Reception Year Group
Welcome to Reception
Please click here for the half-term 'Topic Overview ' to access the Reception Curriculum Information letter detailing what we are learning.
Key Information
(Alternatively you can download the Information booklet at the bottom of this page)
School Uniform
Nursery children are required to wear a school uniform. There are two options for nursery and reception children, a casual uniform or the more formal uniform worn by the other children in the school. Please see the uniform information page for details. In addition to the school uniform information on the main page, nursery families should also consider the following:
- All clothes and footwear should be easy to manage and ensure children are as independent as possible. We recommend elasticated waists and Velcro!
- Nursery children have access to the outside environment all day, every day, so always send your child to school with a coat – the weather can change quickly. In the summer months, children will need a sun-hat to wear when playing outside, and you will need to apply sun-cream to your child before they come to school.
- Plimsolls are not recommended for all day wear, as they are not suitable for wet weather or outdoor sessions, nor do they offer appropriate support for young children's feet if worn throughout the day.
- Label or write your child's name on everything – young children often have a tendency to lose things.
Personal Belongings
Children are not allowed to bring their own belongings into school. There may be exceptional circumstances from time to time when a reasonable adjustment can be made, for example, to support a child's successful transition when first joining the school or for a child who has additional needs. This must be discussed with the class teacher and agreed with a senior leader first.
Water Bottles & Snacks
Children must bring a water bottle in their house colour to school to ensure they keep hydrated throughout the day. Water bottles must be plain, transparent and clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Hillcross water bottles (which are sustainably sourced) are available to purchase at our pre-loved uniform sales. Dates of upcoming uniform sales can be found in the weekly bulletin.
In EYFS, children are provided with a piece of fruit as part of the government school fruit and vegetable scheme. Please do not provide your child with any additional snacks.
Every child aged 3–5 years is entitled to free milk provided by the government. If your child is unable to drink milk, please speak to a member of the team. Once your child turns 5, milk will need to be purchased via Cool Milk.
Free Milk and Fruit
Every child aged 3–5 years is entitled to free milk provided by the government. Please note that if you want them to have milk at school after they are 5, parents will need to purchase it directly from Cool Milk.
If your child does not like milk, they will have access to their water bottle throughout the day. We do not allow juice in their water bottles but parents can choose to provide a separate drink in their lunchbox to drink at lunchtime. EYFS staff will refill the water bottles across the day as required.
In nursery, children are provided with a free piece of fruit each as part of the government school fruit and vegetable scheme. Fruit options include; apples, satsumas, pears, tomatoes, bananas, raisins and carrots. All fruit is washed but we do not peel or chop the fruit. Children are encouraged to eat at least one piece of fruit a day from the
Self-service café.
Children have access to these via a self-serve 'café' and so we are not able to precisely monitor all children's fruit and milk consumption each day. If your child has a food intolerance or allergy, please ensure this is shared with the school via their admissions form or via info@hillcross if they are diagnosed after they join the school.
Please do not send your child to school with an additional snack.
PE
PE will be on a Tuesday starting after October half-term. Children will need to wear their full PE Kit to school on this day. Children will need to wear either black shorts or black tracksuit bottoms, white round collar T-shirt, a Hillcross logo sweatshirt and black trainers (with no coloured branding or sole). Please be mindful of the weather and choose the most appropriate PE kit (tracksuit bottoms in winter and shorts in summer).
In the Spring Term, after February Half term, children should also bring to school a pair of plimsolls or indoor trainers for use in the gym. We recommend these being left in school, on their peg, in a clearly named bag. These will be kept in school for the whole term, unless the shoes become too small, and we will send them home earlier.
Start & End of the School Day
We have a flexible drop-off time between 8.30-8.45am. Gates at both entrances to the school will open just before this time to allow you to access the playground. Please ensure that you walk your child to the Reception art room door. After 8.45am, the gates will be locked and your child will need to enter school via the school office. Parents are encouraged to wait on the playground, rather than the ramp, to allow free access for children into school.
School finishes at 3pm, and you will have access to the school site just before this time. Please return to the EYFS playground to collect your child. We politely ask that once you have collected your child, you move away from the door to allow other parents to be seen by staff. Please help us to keep children safe on the school site by not allowing them to play on or with equipment before or after the school day. Thank you.
If a different adult is collecting your child, please inform the school by emailing info@hillcross.merton.co.uk with as much notice as possible. They will need to know your parent password.
Outdoor Learning
Children in Reception will need to have a coat with them in school each day as they have access to the outside environment all day every day. Please ensure you name their coat as well as all gloves, scarves and hats. In sunny weather, children will need a sun-hat to wear when playing outside. Please ensure that you have applied sun-cream to your child on sunny days.
Home Learning
This will be set on Google Classroom on a Friday and will include information for families to help and support learning at home. Please click the tab on the right-hand side of this page, refer to our Home Learning Policy and/or Google Classroom for more information.
Get Involved!
There are numerous opportunities for you to join in with the life of the school in the following ways:
- Attending parent workshop opportunities
- Accompanying us on School Trips;
- Volunteering in School
- Supporting Friends of Hillcross Events (PTA)
- Parent/Teacher Progress Meetings (Autumn and Spring)
- Progress Celebration Evenings (Termly)
- Termly celebration events to come and watch - Nativity (Autumn Term), Easter Hat Parade or Spring Celebration (Spring Term) and Sports Day (Summer Term)
Safeguarding
Hillcross is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. We expect all staff, governors, visitors, families and children to share this commitment. We have a Child Protection Policy and robust supporting procedures in place. Parents and carers are encouraged to visit the Safeguarding page of our website to find out more about these - please click on the tab on the right-hand side of this page.
- Starting Reception’ guide provides an agreed set of skills and activities that families can use to help their children feel confident and prepared for school. Click here to vist the Starting Reception Website
