Dear Parents and Children,

Welcome to Ladybirds! We are all so excited to guide you through your very first year of school. Ladybirds is an exciting year of celebrating milestones, looking for magic in every moment, and exploring the wonderful world around us. Both indoors and outdoors, we put children in charge of their play, allowing them to explore our environment that is carefully designed to challenge their knowledge, and deepen their understanding. Not only are children gaining the confidence to learn and try new things, but developing independence that will see them through future ‘real life’ challenges.

Our key routines and reminders are as follows:

Labelling

Please label all children’s clothes, including shoes and coats, so that we can make sure all children go home with the exact uniform that they arrive in.
 

Lunches

School lunches are nutritious and appetising. Your child is entitled to free school meals up until they are in Year 2.
 

P.E.

Our P.E. day is Monday. Children can leave their P.E. kits in school in a named bag and it is sent home half-termly to be washed. Children should wear a red t-shirt (Evelyn or plain), black shorts and trainers or pumps.
 

Library

Library day is Wednesday. Please ensure your child beings in the previous week’s book, in their library bag. We take great pride and pleasure in our library sessions and use this as an opportunity to develop children’s love for reading. We hope they enjoy engaging with their books at home!
 

Reading Books

Every day we have a phonics session. Children learn the pure sounds of each letter alongside learning to blend simple CVC words with sounds that they are familiar with. When children feel confident in doing this, they receive their first reading book. This is an exciting time for the children and is something that we really celebrate. It is important that reading books are brought into school every day so that they children can read both in school and at home. We look forward to, and work hard with the children to achieve this.
 

Independence

We work hard to develop independence in every child. Please provide opportunities for them at home to put on and take off their jumpers, coats and shoes etc. It does take some time, but it is a huge achievement when the children can do a lot of these things on their own. They feel a great sense of pride when we notice and praise them for their independence.
 

Rewards

Friday is the day that our whole school celebrate achievement. Every week a child is given a merit badge to wear. This is given for many reasons, for example: good behaviour, manners, attitude to learning and good work. An award for ‘Maths Wizard’ and ‘Spelling Star’ is also given. These are given out on alternative weeks.
 

Attendance

The gate for Ladybirds opens at 8:35 and the register is taken promptly at 8:40. Please ensure that your child is in school on time so that we can settle them for registration and prepare them for their first task of the day.

Thank you for your support, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any worries or questions.

I am so excited for the wonderful year ahead!

Miss Booth