This Summer Term marks the final term in the ‘Early Years’ department for our Reception children, so it’s a great time to reflect — not just on the year so far, but on a journey that began when many of these children were just 2 years old in our Nursery. From Nursery, to Kindergarten, to Reception, our Early Years curriculum has been designed to spark curiosity, foster a love of learning, and ‘stretch’ children.

Did you know?  

90% of brain development happens before age 5, showing how important the ‘Early Years’ are and why we are so passionate about giving our Foresters the best possible start.  

A Peek Into Reception Life

Independence

In Reception, a big focus on everything that we do relates to independence. Not just personal independence such as being able to put on their own coats and shoes but in the way they think so that they are able to problem solve and have the ability to approach anything that is asked of them academically. 

Maths

In maths, the children are competent at counting, and can count beyond 20. Due to this competence they have now moved onto money and are able to group and arrange money.  They have also been introduced to ‘telling the time’ and can tell the time on the hour and even on the half hour.

English

Our Reception classroom features the famous ‘Writing Wall’. Each half-term the children produce brilliant writing for our writing wall. By the end of the year it’s great to flick through the writing pieces and see their progression. This half-terms piece was a diary entry from their Blue Planet school trip — packed with detail and personality!

Reading 

The children read out loud three times a week to a member of the teaching team, their reading is flourishing,. They’re confidently sounding out words, reading fluently, and even tackling comprehension with pride.

Forest Life

In addition to all this learning in the classroom, the children have learnt a lot out of the classroom. They participated in the Centenary poetry competition which helped build their confidence, went on a school trip to the Blue Planet Aquarium and have learnt alot from their Year 6 buddies in their weekly meets. 

As we approach the final term in Reception the children have very much to look forward to, including Sports Day and a trip to Knowsley Safari Park with thei year 6 buddies and not to mention ‘Forest Fest’ a whole school party. 

What an incredible journey it’s been — and what an exciting future lies ahead!