Early Years

‘In Reception, now, there is a greater focus on literacy and numeracy; this has been increasing year on year…. As a result, more children had a good level of development at the end of Reception and results in 2017 were above national averages’.

Ofsted, February 2018

‘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.’

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2017

Welcome to Reception at Fynamore

Here at Fynamore we have a very hands on, play-based approach to learning in our Reception classes and are always striving to improve. Our aim is for every child to achieve their best through fun, imaginative, hands-on activities that have meaning to 4 and 5 year olds. Play is the kind of learning where not only the children don’t realise they are learning, but many adults don’t realise either!

Our overarching vision is to:

• Provide inspiring and interactive environments, both indoors and outside, supported by professional, caring and enthusiastic adults;

• Create learning that is meaningful to each child whilst providing challenge with support;

• Ensure high expectations for all our children, encouraging them to become independent learners; able to make choices and take responsibilities;

• Recognise children as individual beings;

• Provide a smooth and safe transition from children’s previous settings;

• Ensure a gradual progression into the KS1 classes;

• Develop a close relationship between school and parents.

Early Years Curriculum

The statutory Foundation Stage Curriculum (also known as the EYFS) has seven key areas of learning. These are broken into 3 prime areas and 4 specific areas, as follows:

PRIME AREAS

• Communication and Language

• Physical Development

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development

SPECIFIC AREAS

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the World

• Expressive Arts and Design

During a child’s first half term at school, the prime areas are the key focus of our learning, as children settle into new routines. These prime areas then continue to underpin our work throughout the Reception year, ensuring we have happy children that will thrive and succeed as they continue in their learning journey.  

A Typical Day in Reception

 ‘Each area of learning and development must be implemented through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity. Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.’

Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, 2017

In our classes, we offer a balance of Independent Leaning (child-initiated exploration) and adult-led learning during the school day.  

During adult-led sessions, children work in small groups, whole class or 1:1 to take their learning forwards, based on the next steps relevant to them. Directed activities include phonics, writing, PE, mathematics, music, ‘Read, Write, Rotate’, circle time, stories, show and tell and topic inputs for creative work or 'Understanding of the World'. However, play underpins the very nature of our approach to working with young children and we believe that children learn best when they are having fun. As such, even when children have little ‘jobs’, these are planned for with a creative and hands-on approach in mind.  

During Independent Learning time, the children choose freely from any of the classroom resources in our indoor environment or outside in our ‘Reception garden’. This is a very social time in Reception and resources are extended and developed as the year goes on, using topic themes and children’s interests. The role of the adults during Independent Learning is key to ensuring children are sensitively moved forwards with learning during this time. If you visit us at this time of day, you may see adults observing children, playing alongside them or initiating playful provocations to support further learning growth. Some interventions and 1:1 reading also happen during this time, when children are ready and settled.

Independent Learning is guaranteed to be the part of the day that children will talk about most when they return home from school each afternoon!  It is a privilege for us to see those wonderful new learning moments in action and to have this time to truly understand each child.

A typical daily timetable is shared in the ‘Welcome to Reception’ booklet.  A link for this document can be found below.

Useful links for Fynamore Reception Parents