EYFS Starfish and Hermit Crabs
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Welcome to EYFS - the Early Years Foundation Stage.
Your teachers are Mrs Wynn (Mon-Wed) Miss Simpson (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday) Miss Brooks (Wed-Fri)
Your main teaching support staff are Ms Mulligan & Mrs Shannon
It is important to know, our EYFS team run a free- flow unit which means on a daily basis all the children in both registration groups are able to move freely between the two classrooms and outside. Each area has different activities and resources aligned with the Early Years curriculum such as small world, creative area and small construction. Your child may participate in whole class and small group learning in either of the two classrooms with any one of the EYFS team, for example a group maybe engaged in Phonics whilst another is accessing our provision etc. This is built up gradually so it becomes consistent and routine.
Your child is allocated to a class registration group Starfish or Hermit Crabs which is used for line up, lunch time and some aspects of carpet time in the day.
The team work very closely together so all information about the children is shared daily amongst the three teachers and key adults.
Messages
Reading and Phonics Workshop
A reminder that our Reading and Phonics Workshop will take place on Monday 19th October at 2.30pm in the school
hall. The session, "What is Phonics and How We Teach It at Southmead", will be led by Mrs Wynn, Mrs Dupuy and Mrs
Fryer. We look forward to sharing how we support children in developing their Reading skills and hope many of you can
join us
All children have received Reading Records and Phonics Reading Books this week. Children also have a book from the Library Bus. All books will be changed on Monday. Please ensure your child has their books in their book bag every Monday so they can be changed.
Please check your child's jumper/cardigan, coat and water bottle are clearly named.
EYFS Update 9.10.2026
In Phonics we have learnt the following sounds
Please ensure you visit https://www.southmead.devon.sch.uk/Phonics/ and scroll down to the videos to hear the pure sound pronunciation to ensure you are replicating what your child is hearing in class (otherwise this will cause confusion).
We are developing our letter formation of the 'Curly Caterpillars' to form c, o and a.
In Maths, we matched images and objects. We made matching sets and talked about what does not belong in a particular set. Children enjoyed sorting a variety objects such as conkers, pine cones and buttons considering their colour, size and shape.
You could play matching pairs with objects/cards at home or access the matching games on Chatty Box. Chatty Box information can be found in your child's reading pack.
Children have had opportunities to collage hedgehog pictures. We have continued to explore Autumn with colour mixing and leaf printing.
EYFS Update 2.10.2026
In Maths, we have subitised (recognised an amount without counting) to 5. We have counted sets of 5 objects and counted sounds such as a drum beat or clap. We have introduced a 'five frame' to support our counting. Children have taught the class puppets how to count. Please support your child at home to accurately count and recognise sets of objects to 5. We are encouraging children to compare objects and pictures and talk about what is the same or different. You might like to play 'Spot the Difference' at home.
We are noticing our weather and how the weather sometimes changes during the day. We are looking for signs of Autumn in school and discussed animals 'hibernating'. Children were excited to meet our hedgehog (puppet) who taught them more about this.
EYFS Update 25.9.26
This week we have introduced 1, 2, 3. We have encouraged children to subitise (recognise the amount without counting). You could play a dice game at home to support with this. We have looked for sets of 1, 2, 3 and used "I notice" to encourage talking in sentences.
We have started our Phonics this week. We have introduce s, a, t, p. You could look for the sounds on signs, posters and in books.
You can hear the pronunciation of sounds here.
We have introduced the word 'special' and what this means to the children. Children have also enjoyed singing 'Pat A Cake'.
Welcome Meeting
Important information:
- Name all clothing such as jumpers, cardigans, coats and water bottles. This reduces lost property.
- Ensure your child has a bag of spare clothes on their peg for any toileting or wet weather accidents.
- Home toys to remain at home.
Outdoor Friday
Although children have access to gross motor (PE) activities daily, we also offer our 'Outdoor Friday.' This is where children can come to school in their school PE kit and not uniform. We spend an extended amount of time outdoors and offer a wider range of messy, explorative activities on a Friday afternoon.
What your child needs to wear on their first outdoor Friday on Friday 11th September
- T shirt in house colours: Malala – yellow, Farah – red, Hawking – green Watson – blue or a white T-shirt. This information will be available from office/class teacher
- Named black or grey sweatshirt
- Named black or grey tracksuit bottoms or leggings
- Named black or grey shorts (warmer weather only)
- Named black or white trainers (laces if can do independently)
- Named wellies, dependent on weather.
- Named waterproof coat (and trousers)
