Reception Starters - September 2025

If you would like to visit our school please ring the office to make an appointment.

Welcome to Oake, Bradford and Nynehead CofE Primary School. We are looking forward to you joining us in September. 

Your class is called Nuthatch. 

We are delighted that your child has been offered a place at our school and are looking forward to meeting you very soon.

We would like to invite you into school on Tuesday 1st July at 6pm. This is an initial meeting for parents and Carers.

You and your child are invited to a Teddy Bears Picnic on Tuesday 8th July from 3.30pm to 4.30pm for a stay and play session with their parent/carer. Please bring a snack, drink and Teddy Bear.

The arrangements for September starting will be as follows:

Thursday 4^th September – All Day (8.45pm-3.30pm)

Friday 5^th September – All Day (8.45pm – 3.30pm)

If you have any questions please get in touch via email: office@obnprimary.co.uk

Finally I would like to thank you for choosing Oake, Bradford and Nynehead Church of England Primary School.  We look forward to meeting you soon.

The school gates open at 8.45am. Children are welcome to come into class from 8.45am ready to begin the day at 9am. The school day finishes at 3.30pm. The gates will be opened a few minutes before.

Starting school is a big event for all children and it may take some getting used to. It is a new experience, and it is quite normal for your child to feel all different sorts of emotions. They may feel excited, nervous, worried or reluctant. All of these emotions are okay.

As a school, we value the wellbeing of all children and see it as a foundation to their learning, Below are a range of really helpful resources which we recommend you look at to help you and your child to feel more confident about starting school and to ease any uncertainties you or they may have.

Understanding Emotions - How to support you and your child.

Positively Supporting Separation

Reading the recommended books below in the week or two leading up to school may help your child to process some of the emotions they are feeling about starting school and build and grow their confidence.

 A really enjoyable story is 'The Colour Monster starts school'  A  great read to talk about the feelings of starting school.

 'The Invisible String 'book series offers children a tangible understanding of love and teaches the world about the String that “even though you can't see it with your eyes, you can feel it in your heart and know that you are always connected to everyone you love.”  

Parental Tips for Separation Anxiety

Create a short, simple goodbye ritual. For example, two kisses and a hug. However hard it can be to mask your feelings, try to keep your goodbye 'positive' to help your child feel confident and self-assured about heading into school. Don't sneak away; let your child know you are leaving.

Be consistent. Try to drop off and pick up at the same time each day to avoid the unexpected factors. A routine can help build trust and confidence for a child.

Be specific. Discuss with your child a time or event to indicate when they will next see you.

Greetings. When separating from your child, give them your full attention and love, followed by a brief goodbye. When collecting them, give them a warm greeting. Don't be concerned if they do not greet you joyfully, they may even be angry or avoid looking at you. This is normal - try not to take offence. It shows that your child is confident in their relationship with you and can show their true feelings. Let them know how happy you are to see them and how much you have missed them.

Practise. If you have not spent much time apart, practise this. Start with scheduled playdates or a visit to a family member's house. Build up time to prepare them for school.

Find your support. It can be very hard for parents when their child starts school. You are not alone. Talk to those nearest to you to gain support or perhaps write down your thoughts and feelings if you do not feel comfortable sharing. By working through your own emotions, you can help reduce your anxieties and prevent your child from taking them on.

We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds scheme to teach reading. Please click on the link below entitled Foundations for phonics to find out more.