Welcome to Reception Class!
I am delighted to start this academic year in Reception! This year we will be exploring new ideas, discovering different ways to learn and enjoying a variety of fantastic experiences. I will endeavour to instil a love of learning in each and every child in Reception and to inspire your child’s imagination through exciting and interesting topics and themes.
I am also to delighted to be joined by Mrs Davidson, we have worked together for many years in EYFS and she is a fantastic practitioner and support to the children of St Anne’s.
I will be teaching Reception four days a week; the class will be taught by Mrs Butler on a Friday. Mrs Butler is a wonderful teacher and is excited to return to St Anne’s this year. On a Tuesday afternoon the children will be taught by Mrs Laidler and will enjoy sharing in her musical expertise.
Please find below some information about the autumn term in our class that you may find useful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. My email address is e.taylor104@st-annes-pri.durham.sch.uk
- This term our PE slots are Wednesday and Friday afternoon. Please come to school wearing your PE kit on those days. We are going to be joined this year by colleagues from TASC Football who will be working alongside staff and children to upskill staff and support the teaching of PE.
- Homework is optional and will be sent home as a grid of ideas and activities you and your child can complete over a half term together.
- Belinda Bear (our class bear) will visit a different family each week. She will go home on a Friday and be returned by the following Thursday ready for her next visit.
- Reading – Read Write Inc. – Read Write Inc (RWI) is a systematic synthetic phonics program that teaches children in Reception to read fluently by learning to sound out letters and blend them into words, using storybooks matched to their phonetic knowledge. The program involves daily lessons, grouped by ability, where children learn sounds and how to form letters, using characters like “Fred” to help with blending and “Fred fingers” to pinch out sounds. Children practice reading storybooks and take them home, gradually progressing from simple single-sound words to more complex words and sentences. More information about phonics will follow when you will be invited to join Mrs Davidson and I in school for a short information sharing session.
- More information about reading can be found at https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/at-school/reception-at-primary-school/what-to-expect-in-reception-age-4-5/
- Reading for Pleasure – each week your child will bring home a picture book to share and enjoy. Your child does not need to read this book, simply enjoy story time with an adult.
- https://home.oxfordowl.co.uk/reading/reading-schemes-oxford-levels/read-write-inc-phonics-guide/
- There is a video that you can watch for more information about Read, Write Inc. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjlPILhk7bQ
- A video to help pronounce the sounds http://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents/
- Visits/trips: will be planned later in the term and you will be contacted via Arbor.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a curriculum framework for children aged birth to five in England. It outlines seven areas of learning and development, consisting of three Prime Areas (Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication and Language; Physical Development) and four Specific Areas (Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design). The EYFS also includes principles for a “Unique Child,” “Positive Relationships,” “Enabling Environments,” and “Learning and Development,” focusing on how children learn best through play and exploration to ensure their safety and welfare.
Topics are child led and planning will reflect the interests of the children. To inspire the children, we will plan for themes. Below is a sample of what to expect in the coming weeks:
| Prime Areas | |
| Communication and Language | Early phonics skills, games, stories and rhymes to promote listening skills and understanding. Introduce circle times to promote positive interactions with their new peers and adults to provide modelling within the areas of provision to expand on new vocabulary and build on relationships.
Circle time to focus on feelings. Use of the book ‘The Colour Monster’ to discuss emotions with the children with an emphasis on using colour to help them express how they feel. Introduction of talking partners to promote talk within focused activities. Introduce rhyme/poem of the week to support focus on new vocabulary.
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| Personal, Social and emotional Development | Children will be supported by adults to settle into their new school routines, with lots of short circle times and activities to ensure the children feel happy and secure in their new setting. Introductions of Class Dojo (school reward system) Belinda Bear and Star of the week and clear expectations within the classroom areas will help the children to feel welcome, safe and secure. Use of the book ‘The Colour Monster to discuss emotions with the children with an emphasis on using colour to help them express how they feel.
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| Physical Development | Develop gross motor skills using the outdoors with an emphasis on large scale building and the use of the play equipment.
Weekly funky fingers/dough disco/gym activities. Use of various sensory materials and a range of writing media to encourage mark making. The introduction of Drawing Club. A programme that integrates language, mark-making, and mathematical concepts by using a book, tale, or animation as the central focus, allowing children to engage with characters, settings, and narratives through creative drawing and the addition of secret symbols and passwords. Read Write Inc. Letter formation – Set 1 sounds PE – Me and Myself – My body and my senses and on the move games and activities.
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| Specific Areas | |
| Literacy | Reading – RWInc Phonics, Reading stories linked to the topic/theme and sharing non-fiction texts. (Starting w/c 22.09.2025)
Writing – Drawing Club, letter formation in the environment and taught during daily phonics Mark making in the environment and taught writing sessions
Suggested stories – Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs go to School, The Colour Monster, The Colour Monster goes to School.
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| Mathematics | Reinforcement of number songs that we might already know. Reinforcement of the days of the week. Look at the visual timetable and calendar
Introduction to White Rose Maths and mastery of number through Numberblocks – Match, sort and compare Talk about measure and patterns It’s me 1,2,3
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| Understanding the World | To begin to appreciate that we are all different and unique and to enjoy ‘getting to know you’ circle games. Talk about birthdays and create the birthday board.
Get to know the school environment – walk around the school building and grounds – understand about the wider school Seasonal and environmental change Explore Harvest and seasonal vegetables |
| Expressive Arts and Design | Self-portraits both with the use of paints/ pastels as well as using fine pens.
Introduction of self-initiated creative area with the use of a variety of media. Learn to use media and materials safely Investigate musical instruments to make own music Sing a well know range of songs and nursery rhymes
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Further information about the curriculum content can be found on our school website.
During Reception, we will work hard together to create a positive learning environment where children can be the best that they can be and reach their full potential!
Thank you to you as parents and guardians for your ongoing support, we could not do it without your and your incredible children.
Yours Sincerely,
Miss Taylor and Mrs Davidson
