We understand how important a child’s Reception year is for their development both academically, socially, emotionally and physically. We emphasise building children’s confidence as they progress through guided learning and child-initiated play within our enriched learning environment. Our focus continues within the prime areas but also includes Literacy and Mathematics as well as Understanding the World and Expressive Arts and Design. Learning takes place both indoors and outdoors – we enjoy a wonderful large space, where we can respond to children’s fascinations and interests. Outdoor learning takes place weekly in our Forest School area, where children learn to take risks, problem solve and develop skills. We enrich children’s cultural experiences through activities such as woodwork, drama, and cookery. We encourage visits from members of the wider community such as The Fire Service, Community Support Officers, and The Animal Man Show. We also love to enjoy educational trips to local attractions such as the library, our local park, and Pershore Abbey. We also go further afield to exciting venues such as Farm Parks and the Bishops Wood Centre.

We appreciate that children learn at different rates and in different styles and support this by observing our children and planning our teaching to reflect this. Children are taught phonics daily. We use our Read, Write, Inc Scheme to observe and assess children’s learning and group children similar in ability to develop self-esteem and further their progression. Maths is taught daily, with an empathise on children’ fluency, mathematical reasoning and problem solving. We use a range of practical activities and Maths can always be accessed independently within our class continuous provision.

Within Reception we nurture our children, build upon their strengths, and prepare them for the next stages of their learning journey.