Prime Areas of Learning

Our children are encouraged to listen attentively, to speak confidently in a range of situations and develop their understanding through a wide variety of activities, e.g. circle time, role play, rhymes and poetry and ‘Show and Tell’.

During their time in Reception our children develop gross and fine motor skills, co-ordination and spatial awareness. Each child is supported to develop an understanding of the importance of being active and to make healthy choices in relation to food at lunch and snack times. We make excellent use of our wonderful grounds and spacious indoor environment to develop physical awareness.

During their Reception year our children are encouraged to have self-belief and confidence in their own abilities. They learn to form positive relationships and respect for others and are encouraged to develop their social skills and manage their feelings and behaviour.

And four specific areas of learning:

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive Arts & Design

Our children are given opportunities to enjoy a rich language environment through a wide range of books, displays and resources. We follow the ‘Jolly Phonics’ and ‘Letters and Sounds’ literacy programmes through which the children begin to link sounds to letters for reading and writing. Children are given word lists and reading books by the class teacher when they are ready.

Mathematical development is supported by a progressive approach and is taught through a wide range of resources and practical activities, e.g. games, apparatus, rhymes, songs and stories. The children gain knowledge to solve problems and use across the other areas of learning.

We encourage our children’s natural curiosity by providing plenty of opportunities to explore and investigate their own environment, living things and the world around them. Through celebrating key events in the year our children become aware of cultural and religious differences which in turn helps them to respect and value others. The children develop skills in using a variety of materials, tools and ICT equipment.

There are many opportunities for creativity through designing and making, art, music, dance and imaginative play. Every child is encouraged to ‘have a go’ and as in all the other areas of learning every achievement is celebrated. The children also receive music lessons in the music room with our Director of Music.