New Starter Information September 2020
Mount Street Primary
and Nursery School
Information pack for School Starters
September 2020
Welcome to Mount Street Primary and Nursery School.
Please find enclosed details about your child’s new journey at Mount Street Primary School. I am sure you are aware that we are currently in unprecedented times and we will do our best to provide you with as much information as possible about your child starting school. We will try to provide you with information that is accurate and up to date but please be aware that this may have to alter and we will do our best to inform you of any changes as soon as is possible.
Starting school is a big step in any child’s develop and we would like to support you the best we can in this new chapter of your child’s life.
Staff
Ms Shillaber – Head
Mrs Travers – Early Years Lead and Nursery Teacher
Miss Knox – Reception Class Teacher
Important Forms
You will find several forms and information leaflets enclosed, these are all important and help provide you with information you may need
Please complete the following forms and return them in the SAE as soon as possible.
S11 Form (children new to the school only)
School Meals form
For any other information such as after school club and term dates please check the school website
https://www.mountstreet.plymouth.sch.uk/.
Induction Meeting
Due to these unprecedented times, we are unable to provide the normal induction meeting for parents to come in, meet the teacher and find out about their child starting school however we are able to offer a stay and play session for your child. Unfortunately, at this time, parents will not be able to come into school with their child but they will be greeted by members of staff at the gate. Please see the enclosed letter for times and details of this session.
We would be grateful if you could share the picture video on the school website with your child.
https://www.mountstreet.plymouth.sch.uk/new-starter-information-september-2020/
Starting School
All children will start school on a part time basis. This allows staff to get to know each child personally and for children to ease gently into school life. Below are the planned start dates and times for your child:
Monday 31st August – Individual child and parent visits to school (please see enclosed letter for the time and date of your appointment)
Monday 7th September – Mornings only – 8.45am – 11.45am
Monday 14th September - Mornings and lunch – 8.45am – 12.35pm
Monday 21st September – All day – 8.45am – 3.10pm
(all timings are subject to change and will be confirmed at your parent meeting)
The School Day
Reception class children come into school, via the gate, onto the Early Years playground. There will always be a member of staff, on the gate, to greet you and your child in the morning. Their teacher will be waiting for them at the classroom door, we encourage you to say goodbye to your child in the playground and allow the teacher to help settle them into the classroom.
8.45am – School Gates open (Please ensure your child arrives at school, on time every day)
11.45am – 12.35pm – Lunch time (School dinners and packed lunch)
3.10pm – End of school day (The gate will open at 3.05pm, please collect your child on time)
School Uniform
Your child will need to wear school uniform, this can be seen in the photo below:
Logo jumpers/cardigans and book bags are available from
The Uniform Shop, Mayflower Street
Girls: Black skirt/pinafore or trousers, blue school shirt, navy blue cardigan or jumper and black school shoes. A blue and white school check dress may be worn in the summer term.
Boys: Black trousers, blue school shirt, navy blue jumper and black school shoes. Black shorts may be worn in the summer term.
Sensible school coat preferably with a hood.
We also ask that you provide your child with a pair of welly boots so that they can take part in Forest School activities. Please could you ensure that your child has a pair of Welly Boots in school. These need to be in a named bag and will stay in school at all times.
Please remember to label all of your child’s clothing so that they can be located easily if they get misplaced.
Your child will not need a PE kit at this time.
We do not have a lot of room in the cloakroom area so your child will not need a big bag for school, a book bag and a lunch bag (if required) will be sufficient.
Attendance
Children must attend school every day during term time. Holidays can not be authorised however if your child is ill or unable to attend school please call the school number 01752 205091 and let us know before the start of the school day.
Learning Journey
We like to share, with you, what your child is doing in school. We have an online Learning Journal called Tapestry. This allows us to upload observations of your child at school for you to see at home and vice versa. We will send out any information you need for this once your child has started school.
Getting Ready
There are lots of things you can do to get your child ready for school. Some of the things that we think are important include:
- Let your child play
Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.
- Encourage your child to be independent.
Can they take themselves to the toilet?
Can they feed themselves using a knife and fork?
Can they put on their own socks, shoes and coat?
- Encourage your child to understand their own body.
Can they kick a ball?
Can they stand on one leg?
Can they hold a pencil?
Can they turn a page in a book?
Can they do up or undo a button on their shirt?
- Encourage your child to socialise.
Can they play in a small group?
Do they share their toys?
Do they allow others to join in?
Can they listen to a simple instruction?
Can they talk about the things they like or don’t like?
- Encourage your child to communicate
Can your child talk about what they can see?
Do they communicate how they feel?
Does your child ask questions about what they want to know?
Ask your child questions starting with ‘what’ or ‘who’.
These are only a few suggestions. Remember talking about school and what they may experience will help your child to settle quickly. Look at the photos on the website frequently and please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.
Come and see how we learn!
