building blocks
1
Before Starting School
Letting your child help you with your daily routine can help them
prepare for school. Some examples are:
Allow him/her to set the table for tea
Let him/her sort things for you; e.g.- cutlery,
laundry, food etc.
Let him/her go shopping with you,
make a list, handle money and help
buy things.
2
Encourage….
Before starting school encourage your child to be independent. By
the time they start school they should be able to do many things
for themselves - a little practice helps:
Put on and take off a coat.
Put on and take off a jumper.
Put on their shoes.
We encourage parents to buy
slip-on shoes or velcro fastenings.
Use a tissue
Use the toilet properly
and wash their hands
Undo buttons
Hold a pencil properly and try
left to right movements.
3
Routines……
It is important to establish a routine with your child before they
start school.
Set aside a period of
uninterrupted time with your
child. Play, read, talk and sing
nursery rhymes with them.
An early bedtime and a
bedtime story is a good habit to
form.
4
Starting School….
When your child starts school continue the following important
routine.
Be sure to set out your
child’s school bag and
uniform the night before.
Start the day with a
good unhurried
breakfast.
In line with the
schools
attendance
policy, please
send a note
regarding any
absence.
Check your child’s school bag
for notes every Tuesday.
Remember P1 children have
very short memories.
Up to date school
information is available at.
www.greenislandps.co.uk
5
The School Day….
You will find September’s timetable for P1 on a separate sheet.
The school day begins at
8:55am. Children can
come into the
classroom from 8:45 am
Break is from 10.30am-10.40am. As break is only 10
minutes a small snack will be sufficient. Greenisland
Primary has a Healthy Break Policy. Children are only
allowed to bring fruit, cut up vegetables or a bread
based product (no sweet breads or spreads please).
Children may bring water to drink. School milk can be
ordered at the beginning of each term.
Children in P1 will finish at
10.30am on their first week and
then 12.15pm form week 2. From
week 6 onwards school will finish
at 2pm. To avoid distress please
ensure you are on time to collect
your child.
Should you be delayed please
notify the school as soon as
possible. On arrival, report to the
main office.
6
Helpful Hints….
Your child will often be asked to bring things to school. Here are
some things that are helpful to know.
From time to time your child
will be asked to send money
into school for various items.
Please ensure this is sent in one
of the envelopes provided and
is clearly labelled with their
name, class and amount.
Don’t lose contact with
the school.
There is an opportunity to
meet with the class teacher
in the autumn term and
again in the spring term to
talk about your child’s
progress.
If any problems arise do
not hesitate to speak to
the class teacher.
7
Uniform….
The school policy is that all pupils should wear uniform each day.
The uniform consists of:
GIRLS
BOYS
 White Blouse / Green Polo Shirt
 White Shirt/ Green Polo Shirt
 Grey Skirt /Pinafore
 Grey Trousers/ Shorts
 Grey Cardigan/ School Sweatshirt
 Grey Jumper/School Sweatshirt
 School Tie (optional)
 School Tie (optional)
 Summer Dress (gingham)
 Black shoes
 Black shoes
 School P.E. Kit
 School P.E. Kit
 Black P.E. Slippers
 Black P.E. Slippers
Jewellery, including earrings,
should not be worn by any
children at school.
School uniform can be ordered online
from
www.reacheps.co.uk
or in store at
Gordons in Carrickfergus
8
Keeping Safe….
Use every opportunity to teach your child to keep safe
Key points to remember are:
 Always exit school through the
middle gate.
 Always use the patrolman when
crossing the road.
 Never talk to or accept lifts from
strangers
 Every child says “I can see…”
before returning to their parent/
childminder at the end of the
day.
9
Talking and
Listening…
Communicating with your child is very important for children and
parents.
Talk to your child as
often as possible using
proper words, not baby
language. Chat together
when cooking, tidying
up, shopping etc
Be selective about what they
watch on television or mobile
devices. Talk to them about
what they are watching or
playing.
Read with your child as often as possible.
Tell stories and read nursery rhymes to them.
Look at pictures and discuss them with your child.
Show your child how to care for a book.
Turn the pages carefully.
Visit the library often and spend time selecting books.
10
Conversation is a two
way process. Listen to
your child without
distractions (eg
mobiles). Check they
are listening and
understand when you
are talking to them.
Numeracy….
Encourage your child to count using
everyday objects around the house
such as:
Pieces of fruit.
Stairs.
Shoes.
Show them numbers on clocks,
doors, buses and in books.
Point out different shapes
in the environment, for
example: Traffic Signs, a
laptop , a ball, etc.
11
Checklist for Day 1….
 Milk Money
 School Fund
 P.E. Kit
 P.E. Slippers
 A tissue for mum!
12
Notes….
13