Milk

Children under five are entitled to free milk every day. We have already signed the children up for milk each day, however, once your child turns 5, you will need to reapply online and pay for the milk (https://www.coolmilk.com/).

First Aid Procedures

If your child is injured during school time, a trained member of staff will administer basic first aid. A slip will be filled out to inform you of what has taken place. If your child bumps their head, it is our school policy to call you and inform you. Children who bump their heads during the school day will not take part in PE that day.

Home Learning

Children in Reception will not be given homework. We will send home weekly information about what we are learning in school along with some suggested activities. These are optional activities that you may wish to complete with your child, in order to support their learning in school. We do, however, ask that parents read with their children every night and support with phonics (even if just for 5 minutes!). Your child will be set a project to complete at home 3 times over the course of the year. They will be given a few weeks to complete this and it will be based on the current topic of learning. More information will be sent out once your child is settled into school life.

Uniform

Please make sure that you name everything – including shoes and wellies. Please also familiarise your child with their PE kit and practise changing out of their school clothes. We often find children struggle with shoe buckles, tights and buttons (particularly on new uniform!). Please pack spare trousers/skirt, polo shirt, underwear and socks for your child in their book bag. Check out the uniform page for more information.

Supporting the School and Getting Involved

At East Farleigh there are a number of opportunities for you to get involved as a parent. Some of these include:

• Friends of East Farleigh (run by parents) https://www.east-farleigh.kent.sch.uk/about-us/friends-of-east-farleigh

• Christmas Fayre/ Summer Fayre

• School discos

• Coming in and listening to children read (DBS check required)

• Sports Day

• Trip volunteers

Can I come into school on the first day with my child?

Yes, you are welcome to bring your child into the building on the first day and help them find their peg. We ask that parents do not come into the classroom, as there is not space and this becomes more stressful for the children.

Where does my child’s coat and book bag go?

The children will have their own peg to place their coat and PE bag on. Your child will have their own tray labelled with their name inside the classroom where they will put their book bag. We also have lunchbox crates for them to put their lunchbox in. Water is available throughout the day, we will encourage the children to drink when they are thirsty and fill up their water bottles when they notice they are empty.

What if my child cries when I leave?

It is important for you to discuss what will happen with your child and try to prepare them for the new routine. We try to make the transition to school as calm and comfortable as possible. If your child is finding it hard to leave you, lead them to the class teacher or teaching assistant, give a cuddle and then go. We will take good care of them and children usually only cry for a couple of minutes after you are gone. They very quickly become involved in their play and they will be smiling in minutes. If your child is particularly upset in the morning we will phone you to let you know once they have settled.

What happens if my child needs the toilet or has an accident?

We have toilets in the classroom which the children can use anytime. If we are doing some structured learning or are all sitting on the carpet, children will be taught to put their hands up and ask. We will remind children about going to the toilet at break times and lunchtimes and so on but they will be allowed to go whenever they need to. If children do not make it in time, we will deal with it in a low-key way. We have spare clothes in school for any instances like this however we do encourage you to pack spare underwear in their bag, just in case.

Can my child bring toys to school?

We don’t advise that children bring toys to school as we cannot be responsible for them. We find that children tend to lose things in the playground and become upset. Therefore, we suggest toys remain at home – we have plenty of things to keep them entertained in school!

When should my child bring their PE kit in?

It is best to send your child with their PE kit on the first day of school. It will then remain in school for the rest of the term. For what to pack see the Uniform list.

When do I wash PE kit?

You are welcome to take PE kit home whenever you choose, but we usually send PE kit home at the end of each half term.

Do you do ‘show and tell?’

Yes, we do give the opportunity for children to share things from home. This is once a week and each week a different house team will get their chance to do ‘show and tell’. Special awards or exciting things will always be shared. Children also get the opportunity to share their tapestry journal with their friends. For example, if you upload what you’ve done over the weekend then we can put these on our screen for your child to talk about. Later in the year we formalise show and tell and each child has the opportunity to teach the class something. More information will follow later in the year.

Can my child bring a snack to school?

Children in EYFS receive free fruit as a snack. In Reception, we operate a self-service snack table which the children can access throughout the day. We will also specifically offer fruit at all break times. Therefore, it is not necessary for your child to bring a snack in.