Welcome to Reception class page! On this page you will find lots of useful information about things that happen in Reception.

The children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum.  The curriculum is split into the following Areas of Learning:

3 Prime Areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language as well as Physical Development.

There are also specific areas; Literacy, Maths, Understanding the world and Expressive Arts and Design. We also follow the syllabus for Religious Education. Phonics is delivered using the Read Write Inc scheme. To find out more about how we deliver phonics through Read Write Inc, please click on the link below. There are some useful videos to watch which will enable you to understand how to best support your child at home. 

Phonics is a key priority for your child.

FRED GAMES

Speaking like Fred helps children to understand that words are made up of sounds. Use Fred Talk throughout the day to help children practise blending sounds together.

Fred says...

1. Say: Fred says put your hands on your h-e-d. Ask children to repeat. Pause to allow children to jump in with the whole word and do the action.
2. Say: h-ea-d, head. Ask children to repeat.
   Repeat with: b-a-ck, t-u-m, l-e-g, h-a-n-d, f-oo-t, kn-ee, r-u-n, s-k-i-p, h-o-p, s-t-o-p

Fred I spy

1. Say: Fred says ‘I spy something r-e-d’ Ask children to repeat. Pause to allow children to ‘jump-in’ with the whole word and point to something red.
2. Say: r-e-d, red. Ask children to repeat.

Repeat with: b-l-ue, g-r-ee-n, b-l-a-ck, b-r-ow-n

Fred’s fridge

Milk m-i-l-k, juice -j-ui-ce; cream c-r-ea-m; eggs e-gg-s; corn c-or-n; grape g-r-ay-p; pear p-ear; peas p-ea-s; leek l-ee-k

Fred’s wardrobe
Scarf s-c-ar-f; hat h-a-t; coat c-oa-t; socks s-o-ck-s; shorts sh-or-t-s; dress d-r-e-ss; skirt s-k-ir-t

Use Fred Talk for single syllabic words at the end of sentences throughout the day. E.g. It is time for l-u-n-ch...lunch, come and sit on the f-l-oor...floor.

Writing

Write your name.

Write labels for items in your house.

Reading in Reception is a wonderful adventure

Learning to read in Reception opens up a world of imagination, curiosity, and creativity. Through books, children discover new ideas, explore different experiences, and develop a love of learning. As their understanding grows, reading often inspires role-play and storytelling, helping children build important skills such as empathy, problem-solving, communication, and understanding right from wrong.

In Reception, children enjoy a variety of reading experiences, including one-to-one reading, reading with a partner, and sharing stories for pleasure.

We encourage children to read every day at home and record their reading on the Boom Reader app.

Reading familiar books regularly is an important part of developing fluency and comprehension. During the first few reads, children may read slowly as they focus on sounding out and blending words. With repeated practice, their confidence grows, their reading becomes smoother, and their understanding deepens.

In Reception, children develop their mathematical understanding through practical activities, games, exploration, and play. We encourage children to notice and use maths in their everyday experiences, helping them to build confidence and a positive attitude towards learning.

Through our maths sessions, children learn to count, recognise numbers, compare quantities, explore patterns, and begin solving simple problems. They also develop their understanding of shape, space, and measure through hands-on activities both indoors and outdoors.

We encourage children to talk about their thinking and explain how they have found an answer. This helps them to develop reasoning skills and a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts.

Practising maths at home can make a big difference. Simple activities such as counting objects, spotting numbers in the environment, playing board games, and talking about shapes and patterns can help to reinforce learning in a fun and meaningful way.

Our aim is for every child to develop confidence, curiosity, and enjoyment in mathematics as they begin their learning journey.

Forest School provides children with exciting opportunities to learn and explore in the natural environment. Through child-led activities and hands-on experiences, children develop confidence, resilience, independence, and a sense of adventure.

During Forest School sessions, children are encouraged to investigate, create, problem-solve, and take managed risks in a safe and supportive environment. Whether they are building dens, exploring habitats, creating natural artwork, or observing seasonal changes, children develop a deeper understanding of the world around them.

Spending time outdoors also supports children's physical development, wellbeing, communication skills, and teamwork. Forest School encourages curiosity and creativity while fostering a love and respect for nature.

We believe that outdoor learning is a valuable part of children's development and provides memorable experiences that help them grow into confident, capable learners.

Writing in Reception is a journey of discovery

In Reception, children develop their writing skills through a range of exciting and meaningful experiences. We encourage children to see themselves as writers from the very beginning, whether they are making marks, drawing pictures, labelling their work, or writing simple sentences.

Writing opportunities are woven throughout our provision, allowing children to write for a purpose during play and exploration. Through stories, role-play, discussions, and shared writing activities, children learn how writing can be used to communicate ideas, share experiences, and express creativity.

Alongside this, we place a strong emphasis on developing handwriting skills. Children are taught how to form letters correctly and are given regular opportunities to practise using a comfortable pencil grip. Activities that develop fine motor skills, such as threading, cutting, building, and dough play, help to strengthen the muscles needed for successful writing.

As children's confidence grows, they begin to apply their phonics knowledge to write words, captions, and simple sentences independently. We celebrate all writing achievements and encourage children to take pride in their work as they develop into confident and enthusiastic writers.

Physical development is an important part of children's learning and wellbeing in Reception. Through a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities, children develop their strength, coordination, balance, and confidence while learning how to move safely and effectively.

Children have daily opportunities to develop their gross motor skills through running, climbing, balancing, jumping, dancing, and outdoor play. These experiences help to build core strength, coordination, and spatial awareness, supporting their overall development.

We also focus on fine motor skills, which are essential for tasks such as writing, drawing, cutting, and using tools. Through activities such as threading, construction, playdough, painting, and crafts, children strengthen the small muscles in their hands and fingers while developing control and precision.

Physical development encourages children to lead active, healthy lifestyles and helps them to build confidence, resilience, and independence. Our aim is for every child to enjoy being active and develop the skills they need to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

Oracy in Reception gives every child a voice

Communication and language are at the heart of everything we do in Reception. We provide a language-rich environment where children are encouraged to talk, listen, share ideas, and express their thoughts with confidence.

Through stories, discussions, role-play, singing, and collaborative play, children develop their vocabulary and learn how to communicate effectively with others. We encourage children to ask questions, explain their thinking, and listen carefully to different viewpoints.

Oracy helps children to build confidence, develop friendships, and make sense of the world around them. Strong speaking and listening skills also provide the foundation for successful reading, writing, and learning across the curriculum.

By nurturing children's communication skills from the very beginning, we help them to become confident speakers, attentive listeners, and enthusiastic learners who are ready to share their ideas with others.