Reception
Welcome
We believe that Reception should be exciting, stimulating, well organised and fun. We have a vibrant setting that is bright and engaging, enabling the children to become active and enthusiastic learners. At Moorcroft Wood we strive to ensure that every child receives the very best possible start to their education that they deserve as to us ‘Every child matters’. The children are at the centre of everything we do here at Moorcroft Wood. It is our aim to prepare children for the next stage in their educational journey. We strive to develop confident, well prepared learners who are happy end enjoy school and ready for year 1.
Meet the Team
Mr N. Leese
Assistant Head Teacher/ EYFS Lead
Mrs A. Whitehouse
Class Teacher
(Speech and Language Lead)
Mrs S. Partridge
Higher Level Teaching Assistant
Mrs C. Legg
Teaching Assistant
Miss A Sheargold
Teaching Assistant
(Outdoor Learning)
Our Curriculum
We cover a wide range of topics in Reception to give children a wide and strong foundation to their future learning. Our topics are based around books and we look at a range of fiction and non-fiction books. These books have been specially chosen to link to the topics that the children will revisit in year 1 and 2 in particular, but also later on in school. Please see the links below for further information.
Phonics and Learning to Read
At Moorcroft Wood we use the RWI phonics programme. Children begin by learning to say and recognise letter sounds and are then taught how to blend these sounds together to read words. As children progress through the scheme they learn to recognise a greater number of sounds which enables them to read more complex words. Children usually make rapid progress through this scheme and it is a real moment to be celebrated when children begin to read their first words independently. The learning of sounds begins in Nursery and continues until children complete the scheme (usually by the end of Year 2).
It is really important that children pronounce the sounds correctly. Please watch the video below to see how to say the sounds.
Not only do we strive to teach children to read, but we also want to foster a love of reading and an appreciation of books. Follow the link below to read about some of the things we do to develop a love of reading.
Learning to Write
It is usually during the Reception year that children begin to write. The joy of receiving a your first handwritten card from your child cannot be overstated. We use a scheme called 'I'm a Clever Writer.' This scheme breaks down the process of learning to write into small achievable steps where each step builds upon prior learning and skill. We know that not all children develop at the same rate and the scheme makes allowances for this by only moving onto the next step of learning once the previous once is secure. The following link is to the 'I'm a Clever Writer' website where you can view videos that explain the steps that we take when teaching writing to Reception children.
You can also see some examples of children's writing below from Reception. These examples cover the period from September to February.
Reception Writing
Maths
Developing maths skills and an appreciation of number is essential. In Reception children have a daily maths lesson. This consists of whole class teaching and adult led sessions where children are taught in small groups. Children also have the opportunity to use their maths skills to completed activities during child initiated time. See the photographs below for examples of children's maths work.
Reception Maths
Progression of Skills
It is amazing to see just how much progress children can make in the Reception year. It is the year where many children start to read independently for the first time, write short sentences and become more able to express themselves using well formed sentences. The following document outlines the progression of skills in each area of learning throughout the Reception year.
Topic
In Reception, children follow topics for two week period. Topics are based around books. The first week of most topics will focus on a non-fiction book and then the second will focus on a fiction book. We find that this gives children a wider exposure to different types of books and the language found within them really helps children's vocabulary to grow. Where possible we like to make learning as 'hands on' and as 'real' as possible, for example during the recent topic about 'Homes', the children went on a walk in the local area to look at the different types of housing there was.
Topic Photographs
PE
PE is taught by our very own PE coach, Mr Kemp, and is on a Monday afternoon. On Mondays the children come to school wearing their PE kit which is a black tracksuit, white t-shirt and suitable trainers or pumps. During warm weather, children are welcome to wear black shorts.
Internet Safety
The use of technology and the internet is a significant part of life today. Whilst the overall impact that technology has on people's lives is positive, it is essential that children know how to stay safe online. Online safety forms and ongoing part of teaching in EYFS and we celebrate 'Safer Internet Day' by inviting parents into class to take part in a range of activities. This year we focused on making safe choices online and who the children should tell if they came across something online that upset them.
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Forest School
We are incredibly lucky to have our own woodland here at Moorcroft Wood. Reception children take part in regular Forest School sessions. These sessions enable children to experience the outdoors, become aware of nature, nurture their social skills, provide an opportunity to enhance imaginative play and aid language acquisition. Children are provided with water proof over suits and wellies to wear during sessions. All sessions are delivered by a level 3 qualified Forest school practitioner.
World Book Day
This year in celebration of World Book Day, the children were invited to come to school dressed as an animal character from their favourite story. World Book Day is a great opportunity to celebrate books and stories and to develop a love and appreciation of them. As part of the fun, the 'Animal Lady' was invited to school to show and talk about some of her favourite animals.
