We promised you way back in the summer term, a virtual tour of the classrooms. We delayed sending you these as the classrooms were not up to standard and we also felt that the children had lots of things to talk about school with you already and we didn’t want to over load them. Teachers have been in school over the holidays tidying, sorting and cleaning the rooms ready for your September start. So here we are with a virtual classroom tour.. ta daaa.
Click on the links below.
What’s happening this first week?
Tuesday 1st September is a staff inset day.
Wednesday 2nd September and Thursday 3rd September: You have designated time slots to have a tour of the classroom and meet the teacher in small groups. If you can’t remember your slot, don’t hesitate to contact the school to double check. The office team are very friendly and are always happy to help. Equally, if you are having to isolate for whatever reason and can’t join in on the tour, then please let us know.
Friday 4th September: We will be calling you individually to talk to you about your children. In ‘usual’ circumstances we would carry out home visits. This is where we visit you at home so that the children can meet us in their own environment which is easier for them. They get to show us their favourite toys and chat to our TA’s while the teachers ask you, the parents/carers, questions about how they are getting on and you talk about any worries you have about their settling, any medical concerns or dietary needs. Therefore, the idea behind the phone call is that you are able to have time to discuss your child with the teacher. These are the sorts of questions we will be asking you:
How are they feeling about starting school? Is there any aspect they are concerned about?
How are you feeling about them starting school?
What films, toys and interests do they have?
What are they really into playing with at the moment?
What do they like to play with at home or at preschool?
Who are the people in their family that they will be telling us about eg. Sister, Brother, Uncle, Grandparents
Any specific dietary requirements? (We have all of this written down in the forms you completed but as teachers we like to double check as it is so important) Any medical needs?
However, big or insignificant it seems, please don’t over think it - we are happy to hear about it.
With all of the children going back, how are you managing covid risks?
Here are just a few highlights of the provisions we have in place…
Hand washing: Children will be washing their hands once they come in every morning, before food and snacks, after play times and before home time. This will be an opportunity for counting, singing and all the things we can pull out of the bag to maximise the time spent lining up.
Children will remain in their class bubbles: We have sectioned off our outdoor area so that each class stay within their area. Their play times are staggered so not all children are out at once and we are maximising the use of the outdoor areas that we have to really spread out. Lunchtime will be in the classroom with a designated lunchtime supervisor. There will be no collective worship or big events where the children all get together for the first term at least.
Cleaning habits: The staff are all armed with bottles of spray and Milton sterilising fluid for washing down the tables and the plastic resources that we use most days. Each evening the classrooms are cleaned down thoroughly.
Minimal stuff: Children will keep their own belongings in their bags. We have stripped the classrooms back of material items and each child has their own pack of stationary that they can use.
Communication: Obviously, any family which has a positive test will inform the school and parents will be immediately notified. We have always been very clear in our communication and will continue to do so.
Hopefully this alleviates some of your concerns. Please don’t hesitate to talk to your class teacher if you are not confident or have any other suggestions that could help us.
