Welcome to EYFS!

This is the place to find news, useful information and celebrations from our Ladybird, Dragonfly and Butterfly classes. We can’t wait to share what the children have been learning and enjoying.

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Meet the team

Dragonfly Class
Class teachers: Mrs Spickett and Mrs Hills
Teaching assistant: Miss Holland

Ladybird Class
Class teachers: Mrs Vanstone and Mrs Hills
Teaching assistant: Miss Carroll

Butterfly
Mr Stringer, Mrs Morris and Mrs Whiting

PPA cover: Miss Dingley teaches Music and Mr Williams teaches P.E.

 

What you need to know

P.E. is on Wednesdays. Children should wear their house-colour P.E. T-shirt, black shorts or jogging bottoms/leggings, black plimsolls or trainers, and their usual school jumper.

Woodland School: We’ll confirm dates as soon as they’re arranged. Please send your child in with wellies or old shoes on those days—they will get muddy!

School uniform: Please make sure your child comes to school in the correct uniform. You can find the details on our uniform page. If you need help getting any items, please let us know.

Drinks: Children should have water only in class. We have bottles in the classroom, so there’s no need to bring one from home initially.

Reading books: We have sent those home now alongside a reading record. Please read every day and pop it in the bucket when you are ready for a new book.

Get in touch: We’re always happy to hear from you. Email dragonfly@htsj.school, ladybird@htsj.school or yearr@htsj.school.

 

How we learn in EYFS at HTSJ

At HTSJ, children learn by playing, exploring, asking questions and trying things for themselves. Our adults join in, listen carefully and help children take their thinking further. We balance this with focused teaching in phonics, early reading, writing and maths.

Learning happens indoors, outdoors and at Woodland School, through stories, conversation, creativity and first-hand experiences. Rooted in the love of Christ, we help every child feel that they belong and grow in courage, compassion and community.

 

What we will learn this year

Each term, our Reception children explore a new project through stories, play, creative activities and first-hand experiences. Alongside these projects, they build their confidence in speaking and listening, phonics, reading, writing and maths throughout the year.

Term 1 – Ourselves: We get to know one another, celebrate what makes us unique and learn what it means to belong to the HTSJ family.

Term 2 – Where We Live: We explore our homes, our school and the people and places that make Margate special.

Term 3 – People Who Help Us: We discover how people care for and support our community, and how we can help others too.

Term 4 – Growing: We investigate how plants, animals and people grow and change.

Term 5 – Minibeasts: We become nature explorers, looking closely at small creatures and the places they live.

Term 6 – At the Seaside: We explore our local coast and sea life, celebrate how far we have come and get ready for Year 1.

Our projects give children plenty of opportunities to ask questions, make discoveries and practise our values.

Phonics and reading

At HTSJ, we use Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to teach phonics and help children become confident readers. Children learn to recognise letters and their sounds, blend sounds to read words, and use what they know when writing. They practise with books matched to their phonics learning, while stories, rhymes and sharing books help them discover the joy of reading.

Families can find videos and practical guidance on the Little Wandle parent pages to support reading at home.

 

A typical day in Reception

Every day brings something new to discover, but our familiar routines help children feel confident and ready to learn.

We start by welcoming the children, helping them register and settle into morning activities. During the day, we come together for stories, conversation, Drawing Club, phonics and maths. Children also enjoy Discovery Time, when they can explore, create and practise what they are learning through play indoors and outdoors. Our adults join them to ask questions, introduce new ideas and help their learning grow.

There is time for lunch, movement and activities that strengthen little hands, including Mighty Muscles, Funky Fingers and Dough Disco. We end the day by sharing books before getting ready for home.

Some days include P.E., Music, Woodland School or other special experiences, so the routine may change a little.

 

Term 1 photos