Bede Community Primary School

Everybody learns, everybody cares

Welcome to Reception Class

Teaching Staff

Mrs Cawson

(EYFS Lead / Teacher)

Mr White

(Teacher)

Mrs Connor

(Teaching Assistant

Useful Information

  • Home reading is given out on a Friday to be returned the following Thursday.
  • Home learning is given out on a Friday to be returned the following Monday.
  • PE is every Wednesday.  Children are to come to school wearing a PE kit

Reception Class Blog 24-25

 Reception Class Blog 24-25

Information About the EYFS 

Teaching and Learning in the EYFS

In our Reception Class, we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, which ensures your child receives a well-rounded education from the start. The EYFS focuses on seven key areas of learning:

  1. Communication and Language: We encourage children to develop their speaking and listening skills through stories, songs, and conversations.
  2. Physical Development: Activities such as playing with balls, climbing, and dancing help improve their motor skills and overall health.
  3. Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Children learn to work together, share, and understand their own feelings and those of others.
  4. Literacy: Through fun activities like storytelling, reading, and writing, children start to recognize letters and sounds.
  5. Mathematics: Simple counting, shapes, and problem-solving activities make learning numbers enjoyable.
  6. Understanding the World: We explore nature, people, and places, helping children make sense of the world around them.
  7. Expressive Arts and Design: Creative activities such as painting, music, and role-play allow children to express themselves.

 You can find more information about the EYFS here:

https://www.gov.uk/early-years-foundation-stage

 Our goal is to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where every child can thrive and develop a love for learning. If you have any questions about our Reception Class, please feel free to contact us.

 

A Play-Based Approach

We believe that young children learn best through play. Our teaching approach includes:

  • Child-Initiated Play: Children choose their activities and play with adults working as play partners alongside them. This fosters creativity, decision-making, and independence.
  • Adult-Initiated Activities: Teachers set up specific activities that encourage children to explore new concepts and skills within a structured environment. This might include setting up a science experiment or creating a themed play area.
  • Adult-Led Activities: These are more structured sessions led by the teacher, such as a group story time, a phonics lesson, or a guided math game.

By balancing these different types of activities, we ensure that learning is both fun and effective.

 

Assessment in the EYFS

Assessment in the EYFS is continuous and informal. Our teachers observe your child during activities to understand their progress and identify their strengths and areas for development. Key assessment points include:

  • Reception Baseline Assessment: At the start of the Reception year, we assess each child to establish their starting points.
  • Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP): At the end of the Reception year, we complete a detailed profile to summarize your child's development and readiness for Year 1.

 

Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA)

The Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) is a statutory assessment from September 2021 onwards. It provides a snapshot of where pupils are when they arrive at school. It will provide a starting point to measure the progress schools make with their pupils between reception and the end of primary school.

Full information about the reception baseline assessment and what it involves can be found here:www.gov.uk/guidance/reception-baseline-assessment

 

Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP)

The EYFS profile provides a comprehensive summary of each child’s achievements by the end of Reception at [Your School Name]. It's important to note that this assessment is not a test, and children do not 'pass' or 'fail'.

 

Areas of Learning and Early Learning Goals (ELGs)

The profile assesses children’s attainment in several areas of learning, known as Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Here are examples of some ELGs and the skills they represent:

 

Communication and Language

  • ELG: Listening, Attention, and Understanding (e.g., following instructions, responding to questions)
  • ELG: Speaking (e.g., expressing ideas and emotions using full sentences, understanding past, present, and future tenses)

Physical Development

  • ELG: Gross Motor Skills (e.g., demonstrating control and coordination in activities like climbing)
  • ELG: Fine Motor Skills (e.g., holding a pencil correctly and using scissors effectively)

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

  • ELG: Self-Regulation (e.g., understanding and managing their own feelings and those of others)
  • ELG: Managing Self (e.g., showing independence, following rules, and managing personal hygiene)

Literacy

  • ELG: Comprehension (e.g., retelling stories in their own words)
  • ELG: Word Reading (e.g., pronouncing sounds for each letter and recognizing common digraphs)
  • ELG: Writing (e.g., writing recognizable letters and simple sentences)

Mathematics

  • ELG: Number (e.g., understanding number bonds to 5)
  • ELG: Numerical Patterns (e.g., counting beyond 20, recognizing patterns in numbers up to 10)

Understanding of the World

  • ELG: Past and Present (e.g., understanding historical changes and societal roles)
  • ELG: People, Culture and Communities (e.g., appreciating similarities and differences across communities)
  • ELG: The Natural World (e.g., exploring changes in the natural environment)

Expressive Arts and Design

  • ELG: Creating with Materials (e.g., experimenting with color, texture, and form)
  • ELG: Being Imaginative and Expressive (e.g., exploring stories through various art forms, including music and dance)

Each ELG outlines what the average child is expected to achieve by the age of five.

 

Characteristics of Effective Learning

In addition to ELGs, the teaching staff consider three 'characteristics of effective learning' when planning your child’s educational journey:

  • Playing and exploring
  • Active learning
  • Creating and thinking critically

These characteristics are fundamental to your child’s learning process and help Year 1 teachers understand their developmental level and learning needs as they transition into Key Stage 1.

You can find more information on the EYFSP here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-profile-handbook

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