Welcome to Robins Class

Your teachers are: Mrs Armstrong and Mrs Turner.

 

Mrs Clarkson HLTA	Mrs Armstrong Class Teacher	Mrs Turner Teaching Assistant

Robins class is a mixed Nursery/Reception class. Mrs Armstrong is the class teacher and is supported by our Robins Teaching Assistants, Mrs Turner, Mrs Viollet and Mrs Clarkson.

Here at Manor, we recognise that settling into school is a big step for your child and we endeavour to make it a happy transition.

Our aim is to make school a happy, stimulating and rewarding environment for your child to discover, learn and play in a wide range of experiences.

Here's a peek of our book corner ready and waiting for your children to explore.

A massive thank you to the volunteers who gave up their time to help make our classroom inviting, exciting and ready for our new intake. 

 

Important Information.

Reading books - 

From your child’s very first day at school, they will bring home a Reading for Pleasure book. This is a book your child has chosen from our class library to enjoy and share with you at home. These books are not necessarily matched to your child’s current reading level, so they are intended to be read to your child by an adult, helping to build a love of stories and language. These books will be changed weekly.

Once we begin our phonics lessons and your child has learned the first few sounds, they will also start bringing home a reading practice book. This book will be carefully matched to the sounds your child has been learning in school. By the time it comes home, your child should be able to read it independently with increasing fluency. This is their chance to show you how well they are progressing with their reading.

Please try to share these books with your child daily. Little and often makes a big difference, and your support at home plays a vital role in helping your child become a confident and enthusiastic reader.

What to bring to school each day. 

Each day, your child only needs to bring a few essential items:

• A coat; we go outside in all weathers, so please make sure your child is dressed appropriately.

• Their red book bag.

• A filled water bottle.

• A snack, unless they are choosing one from our school kitchen.

Please ensure all of your child’s belongings are clearly labelled to help us avoid lost items.

You do not need to send in a change of clothes in case of an accident; we have plenty of clean spare clothing available in school if needed.

From September, children in Robins will be able to order a snack from the school kitchen via Arbor. We also provide free fruit and milk at snack time for all children.

Please no rucksacks or toys from home. 

PE- When our P.E. lessons start they will initially take place wearing school uniform. Please don't worry about having a PE kit until after October Half term. We will let you know when we start this. Thank you.

Nursery / Reception Curriculum 

• Robins Class Cycle 2: Spring Term 1 – The Wonders of Winter.
• Robins Class Cycle 2: Spring Term 2 - Bloom, Grow, Celebrate! A Springtime Adventure
• Robins Class Cycle 2: Summer Term 1 - Who’s Knocking at the Fairy-Tale Door?

Phonics and Early Reading – Parent Resources

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Little Wandle Letters and Sounds parent workshop. It was fantastic to see so many of you keen to support your child’s early reading journey.

To help you continue this support at home, we’ve gathered all the key resources in one place. Below, you’ll find:

• 📊 Workshop PowerPoint – a recap of everything we covered
• 🌐 Useful website links – including videos and guides from Little Wandle
• 🔤 Grapheme information – what sounds your child is learning and how to pronounce them
• ✍️ Handwriting guidance – how we form letters in school
• 📘 Programme of study – an overview of what your child will be learning this year

We follow the Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised programme to ensure a consistent, high-quality approach to phonics and early reading.

👉 Please scroll down to access all the resources below.

If you have any questions or would like further support, don’t hesitate to speak to your child’s class teacher.

Little Wandle Website- Parent Section 

Transition 

Preparing Our Pupils for the Next Stage of Their Learning Journey

At Manor, we believe that transitions are a vital part of a child’s development. Moving from Nursery to Reception, and from Reception into Year 1, are important milestones. We work closely with children and families to ensure these changes feel positive, supportive and exciting, setting every child up for success in the next stage of their education.

Nursery to Reception: Building Strong Foundations

Our Nursery provision focuses on preparing children for school life by developing the essential skills they need to feel confident, capable and ready to learn. Rather than rushing children, we nurture their personal, social and emotional development alongside key practical skills.

Growing Independence

We encourage children to become increasingly independent by supporting them to:

• Put on and take off their own coat
• Tidy away resources after play
• Make simple choices and try new activities
  These small steps help children feel confident and ready for the expectations of Reception.

Taking Care of Themselves

Children are supported to manage daily routines such as:

• Using the toilet independently
• Washing hands properly
• Eating snacks and meals with growing independence
  These self‑care skills are essential for a smooth transition into a school setting.

Independent Play, Curiosity and Creativity

Through carefully planned continuous provision, children develop:

• Independence in play
• Curiosity about the world around them
• Creativity through open‑ended resources and imaginative play

This helps children become confident learners who are willing to explore, question and experiment.

Building Relationships and Communication

We place a strong emphasis on helping children:

• Build positive relationships with peers and adults.
• Share, take turns and resolve simple conflicts
• Communicate their needs, ideas and feelings

Strong communication and social skills are fundamental for learning and wellbeing.

Physical Development and Healthy Routines

Children develop both gross and fine motor skills through active play, mark‑making and practical activities. We also establish healthy routines, helping children understand the importance of movement, rest and nutrition as part of everyday life.

We strongly encourage parents to explore the Starting Reception website for helpful advice and guidance on preparing your child for school: 👉 https://startingreception.co.uk/

Reception to Year 1: A Gentle Step Towards Formal Learning

The move from Reception to Year 1 is another significant transition. Our approach is carefully designed to feel gradual and supportive, while gently increasing expectations.

A Gradual Shift in Teaching and Learning

In the Summer Term, we begin to introduce more structured learning while still valuing the importance of play. Children experience:

• A gradual increase in adult‑led learning
• Whole‑class and small‑group teaching, rather than 1:1 support
• Carefully planned opportunities to apply skills independently

Introducing “Rainbow Challenges”

To support independence and confidence, we use Rainbow Challenges. These encourage children to:

• Choose tasks independently
• Challenge themselves at an appropriate level
• Develop resilience and pride in their work

From Play‑Based to More Formal Learning

Over time, the balance gently shifts from predominantly play‑based learning towards more formal learning activities. However, play remains a vital part of our environment so there is still plenty of fun, exploration and active learning. There’s no need to worry!

How Parents Can Help at Home

Parents play a key role in supporting transitions. You can help by:

• Encouraging independence (getting dressed, tidying up, organising belongings)
• Talking positively about school and new routines
• Practising listening, turn‑taking and following simple instructions
• Sharing books regularly and talking about stories
• Providing routines for bedtime, meals and homework

By working together, we ensure that every child feels confident, happy and ready to embrace the next step in their learning journey.

If you have any questions or would like support during a transition, please speak to a member of our team - we are always happy to help.