Welcome to Reception 

We welcome children into reception in September.   Purple class children attend school part-time in the autumn term before going full-time after Christmas. Yellow class children, being younger, attend full-time after Easter for the summer term.

Yellow and Purple Classes work closely together as part of the Early Years Unit. We follow the Foundation Stage Curriculum which is mainly play based. The children work on activities together as an Early Years Group. The activities take place either inside, or outside in our lovely Early Years garden, according to the child’s choice. At playtime the children go into the large playground to use skills equipment, the adventure playground or ride-on toys.

In the autumn term we learn to recognise all our letter sounds and numbers. We learn about Diwali, Bonfire Night and Christmas. We work hard on our Christmas performance which parents are invited to attend. We recognise that many children need time to settle in, make new friends and find their way around the school. Later in the year children participate in a class assembly which parents are invited to come and watch.

In the spring term, we learn about the changing seasons, various special days and celebrations as Easter approaches. Children learn how to write letters and read simple words.

In the summer term we study the topics of Animals, Water and Dinosaurs. We make visits to the year 1 classes in preparation for the move to key stage 1.

We enjoy P.E., dance, parachute games, ‘Write Dance’, and using the computers. We go for regular walks around Chestnut Lane school grounds looking for signs of seasonal change. We participate in lots of cooking, gardening and creative activities, as well as playing in the garden. We spend a great deal of time working and playing with our friends in the nursery class, Rainbow.