Recent FAQ's...

Are we not entitled to free school meals?  I thought it was something that the government funded?

You are correct - children do get these for free as part of the infant Universal Free School Meals.  However, due to the changes to school structure, we are welcoming reception children in for lunch from the very start of the year.  Normally they would be doing half days and therefore eating at home.  They are having full days from day 1.  We don't want to worry children and we want to make this transition as smooth as possible.  Therefore we ask that they bring in a packed lunch from home with fillings and snacks that you know they will happily eat.  Packed lunches should not contain any nuts, chocolate bars or fizzy drinks.

Also - due to the distancing regulations, children will be eating in their classrooms so as not to mix with the entire school.  Therefore, we do not want to carry in hot meals into each classroom as logistically this would be very hard for the kitchen to manage.  Please do bear with us with these changes.  As soon as we can provide the Universal Free School Meals in a safe way - we will let you know.  

 

I thought the school provided fruit/ healthy snacks?

Children will have to bring in 2 snacks for the start of September.  They will normally be supplied with a piece of fruit, but this scheme, which is funded by the government, will not be starting up until after Sept.  The snacks should be healthy & contain no nuts.  See previous bog on 'How will they cope on their own at lunchtime?  What about snacks?' 

 

Do we need Book bags or Back packs?

Backpacks.  We carried out a quick survey from our current parents and we have come to the decision to all have backpacks.  This will free up space in the classroom, which will help with children moving around a larger space.  The children can access them easier if they are on their peg and they don't all look the same.  They should also be able to fit in all their home things.  It's a win win all round.  Do remember to put on a distinguishing label - just in case someone else has the same!  You could have a little piece of twine, a key-ring, a ribbon - anything that they can recognise as theirs.  Also - try to find one with a bottle holder or side pocket.  So many water bottles leak all over their books.  

*When they come into the classroom on day 1 we will teach them to take out their snacks and put them safely in the snack pot (make sure they are labelled) and also their water bottle on the sink so that they can easily access it throughout the day.  

What about a PE kit?  When do we need this?

 

PE kit is to be warn to school on school PE days, your teachers will let you know which days these are in Sept, by notices in the classroom window and via the school app.  Rest assured we will not be doing PE for a few weeks so don't worry if you haven't got a kit just yet.  We can talk about this in September.