Reception

At St Vincent De Paul we aim to provide the highest quality care and education to all our children thereby giving them a strong foundation for their future learning. We create a safe and happy environment with motivating and enjoyable learning experiences that enable children to become confident and independent learners. We value the individual child and work alongside parents and others to meet their needs and help every child to reach their full potential.

In Reception we follow the Statutory Framework of the EYFS and the four guiding principles that shape practice within Early Years settings:

• Every child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, confident and self- assured.
• Children learn to be strong and independent through positive relationships.
• Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents and/or carers.
• Children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates.

We meet the needs of our children through:

• planning opportunities that build upon and extend children’s knowledge, experience and interests, and develop their self-esteem and confidence;
• using a wide range of teaching strategies based on children’s learning needs;
• providing a wide range of opportunities to motivate and support children and to help them to learn effectively;
• providing a safe and supportive learning environment in which the contribution of all children is valued;
• using resources which reflect diversity and are free from discrimination and stereotyping;
• planning challenging activities for children whose ability and understanding are in advance of their language and communication skills;
• monitoring children’s progress and taking action to provide support as necessary.

At St Vincent De Paul we recognise that parents are children’s first and most enduring educators and we value the contribution they make.

We recognise the role that parents have played, and their future role, in educating the children. We do this through:

• talking to parents about their child before their child starts in our school,
• transition visits,
• induction meetings,
• stay and play/read sessions,
• spotlight progress meetings,
• accessing personal ‘Learning Journals’,
• assigning a Key Person to each child,
• sharing an annual report summarising children’s strengths and next steps.

Within the foundation stage we aim to develop a love of reading which evokes imagination, encourages creativity and promotes communication for children. Literacy and early reading make up an important part of our EYFS and is part of our daily routine across the foundation stage. Our aim is to lay the foundations for a life-long love of reading.

At St Vincent De Paul we believe reading fosters a love of learning. Our children are read to and read daily, they are immersed within a language-rich environment where they discuss books and are tasked with engaging activities in response to reading.

Language develops when adults talk with children about the world around them and the books, poems, rhymes and songs they share. We provide children with extensive opportunities to use and embed new vocabulary in a range of contexts.

We ensure high-quality phonics teaching through Read, Write Inc. Each week, your child will bring home some words in a blending book, a ditty sheet, or a phonics book to show off their reading skills at home. Please write a comment in their reading record book to help us to understand how they are getting on with reading at home. Your child will also bring home a ‘Choice Book’ from the library which you can read to them, perhaps as part of a bedtime routine.

Our EYFS environment is organised to allow children to explore and learn securely and safely. There are areas where the children can be active, be still and quiet or rest. Our EYFS space is set up in designated learning areas, where children are able to find and locate equipment and resources independently. Reception has its own enclosed outdoor area and garden area which has a positive effect on the children’s development. Being outdoors offers opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors and promotes well-being, connecting with nature. It allows the children to explore, use their senses and be physically active and exuberant.  We plan activities and resources for the children to access outdoors that help the children to develop in all areas of their learning.

The reception team are always available to support you and your child through their learning journeys. If you have any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to chat to one of us during home time or registration; alternatively, you can contact the school office.

Reception Curriculum Overview

Miss Harris                                        Mrs Seth                                             Miss Carson