Dear Parent/Carer

Reception Induction September 2020

We are really excited that your child will be joining us in September and below are the times and dates for their induction.

We have also enclosed an information pack with this letter which will hopefully answer any questions you have at this time. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Please complete the enclosed forms and return them to school by no later than Friday 17^th July. When you return your forms, we will be happy to give you a free book bag, in return!

Please be aware these forms must be completed and returned to school, before your child can start school. If your child is new to Wallbrook, we will also need to see their birth certificate. Please bring it to the school office at your earliest convenience or bring it with you when you come to the stay and play session.

We also need your help to ensure that we can obtain maximum funding for our pupils. If you think that your child may be eligible for Free School Meals please go online to https://www.dudley.gov.uk/resident/your-council/council-tax-and-benefits/benefits/free-school-meals/  and complete the application form for Free School Meals. If your child is eligible, we will receive additional funding for them in school called ‘Pupil Premium’. This will then mean that your child will not have to pay for school meals when they move into Key Stage 2 and when we get confirmation we will provide your child with a free school jumper or cardigan.

School opens to children on Thursday 3^rd September. We will be inviting you and your child in to school for a ‘stay and play’ session. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we will not be able to allow more than 1 adult or any other siblings into the setting. Your child will then be given a start date for the following week.

The table below shows the arrangements for the children’s first week in Reception.

Your child will attend on the highlighted dates/sessions:

There is a dedicated area for you on our website www.wallbrook.dudley.sch.uk  where you will find helpful information. Click on the ‘Parents’ tab and follow the link to the ‘Welcome to Reception’ page.

In preparation for September, you can support your child by doing one or both of the following tasks at home with them:

• Create a short memory book/scrapbook to share when in school. Include photos, drawings, writing about your child’s favourite things, people, places, games, events, celebrations. You could write about the things you have done at home during lockdown.
•  Make a treasure box of special things to show and talk about. Include things that will inspire your child to be confident to talk, and provide familiarity and emotional security, maybe a teddy, photos, a souvenir, etc.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions we are unable to accept items from home into school at the current moment. We would therefore ask that you send a photo of any of the above tasks that your child completes. That way we can show them on our whiteboard which will allow the children to talk about them to their new classmates and to the staff.

We would also like to see what your child enjoys doing at home as this will allow us to get to know them better. Please send photos of your child doing something at home that they enjoy. These will go into your child’s ‘Learning Journey Book’ at school.

Please email any photos to:

eyfs@wallbrook.dudley.sch.uk

We very much look forward to seeing you in person, but in the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01384 818985.

Yours sincerely

CLongden                                  LGowen

Headteacher                              Early Years Leader