning, updates, key notices and to
share achievements and celebrations with parents/ carers.
● Parents are encouraged to ONLY message on Class Dojo between the hours of
8.30 and 16.30 on school days.
● Parents must be aware that responses on Class Dojo may be delayed whilst
teachers conduct their daily duties and statutory tasks.
● Teachers may choose to reply to messages outside of school hours, but these
decisions rest with individual teachers and may change.