West Oxford Community Primary School

Early Years Foundation Stage Statement

Welcome to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) at West Oxford Primary School. Our

provision provides a strong foundation for the children’s future learning, including developing

a positive attitude to learning. In giving the children a broad range of knowledge and skills

we lay the foundation for excellent future progress throughout their school and life. To

make this happen, learning and development opportunities are planned around each child’s

needs and interests and regularly assessed and reviewed. Adults respond to individual needs

and interests, guiding their development through warm, positive interactions in an encourag-

ing, stimulating and a well-resourced indoor and outdoor environment.

In the Reception Year, it is the adult’s role to extend and provide further challenge to chil-

dren’s learning. Here we seek to initiate and offer great depth to the children’s experienc-

es. Adults skilfully interact and sensitively scaffold, support and enhance the children’s

knowledge, skills and understanding. In addition, we seek to help the children to develop

their thinking through their participation in activities and with the skilled involvement of

the staff.

Aims

We aim to meet each child's needs by:

caring for the whole child’s health, both physical and mental, their feelings and their

thinking and spiritual development

ensuring each child has the opportunity to develop the skills, knowledge and under-

standing to achieve success and to build a thirst for lifelong learning

teaching the foundations of reading, writing and maths that will develop basic

(essential) skills and to enable them to access the wider curriculum

providing a stimulating environment, indoors and out, providing many opportunities for

children to be curious, ask questions and to be eager to discover and learn

providing opportunities, time and space for children to pursue their own interests, and

time to interact and share with others

providing opportunities for each child to make choices and decisions to develop their

independence

providing ethnically and culturally diverse experiences including resources and stories

which reflect different cultures and values

creating a purposeful atmosphere, where teachers can focus on teaching and pupils on

learning

working closely with parents/carers and respecting the fact that they are experts in

the knowledge of their own child.

What children learn

The content of the Curriculum is planned in the seven areas of learning and development.

Three Prime Areas :

Communication and Language – children develop skills and confidence in speaking and

listening in a range of situations.

Physical Development – children develop their co-ordination, control, and movement

through being active.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development – within clear boundaries and expecta-

tions, children form positive relationships, develop social skills and respect for others

and understand appropriate behaviour.

Four Specific Areas

Literacy – development involves encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to

begin to read and write. Children are given access to a wide range of reading materi-

als (books, poems, and other written materials) to ignite their interest. Opportunities

are provided daily for developing fine motor skills and handwriting is formally taught

and practiced every day in reception.

Mathematics – involves providing children with opportunities to develop and improve

their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition

and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces, and measures.

Understanding the World – finding out about people, places, technology and the envi-

ronment.

Expressive Arts and Design – exploring a wide range of media and sharing their

thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement,

dance, role-play, and design and technology.

How children learn

Children learn through:

Playing and exploring

Learning actively

Creating and thinking critically

In the Foundation Stage teachers make professional judgments about the balance between

activities led or guided by adults and those led by children. This balance shifts towards

more activities led by adults as children move from early years and towards Year 1.

Adult directed activities are those which are directed by the adult and are useful in the

teaching of specific skills such as demonstrating how to use tools or equipment. In our Re-

ception class, daily teaching of literacy and maths starts from the outset and is a key part

of our curriculum.

Adult guided activities are those which the adult initiates. These activities are often play-

ful or experiential. They are open ended and motivate a keen interest in learning.

Child-initiated experiences(5) take place within an environment the adult has set up and

planned but will be wholly decided upon by the child, based on the child’s own motivation and

remains under the child’s control.

Environments

Children have daily access to well-planned stimulating learning environments, indoors and out-

doors. These environments give children opportunities to be active and physical as well as qui-

et and reflective. Each classroom has sufficient chairs and tables for children to be seated

when appropriate, and also plenty of carpeted areas for children to engage in activities.

There will be periods of time each day when all children in reception will be engaged in learn-

ing activities at their tables as class teaching is gradually introduced and developed through-

out the Reception year.

The early years environment - inside and outside is viewed as a whole, providing different ar-

eas where resources, materials and activities are freely and easily accessible.

The areas of learning in the environment include:

role play area

book/reading area

mark making/writing area

mathematical area

construction area

small world area

music area

creative area

malleable area

ICT opportunities

sand/water areas

It is important to develop learning opportunities outside as outdoor learning provides oppor-

tunities for: the acquisition of gross motor skills, taking risks, fostering a love of nature and

the environment, large (and possibly messier) play which is not possible indoors, learning ex-

periences suited to the outdoor environment and physical fitness.

What you can expect to see during a week in Foundation Stage:

Daily maths and literacy lessons in reception

Cooking

Nature Detectives (outdoor learning)

Circle time – PSED/CL

P.E indoors/outdoors

Arts and crafts

Role play corner/activities

Sensory table

Carousel of activities in reception (to support focus work)

1-1 reading

Guided reading

Regular writing challenges

Exploration of technology

Regular maths and literacy opportunities

Additional activities/events

Class trips

Special event assemblies

Visitors (specialist)

Exploring local area

Parents should be involved in the assessment process on a regular, ongoing basis and be en-

couraged to participate in their child’s learning and development. At West Oxford we set

weekly homework so that parents can be involved in their child’s learning.

Homework includes;

Homework activity books

Sound books (reception)

Reading books (reception)

We all work in Foundation and are here to help you

settle and find your way around. As you begin your

new adventure we will be here to ensure that your

learning experiences are exciting and fun.

We look forward to meeting you!

Laura Cheeseman

Early Years

Foundation Stage

Leader

Carrie Cook

Reception Teacher

Hayley Hayle, N1

Nursery Nurse

Glory Christopher

Nursery Teaching

Assistant

Iria Suarez

Reception Teaching

Assistant

Sue Gibbling, Daycare

Coordinator

Caroline Meeks

Reception Teacher

Penny Tordoff

Reception Teaching

Assistant

Come inside with a

grown up and find your

peg. Can you hang up

your own coat?

You will have your own

tray where you can keep

your book bag and put

your drawings and paint-

ings in.

These are the toilets

which you can use when

ever you need to.

We have lots of

different things to do

inside . . .

In nursery there is always

fruit, milk and water, that

you can help yourself to.

Don’t forget to wash your

hands first.

...and out! We have lots

of fun outside, but make

sure you have the right

clothes!

You can keep your wellies

at school.

We also enjoy lots of trips

to local places, or have

special visitors.

Where do you like to visit

with your family?

Our names are Matt,

Ruth and Eve and we

work in the kitchen

cooking dinners for all

the children.

At lunch time we will take you to the canteen to eat.

You can bring a packed lunch or have one of our

delicious school dinners.

My name is Miss Bladen. I am the Head

teacher at West Oxford Community School.

We are looking forward to seeing you soon and

enjoying making special memories together.

Nature Detectives

Each week, in Reception, we put on our wellies and outdoor gear and head

out to explore and investigate our natural surroundings.

We aim to develop skills such as team work, our understanding of the world

and thinking critically and creatively.

Some examples of our sessions include making natural collections, searching

for evidence of fairies and elves and making ‘ice’ sculptures.

Nursery Admissions

The academic year runs from September through to August.

Applications for N1 and N2 places can be made direct to the school, please

come and ask us for a form.

Applications for reception places are made through Oxfordshire County Coun-

cil. Please see their website www.oxfordshire.gov.uk for further information. If

you require any further help you are welcome to talk to any member of staff.

The minimum entitlement to funded nursery education is 15 hours per

week, from the term after the child’s third birthday (based on a 3-term

year). We offer these free 15 hours in the following ways:

Morning place: 8:55am - 11:55am (inclusive of lunchtime)

Afternoon place: 12:10pm - 3:10pm

Children will either attend mornings or afternoons, sessions are not flexible

Admissions are three times a year, for as long as places are available.

Funding and entitlement are based on a three-term year, and places

therefore start in term 1 (September), term 3 (January) or term 5

(April).

Parents will be notified that a place is available for their child no later

than a term in advance (3 term year). Places are offered always for the

full free 15 funded hours.

We do NOT allow parents to split their free entitlement with a private or

voluntary sector provider.

Nursery places at West Oxford Primary School are in high demand and

there is often a long waiting list. Therefore, if a child is consistently late

or a place is not being used effectively it may result in the child loosing

his or her place. Decisions of such will be made at the Early Years lead and

Head teacher’s discretion.

When more applications are received than there are places available,

the following County Council criteria is applied.

Children with a statement of special educational need that names

the school in part 4 of the statement.

Looked after children, whom the Corporate Parent agrees should

attend the school, and „previously looked after‟ children.

Disabled children who need to be admitted to a school on the

grounds of physical accessibility. The definition of disability is

that contained within the Equality Act 2010.

Children who live in the designated catchment area. If there are

more applicants than places in this category, priority will be given

in the following descending order:

Those children who, at the time of entry, have a brother or sister

attending the primary school to which the nursery is attached.

Those children who live closest to the school by the nearest desig-

nated public route as defined on the Directorate for Children, Ed-

ucation and Families Geographic Information System.

Children living outside the designated area who have a brother or

sister attending either the foundation stage or the main school at

the time of entry. If there are more applicants than places in this

category, priority will be given within this group to children who

live closest to the school by the nearest designated public route as

defined on the Directorate for Children, Education and Families

Geographic Information System.

Children who attend day care or a voluntary or private sector pre-

school on site at the school. If there are more applicants than

places in this category, priority will be given within this group to

children who live closest to the school by the nearest designated

public route as defined on the Directorate for Children, Education

and Families Geographic Information System.

Home Visits In our setting we aim to provide a caring, happy and stimulating environment to

encourage and support children’s learning. We recognise the importance of staff,

parents, carers and children working together in partnership to ensure the best

possible start for the children.

Therefore before starting, there is an opportunity for all nursery aged children

to be visited at home by me, Laura Cheeseman, (Early Years lead and Nursery

teacher) and Hayley Hayle, (Nursery Nurse). This will help make transition into

Nursery easier and happier for your child and will provide another opportunity for

us to share information and for you to ask any questions you may have about our

provision and routines. These home visits will be approximately 20 minutes long

and will take place early September, January and April.

Open Mornings & Visits We are committed to ensuring all of the changes children go through during their

school life are seamless and successful. Moving to a new nursery or onto school is

one of the biggest transitions a child will make and therefore we aim to ensure

that children are prepared for this move by making this transition as smooth as

possible. In addition to ‘home visits’ we visit children in their current nursery

settings and set aside dates for new parents and children to attend one of our

open mornings in the month of July.

During an open morning:

Your child will be free to engage in play and take part in planned activities

Your child will enjoy meeting our current nursery class and their new peers

and friends

You will meet our team of enthusiastic teachers and support staff that will be

happy to answer any queries you may have.

You will be shown around the rest of the school

Meet the Head teacher

Information to make things a little easier.

School Office

The Foundation Stage Unit is part of West Oxford Community Primary School. Any queries

during the school day should be directed through the office:

West Oxford Community Primary School

Ferry Hinksey Road

Oxford

OX2 0BY

Tel: 01865 248862

E-mail: office.2533@west-oxford.oxon.sch.uk

If for any reason we need to let you know about something urgently, such as school closures,

the office will phone, email or send out a text message. Please ensure that all important in-

formation, such as your contact details, or change in your child’s medical circumstances are

kept up-to-date.

Our Foundation Stage classes and staff

We have three classes within our unit.

Nursery (N1 and N2) Laura Cheeseman (N2 Teacher and FS Coordinator),

Hayley Hayle (N1 Nursery Nurse) and Laura Espejo (Teaching Assistant)

Reception Caroline Meeks (Reception Reacher), Linda Grace (Reception Teacher),

Lilina Licata (Teaching Assistant)

School Times

The school day for reception to Year 6 is 8.55am until 3.10pm.

Morning sessions for Nursery (N1 & N2) is 8.55am—11.55pm

Afternoon sessions are 12.10pm—3.10pm

We eat lunch at 11.30

Please ensure you adhere to these times to help make those transition times as smooth as

possible

Daycare is available in the afternoon at a cost of £15.00 per session. You can also use your

childcare vouchers to help fund this. Spaces are very limited and must be booked in advance

with Sue Gibbling, Daycare Coordinator.

All about me An ‘All about me’ booklet will be sent home once a place has been allocated for

your child. Please spend some time at home filling it in with your child. This

helps us to get to know your child a little bit before they start school and en-

ables us to provide activities they will enjoy.

Story Sacks Story sacks are available to children in our Foundation Stage and can be taken

home throughout the year. We would like to encourage all parents to read to their

children, whatever their age, to promote a love of reading. There are also books

available for the children to take home to share with you. If you have any free

time and would like to volunteer to come into school to listen to the children read

- please speak to one of the foundation stage team.

Clothing Children are not required to wear a uniform at West Oxford, however various items of school

uniform can be purchased from the office including PE kits. All reception children will need a

PE kit which should remain in school all week as sometimes spontaneous PE activities will occur.

Please label all items of clothing including footwear. The Foundation Stage children have con-

tinual access to the outdoor area whatever the weather so please ensure that they have suita-

ble clothing (including a change of clothes on their pegs) and footwear i.e. in winter weather

please send in wellies and a waterproof coat and in the summer please provide your child with

a sunhat. We would be grateful if sun-cream could be applied to the children before they

come to school. With your consent, we will reapply sun-cream at lunchtime.

If you intend to order name tapes, please order them from Easy2Name as they will give 20%

cash back to our playground appeal. Order name tapes online at www.easy2name.com and quote

West Oxford CP School OX2 to ensure the school get the cash back. When ordering craft

supplies from Yellow Moon quote SWE1443 in order for the playground appeal to receive 20%

cash back. www.yellowmoon.org.uk

Friends of West Oxford All parents/carers are automatically members of the ‘Friends (PTA)’ whilst their children are

at our school. A wide range of social and fund-raising events are arranged throughout the

year. If you would like to get involved and support the Friends with fundraising events such as

quiz nights bazzars and discos, please speak to a member of staff and we can introduce you to

the parent Friend representative in the Foundation Stage.

Every Friday after school there is a Produce Sale on the school playground, which

is run by each class in turn from N1/N2 to Year 6. Parents/carers are encouraged

to bake cakes or other goods at home, provide plants or other items to sell at the

class produce sale, proceeds raised go towards new resources for each class holding

the cake sale that week. Volunteers are always needed to help run the produce sale for

your child’s class.

Monies to School

The school holds a cashless system of payment called ParentsPay. West Oxford Community

Primary School prefers parents to pay for school dinners, trips and any other payments or

transactions using ParentPay.

Lunch times

Lunch is served at 11.30am in our canteen by our wonderful school cook, Ruth Lyster. She is

experienced in cooking for children with food allergies/specific dietary

needs and will be delighted to talk to you if you wish to know more. From

September 2014, school dinners will be free for children in reception and

years 1 and 2. However nursery children will still have to pay for their

school dinners at the cost of £2.10 per day.

Alternatively, you may wish to provide your child with a healthy packed

lunch. You may alternate between school dinners and packed lunches. The Foundation Staff

will take the children to the canteen and will help serve their meals. Please note that lunch is

not provided for children who only attend our afternoon sessions.

Collecting Children from School

At the end of the day, the Foundation Stage children remain in their class with

their teacher and are not allowed to leave unless accompanied by a known adult.

If there is a change in the collection arrangements, please inform the class

teacher or alternatively a message can be given to the office staff. Due to

safeguarding procedures, we are unable to let children leave with an unknown adult unless we

have been given prior notice.

Illness Please do not send your child to school if they are ill, however much they insist they want to

attend. West Oxford School adheres to the Oxfordshire County Council 48 hour exclusion

policy if sickness/diarrhoea has occurred. Please also look out for the head-lice notices that

will be displayed if an outbreak of head-lice occurs in the foundation stage.

Parents meetings

There are two formal parent/teacher evenings each year, but we are happy to talk to par-

ents/carers before and after the school day as time and opportunity permits.

And finally We hope you will enjoy sharing this Welcome Book with your child and familiar-

ising him or her with the staff and the things they might be doing. This will all help to ensure

that they have a happy and smooth start to their education. If there is anything you are un-

sure of, or that we have left out please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Thank you very much for helping us to make your child’s start in the Early Years

Foundation Stage as happy as possible.

Kind Regards

The Early Years Team