Reception (Rabbits Class)

In Rabbits Class, we continue the Early Years Foundation Stage with a focus on engaging, child-led topics, and opportunities to explore and learn in the outdoors.

We believe in giving children a voice in their learning, fostering a love for discovery and creativity from the very start. Our small, dedicated Reception class is taught by a qualified teacher and supported by a teaching assistant, as well as a number of specialist subject teachers.

Families eligible for Early Years Funding can continue to claim in Reception until the start of the term after their child turns five, when they reach compulsory school age.

Read more about our fees and funding options.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In our Reception Class, we continue the Early Years Foundation Stage, covering seven key areas of learning: Communication and Language, Physical Development, Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive Arts and Design.  At the beginning of each half term, the class collaborates with the teacher to create a plan of work based on the topic and their interests, giving children a voice in their learning.

We build an EYFS profile for each child over the year by observing them in their chosen activities. This profile records their achievements and helps plan their learning. It forms the basis of reports to parents and is shared with the child's next teacher. The Tapestry Childhood Educational Platform is used to share the children's learning with parents. At Northbourne Park, the number of children achieving expected or exceeding level for the Early Learning Goals is significantly above the national average.

Read more about our pupils' achievements across the school.

Literacy

We build on the foundations laid in Nursery, following the Read Write Inc. Phonics programme. As your child learns sounds and can spell several words, they will start reading scheme books, which are brought home daily to involve parents in the reading process.

Numeracy

In Reception, mathematical concepts are taught through fun, practical activities both inside and outside the classroom. We provide daily Maths activities, including teacher-led tasks such as writing numbers correctly or addition sums, as well as child-initiated number games, computer programs, sand tray activities, and building with 3D shapes.

Specialist Subjects

French, Music, and Forest School are taught by specialist teachers, enriching the children's learning experience.

Learning Environment

Our Reception classrooms are on the ground floor and consist of three spacious rooms. Resources are clearly labelled and easily accessible to children. We also have access to resources from across the Pre-Prep, including our well-stocked library.

The outside environment is integral to the children's learning, with easy access from the classroom to our beautiful garden and covered patio. We encourage learning through outdoor play, gardening, painting the patio with water, riding tricycles, climbing equipment, using the large sandpit, and camp making.

Book your tour of the Pre-Prep.