Reception
Welcome to Reception!
Donaldson class - Miss Field and Miss Gulzar
Ahlberg class - Miss Mannion and Miss Khatun
At Elms Farm we strongly believe every child should have the right start from the beginning of their educational journey. We have used research from EEF to ensure our strategies are purposeful and focus on impact. At Elms Farm we focus on -
1. Importance of Strong Foundations
2. Language as a Priority
3. Targeted Support
The early years are critical for laying the groundwork for future academic success. Language development is foundational for thinking and learning. EEF’s Preparing for Literacy report emphasizes that prioritizing language is essential, especially for children with delayed communication skills. High-quality interactions, such as back-and-forth conversations, are vital even if they don’t resemble formal teaching. EEF advocates a continuum of response: All children benefit from rich language environments. Some need targeted interventions. A few require specialist support, such as speech and language therapy.
To ensure the foundations are strong in EYFS, leaders have planned a well sequenced curriculum where children have opportunities to learn new skills through play and direct teaching. Modelling and scaffolding are key to children’s success and children are given time to recall prior knowledge to embed learning.
At Elms Farm Primary School we use the approach Concept Cat ( 2022) and SHrec ( 2023) from EEF to ensure staff deliver high quality communication and language. Staff use Intensive Interaction as part of broader strategies for improving high-quality adult-child interactions.
We deliver the EYFS curriculum which includes the following 7 areas of learning :
- Physical Development,
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development,
- Communication and Language,
- Literacy,
- Maths,
- Understanding the World,
- Expressive Arts and Design
These areas are taught through our half termly topics which are:
- What makes me great?
- How do we celebrate?
- Where do I live?
- What job do I want to have?
- How do things grow?
- How do we get there?
Click the link below to view our curriculum overview.
In Reception we learn through play using our indoor and outdoor environments. We follow the EYFS characteristics of learning which are : Playing and Exploring, Active Learning and Creative and Critical Thinking.
Phonics:
We follow Little Wandle for daily phonics lessons which supports the children's decoding and blending skills in order to learn to read. The children's home reader books are matched to their phonics ability. In Reception we learn phases 2,3 and 4. Below is a link to the Little Wandle website for more information on how to support your child.
For parents | Letters and Sounds (littlewandlelettersandsounds.org.uk)
The School Day
The children begin at 8:40 am-9:00am and finish at 3:30pm every day.
Things to bring to school
- A school bag – which can be purchased from the school office
- A suitable coat
- A named water bottle
Snacks and Lunches
Children will be provided with a piece of fruit which the children can access independently. Please do not send any sugary snacks with your child.
If you are providing your child with a packed lunch, please make sure it has a variety of food so your child is receiving a balanced diet.
All children in Reception are entitled to Universal Free School meals at lunchtime. We have a varied and exciting menu and halal and vegetarian menus are available every day.
It is important that you let us know if your child has any allergies.
Communication
We use the ‘Class Dojo’ app to communicate with parents and share whole school information. You will be able to see photographs of the class learning during the week too. In September, you will be given sign up information. There are also notices outside each classroom window so please check these weekly.
Take a look around the learning in Reception:
