Hello! Welcome to Reception, also known as Ladybirds. Your class teacher is Miss Gallie. Our team of support staff consist of: Miss Hennessey, Miss Timmins, Miss Richardson, and Miss Brierley.
Our goal is to create a safe, secure and welcoming environment for each child so that they have the confidence to make friends, learn, 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 Learning Journals 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.
Good attendance habits start early, in EYFS we encourage and support children to be in school every day in order to give our children the best possible start to their educational journey.
We want to give your child the very best start in life, and good attendance is the key to their success. When your child is here every day, they aren’t just learning—they are building their future. Coming to primary school regularly is vital because it:
- Builds strong foundations: Early reading, writing, and math skills are taught in daily steps. Missing just one day can leave a gap in their learning.
- Creates lasting friendships: Being in class every day helps children bond with classmates, play together, and build social confidence.
- Develops great life habits: Arriving on time teaches children routines that will help them succeed all the way into adulthood.
- Boosts confidence: Children who attend regularly feel more secure becausethey know exactly what to expect in their daily routine.
To support all of the above, we will regularly monitor your child’s attendance and speak to you about any patterns or concerns we come across. Thank you for your continued support in helping your child arrive on time and ready to learn every single day. Together, we can help them thrive!
Reading:
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. 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.
Phonics:
Children should engage with phonics reading at home, it is important that adults reading with the child use pure sounds when practicing.
Read Write Inc. – Developing Phonics and Reading:
In Reception, we use the Read Write Inc. (RWI) Phonics programme to give children the skills and confidence they need to become successful readers and writers.
Read Write Inc. is a structured phonics programme that teaches children how to recognise sounds, match sounds to letters and blend sounds together to read words. Children are introduced to the sounds of the English alphabet and learn how to use these sounds to read simple words and sentences.
Through daily, engaging phonics sessions, children develop their phonological awareness, decoding skills, vocabulary and comprehension. They practise reading words and sentences using the sounds they have learnt, while also developing their ability to talk about and understand what they have read.
Alongside phonics lessons, children are given regular opportunities to enjoy a wide range of stories and high-quality texts. This helps to develop a love of reading, broaden vocabulary and build children’s understanding of the world around them.
RWI also supports early writing development. As children learn sounds and how to form letters, they begin to use their phonics knowledge to write words and sentences independently.
We recognise that learning to read is one of the most important foundations of a child’s education. Through Read Write Inc., we provide children with the knowledge, skills and confidence to develop as enthusiastic, independent and lifelong readers.
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.
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.
Our staff are committed to following children’s individual interests, which naturally develop and change throughout the school year. Alongside this, we introduce themes that provide rich opportunities for children to reach their full potential at Gwladys Street Primary School.
Homework:
Homework is optional, however we recommend to complete homework with your child to ensure progression of their development.
Curriculum:
In Reception, the curriculum is delivered through practical and active learning experiences that encourage curiosity and promote independence. Learning is supported through purposeful play, with adults using focused talk and interaction to guide children and help them develop a wide range of skills and key concepts.
We invite families to be a part of their child’s learning journey as much as possible. 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
Phonics Stay & Play |
Imagine That | Midwife Visitor
Fire Services Police Visitor Mathematics Stay & Play |
Dylan’s Reptiles | Judaism Visitor
Writing Stay & Play |
Croxteth Park Farm |
Please look at our EYFS curriculum page to look further at the EYFS curriculum (Early Years Foundation Stage – Gwladys Street Community Primary & Nursery School).
Behaviour and Expectations: In Ladybirds classroom, we ensure to follow and adhere to classroom rules, routines 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.
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.
NELI – Supporting Language Development in Reception:
In Reception, we use the NELI (Nuffield Early Language Intervention) programme to support and develop children’s language and communication skills.
NELI is a carefully designed programme that helps children to build their vocabulary, develop their understanding of language and become confident communicators. Through engaging stories, conversations, games and activities, children are given opportunities to learn and use new words, develop their listening skills and express their ideas.
The programme is delivered through a combination of whole-class activities and targeted small-group sessions, allowing children to receive additional support where needed. NELI complements the rich language experiences already provided throughout our Early Years curriculum, including stories, songs, role play, continuous provision and meaningful conversations with adults and peers.
We recognise that strong language and communication skills are fundamental to children’s learning, wellbeing and future success. By providing children with regular opportunities to listen, talk, learn new vocabulary and develop their understanding, NELI helps to give every child the best possible start to their education.
Pegs to Paper – Supporting Fine Motor and Writing Skills:
In Reception, we use the Pegs to Paper programme to support children in developing the fine motor skills, hand strength and coordination needed for writing.
Pegs to Paper provides children with a range of fun, practical and purposeful activities designed to strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers. These skills are essential for developing the control and dexterity needed to hold and manipulate writing tools effectively.
Through activities such as using pegs, threading, squeezing, pinching, twisting and manipulating a variety of materials, children develop their hand-eye coordination, finger strength, pencil control and fine motor precision. These experiences help to build the physical foundations needed for successful handwriting.
The programme is incorporated into our Early Years provision alongside opportunities for drawing, mark-making, painting, handwriting and writing for meaningful purposes. Children are encouraged to practise these skills regularly through playful, hands-on activities, helping them to develop confidence and independence as they progress towards becoming successful writers.
We recognise that developing strong fine motor skills is an important part of children’s early writing journey. Pegs to Paper provides children with engaging opportunities to strengthen these foundations while having fun and developing their confidence as learners.
Learning Journals:
We are delighted to share that we use an online platform called Learning Journals to record and celebrate your child’s learning journey during their time in the Early Years Foundation Stage. This platform allows us to securely share photographs, videos, and observations of your child’s milestones and achievements directly with you.
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.
Supporting reading in EYFS:
Liverpool Early Reading Pathway
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)