Dear Parents,

Starting school is such a special time in a child’s life, and I am thrilled to be a part of your child’s time here at Mabs Cross Primary School.

I am Mrs Cunliffe, who will be your child’s Reception teacher, and I am the Early Years Leader at this school. I have been a teacher for 18 years and I have always worked in a Reception class as I love experiencing the awe and wonder that is such a special part of the Early Years curriculum for children. I am lucky to work with three wonderful teaching assistants in my classroom. Mrs Tarbuck, Mr Evans and Mrs Curds all share a passion for inspiring a love of learning, and we all work together to create a warm and welcoming classroom environment to support children to thrive and learn.

The three prime areas of the Early Years curriculum are Personal, Social and Emotional development, Communication and Language and Physical development. We believe that these skills underpin all the areas of learning, and we plan activities which support our children to become confident, kind, happy and inquisitive learners.

Our first topic this year will be ‘Me and my community’ as we help the children to explore their new school environment, make new friends and learn our new routines. Throughout the Reception year, children will explore topics which encompass cultural celebrations such as Bonfire Night, Diwali and Hannukah. We learn about people who work in our community and enjoy welcoming visitors into school to bring this topic to life. Topics such as ‘Starry Night’, ‘Let’s Explore’ and ‘Long, long ago’ capture the children’s learning and create links to their future learning in KS1.

We share photos of the children’s learning on the parent platform ‘Classdojo’ and we love to receive photos in return for special times that the children have experienced at home! Developing a love of reading is such an important part of each day in school, and we send home a weekly reading book and library book to help you to support your child with this. Phonemes and harder-to-read words to review and practise at home are also shared throughout the year with you, along with a weekly ‘Busy Book’ challenge to encourage discussions and the consolidation of skills at home.

I am available every morning and afternoon to speak to you as you take or collect your child from school, but please send me a message on Classdojo or Edulink if you are unable to speak to me.

I am excited about the year ahead and to see what thrilling news and discoveries the children will bring to our Reception class this year!

Best wishes,

Mrs Cunliffe.