Reception & Pre-School Visits – Starting School in 2027

We warmly invite families of children due to start Reception or Pre-School in 2027 to come and visit our school. These visits are a great opportunity to see our setting in action, meet our team, and get a feel for what makes Crowmarsh Gifford C of E Primary such a special place to begin your child’s learning journey.

Book your visit via email the school office, stating how many adults will be attending.  office.3200@crowmarsh-gifford.oxon.sch.uk

Wednesday 4th  November @ 9:30am EYFS  September 2027

Wednesday 4th  November @ 1:30pm EYFS  September 2027

Tuesday 10th November @ 9:30am EYFS visits for September 2027

Wednesday 11th November @ 1:30pm EYFS visits for September 2027

Tuesday 12th January @ 9:30am EYFS  September 2027

Wednesday 13th November @ 1:30pm EYFS September 2027

Please note: the school application portal closes on 15th January 2027, so we encourage you to visit before then to help you make an informed decision.

Starting Preschool or Reception in 2027

Starting Preschool or Reception is an exciting milestone for children and their families. At Crowmarsh Gifford CE Primary School, we believe getting ready for school is something we do together.

Being ready for Preschool or Reception isn’t about being able to read, write or count before your child arrives. Young children learn best through talking, playing, exploring, sharing stories and having everyday experiences with the people around them.

The most helpful things you can encourage are the small, everyday skills that build your child’s confidence and independence.

Things to practise at home

As your child gets closer to starting Preschool or Reception, you can help them to:

• get dressed and undressed with increasing independence

• use the toilet and wash their hands

• eat and drink independently and use cutlery

• listen and respond to simple instructions

• have back-and-forth conversations with adults and other children

• talk about their feelings and begin to manage them

• take turns, share and play alongside others

• enjoy stories, songs and rhymes

• spend time playing and exploring outdoors

• use their hands for activities such as drawing, building, cutting, threading and making

• recognise their own name and belongings.

These everyday experiences help develop the communication, physical, social and emotional skills that children need as they begin their journey through school.

School needs to be ready for your child too

We have an important job too: getting to know your child, understanding what they enjoy, finding out what they may need help with and creating an environment where they feel safe, happy and ready to explore.

Our aim is to work closely with families and early years settings so that the move into Preschool or Reception feels positive and familiar.

Talk to us

If your child is starting with us in September 2027, you are very welcome to come and meet us, look around our school and find out more about life at Crowmarsh.

If there is something about your child's development that you are unsure about, you don't need to wait until they start school to talk about it. You can speak with your child's current nursery, preschool or childminder, or your health visitor.

Our approach to school readiness is informed by the National Children’s Bureau’s 2025 Insight Report: Exploring School Readiness – Learning from The National Lottery Community Fund’s A Better Start Programme, which emphasises a holistic approach to school readiness involving children, families, communities and schools.