Welcome to Ash  and Oak Class!

September 2020

Welcome to our Early Years page.

We hope that you will find this page useful.  It will have topic curriculum information, website links and presentation notes in addition to our Tapestry page where we will be sharing our weekly news.

Week Ending Friday 28th November 2020

The children have had to be detectives this week after Mrs Howitt's birthday cake got taken from the classroom.  The children have been busy making traps, looking for clues and even interviewing suspects.  We narrowed it down to the office ladies due to a mysterious list of jobs which we found in the unit which had not been left by any of the Early Years Team, and Mrs Turner's CCTV footage identified the moment the cake got taken by a figure in disguise!  We looked at what clothes they were wearing and rewound the video a bit further and to our shock we saw Mrs Durrant come into the classroom in the same clothes just moments before to drop off some filing and eyeing up our cake as she walked passed!  We called Mr Down to the classroom straight away to share our news and he gave Mrs Durrant a very firm talking to!  All was forgiven when she popped back at snack time with some delicious cake for us to share during Diamond Time this afternoon.

For our writing this week we have been looking at the photographs of the children celebrating their birthdays and using this as a stimulus.  In phonics we are going to be spending the next few weeks before Christmas recapping and consolidating Phase 2 to ensure that the children are really secure with their phoneme/grapheme correspondences, and that they are applying their blending and segmenting skills for reading and writing.
Our role play area has been set up as a party house, and next week we will be preparing for a very special birthday, as a member of our school community turns 5!  We will be writing lists, making decorations and having a birthday party on Friday.  The children who have not baked cakes yet will do so next week.

We will also be very busy practising our song for the Bushmead Christmas Extravaganza.

A few reminders please for the week ahead:
Please continue to check your child's hair for headlice. 
Children will still need to bring a packed lunch to school next week.  Can we please remind you that we are a nut and nut product free school (this includes hazelnut chocolate spread.  We also request that the children do not bring in sweets or chocolate bars.  A chocolate covered biscuit is acceptable. 
PE for both classes is on Tuesday.  Please ensure hair is tied back, full PE kit is worn with suitable footwear.  Earrings must be removed.
Woodlands session is Wednesday.  Please layer up as the children often like to remove their coats as they can move more freely without them but we still want to ensure they are warm.  An extra pair of socks to pop on with their wellies are also a good idea to keep feet warm.
Friday is Christmas Jumper Day.  Children can wear a Christmas jumper (with their school uniform) for a donation.  Donations must be in an envelope please.

Have a lovely weekend!
The EYFS Team.

Week Ending Friday 20th November 2020

STOP!  LOOK!  LISTEN!  THINK! Has been the message this week.  Super Cat has helped the children to learn all about keeping safe when out and about by the road.  The children who went out on their walk to cross the road were all brilliant at keeping safe and hopefully will be able to relay the message to you next time you cross the road.
In class we have been colour mixing the primary colours to paint traffic lights,  cutting and shaping brightly coloured paper to decorate drawings of ourselves to make us 'bright' so we can be seen on dark mornings and nights.
In maths this week the children have been exploring the different compositions of 1, 2 and 3 using a range of resources.  We have been exploring the question "What makes 3?" and finding different pairs of numbers which can go together to make three, for example 2 and 1 or 3 and 0 or 1 and 2 or 0 and 3.  The children have been using the language 'and, add, plus' and 'make, equals.'
In phonics we have learned the phonemes b, f, ff, l and ll, and the tricky words I, no, go.
Next week we will be spending the week consolidating Phase 2, ensuring the children are confidently recognising the graphemes and saying the phonemes  and blending 2 and 3 phonemes together to read words and segmenting  them for spelling.
Our focus for the next two weeks will be birthdays, building up to planning a celebration for Hector the Hedgehog who turns 5 in two weeks time.  If you could add a photograph of your child's last birthday celebration it will be lovely to share these next week and use them as  a stimulus for discussion.  We will also begin to learn our song for the Bushmead Christmas Extravaganza and introduce the story of the Nativity.
Don't forget PE kit on Tuesday and Woodlands kit on Wednesday.  It is getting quite chilly so you may want to layer up the clothing on Wednesday (a long sleeved thermal vest under white t shirt and school jumper) and extra socks to wear under wellies.
Have a great weekend,
The EYFS Team.

Week Ending Friday 13th November 2020

Another super busy week for the children in Oak and Ash class.  We have continued our whole school focus on the Oliver Jeffers text ‘Here We Are’. This led to us thinking about how we can care for our planet, as it is the only one we have.  In maths we have been comparing sets of numbers using the language greater than, fewer and the same.  On Wednesday we took part in Remembrance Day and have created some beautiful poppy pictures.
 Woodlands School was another big hit!  In phonics this week our phonemes have been u,r,h and today we learned the tricky words 'to' and 'the'.  Tricky words are words which cannot be sounded out and blended back together - we just have to learn to recognise the word by sight.
Next week our focus will be Road Safety.  Please remember to send in your permission slip for a short trip out to practise crossing the road using the Nelson Road zebra crossing.  We will not take children who have not returned this permission slip.
Word Wall words will be checked on Monday.  The expectation is that children can read these words on sight- without having to say the individual phonemes and blend back together.  Don't forget to make the learning of these words lots of fun by creating games to practise them.  Also don't forget that everyone learns at a different pace, some children pick this up very quickly and others take a little bit longer.  Practise, practise, practise little and often is the key here.  If your child is confidently reading the words you can have a go at asking them to write them, ensuring correct letter formation.  (Refer to the Penpals Letter Patters sheet). If you have any questions regarding the word wall please email us on eyfstapestry@bushmead.cambs.sch.uk
New books will be sent home on Monday if you have returned your reading folder today.  Please refer to the previous post regarding ideas for reading activities to do at home whilst the scheme books are quarantining over the weekend.  Mr Down had just signed off an order for a new set of books so hopefully we will be able to do a midweek change of book once these have arrived.
We sent home a copy of next weeks menu today.  You only need to return this on Monday if you want to ensure that your child has the hot choice.  If you are happy for your child to choose a sandwich you do not need to return the sheet.
A few gentle reminders;
Children do not need to bring in their own snacks; these are provided by school
Please check your child's hair this weekend for any 'visitors' and treat accordingly
Tuesday is PE day; please send your child in full PE kit, trainers and remove earrings
Wednesday is Woodland School; please wear trousers, layers and a coat which you do not mind getting dirty.
Have a lovely weekend,
The EYFS Team.

Week Ending Friday 6th November 2020

This week we have a whole school focus on the text 'Here We Are' by Oliver Jeffers.  It is a beautiful story written by the author for his son.  We started off the week by looking at the front cover, and the children wowed us with their knowledge and vocabulary related to the earth and planets.  We used Google earth to observe the land and sea, identified hot and cold places and to find where we are on the planet.  We found our school, Williams house, Mrs Preston's house and Adams house.  In our provision I we had out lots of maps and atlases.  On Tuesday we looks at the first page which was all about the solar system.  Again, the children amazed us with their knowledge of the planets.  We made space pictures.  On Wednesday we looked at the features of the planet, the land and sea.  We listened to the song A Wonderful World.  In our Woodland session we shared our thoughts on all of the different things we can see on our planet an what makes it so wonderful.  Our writing activity this week has been to draw a picture of our planet and some of the things we can see.  We have used our phonics to help label our pictures.  On Thursday we had a day exploring Bonfire Night.  Today we have talked about the people living on the planet.  We have looked at pictures of our body and named all the different parts.  The children then enjoyed drawing around each other and labelling themselves.  We also talked about how it is important to look after ourselves by eating, drinking and staying warm.  Next week the books moves on to explore our communities and the importance of being kind and caring for our planet and all of the things on it.
In phonics this week we have recapped the phonemes already learnt last half term, making sure we can blend them together to read simple words and segment words into sounds for writing, knowing which letters are needed to represent the sounds.  We also learned our first digraph (two letters which make one sound) 'ck', which never goes at the beginning of a word, and 'e' which we use mostly in the middle of words (cvc).
The children all had a fab time at our Woodland School session on Wednesday.  Don't forget to wear trousers and a warm waterproof coat.  PE will now take placing Tuesday so full PE kit including trainers will need to be worn to school.
New reading books will be coming home Monday after they have quarantined over the weekend.  We are currently looking into ways of being able to send a new book home on a Friday but this depends on how many books we have available. 
Have a great weekend!
The EYFS Team.

Monday 2nd November.

Welcome back!  Firstly we have had an amazing first day back. This morning the children discovered a gift that had been left for them. Once opened  they discovered it was a new book, 'Here We Are' by Oliver Jeffers. This will be the focus of our learning for the next few weeks!
We are happy to announce that on Wednesday all EYFS children will be taking part in their Forest School session. This will continue every Wednesday for this half term. Please send your children dressed in appropriate clothing as detailed in the letter sent out in September. This information is also in the Forest School section on our website.
Children who returned their reading folders today have brought home a new book to keep at home and return on Friday. If your child did not return their book today please make sure it comes into school tomorrow.
Going forward all books must be returned on a Friday, this will allow us to quarantine books over the weekend and send new books home on a Monday.
Lunch menus no longer need to be filled in however we do request that you discuss with your child, prior to entering school their choice for the day. They will then tell us this during morning registration.
Best wishes
The Early Years Team

Week Ending Friday 23rd October 2020

Congratulations! You have reached the end of the first half term at Bushmead! This week the children have all enjoyed the story of The Little Red Hen. Today we told the story around the circle and the children took it in turns to say parts of the story. We hope that they have showed you their story telling skills. They have also all enjoyed making bread and tasting it. In our writing this week the children were asked to draw a picture of their favourite part of the story, and some children had a go at using their phonics to label it. On Thursday we learned about Ella Fitzgerald and listened to some of her music. We made musical instruments. So far in phonics we have learned the phonemes satpinmdgock - there are so many words that you can make! Today we have made spooky biscuits ready to enjoy this afternoon for Diamond Time whilst watching a film. Today your children have brought home their reading book. Please watch the presentation attached to Early Years News or on our class page on the Bushmead website before reading with your child. Children will also bring home their PE bags, please ensure that these are replenished ready for the first day back after half term.
Don't forget to keep us updated with what you get up to over half term, and enjoy the week!
The Early Years Team

Week Ending Friday 9th October 2020

This week we have really enjoyed sharing our family photographs, and hearing the children talk about the similarities and differences between families in the class. We still have a few more to do, so if you haven't sent one in yet and your child would like to share a photo please send one in on Monday. We have shared a number of stories about families, and had lots of discussions about how all families are different. The children have also each drawn a picture of their family this week. At our creative table this week the children have used a range of materials to create a self portrait. These look fabulous and we can't wait to display them in the classroom once everybody has made one.

In our phonics this week we have learned the new sounds 's, a, t, p.' When the letters are written down they are called a 'grapheme', and the sound they make is the 'phoneme'. We have started to use this vocabulary with the children. We introduced a new letter each today and today we were able to put those sounds together to read words! Amazing work children. Have a go this weekend at putting two or three of the letter shapes together (using flashcards or magnetic letters) and ask your child to say each phoneme (sound). They should then say them faster and faster until the sounds blend together to make a word. Examples are at, as, sat, pat, tap. The children have also been practicing forming the new graphemes (letters) in a range of ways - writing, with pegs, with magnetic shapes etc. Have a go at home.

In maths this week we have been sorting objects, looking for similarities in items which could be grouped together. Children have sorted items by size, colour and shape. Again, have a go this weekend at sorting some objects at home.

We have been on walks this to look for signs of Autumn and discussing how we know it is Autumn. We will be using some of the treasures we have found this week to make pictures with next week.

In PE we have been practicing following instructions and using the space, travelling in a range of ways.

Finally today we took part in Mental Health Awareness. We shared a story about all being the same but different too and listened to an assembly by Mr Down. We discussed our different feelings and how it is OK to have different feelings and important to talk to adults if something is making us feel sad, worried or scared. We also talked about the importance of telling others when we are happy too!

For Diamond Time this afternoon we have a disco and popcorn.

Please remember, PE on Monday for Oak and Tuesday for Ash. Trainers must be worn as PE takes place outside and the children need a good grip on the surface.

Have a lovely weekend!
The EYFS Team

Week Ending Friday 2nd October 2020

This week we have been talking about what makes each of us special - our likes and the things we are good at. It has been lovely to hear the children speak confidently within the circle during whole class discussions.

In our maths this week we have been matching objects and saying how things are the same. We have played lots of pairs games. The children have been really good at spotting how two children match when an adult has chosen them to stand in the middle of the circle.

We took part in our first PE session out on the playground. The children had lots of fun using their listening skills and travelling in different ways. Please remember to send your child in to school in their PE kit - Oak class on Monday and Ash class on Tuesday. Long hair must be tied up and earrings must be removed.

We have continued with our baseline assessments of the children. This week we have finished phonics and number, so next week we will be starting with our Phase 2 phonics direct teaching. Look out for a date soon to be published for a Phonics Workshop - to be held via zoom or recorded. In maths next week we are moving onto sorting objects into groups. The children have all shown us their cut and stick skills, using a range of tools and joining methods.

Next week we will be drawing pictures of our families and labelling them. We will be asking the children to share well known stories with us as we observe how they handle books and learn how to use the book corner. We will be encouraging the children to talk about their families using their photographs, encouraging them to think about similarities and differences between families.

Please remember to bring your menu choices back on Monday morning. This allows us to fill the choices in for the rest of the week before the children arrive, therefore reducing the amount of time we need to have the children sat on the carpet.

Have a lovely weekend,
They EYFS Team.

Week Ending Friday 25th September 2020

WOW!  What a full on week we have had this week!  If the way we feel is anything to go by I'm sure your children are super tired by this afternoon!

The children have amazed us with how brilliantly they have come into school each morning.  They have quickly got used to the routines of putting their belongings away and settling to an activity.

This week we have started our Marvellous Me topic by drawing self portraits and writing our name.  We have really enjoyed sharing the children's All About Me books  with them.  If you have not yet filled in and returned the All About Me book (which came home in your starter pack) then please return it on Monday so that we can  share these.  We have been playing lots of games to help us learn each other's names.  We finished this week playing some fun party games for Diamond Time this afternoon.

We have been lucky with the weather and still managed to get outside as much as possible.  Oak class had their first Forest School session on Monday which they really enjoyed.  Unfortunately Mrs Palmer has been poorly for the rest of the week so fingers crossed Ash will get their turn on Tuesday. Please remember that the children need to wear trousers on their Forest School day.  That is Monday for Oak and Tuesday for Ash.  We have decided that to save on the amount of outfits you need for the week, the children will do PE on the morning of their Forest School session.  So the children can come to school in their PE kit in the morning, and should wear long jogging bottoms, a PE white t shirt and a zip up hoody.  Outdoor trainers should also be worn.  Please ensure that we have a pair of named welly boots at school for the Forest School session in the afternoon, and a warm waterproof coat as the weather turns colder and wetter.  The only time we won't go out will be in extreme high winds or lightning. 

The adults will be spending this weekend adding your child's first Tapestry update, covering their first week at school.  You will be able to view this next week, and will receive a notification once it has been published.  We would be extremely grateful, if once you have read the observation that you kindly comment on how you feel your child has settled.

Next week we will be talking with the children about their families, so you still have time to send in a family portrait if you would like it displayed in the home corner. 

Have a fantastic weekend,

Kindest regards,

The EYFS Team.

Week Ending Friday 18th September 2020

As Tapestry is not yet up and running we thought we would put a short update on here to let you know how FANTASTIC your children have been this week.  They have come into school with smiles on their faces (and hopefully gone home with them too!)  Lunch has been brilliant and the children have enjoyed a range of activities based on the information we gathered from your home zoom visit.  We have been super lucky with the glorious weather this week - next week unfortunately is not forecast to be so great so please ensure your children come prepared.

Next week we will start to introduce some more routines and rules to ensure that we are all happy and safe.  We will continue to observe the children to help us complete our baseline assessments so that we have a sound knowledge of where each child is and how to move them on in their learning.  Our topic for this half term is Marvellous Me and you can find an overview of this below.

We would like to decorate our home corner with 'family portraits' so that the children have something familiar in there to talk to their friends about.  We would be extremely grateful if you could send in a family photograph to be displayed to help with this activity.

Please remember to send in a named water bottle each day.  Don't forget that on Monday our school day runs in line with the rest of the school.  Please refer to the email you have received from the office with the details of drop off and pick up times.  All copies of letters sent home can be found on the school website.

Polite reminders

Please remember that long hair must be tied back at all times and elaborate hair accessories must not be worn.

PE, kit should be a plain white t shirt and navy or black shorts plus a navy or black tracksuit as the weather gets colder.

Outdoor trainers are also needed.  PE is Monday for Oak Class and Tuesday for Ash Class.  Children will not be permitted to take part if the correct clothing/footwear is not worn.  If you need any assistance please speak to a member of the team.

ALL items of clothing must be clearly named.  Unnamed items are stored for a short period.  Please also ensure that your child has not brought home any items of clothing that do not belong to them. 

Please ensure snack and cooking money is paid up to date via ParentPay.

Once your child turns 5 they will stop receiving free milk the Monday of the week of their birthday.  You will need to sign up to the Cool Milk scheme in advance of this if you would like them to continue having milk. 

Tapestry

As a school we have invested in Tapestry as a method of recording your child's learning and progress during their time in Early Years.  Staff will upload weekly observations of individuals or groups, linking this to the Early Years Curriculum areas and where appropriate age and stage the observation.  On the Early Years Page we will also send any notifications of events, reminders and requests.  Please note, that due to the nature of the Early Years Curriculum and that we follow the children's interests, some events may be planned at short notice.  We thank you in advance for your co operation and support with such events. 

We request that once you have read an observation, either your own child or the Early Years page, that you acknowledge this by 'liking' the observation.  This helps us to ensure that messages are getting out to parents.

Tapestry is a two way platform and we encourage you to add your own observations of your child's learning.