Early Years

This half term we have been delighted to welcome our new cohort of children to the Early Years at Oakview.

The children have had a busy few weeks learning new routines, making new friends and finding out what Oakview is all about. As part of our topic on ourselves the children have shared their likes and interests, spoken about friends and families explored their feelings.

We have welcomed in our Preschool and Nursery families as part of our stay and play sessions and we look forward to many more opportunites next half term to welcome more families into school. 

On top of exploring our setting and getting used to the Reception environment and routines the children have been introduced to our zones of regulations where they have been talking about their own feelings and recognising the feelings of others. Through role play, stories, discussions and small groups we have been exploring strategies that can help us to manage our emotions when needed. 

The children have also started to explore our storytelling toolkit - 'Tales Toolkit' which encourages the children to use their imagination and extend their language whilst creating their own stories using visual props.  

Nursery transition booklet

Reception transition booklet

Breakfast club for Reception children operates from 7:45am to 8:45am. From September 2026 we will be one of the few schools in Hertfordshire to operate the DFE's FREE breakfast club programme. The free session will begin at 8:15 and booking will be available via Arbor. Early drop off will be available from 7:45 at a cost of £2.50. Please click here to be taken to the information page on our website.

Please click here to be taken to the uniform page on our school webiste. Please note that there is some flexibility for our younger children.

Make preparing for school enjoyable. Follow MC Grammer's advice on having a try and key independence skills. 

Herts for Learning Early Year’s team have produced activity cards that have been designed to support children starting Reception as part of their Supporting Smooth Transition procedures. Parents and carers can easily keep these cards on their digital devices, making them accessible for use during activities at home or on the go. These cards are a great way to introduce new ideas and help children develop skills that will benefit their learning journey at school.

Poster with QR code to access activity cards

Downloadable activity cards

Parentkind

Take a look at the website below for advice on school readiness.

Parentkind website​Parentkind - a downloadable booklet can be viewed here

Parentkind - countdown to school

Parentkind - separation anxiety

Parentkind - before and after school conversation

50 Things is an exciting initiative that supports children’s learning at home. It is inspired by parents and carers with each activity developed by Early Years experts and language specialists to create a fabulous resource for families.

More information can be found here 50-things-intrroduction-letter-pdf.pdf

QR code to the 50 Things initiative 50-things-qr.jpg

Below are key documents to support teaching and learning in our Early Years.

Long term plan across EYFS

Skills development across EYFS

'What to expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage' parent guide 

British values

Cultural Capital

At Oakview Primary School we use Read, Write Inc (RWI), a phonics programme to help children develop strong reading and writing skills from the very start of they schooling. This structured, research-backed approach teaches phonics systematically, building children’s confidence, fluency, and decoding abilities through engaging daily activities. It provides a clear progression that ensures every child can make excellent progress in literacy.

From Nursery children will explore environmental sounds, rhyme, alliteration and the beginnings of early letter sound work. As childen progress into Reception, structured phonics sessions offer children learning at a level appropriate to their development. 

RWI introduction

Pronouncing letter sounds

Fred games

Fred game words

Handwriting

Maths is taught through practical activities and linked to daily routines and everyday occurrences to ensure meaningful learning is delivered to all children.

Maths in Nursery

Maths in Reception

We support the understanding of good oral hygiene. Throughout the year children will take part in adult led tasks, child initiated play activities and hear stories based on visiting the dentist and cleaning their teeth.

ERIC - guidance on potty training

Is my child to ill for school? NHS advice

Young children love it when you chat, play, sing and read with them. Click here to find out more about early communication.

Guidance for parents and carers on screen time

The two-year-old progress check is a check completed by staff for children in Preschool between age 2 and 3. It involves making an assessment of a child’s development in three key areas of learning: Communication and language, Personal, social and emotional development and Physical development.

THE PROGESS CHECK AT A GLANCE -

The check helps identify both strengths and any areas where extra support may be needed. We will use observations, parental input and, where appropriate, feedback from other professionals to assess whether a child is developing as expected and to spot any emerging concerns or developmental delays.

Parents receive a written summary and are involved throughout the process.

Checks are carried out because children develop rapidly between the ages of two and three and we need to identify what help, if any, a child needs to aid their development, health and wellbeing.  Some children need extra support as they grow, e.g. with communication. Perhaps a child has long-term developmental needs. A progress check can identify areas of concern, or any extra development needs the child may have.  Some children’s families may be struggling and need support. Early intervention sparked by a progress check can make a big difference to a child’s life. 

Questions we might ask in a progress check, could include: 

• Have you noticed your child is learning new words?  
• Does your child put those words together into short sentences?  
• Can they understand and follow simple instructions?
• What have you noticed about your child’s understanding of new words?
• Do people outside of the family generally understand what your child says, or do you have to explain?
• Do you have any concerns about your child’s walking/ talking/ hearing/ sight/ happiness?
• Does your child join in with play, sharing books or try to do things around the house like helping you to load the washing machine?

After completing the progress check at age two, together we will look at the best way forward for your child, how we will work together to help your child’s continuing development. If your child is having any difficulties with their development or has Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the summary will set out the additional help your child will receive. 

You will be provided with a copy of the summary and add a copy will be kept in school.