EYFS
Welcome to EYFS! Our classes are Maple and Beech.
Beech Class
Class Teachers: Mrs Francis and Mrs Finch
Teaching Assistant: Mrs Gilks
Maple Class
Class Teachers: Mrs Doyle and Mrs Uttridge
EYFS Teaching Assistants: Mrs Le Sager, Mrs Hagger
Term 1
Welcome to Term 1 in EYFS
A very warm welcome to EYFS! We are so excited to begin this important first stage of your child’s school journey and look forward to working in partnership with you throughout the year.
In EYFS, our aim is to help every child feel happy, safe, confident and valued while developing the strong foundations they need for future learning. Through purposeful play, carefully planned activities and rich everyday experiences, we will support children across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
A particular focus will be placed on developing the three Prime Areas of Learning:
Communication and Language
We will develop children’s listening, attention, understanding and spoken language through high-quality conversations, stories, songs, rhymes and everyday interactions. We encourage children to share their ideas, ask questions and develop the vocabulary they need to communicate confidently.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
We will support children’s emotional well-being, self-regulation, confidence and independence. Children will learn how to build positive relationships, work and play alongside others, understand their feelings and begin to manage challenges with increasing confidence.
Physical Development
Children will have lots of opportunities to develop their gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance, strength and spatial awareness. These important physical foundations also support children as they begin to develop the control needed for drawing, writing and other everyday tasks.
Reading at Home
Reading with your child every day is one of the most valuable ways you can support their development. Sharing books together helps to develop vocabulary, language, imagination, concentration and comprehension, as well as building a lifelong love of reading.
Even just a short amount of time each evening can make a significant difference. Talk about the pictures, discuss new words, make predictions and encourage your child to tell you what they think might happen next. Most importantly, make reading together an enjoyable and special part of your daily routine.
Book change day is every Friday. Please make sure your child brings their book bag to school so that their reading books can be changed.
Each Friday, you will also find a page containing QR codes linked to the phonics sounds we have learned that week inside your child’s book bag. Please use these at home to revisit and practice the sounds with your child. Regular, short practice at home will help children to remember their sounds and build confidence as they begin their reading journey.
PE
Our EYFS PE day is Friday this term. Please ensure your child comes to school ready for PE on this day.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year filled with curiosity, exploration, friendship and learning. Thank you for working alongside us to give your child the very best possible start to their time at Palace Wood.
