Reception

Teacher: Mrs Jones

Reception Curriculum

We have a highly skilled team of Early Years Teachers and Teaching Assistants who have a sound understanding of early child development and a great deal of experience working with this age group. This strong team is managed by Mrs Jones and Miss Smith who are our Early Years Foundation Stage, (EYFS), Leads. 

From September 2021 Nursery and Reception will be following the new EYFS Statutory Framework.

“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.”The EYFS curriculum sets standards for the learning, development, and care of children up to 5 years old. At Acre Hall this includes our Nursery and Reception classes.

What is Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)?

Our EYFS vision and ethos

At Acre Hall Primary school we want the time your child spends in our nursery to be happy!

Our EYFS school ethos is: At Acre Hall we are passionate about our children being happy and well-rounded learners. We celebrate each child’s individuality and take a holistic, nurturing approach. We work in partnership with parents to provide stimulating learning experiences, through high quality interactions, in play. As your child embarks on their school journey, we strive to foster in them a lifelong love of learning.

Our Outdoor vision and ethos is: Messy, loud, curious explorers of nature.

How we monitor and celebrate your child’s progress

Our EYFS team observe your child daily during independent self-initiated play and guided learning. As well as celebrating achievements in class, the team make written, photographic and electronic observations of each child’s achievements. These observations are linked to and assessed against the EYFS curriculum they are also uploaded to a secure online system to which you will have access.

When in Reception we use both your child’s writing books, their self-initiated learning and our observations to actively track their progress. This information helps with future planning and in identifying where additional support or interventions are required.

In Reception children still have access to a language rich learning environment with extended periods of continuous provision, in order to develop their knowledge and understanding in each of the prime and specific areas, and they continue to build on their characteristics of learning through the same observe-assess-plan cycle. However, there is more focus on guided group and teacher led learning to develop children’s basic skills, for example learning how to read and write. Enhancements in areas and home learning opportunities are often linked to children’s understanding and development in Literacy and Numeracy. Within Reception we also follow a systematic approach to developing the children phonic and early reading skills by using the phonics programme Little Wandle and Number for Mathematics.

Useful links and downloads

Fitter Future

From now until April 16^th all children can access an online well –  being and fitness programme called ‘Fitter Future’.  The details below show you how to log in – please do not change the log in – it does ask for a parent email address to get you started but you can decline any marketing etc from them.

Username for EYFS / KS1 classes: acre hall primary1
Password for EYFS / KS1 classes: 19nr3

Username for KS2 classes: acre hall primary2
Password for  KS2 classes: 2doa1

Class Social Media

 Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with the activities and events we take part in.

Reception – Preparing for Key Stage 1

In Reception, children still enjoy extended periods of continuous provision, but with increasing focus on:

• Guided group learning
• Early reading and writing
• Mathematical understanding

We use the Little Wandle phonics programme to support early reading and writing skills and build strong foundations in literacy. Learning is carefully tracked and supported to ensure every child is ready for the transition into Year 1. For Mathematics we use Master in Number and White Rose to develop children’s knowledge and understanding in practical activities.

Assessment and Progress

All children in Reception take part in the Reception Baseline Assessment when they start school. At the end of Reception, children are assessed using the EYFS Profile, based on:

• Ongoing observations
• Staff knowledge of the child
• Discussions with parents and carers

Children are assessed against 17 Early Learning Goals, across the seven areas of learning, to determine whether they are:

• Meeting expected levels, or
• Emerging

Working in Partnership with Parents

We believe parents are a child’s first and most important educators. We support families through:

• Daily communication
• Half termly ‘Focus Child’ observations drop in
• Parent meetings and progress discussions
• Support during transitions and settling-in

Parents are always welcome to speak to staff with questions or concerns.

Smooth Transitions

Staff work closely across Tiny Acres, Nursery and Reception to ensure:

• Familiar routines and expectations
• Consistency in learning approaches
• Confident and positive transitions

Children move through Early Years feeling secure, supported and ready for the next stage

Websites to support reading and Literacy in the EYFS/KS1:

Key Websites for Maths:

Educational Videos and Television Programmes on Youtube:

Alphablocks, Numerblocks, Numberjacks, Jack Hartman, Cbeebies.

We have provided links for parents to the Early Years Foundation stage and National curriculum if needed: