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Family News

Mayor officially opens Greenmeadow Primary School play equipment

Swindon Mayor Eric Shaw at the opening of the play equipment at Greenmeadow Primary school
Children from Greenmeadow that it has been made using natural was £20,000 available to spend. School council chair, Brianna Dix
Primary School gave a huge cheer wood rather than plastic, it really A couple of people on the school explained: “We are really pleased
and released balloons to celebrate is wonderful for the children and a council suggested that we should with the result, it’s great to have
the opening of their new outdoor great resource for the school.” get some more play equipment and some new play equipment. We all
play equipment by Swindon Mayor The £20,000 play equipment, a lot of us agreed with that so then worked together well to make this
Eric Shaw. which also includes soft rubber we had to think hard about how to happen.”
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, flooring, was chosen after a careful do that.” Head teacher Diana Pritchard said:
Cllr Shaw was full of praise for the tendering process led by youngsters Under the guidance of their “I’m delighted with the result and
youngsters who gathered for the in the school council. teachers, the youngsters narrowed I’m impressed with the choices that
opening in January. School council member and year down their search to three potential the children made as the wooden
“I really like the equipment that 6 student Rhys Marshall said: “We companies who sent representatives equipment fits well with the
has been chosen, it’s nice to see were told by the teachers that there to the school. landscape of the ground.”
Your child matters

Advice from West Swindon Family Centre
Your child has just started at pre- without your support as this helps
school or nursery and the staff are form the starting point for your
talking about the EYFS, Learning child’s Learning Journey.
Journeys and next steps. This can be A Learning Journey is a record
confusing. Let’s take a look. of what your child will be doing
EYFS stands for the Early Years and the achievements that they
Foundation Stage and supports the will make whilst at the setting. It
development of children from 0 contains observations, photos, some
to 60mths. There are seven areas of your child’s work and progress
that all link together, summaries that you will
the prime areas being have the opportunity
personal, social and to see every term. Once
emotional development, your child has settled
communication and and their keyworker has
language development established a starting
and physical point, they will look
development. at the Prime Areas of
The specific areas are the EYFS and decide
mathematics, literacy, on a next step for your
understanding the world and child to work towards. Your child’s
expressive art and design. Each area keyworker will use the next step to
is divided into six age bands and act plan activities that your child will
as a guide as all children develop at enjoy and help them develop.
different rates and there are many Parents will also be able to
factors that may affect a child’s support their child at home with
development. activities that will support their
Keyworkers use the age bands child’s next step and share this with
and the outcomes within these as their child’s keyworker.
a guide to what your child should Next Month we will consider
be working towards. The staff will Personal, Social and Emotional
initially discuss with you what your Development and activities that you
child is able to do on their own can do.
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