A typical week in Reception

A typical week in Reception

The children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage, which comprises the following six areas of learning; Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication, Language and Literacy, Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development.

In Communication, Language and Literacy every day in the first term the children learn a new sound, how to correctly form their letters and a lot of this is taught through games to help the children remember the sound and hear it in words. Once the sounds are confidently known, the children learn to use language in the written form while developing their spoken language in discussion, show and tell, role play and story telling activities. Throughout their time in Reception the children's learning and competence in communicating, speaking and listening is supported and extended.

Each day the children study Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy and this includes numbers, pattern or shape work. The maths scheme ensures that the learning objectives are supported by work on the interactive white board and there are a host of practical fun activities. The children are encouraged to develop their mental skills and the activities enable the children to develop the skills and strategies, which provide the foundation for Numeracy in years to come.

The staff and children in Reception make good use of their excellent out door learning area, which has lots of suitable equipment and a huge sandpit for appropriate activities. Throughout the week learning takes place through a balance of planned purposeful play and teacher and child initiated activities.

Twice a week the children have PE in the sports hall where they learn the basic skills necessary to enjoy the success that the older children enjoy at CPS. Once a week the children also enjoy a lesson of sound and movement which incorporates drama and listening skills.

The children also have two music lessons where they learn songs, rhythm patterns and use the instruments. Sometimes these lessons are used to learn songs for celebrations such as Harvest, the Nativity, Mothers' Day or Parents' Day.

Once a week the children have a lesson in the ICT suite. Their ICT skills are further enhanced by using the computers in the classroom and using the interactive smart board.

Each week the children visit the school library and Learning Resource Centre where they enjoy taking a book of their own choosing home each week.

Topics are organized so that there is a different topic each half term and all the creative work and knowledge and understanding is based around this topic.

The children have a very busy and a very exciting time in Reception!