Reception 2024 - 2025

Welcome to Reception

In our class we have two teachers, Mrs Miller and Miss McDonagh, and our teaching assistants are Mrs Loeb and Mrs Quirk.

At Sankey Valley St James’ we believe that the Reception year is vital in laying the foundations for children’s future learning. We follow the Early Years statutory framework which specifies the learning and development requirements that must shape activities and experiences (educational programmes) for children in all early years’ settings. Within the framework there are seven areas of learning and development. There are three prime areas of learning and four specific areas of learning.

The three prime areas are:

• Personal, Social and Emotional Development (Self-Regulation, Managing Self, Building Relationships)
• Communication and Language (Listening, Attention and Understanding, Speaking)
• Physical Development (Gross Motor Skills, Fine Motor Skills) 

The four specific areas are:

• Literacy (Comprehension, Word Reading, Writing)
• Maths (Number, Numerical Patterns)
• Understanding the World (Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities)
• Expressive Arts and Design (Creating with Materials, Being Imaginative and Expressive)

Teaching and learning in Reception is underpinned by the characteristics of Effective Learning. The children have the opportunity to play, explore, learn and develop their creativity and thinking skills. The children take part in shared sessions, guided activities and individual work alongside a combination of adult led activities, adult initiated challenges and a wide variety of continuous provision across all areas. Our learning environments, both indoors and outdoors are adapted regularly to reflect the individual needs and interests of the children and to stimulate their learning.

If you have any further questions or would like advice on how to support your child more at home, please don't hesitate to contact us via Class Dojo.