Reception

The day is more structured in reception and children begin to conform to routines and attempt more formal work.

We carry on with handwriting exercises and introduce letter formation and initial sounds. We have a weekly sound table for which the children can bring items. Phonics are taught daily through games and fun activities.

There are many opportunities for developing speaking and listening skills during discussion sessions, singing and stories.

The children are encouraged to write alone and they do make some excellent attempts using their word building skills.

We introduce reading books when we feel that the children are ready and they take these books home with them as often as possible.

In mathematics we develop their mathematical language introducing maths activities practically. We start number formation and recognition and work towards addition both practical and recorded. We talk about and introduce simple patterns and encourage the children to use mathematical ideas and methods to solve practical problems.

Our reception children begin to learn French and they make great progress over the year.

We all go swimming once a week on Thursday and this helps the children to become more independent as they are encouraged to dress themselves and behave properly in a public setting. On Thursday Children should come dressed in P.E. clothes, as we have P.E. at the Castle Club too.

Our reception children take part in the weekly assembly and they benefit from interaction with the older children. We have 'Show and Tell' on Wednesday morning and the children bring a Library book home every Friday.