Reception

We strive to provide a rich learning environment (both indoors and outdoors) that is reflective of the children and their needs, as well as being led by their fascinations and interests. In our school, children are supported both developmentally and emotionally and we provide a safe, stimulating, happy and language-rich learning environment where children can learn and grow.

"Reception is the year that your child becomes ‘school-ready’; developing their independence, confidence, resilience and curiosity."

 In our school, all children in the Early Years learn through a well-planned balance of child-initiated learning and adult-led learning activities or learning challenges: these are based on the standards set out by the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework.

 These areas of learning can be defined as:

 The Prime Areas 

• Communication and Language- giving children the opportunities to experience a language-rich environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations

• Physical Development-  providing opportunities for young children to be active and interactive; to develop their co-ordination, control, and movement and understand the importance of physical activity, and to make healthy choices in relation to food.

• Personal, Social and Emotional development- providing opportunities to  help children to develop a positive sense of themselves and others; to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; to understand appropriate behaviour in groups and to have confidence in their own abilities

The Specific Areas

• Literacy-  encouraging children to link sounds and letters to begin to read and write. 

• Mathematics- providing children with opportunities to develop and improve their skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems  and to describe shapes, spaces, and measure.

• Understanding the world- guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

• Expressive arts and design- enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.

"Play is essential for children's development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems and relate to others. Children learn by leading their own play, and by taking part in play which is guided by adults."

As children in Reception play and learn, learning activities will be planned and delivered so as to promote The Characteristics of Effective Learning. These are:

• Playing and Exploring - children investigate and experience things: they ‘have a go'

• Active Learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties: they enjoy achievements

• Creating and Thinking Critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas and develop strategies for doing things.

Reception is an exciting time in your child's learning journey and we look forward to helping your child become a life-long learner. 

Our Learning Environment:

 We have a fantastic and enabling environment both indoors and outdoors in our Class 1 classroom. We have specific areas of learning with a wide range of open-ended resources to enable children to use their curiosity to explore and play. 

 For information on how to support your child's transition into Reception, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can also find information from Cumbria County Council, here.

To discover more information please click the following link - Class 1 (Learning Zone).