Early Years

Reception class

Early Years Foundation Stage - Nursery & Reception Class

Early Years Foundation Stage (Nursery/Reception) is for children aged three to five years old. It is the first stage of their formal education. The key focus is on teaching routine and easing them into the concept of learning in a structured environment. A lot of the activities for both nursery and Reception are play-based, with more formal teaching starting when they begin Key Stage 1.

The Reception class is the first compulsory year at primary school. Children in Reception get a foundation in literacy through communication and language activities such as role-play, listening exercises and show-and-tell. They learn the alphabet, high-frequency words and begin to learn phonic blends. Basic grammar is also taught at this point.

Their education journey starts with learning how to hold a pencil correctly, practise writing single letters, forming simple words and, eventually, simple sentences. The skills gained in Reception are further honed in Year 1. However, it is essential that even at this young age, they are provided with a stable foundation to build on.

Reception - Lessons Availability

Interested to know what is covered in the National Curriculum ?

Reception - Main Topics

Personal, Social & Emotional Development

  • Building confidence to choose activities and discuss ideas
  • Build awareness of needing help, and confidence to ask
  • Confidence to speak in a group of familiar peers
  • Working as part of a group, following rules where appropriate
  • Forming positive relationships with peers and adults
  • Playing co-operatively, taking turns

Literacy

  • Use phonics to decode straightforward words
  • Read simple sentences
  • Discuss what has been read
  • Use phonics knowledge to write simple words and sentences

Communication & Language

  • Listening attentively, including while completing tasks
  • Listening to stories and responding to prompts and ideas
  • Following instructions to carry out activities
  • Expression of ideas, including real-life and fictional ideas
  • Using past, present and future forms of language

Mathematics

  • Count reliably with numbers up to 20
  • Use counting on and number knowledge for simple addition
  • Begin to recognise and describe simple patterns
  • Use everyday language to talk about size, position, time , etc.
  • Use mathematical language to describe shapes and objects

Physical Development

  • Developing control and coordination of movement
  • Handling equipment and tools, including for writing
  • Learning about healthy diet and exercise
  • Managing their own hygiene and personal needs

Understand the World

  • Talk about events in their own lives and that of their family
  • Know about similarities and differences between communities
  • Talk about similarities and differences between objects
  • Make observations of plants and animals
  • Recognise that technology is used in homes and schools

Expressive Arts & Design

  • Experiment with songs, music and dance
  • Use a range of artistic materials, tools and techniques
  • Work imaginatively to create new works
  • Represent ideas through art, music, role-play, dance and stories
Click here to compare against the UK Government website
Have we offered you enough sessions for the Reception group, or would you be interested in more subjects and topics? Are you interested in smaller group session, or would you like to find out availability of our 1-on-1 lessons? We want to hear about anything that we can help you with, as this will allow us to curate the right lessons and schedule them appropriately. Please share with us your comments or ideas using this form. Have fun learning!

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