🌟 Welcome to Reception! 🌟

We’d like to offer a warm welcome to all our children and their families. September marks the beginning of an exciting journey for your children. Whether this is your child’s first time at Roman Way or they are returning after nursery, this term is all about building confidence, making friends, and laying the foundations for learning.

🏫 Settling In

The first few weeks have been focused on helping the children feel safe, happy, and secure in their new environment. We’ve spent lots of time exploring the classroom, learning routines, and getting to know each other. You might hear your child talking about:

• Their new friends and teachers
• Favourite areas like the role-play corner or construction area
• New learning activities
• 

We’ve been encouraging independence through small tasks like hanging up coats, choosing lunch options, and tidying up. 

🔤 Beginning Phase 2 Phonics

We’ve begun our Phonics learning using the Little Wandle scheme. In the past two weeks, we’ve learnt the following sounds (phonemes):

s, a, t, p, i, n, m, d

You can support your child at home by:

• Recapping the sounds using the Little Wandle videos (please see the Little Wandle parents page For parents | Letters and Sounds)
• Playing “I Spy” using sound clues
• Practising letter formation with chalk, sand, or finger paint
• Listening for sounds in everyday words

We’ve also begun practising blending sounds to read simple words like sat, pin, and map.

🔢 Subitising: Seeing Numbers at a Glance

In maths, we have been looking at subitising. Subitising is the ability to instantly recognise how many items are in a small group without counting. It’s a key early maths skill that helps children develop number sense.

You can try this at home by playing dice games or by showing your child small groups of objects (e.g. buttons or raisins) and asking, “How many?” without counting aloud.

🧍‍♂️🧍‍♀️ Our Topic: All About Me

This term’s topic is All About Me, helping children explore their identity, families, and what makes them special. We’ve been:

• Learning about each other and our favourite things
• Drawing pictures of our families and talking about members of our family
• Creating nature faces outside

This topic helps build self-esteem and a sense of belonging. If you haven’t already, please feel free to send in a photo of your family to go on our Family display wall.

We are very proud of how well the children are settling in and are really enjoying getting to know each and every one of them. Please remember, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.