Reception 2025 - 2026

*EYFS Open Evening *

Thursday 23rd October 2025

5pm-6pm

For a guide to starting Reception, please see the link 'Starting-Reception' at the bottom of the page

Meet the Reception teaching team!

There are two classes in Reception, run by dedicated teachers and teaching assistants with a wealth of experience in early education.

The Grasshopper class teacher is Miss Hall and Teaching Assistant is Miss Karolina

The Caterpillar class teacher is Miss Worth and Teaching Assistant is Miss Archana

Lunchtime Staff

The children go to the main dining hall for their lunch, and are looked after by Miss Elaine, Miss Angela and Miss Mahmuda

What happens in Reception?

The Reception day starts at 8.40am for all children. In the morning, your child's teacher and TA will be at the door to welcome them into the classroom, before encouraging them to take part in our morning activity. This will be followed by a handwriting session and literacy session which finishes around 9.40am.  Before lunch time, your child will take part in a daily reading and phonics session. After lunch, numeracy is taught straight away with foundation subjects, which includes subjects such as history and R.E are taught at the end of the day.

In between 'taught sessions' in the morning and afternoon, your child will access 'continuous provision' where thay can consolidate and expand in their learning, through play. The reception classrooms and outdoor areas are set up so that children can choose where they want to play and access the resources independently. There are different areas which have specific intended learning experiences, such as reading, writing, role-play, sand, water, malleable, small world, creative and investigation. This encourages independence and allows children to approach challenges at their level. Resources for independent play are carefully planned so that there is appropriate challenge at all levels (please see the link for 'common play behaviours skills progression' at the bottom of the page for more information). We aim to be outside in all weathers and take part in regular Forest School sessions. Children are offered snack (fruit or vegetable) and milk or water during the morning.

A example of Reception timetable (please see class teacher for specifics)

Our Curriculum

Ault-led sessions are increased over the course of the Reception year. However, we remain committed to our 'play-based' provision and the children explore and fulfill the 'Characteristics of Effective Learning' through our carefully planned environments - both indoors and outdoors. We strive to offer our children a well-rounded and challenging curriculum where they can deepen their understanding of the world around them.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum has seven areas of learning:

Communication and Language (CL) - the focus is on speaking, listening and understanding. The childen will be taught speaking and listening skills through 'guided talk', where approproiate, and whole class discussions.

Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED) - a continuous process with a lot of nurturing, discussion and modelling talk and behaviour. The focus is on relationships and being confident, responsible and independent. A PSED lesson is taught every week in Reception.

Physical Development (PD) - includes fine and gross motor skills, both indoors and outdoors. Cutting, climbing, riding bikes, using tools and a variety of mark making equipment are all examples of physical development. Reception have a weekly P.E session with a sports coach and a daily handwriting session to improve penmanship. Children also learn about health and self care.

Literacy (L) - includes comprehension, reading and writing. There is a daily phonics and reading session, using the school scheme, which becomes longer over the course of the Reception year. The children are taught to write daily and have opportunities to consolidate this through morning writing, literacy sessions, guided writing and phonics lessons. We  ensure that there are opportunities for writing, independently, throughout the whole play-based environment. (Please see the documents at the bottom of the page, 'Writing in EYFS' and 'Reception reading meeting' for more information.)

Mathematics (M) - the emphasis is on 'number sense' through the NCETM scheme. The children take part in practical activities and use a variety of manipulatives to count, problem solve and learn about shape, space and measure.

Understanding the World (UW) - the children are encouraged to investigate, explore and talk about what they can find out about in the world around them, within their family life, and through school visits and visitors. They take part in Forest School sessions, as well as learn about technology.

Expressive Arts and Design (EAD) - this includes music, art, design, construction and role play.

Through the teaching and learning in the curriculum areas, we aim for the children to achieve our EYFS 'Curriculum Goals'

Forest School 

We are lucky to have a fully trained Forest School teacher in Reception - Miss Hall. The children take part in six week blocks of Forest School throughout the year. Through this specialised experience, the children receive enhanced learing in the curriculum area 'The Natural World'.

Reading Books 

Each week the children will have a new reading book. They will receive a book and a QR code, which links to the book they are reading, if they would prefer to read on a device. The book the children receive each week is in direct correspondence with the sound and key vocabulary that they have been learning that week in Phonics and Reading sessions. The children are encouraged to read the books themselves, however, the key point of reading books is for the child to engage with the book and develop an excitement to try to read. It is okay if you read it for them first, or alongside them. This can be a cosy few minutes spent together and should not be stressful. If your child becomes too frustrated with reading books, please speak to their teacher for tips. Please see the link at the bottom of the page 'Reception reading meeting', for more information.

Library

The children have weekly access to a bespoke library, created just for our children in EYFS. Here, they will peruse the books, listen to stories and choose one to take home each week. Please familiarise yourself with the day your child has a library session and prepare to return the books on time.

How to communicate with us:

Class Dojo is the best way to contact your child's teacher. If you wish to get in t ouch, please send us a private message and we will endaevour to respond to you as soon as possible. We are also available at the beginning and end of the day. If you feel you need a more indepth chat, we can arrange a time when we can meet and discuss any concerns at length. For urgent matters, contact the office directly on 01614451815.

Miss Sarah Conway, our Assistant Head, and Mrs Hookes, our SENDCo are also always happy to help.

     DOJO Class Communication Site