St John’s Catholic Primary School

New to reception parent information

 

Welcome to Early Years, this information pack includes initial information which we hope you will find useful. Should you have any further questions our Early Years staff will be happy to discuss these with you.

 

Activities in Early Years are carefully planned and organised in order to provide a range of learning experiences. Individual records and online learning journals are kept by staff to record the activities your child participates in and undertakes, as well as their progress in specific skills.

Planning for each week is carried out following the children’s interests and responding to specific events.

There are 7 Areas of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which activities are planned around:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Physical Development

Communication and Language

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

Throughout the EYFS, children will be working towards the Early Learning Goals. These describe the level of attainment expected at the end of your child’s Reception year in school.

 

 

 

 

Early Years Lead Teacher- Miss J Bond

Reception Class Teachers

Funnybones Class- Miss J Bond

Gruffalos Class- Miss M Schumann

 

Starting school

Wednesday 2^nd, Thursday 3^rd and Friday 4^th September your child will be allocated a morning or afternoon slot to support transition into reception. From Monday 7^th September all reception children will be full time.

 

Reception timetable

Reception children enter school and leave school from the reception playground. Each class has a door to the classroom which opens at 8.45 for the children to begin their school day and again at 3.15pm for home time.

The children will begin the school day in their own classroom for register and carpet time. Once carpet time is finished the internal door separating the classrooms will open and the children can choose where they want to play.

 

Password system

Please provide your child with a password (to be written on the ‘All about me’ form). If anybody other than a parent/guardian is collecting your child from school e.g.  Nan, Grandad, Big Brother/Sister, family friend please provide them with your child’s password and inform the school who will be collecting your child that day. If school has not been informed as to who will be collecting your child and they do not have the password your child WILL NOT be sent home.

 

Attendance

The foundations for good attendance are laid in the Early Years at the very beginning of your child’s school life. We therefore need our parents/carers to support us with this crucial start to your child’s school life.

At St John’s, we believe that pupils' attendance and punctuality are extremely important.  We are committed to raising standards; this can only be done if school and parents work in partnership and parents ensure their children attend regularly and on time.

If attendance is an issue then we will be forced to refer your case to the local authority Attendance Team.

If your child is going to be absent please phone school to let us know. If we do not receive a message about your child’s absence we will phone you. 

 

Lunch

All reception children are currently entitled to free school meals, 3 different options are available each day. However, if you do not wish for your child to have a school dinner you can provide a packed lunch.

Menus available to view weekly on school website.

 

Snack time

Snack is available during the morning for the children and consists of a variety of fruit, milk and water.

Water is available throughout the day for the children to help themselves. Children do not need to bring a water bottle or snacks into school.

 

Breakfast Club

St John’s runs a breakfast club from 7.45am (last admittance 8.30am). If you require a place in breakfast club please phone the school office in advance to book. Breakfast club costs £2 per day. Any additional siblings £1 each per day.

 

St John's is cashless and we use the 'SchoolMoney' online payment system for breakfast club, school dinners, trips and payments for bookbags etc. When your child starts school in September you will be sent a link via text and email to create your 'SchoolMoney' account. Reception aged children are entitled to Universal Free School Meals, but they may also be entitled to Income Based Free School Meals. You should apply for income based free school meals on the Liverpool City Council website (https://liverpool.gov.uk/benefits/free-school-meals/). You will be given an instant answer as to whether you are entitled to Free School Meals (please inform the school's office straight away). In the academic year 2025-2026 Liverpool City Council gave every child entitled to this benefit a £15 Asda Voucher for each week that the children were not in school, during the school holidays.

 

 

After School Club

The After School Club is run by a company called Community Family Services on school premises daily from 3.15 - 5.45

For more information, or to arrange a place for your child, please contact Janine directly.

Contact details for the After School Club held within St John’s are below

The After School Club Manager- Janine 077968 34146   Joanne 07793436282

info@communityfamilyservices.co.uk

For more details please see attached leaflet.

 

School Uniform

Children are required to wear a school uniform every day.

This is as follows:

Winter

• Grey Trousers / Shorts, Grey Socks
• School Tartan Kilt or Tartan Pinafore
• White Shirt and School Tie - (White polo shirt only for Infants) 
• Blue Cardigan / Jumper / Tank Top (School Logo optional)
• Black Shoes ​​​​​​

Summer

During the summer term children are encouraged to wear grey shorts or a yellow gingham summer dress, particularly when it’s very warm.
White socks may be worn with the summer dress.
Uniform is available from local uniform shops.

BLACK SCHOOL SHOES SHOULD BE WORN BY PUPILS (NO TRAINERS)

Please do not send your child to school in trainers, High-heeled, open toed or unsuitable shoes as they can cause accidents when children are playing. 

School uniforms can be expensive so please do ensure to label all items of clothing including P.E. kits and water bottles with your child’s name.

 

 

P.E. Kit 

• Plain white T-Shirt (Logo optional)
• Black Shorts
• Black Pumps (not trainers)

Please label all clothing and place in a pump bag, which should remain in school during term time.  Please do not send bulky sports bags into school as they will not fit on the clothes pegs.

PLEASE LABEL EVERY ITEM OF CLOTHING, INCLUDING SHOES

 

Nearly New Uniforms

Please also be aware that we always keep a supply of nearly new uniforms throughout the year for anyone who may need them. Please feel free to enquire if/ when you may need any school jumpers, shirts, skirts etc. at various points throughout the year.

 

Jewellery

Jewellery must also comply with our school policy (no hooped or ‘dangly’ earrings – small retainers are allowed

 

All about me form

Included in your welcome pack is the ‘all about me’ form. This form is about your child and is for the class teachers, it helps us to get to know your child. It provides us with a little information about your child’s likes and dislikes and also vital medical/allergy information and a password.

 

Outdoor Play

The Reception children will access the outdoor area every day, weather permitting, so please make sure your child comes to school suitably dressed for the weather. A warm, waterproof coat, hat and gloves can be worn during the winter months and a sun hat/cap and sun cream during the warm, summer months. Please make sure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s full name.

The children will have access to the ‘outdoor classroom’ which is situated off the early year’s playground. Many activities take place in this area, such as leaf rubbings, nature walks, bird feeding, class stories and den building. The children will also have access to sand, water, the mud kitchen, construction and a planting area. Many of these activities can become messy so the children will have access to waterproof suits and wellies. You may bring in a pair of wellies (clearly labelled) which can be left in school for your child to use when needed.

Outdoor learning within the Early Years can provide opportunities for your child to grow confidently and develop skills using a safe space, nature and their environment while being active and having fun (Early Years Foundation Stage, Outdoor learning).

 

Reading and phonics parents meeting

Before the children begin to take home reading books all parents will be invited into school for a reading meeting. During this meeting you will be shown the phonics scheme which we follow in school and examples of phonics homework. At St John’s we follow Read Write Inc (RWI). You will also be shown our home readers, what to expect and how to support your child’s reading at home.

 

Home Learning

We understand and value the support you provide for your child at home. Early Years staff would love to hear about what you and your child have been doing at home. We encourage you to share your child’s learning, achievements and experiences with staff, as this helps us to build a more complete picture of your child. 

 

Seesaw

We would like all parents/carers to access Seesaw throughout Early Years.

Seesaw is an app which is used across all early years classes. It is a way for school and home to share learning, achievements and ‘wow’ moments. Each pupil gets their own journal and can upload photos, videos, drawings, notes and so on.

We understand and value the support you provide for your child at home. Early Years staff would love to hear about what you and your child have been doing at home. We encourage you to share your child’s learning, achievements and experiences with staff, as this helps us to build a complete picture of your child. These achievements and experiences can be shared via Seesaw.

A letter and QR code will be sent to further explain the use of Seesaw and provide instructions on how to access your child’s journal. 

Please visit our website for all useful information and ideas for how to support your child at home.

 

https://www.stjohnskirkdale.co.uk/

School address and phone number

St John’s Primary School

Fountain’s Road

Kirkdale. L4 1UN

 0151 922 1924/3106