6th September 2017
Dear Parents
Kindergarten Autumn Term Curriculum Letter
Welcome back to Fosse Bank Kindergarten. Everyone in Kindergarten is looking forward to getting to know all of our new pupils and their families during this term.
In Kindergarten we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum and every Early Learning Goal is covered within the Kindergarten environment. A great deal of this curriculum is covered through routine and child-initiated play, and our short-term plans are informed by the observations that we make on your children. This ensures that the best learning experiences can be achieved and the children are valued as individuals. We also provide adult-directed learning to enhance areas that can be developed and to prepare the children for focused activities in Reception.
The first week in Kindergarten will see the children settling into their new learning environment and getting to know us and each other. We will then be covering the topic of ‘Wonderful Me’ during which we will talk about our bodies, keeping healthy, families, homes and our senses, During the week beginning the 25th September we will also be looking at Autumn and Harvest Festival. The second half of term our topic changes to ‘Traditional stories’ then ending with ‘Christmas’.
Our ‘Sound of the Week’ will be used as the basis for our ‘Show and Tell’ sessions and it would be lovely if your child would bring in an object from home beginning with that sound. We find the children all enjoy taking part in this confidence-building activity and the letters will run as follows:
Autumn Term 1 – Wonderful Me
Week 1 – Settling in
Week 2 – Sound: M
Week 3 – Sound: A
Week 4 – Sound: S
Week 5 – Sound: D
Week 6 – Sound: T
Week 7 – Sound: I
We will have show and tell sessions on a Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We felt that focusing on these sessions would make it easier for you to help your child find an item from home to discuss with their friends. If your child does not attend these sessions they will, obviously, be given opportunity on another occasion.
Our Forest school sessions will now be with Mrs Richardson on a Thursday morning. Please provide your child with appropriate clothing for all weathers. We will also be incorporating more opportunities for learning outside during other sessions.
During French on a Wednesday, your child will be learning “My name is ..”, greetings, numbers up to 10, colours, names of animals, and some simple songs.
For those children swimming on a Monday morning, they will need a swimming costume, swimming hat, towel and optional goggles, all clearly named. Flotation aids are supplied by the swimming teacher. Water confidence, water skills and basic stroke work will be covered.
Letters are usually sent by parentmail so please regularly check your e-mails. The website is also updated to give you information on school activities. The Parents’ Noticeboard provides further information regarding your child’s time at Kindergarten. The last session of the week that your child attends Kindergarten they will bring home a ‘scrapbook’ journal. This will inform you of the focus activities that we have provided, a task they have completed, or a task for you to complete at home. If you wish, please write comments from yourself or your child or suggest activities that you feel would be relevant. If you could then add pictures or statements telling us about your family time that would be wonderful. Your child will then get the opportunity to share this journal with their friends the following week. We find the children really enjoy sharing this book and it helps build confidence and develop communication skills. We also use the online learning journal ‘Tapestry’. If possible please add photos, observations and news to this App. It easy and fun to do! We will also send you observations and inform you of the fun your children have had.
As you can see we have a busy term planned in Kindergarten which we are all looking forward to.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Ward or myself whenever you wish to discuss your child’s learning and development.
Yours sincerely
Ms Nicola Cosby Miss Alison Cordingley
Kindergarten Manager Head Mistress