Hello, and welcome to the Butterflies class page. The Butterflies class teacher is Mrs Rimmer . Children in Butterflies class are also supported by Miss Hennessey, Miss Richardson and Miss Brierley and Miss Timmins.
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.
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.
We invite families to be a part of their child’s learning journey as much as possible. Please feel free to speak to a member of staff if you would like information on how your can support your child’s home learning.
Autumn One
Pumpkin Picking
Phonics Stay and Play
Autumn Two
Imagine That
Spring One
Fire Service
Midwife Visitor
Police Visitor
Mathematics Stay and Play
Spring Two
Dylan’s Reptiles
Summer One
Writing Stay and Play
Summer Two
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).
Additionally, look over Class dojo page 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.
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.
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.
Clothing: We would like to take this opportunity to remind you to label all items of clothing brought to school. It is also helpful if water bottles, book backs and packed lunches are also named. It helps us get belongings back to you more quickly when they are misplaced.
Attendance: 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 because they 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: 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.
Phonics: Children should engage with phonics reading at home, it is important that adults reading with the child use pure sounds when practicing.
Learning Journals:
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.
Behaviour and Expectations: In Butterflies 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 Butterflies a joyful place to grow and learn!
Useful Links for Nursery and 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.
Supporting reading in EYFS: