Weekly Reading Books

Monday – Thursday we will read with your child in a small Guided Reading group. Each Guided Reading session will last for 15 minutes. This is a great opportunity for an adult to listen to your child read each day. Once a week, your child will bring home a decodable book that matches our weekly phonics learning and another book of their choice for you to share with your child. You will also receive a reading record where all home reading is recorded. We will start Reading from their first full week. New decodable books/reading records will be handed out every Friday. We ask books/reading records to be returned every Wednesday so that we have time to change and update your child's book folders.

In any reading you carry out with your child, talk about the illustrations, what is seen and what is happening on the pages. Teach your child to handle books carefully and to look after them. We encourage the love of books from the start of Reception and we share stories every day.

Home Learning

Once the children have settled they will be given a ‘Home-Wow’ book. This will help your child to share weekly learning, that we set, from home. Please help your child to complete the task by sitting next to them and talking to them about what they are doing. PLEASE DO NOT DO THE TASK FOR THEM. This book can also be used to share exciting news with us or information about what has been done at the weekend/during the holidays.

We will set the home learning every Friday and expect it to be returned by the following Wednesday. This home learning can be found on our school website, on the Reception Year page. It will also be posted to our Dojo page.

Website

We communicate learning, important dates and general class information through our Dojo system and through our school website, on the Reception Year Page. There will also be a weekly school newsletter that will provide further information about school life.

Drinks and snacks

Mount Carmel is part of the Healthy Schools scheme and every child receives a free piece of fruit or a vegetable every day. This is a government initiative aimed at encouraging healthy eating. Your child will be encouraged to try to eat a piece of fruit or vegetable, every day.

Please provide your child with a re-usable water bottle (with their name on it), filled with fresh water daily. This needs to be named and will be kept on their shelf, in their classroom.

Your child will be given a carton of milk each day, up to when your child turns 5 years old. Should you wish for your child to continue to have milk each day after they turn 5, there is an addition cost which can be organised through the school office. Over the summer please help your child to unwrap a straw, insert it in to a carton and drink a drink without any support from an adult. Don’t worry if your child can’t manage this on their own just yet, staff will be able to help.

 Lunches are freshly cooked on site each day by our catering company, ISS. Meals are free of charge for all infant children and we expect everyone to participate. It is important that the kitchen staff and our Reception staff are aware of any food allergies or special dietary requirements your child may have. Please complete the form in the welcome pack and in the case of an allergy, please supply a referral letter from a medical professional.

NUT FREE SCHOOL

At Mount Carmel, we have children who suffer a severe allergic reaction to any kind of nuts. We do not allow children to bring nuts or nut products into school at any time. This includes peanut butter in sandwiches, pesto pasta etc. We do not allow the children to share their lunch with friends.

Accident/Incident email

If your child is hurt or involved in a minor incident in school you may receive an email to let you know what has happened. We use a system called ‘Medical Tracker’ which helps us to report any injuries and allows us to communicate with you. Reception staff will also speak to you at the end of the day to let you know what has happened. You may notice that your child will be wearing either a red or green wristband. If your child is wearing a green wristband they have had an injury below the shoulders. If your child is wearing a red wristband they have had an injury above the shoulders.  A member of staff will phone you in the unlikely event of a more serious accident or if your child is taken ill.

Communication with Reception staff

A member of Reception staff opens the door in the morning and afternoon. If there is anything that you need to tell us that may affect your child’s day, please let us know. Sometimes we may ask you to make an appointment to see us after school if there is something that needs discussing in further detail. You could also send an email via the school office and this will be forwarded on to us info@mountcarmel.ealing.sch.uk

Please let a member of staff know if anyone different is picking up your child.

If you know at the start of the day that your child is to be collected by someone different please let the Reception staff know. If your plans change please contact the school office as soon as possible. You will receive a phone call if someone else arrives to pick up your child and we have not been notified; this is part of our school safeguarding.

Please be on time…

At drop off time the Early Years gate opens at 8.40am and the Reception door will be closed at 8.55am. If you arrive late and the door is closed, please bring your child to the office. A member of the office team will bring your child down to the classroom.

At pick-up time the Early Years gate is opened at 3.25pm and closed at 3.35pm. Again, if you arrive late and the gate is closed, please come up to the office. Your child will be waiting for you here.

Please be aware that any lateness is unsettling for a child and we encourage you to drop-off/pick-up your child, on time.

If you know that you may be late, for example due to an appointment, please let the office know in advance. You can email them on info@mountcarmel.ealing.sch.uk

It’s also very important to explain to your child the reason for the change in their daily routine.

You can help your child prepare for Reception by doing the following:

• Have positive discussions with your child to make them feel excited about coming to Reception. We understand that you or your child may feel anxious about this big change (this is to be expected) but please be positive.

• Share the photos in this booklet to help familiarise your child, with the grown-ups and the setting.

• Support your child to use the toilet independently, including washing hands.

• Discuss the importance of washing hands, especially after going to the toilet and before eating meals.

• Encourage your child to dress themselves. We go out in all weathers so it’s really beneficial for your child to learn how to put on their coat, independently.

• During lunch, children are expected to use a full-sized knife and fork when eating their school dinners. They are also expected to carry their own plate to their seat. Practice this at home in preparation for September.

• Practise the school morning routine, including getting dressed and eating breakfast in time to leave. Practise the school run so that you’re both prepared for the school morning journey.

There will be a welcome meeting in the first half term when you will receive further information about Reception life.