Question 1

🗓️ What time do I drop off and collect during the first week?

Accepted Answer

Reception children join school on a phased timetable during their first week. Please refer to the timetable above for the full details. In summary:

Wed 2 – Fri 4 Sept: Drop off at the EYFS playground gate at 8:45am.
From Mon 7 Sept: Join the whole-school drop-off from the main playground, 8:30–8:40am. For the first half term, Reception parents may enter the playground to drop at the Reception outdoor area gates. Please do not enter the EYFS playground - this supports children's independence.

Question 2

🎒 What does my child need on their first day?

Accepted Answer

Full school uniform, clearly labelled
Named water bottle (water only)
Named coat
A full spare set of clothes in a named bag (kept on their peg)
Packed lunch in a named lunchbox, if not having a school dinner

Please label every single item - it makes a huge difference!

Question 3

👤 What if my child is being collected by someone else?

Accepted Answer

Please notify the school office if anyone other than yourself will be collecting your child. You can call us on 01371 822330 or email admin@flitchgreen.net. If you have a regular arrangement in place, this must be emailed to the office so it can be added to your child's record.

Question 4

🤒 Who do I contact if my child is absent?

Accepted Answer

If your child is unwell and unable to attend, please leave a message on the absence line by 9am: 01371 822 330. The academy follows guidance set out by the Health Protection Agency with regards to infection control. You can view our Attendance Policy on the school website.

Question 5

😢 My child is upset at drop-off - is this normal?

Accepted Answer

Completely normal, and very common in the first few weeks. Our staff are experienced and caring, and children almost always settle very quickly once parents have left. A short, warm and consistent goodbye works best. Trust that your child is in safe, caring hands - and we will always let you know if they've had a difficult morning.

Question 6

💬 Can I speak to the class teacher at drop-off?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Reception drop-off and pick-up takes place at the Reception outdoor area, giving you a natural opportunity for a brief word with the class teacher. For more in-depth conversations, please contact the school office to book a meeting or call - that way the teacher can give your question the time it deserves.

Question 7

🎨 How do children learn in Reception?

Accepted Answer

Reception sits within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and learning is primarily play-based - so don't be surprised if your child tells you they've been 'playing all day'! This is entirely intentional and based on solid research. Children learn best through well-planned, purposeful play. Learning becomes gradually more structured as the year progresses.

Question 8

🚽 What if my child has a toileting accident?

Accepted Answer

Don't worry at all - our staff handle accidents calmly and without fuss. A member of staff will help your child get changed. This is why it's important to always keep a full spare set of clothes (including underwear and socks) in your child's bag. Please replace the spare set as soon as it comes home.

Question 9

🏥 What should I do if my child has a medical appointment during the school day?

Accepted Answer

We ask that wherever possible, dental and medical appointments are made outside of school hours. If your child has a dental, clinic or hospital appointment during the school day, please let the school know in advance by emailing admin@flitchgreen.net. You will need to provide evidence of the appointment - such as an appointment card, letter or email - for the school's records. Please bring your child into school before the appointment and return them to school afterwards wherever possible.

Question 10

👩‍🏫 When will I find out my child's class teacher?

Accepted Answer

You will be informed of your child's class teacher in the last week of term, after the transition afternoon. You will have the opportunity to meet the whole EYFS team at the transition afternoon on Tuesday 14th July 2026.

Question 11

💧 Does my child need a water bottle?

Accepted Answer

Yes - your child will need fresh water in their bottle every day. Bottles are taken out of bags in the morning and kept in a designated area in the classroom, then taken home each day. Please ensure the bottle contains water only - juice and squash are not permitted. Please label your child's bottle clearly.

Question 12

👟 Will my child need a PE kit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each class has an allocated PE day. On PE days, children come to school already wearing their PE kit and remain in it for the whole day - no need to bring a change of clothes. Please make sure PE kit is clearly named. You will be told your child's PE day before they start in September.

Question 13

🛴 Can my child ride their scooter or bike to school?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We have a shed where bikes and scooters can be stored safely throughout the day. Please note: during the transition period, we ask that you take scooters and bikes home with you after drop-off, as access to the playground may vary at different pick-up times.

Question 14

📖 Will my child have a reading book straight away?

Accepted Answer

When your child first starts, they will bring home a book from our lending library - a high-quality picture book for you to share and enjoy together at home. In September, all Reception parents will be invited to a Phonics Briefing, where you'll find out more about our phonics scheme (Little Wandle) and how to support your child with reading at home. Levelled phonics books will follow once this is underway.

Question 15

🍽️ How do I choose my child's lunch option?

Accepted Answer

All lunches are pre-ordered via ParentMail. You will be sent a registration link before your child starts - you can also download the ParentMail app in readiness. ParentMail is also how you will book school meals, pay for trips and provide consent for sporting events. All communication from the Academy comes through ParentMail, so it's worth setting it up as soon as possible!

Question 16

🧸 Can my child bring toys or teddies from home?

Accepted Answer

Children are not permitted to bring items from home into school. If you feel your child has a particular need for a comfort item, please discuss this with their class teacher or the school's SENCO before they start.

Question 17

🔍 What happens if my child loses something?

Accepted Answer

Please label everything - clothing, footwear, school bags, lunchboxes and water bottles. Labels work best in a visible place that your child can find themselves, as this supports their independence. Items without names are taken to the school office and stored in a lost property box. The EYFS team also keep a lost property trolley for items found in the Reception area.

Question 18

🌲 What does my child need for Forest School?

Accepted Answer

Reception children have a weekly Forest School session throughout the year - we go whatever the weather! Here's what to bring:

A pair of named wellies to leave at school
Long-sleeved clothes that can get muddy (worn to school on Forest School days)
Waterproof suit or trousers if you have them (we do have mud suits for those who don't)
On colder days: warm layers, spare socks, hat, gloves and a scarf
On warmer days: sun cream applied before school and a named sun hat

Day	Hours	Notes
Tuesday 1st Sepetmber	Non-pupil Day	School closed for children
Wednesday 2nd September	8:45am - 11:50am	Drop off at EYFS playground gate. Collect from school office.
Thursday 3rd September	8:45am - 1:00pm	Children stay for lunch. Parents invited to join for lunch 12–1pm. Collect from school office.
Friday 4th September	8:45am - 3.00pm	Gate opens for older children's parents at 3:15pm. Collect from main playground gate.
Monday 7th September onwards	8:30am - 3:15pm	Normal school hours. Drop off & collect from main playground. Reception parents may enter playground and drop at Reception outdoor area gates.

RECEPTION STARTER HUB

Welcome to Reception at The Flitch Green Academy

A Warm Welcome

📅
Key Dates

🎨
Learning in Reception

🎒
Getting Ready

❓
FAQs

Key Dates

Getting Ready for School

What to Expect in EYFS

Frequently Asked Questions

🗓️ What time do I drop off and collect during the first week?

🎒 What does my child need on their first day?

👤 What if my child is being collected by someone else?

🤒 Who do I contact if my child is absent?

😢 My child is upset at drop-off - is this normal?

💬 Can I speak to the class teacher at drop-off?

🎨 How do children learn in Reception?

🚽 What if my child has a toileting accident?

🏥 What should I do if my child has a medical appointment during the school day?

👩‍🏫 When will I find out my child's class teacher?

💧 Does my child need a water bottle?

👟 Will my child need a PE kit?

🛴 Can my child ride their scooter or bike to school?

📖 Will my child have a reading book straight away?

🍽️ How do I choose my child's lunch option?

🧸 Can my child bring toys or teddies from home?

🔍 What happens if my child loses something?

🌲 What does my child need for Forest School?

RECEPTION STARTER HUB

Welcome to Reception at The Flitch Green Academy

A Warm Welcome

📅 Key Dates

🎨 Learning in Reception

🎒 Getting Ready

❓ FAQs

Key Dates

Getting Ready for School

What to Expect in EYFS

Frequently Asked Questions

🗓️ What time do I drop off and collect during the first week?

🎒 What does my child need on their first day?

👤 What if my child is being collected by someone else?

🤒 Who do I contact if my child is absent?

😢 My child is upset at drop-off - is this normal?

💬 Can I speak to the class teacher at drop-off?

🎨 How do children learn in Reception?

🚽 What if my child has a toileting accident?

🏥 What should I do if my child has a medical appointment during the school day?

👩‍🏫 When will I find out my child's class teacher?

💧 Does my child need a water bottle?

👟 Will my child need a PE kit?

🛴 Can my child ride their scooter or bike to school?

📖 Will my child have a reading book straight away?

🍽️ How do I choose my child's lunch option?

🧸 Can my child bring toys or teddies from home?

🔍 What happens if my child loses something?

🌲 What does my child need for Forest School?

📅
Key Dates

🎨
Learning in Reception

🎒
Getting Ready

❓
FAQs