This information is designed to help you prepare your child for their first year at school. We aim to work closely in partnership with families to ensure that starting school is a smooth, positive and happy experience for both you and your child.

Your child will be placed in either Monkeys or Tigers class.

The School Day

School begins at 8.50am. Classroom doors (located in the Year R playground) open at 8.45am, when your child will be greeted by their class teacher.

On the first morning, you are welcome to come into the classroom with your child to help them with their belongings and routines. As children settle, they are gently encouraged to become independent by:

• Independently self-registering
• Putting away book bags and water bottles
• Hanging up coats
• Putting lunch boxes away (if needed)
• Choosing a reading or settling activity to begin the day

Please help your child by arriving on time to ensure a calm and confident start. If you arrive after 8.50am, your child will be marked late and must be taken to the school office, as classroom doors will be closed.

Collection at the End of the Day

At the end of the school day, children will only be released to an adult named as a contact unless we are informed otherwise. Class teachers will ensure that you are visible to your child before they leave the classroom.

When collecting your child, please:

• Let staff know if someone different will be collecting your child
• Remind your child to wait with their teacher if you are not there
• Inform the school office of any changes to collection arrangements
• Arrive on time to support a calm end to the day

Attendance and Illness

If your child is unwell, please telephone the school office as soon as possible on the morning of the illness. Regular attendance and punctuality are important to support children’s learning and progress.

School Meals

All children are entitled to a universal free school meal, eaten in the school hall with the rest of the school. Each day, children can choose from four options. Water is provided, and fruit is available as an alternative to dessert.

If your child eats very little at lunchtime, a note will be sent home.

Packed Lunches

If your child brings a packed lunch, we promote healthy eating and ask that lunches do not include sweets, chocolate or fizzy drinks. A carton of 100% fruit juice or smoothie is acceptable. Any uneaten food will be returned home so you can see what your child has eaten.

Water and Snack Time

Children are encouraged to drink water throughout the day. Please send a named water bottle to school daily, which will be taken home for cleaning and refilling.

Each day, children enjoy a shared snack time with fruit and milk or water provided. This is a social time for talking together, and there is no need to send a snack from home.

Medical Information

We can only administer prescribed medication in school. Medication must be taken to the federation office and a consent form completed. Please do not send cough sweets into school.

If your child has asthma, we ask that an inhaler (and spacer if required) is prescribed for school use so it can be kept on site at all times.

Minor Injuries

If your child has a minor injury, they will be treated in the medical room and the incident recorded. In some cases, a red note will be sent home. For minor head injuries, you will either be contacted by phone or receive a red note.

Please ensure your contact details are always up to date so we can reach you in an emergency.

School Uniform

For safety, children should wear sensible, low-heeled black school shoes. Support with footwear may be available for families receiving benefits – please speak to the federation office.

Children are encouraged to dress and undress independently. Please ensure all clothing is clearly labelled with your child’s name.

Branded uniform items are available from Schools Kit in Totton (in-store or online).

Uniform Overview

• School Uniform: Grey or black skirt, pinafore or trousers, grey or black shorts, white blouse or polo shirt, navy sweatshirt, jumper or cardigan; blue and white summer dress
• PE Kit: Named PE bag with house-colour t-shirt and black shorts (plimsolls/trainers not required in the first term)

Wellies

If possible, please provide a named pair of wellies to be kept in school for outdoor learning in wet weather.

Useful Skills for Starting School

It is helpful if children can:

• Dress and undress independently
• Use the toilet independently
• Wash and dry their hands
• Use cutlery
• Using a tissue
• Tidy away toys
• Share and take turns
• Recognise their own name

What to Bring Each Day

• Book bag (provided by school)
• Named water bottle
• Lunchbox (if required)
• Coat (every day)
• Suncream applied before school in hot weather

Settling into School

In September, all children begin school on a part-time basis to support settling in and help staff get to know each child well.  Every child is unique, and we recognise that children settle in at different rates. Our Early Years staff work hard to ensure school feels familiar, secure and enjoyable.

Parents and carers can support children by being positive and reassuring about school. Some children will talk excitedly about their day, while others may share very little—both are completely normal.

If you have any concerns, please speak to your child’s class teacher.

Helpful Tips for September

• Help your child self-register on arrival
• If your child becomes upset, staff will guide you—children often settle quickly
• Share quick messages in the morning, and arrange longer conversations for later

We hope this information supports a confident and happy start to school. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further information or support.