Reception

Vision

In our Early Years Foundation Stage, we are committed to providing a rich, nurturing environment where children are:

• Engaged in meaningful learning experiences that spark curiosity and deepen understanding
• Supported by positive, trusting relationships with adults and peers, forming the foundation for emotional security
• Happy, secure, and confident, with a strong sense of well-being and belonging
• Encouraged to be independent learners, making genuine choices and taking ownership of their learning journey
• Empowered to take risks, embrace new challenges, and develop resilience through exploration
• Social and collaborative

Reception Class 

At our school, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a vital and distinctive phase where we lay the foundations for lifelong learning through a carefully balanced approach to child development and education. Our vision is to provide a high-quality, inclusive early years environment in which all children feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn.

We are committed to fostering positive and secure relationships between children and adults, recognising that emotional well-being is central to effective learning. Through our ethos of care and respect, we support children in becoming confident, independent, and resilient learners, who are willing to explore, take appropriate risks, and engage fully with the world around them.

Our approach is underpinned by the principles of 'planning in the moment', enabling practitioners to respond sensitively and effectively to children's interests and developmental needs as they arise. We believe that learning happens most powerfully in the present, during moments of curiosity, challenge, or engagement. Skilled adults observe and assess in real time and use professional judgement to interact meaningfully, seizing each teachable moment to extend learning and support progress.

We offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum that values both child-led play and adult-guided learning. Through high-quality continuous provision, enriched environments indoors and outdoors, and focused adult input, children acquire essential knowledge, skills, and attitudes that support the Early Learning Goals and prepare them for a smooth and successful transition to Key Stage 1.

We recognise the importance of both a core body of knowledge and a wide range of rich, lived experiences, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Our vision is to ensure that all children leave the EYFS as curious, capable, and confident learners, ready for the next stage of their educational journey.

Learning

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework which outlines the 7 areas of development.

The Prime Areas of Learning are:

     •   Communication and Language - Speaking, Listening, Attention and Understanding

     •   Physical Development -Gross motor skills, Fine motor skills

     •   Personal, Social and Emotional development -Self regulation, Managing Self, Building                Relationships

The Specific Areas of Learning are:

     •   Mathematics - Number, Numerical patterns

     •   Literacy - Comprehension, Word-Reading, Writing

     •   Understanding the World - Past & present, People, Culture, Communities, The Natural              World

     •   Expressive Arts and Design - Creating with Materials, Being Imaginative and Expressive

What have we been learning in Reception class?

Our adult led times are always focused on developing children's knowledge and skill based on  our topic.

Planning in the moment allows us to deliver a highly personalised learning experience for our children during free play time in our Reception class. We support children to follow their interests and scaffold numerous next steps through our interactions (teaching).

Please take a look at our Reception curriculum outline

Click here to see our transition booklet for parents

Learning Overviews