Education

Free Learning Support Resources Need some additional tools to help your child catch up at school?

BBC Bitesize Preschool, KS1, KS2+.

Oxford Owl Early Years, KS1, KS2+.

BBC School Radio Early Years, KS1, KS2.

Daily Phonics Lessons by Ruth Miskin Training Preschool, KS1.

Mathematics Mastery Home Resources KS1, KS2.

Literacy Counts Home Learning Packs Reception, KS1, KS2.

Bud’s Number Garden Game

Preschool, KS1.

Literacy Shed

KS1, KS2.

NRICH Maths at Home Resources KS1, KS2+.

Supporting a Dyslexic Child

By Ellie Malt “Do you think she might have dyslexia or something like that?” I asked.

I was standing in the playground with one of the teaching assistants, watching my 4 year old climb into her buggy, eager for her after-school snack. Although it was only her second term in Reception, I’d noticed she seemed uninterested in the alphabet, while other children could already write their names. But I was only really thinking out loud. Even to me, it seemed ridiculously early to be jumping to any conclusions. “Probably” she shot back over the general hubbub. I admit, I was shocked. But looking back years later, finally in possession of a formal diagnosis, I appreciate her honesty. I only wish I had acted sooner; it could have saved so much struggle and frustration. READ MORE

Dyslexia Features

Your child may:

Talk well but write little; Be a slow/reluctant reader; Struggle with spelling; Have difficulties with writing; Not always remember/ understand what he/she has just read; Seem inattentive and unable to concentrate/remember instructions; Have difficulty organising himself/herself; Struggle to remember the order of things, eg days of the week.

Sources of Help

British Dyslexia Association Advice and assessments. Find your local association. The Dyslexia Association Screening, assessment, tuition, assistive technology training. Dyslexia Assist Find local support. Achieve Now Works with dyslexic pupils and IT. All services online. IPSEA Free, independent legal information, advice and support. Helen Arkell Dyslexia Centre Influential regional centre.

Top Homework Tips

Where, When and How

Create space. If possible, this should be a communal space but one with minimal distractions. This enables parental supervision/input without it feeling like an intrusion.

Establish a routine. Some children prefer to do homework straight after school; others need to ‘unwind’ or eat first. Whatever is decided, stick to it.

Get organised. Have your child do the hard work first when they are most alert. Help them make a “Done/To Do” list.

What YOU Can Offer

Discuss homework. Even if you know nothing about a subject, you can still help just by talking, listening and helping them to find the right answer. Use a timer. Challenge your child to estimate how long an assignment might take. Suggest setting a timer for that amount of time, or less. Encourage. Praise effort not achievement. Focus on hard work or improved concentration, handwriting or presentation. Make it positive. Tell them how important school is. Your attitude to homework will influence their attitude.

Let THEM Do the Work

Provide guidance, not answers. Use questioning to help them get as close to the answer as they can but don’t tell them. Let them make mistakes. Giving answers means they will not learn the material and their teacher will not know how much they understand it. Step in only when progress comes to a halt. Encourage them to set small positive targets promoting independent working and self

sufficiency.

Local Academic Tuition

Explore Learning Maths & English SATs & 11 Plus tuition. Learn Grow Create Dorking Private tutoring for 5-18 year olds. Southern Tutors 11 +, key stage 2 Maths and English tuition.

First Class Learning Various locations Expert English and Maths tuition for all ages and abilities. Maths Masters Epsom,Tadworth & Redhill Professional, affordable maths tuition clubs for Key Stages 1-2. Starlight Learning Kenley, Caterham, Purley and Coulsdon Tuition for children in Years 3- 6.

Kumon Maths and English

study programme.

Morton Tutoring Reigate Tuition in literacy and maths, 11+ ,13+ exam preparation and verbal

and non-verbal reason

The Learning Club

Reigate Private tuition classes for 4-11 year olds. English and Maths.

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Duck and Penguin Do Not Like Sleepovers Julia Woolf. Night time adventure for babies/toddlers.

That Dog! Emma Lazell. Will smart dog outwit the dog-nappers? For babies/toddlers.

Things I Love by Bear Susie Linn/Alex Willmore. Scenes and activities little ones will recognise. For babies/toddlers.

The Diddle That Dummed Kes Gray/Fred Blunt. Laughter, music, word play & silliness. Ages 3+.

It’s OK to Cry Molly Potter/Sarah Jennings. Great intro to emotions. Ages 3+.

I’m Sticking with You Smriti Halls/Steve Small. A story about friendship. Ages 3+.

Moth By Isabel Thomas/Daniel Egneus. Powerful/ visually spectacular evolution story. Ages 5+.

The Blue Giant

By Katie Cottle. Poignant story about pollution in our oceans. Ages 5+.

Super Milly and the Super School Day

By Owen Millward. Upbeat/funny picture book about kindness. Ages 5+.

18 Top New Children’s Books for Autumn

Mermaid School: Ready, Steady, Swim!

Lucy Courtenay/Sheena Dempsey. An underwater school story. Ages 7+.

Noah Wild and the Floating Zoo

Alexander Mccall Smith. An ordinary boy’s heartwarming/extraordinary feat. Ages 7+.

Beneath the Cloud of Doom Louis Sachar/Aleksei Bitskoff. Brilliantly illustrated story of mixedup mayhem. Ages 7+.

My Name is River Emma Rea. Thrilling, ecological adventure in the Amazon jungle. Ages 9+.

Turtle Boy M. Evan Wolkenstein. A story offering hope/ new perspectives to life’s outsiders. Ages 9+.

Health Heroes Emily Sharratt. ‘Health heroes’ talk about their working lives. Ages 9+.

The Virus Ben Martynoga/Moose Allain. Explores the science behind viruses/Covid-19 pandemic. Ages 11+.

Return to Wonderland

Wonderland-inspired stories from top contemporary authors. Ages 11+.

The Unadoptables

Hana Tooke/Ayesha L.Rubio. Adventure set in oldworld Amsterdam/ surrounds. Ages 11+.

A-Z of Early Years Activities By Gabrielle Nash @thelondonishmum

Animal Hunt. Search for tiny creepy crawlies, the chirpy in the trees kind and the bigger more exciting kind! Baking. Use overripe bananas to bake muffins. Or roll out some biscuit dough. Cardboard Creations. A pirate ship, a car, or a doll’s bed? Save a box, colour it in or cut it up! Den building. Inside with chairs and sheets. Outside with pieces of wood! Envelope Endeavours. Send photos/stickers or a letter/card to a friend/family member. Film Fun. Make popcorn, print off ‘cinema tickets’ and snuggle up. Garden Growing. Ingredients: patch of soil for digging/planting, old spoons for digging and water for watering! Hiking. Pack a bag and snacks/ drinks. Get your kids excited about a little ‘hike.’ Imaginary Play. Kids LOVE it! Visit the doctors or take a pet to the vet! Jumble Sale Jollies. Involve kids in sorting things for charity or a jumble sale. Kickabout. Visit the park with a ball – run, jump, slide, shout! Learning through Play...is the best way! Games like i-spy improve letter/sound recognition. Mud Mess. It’s such FUN! Make mud pies. Noise. Bang pans; pick out a tune/rhythm with bells or drums. Outdoor Painting. Paint leaves/stones. Add food colouring to bubbles and ‘paint’ windows – it washes off! Puzzles. Jigsaws develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. Quiet. Help your little one enjoy quieter things - small world toys, books, colouring or painting. Reading. Make reading special. Try different voices to captivate your child’s imagination. Safari Special. Hide toy animals (or pictures) around your home. Grab paper/pen and go on safari. Write down the animals you see. Treasure Time. Make a map and hide “treasure.” Grab a toy sword and battle pirates as you search for it! Under the Stars. Show your toddler the twinkling lights from galaxies far away. Virtual Fun. Journey down the Amazon; enjoy a virtual roller coaster ride! Water. As a wise person once said: when a child is grumpy “just add water!” X-Ray. Draw around your child’s body. Stick the drawing on the floor. Draw in bones, explaining what they are and what they do. Yoga. Find great kid-friendly options on Youtube. ZZZZ….Time to sleep.

Early Years Directory

Brambly House Montessori Merstham RH1 3DB Montessori school for boys and girls 2½ - 5 years.

Daisy Chain Montessori Reigate RH2 8LZ An independent day nursery and pre-school, from 18 months - 5 years

First Steps Nursery Redhill RH1 3LS Exceptional care and education for 3 months - 5 years.

Horley Nursery Horley RH6 7DQ Full and part time sessions for children from 3 months - 5 years. Part of the Toad Hall Nursery Group.

Oxted Preschool Oxted RH8 0AA Sessions of a mixed age group for children between 2 and 4 years old.

Leigh Lollipops Nursery Reigate RH2 8NP A happy and caring learning environment for girls and boys aged 2-5 years.

Tadworth Tots Nursery KT20 5RU Offering morning and afternoon sessions to children aged 2–5.

Shapes Day Nursery Reigate, Epsom & Banstead Independent nurseries for 100 children 0-5yrs.

Tots Village de Stafford School in Caterham. Independent nursery for children aged 3 months - 5 Years old.