Welcome to Reception at Ambergate Primary School

We believe it is important to work in partnership with parents to build and develop confident and capable learners, who are interested, excited and motivated to learn.

Scroll down to find out more about how Reception is taught at our school and how you can support your child at home.

Starting School

The 10 keys to unlocking school readiness*

• I can settle happily without my parent/carer
• I can talk to friends and grown-ups about what I need
• I can take turns and share when I am playing
• I can go to the toilet on my own and wash my hands
• I can put on my own coat and shoes and feed myself
• I can tell a grown up if I am happy, sad or cross
• I know that what I do and say can make others happy or unhappy
• I am curious and want to learn and play
• I can stop what I am doing, listen and follow simple instructions
• I enjoy sharing books with grown-ups and talk about them

*If a child is developing typically for their age

Our Curriculum 

At Ambergate School we recognise that the environment plays a key role in supporting and extending the children’s development. This begins by observing the children and assessing their interests, development and learning, before planning challenging but achievable activities and experiences to extend the children’s learning. We aim to create stimulating learning environments both indoors and outdoors which offer a wide range of activities that encourage the children’s interest and curiosity.

We follow the updated 2021 Early Years Framework which is designed to promote teaching and learning which develops ‘school readiness’. At Ambergate, we teach children by ensuring challenging, playful opportunities across the prime and specific areas of learning and development. The experiences that our children meet often enable them to develop a number of competencies, skills and concepts across several areas of learning. None of the areas can be delivered in isolation from the others, they are equally important and depend upon each other to support a rounded approach to the development of each child.

Our Classroom

In class 1, we have a large indoor and outdoor learning environment. The children have full access to the resources in the classroom and are encouraged to access the resources with independence. The continuous provision remains the same in our classroom, we then enhance the areas following our class topic and the children's interests. Here are a few of the areas in our room. 

Outdoor Learning 

At Ambergate School we love learning outdoors. We have our own enclosed outdoor area in Class 1 which we use daily. Being outdoors offers opportunities for doing things in different ways and on different scales than when indoors. It enables 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 them to develop in all seven areas of learning.

Every Wednesday, we walk up to Thacker's wood and spend an afternoon exploring the woodlands together. Learning and having lots of fun!

Partnership with Parents

Parents are children's first and most enduring educators.

As such, we believe that parents have an important role to play in the education of their child.

When parents and school work together in early years settings, the results have a positive impact on a child's

development and learning.

How can I help my child?

You can be there in many ways for your child to support their learning at home and school.

At Home

Prepare them to be ready, willing and able to participate fully in activities each day,

• Through a good sleeping routine
• Healthy eating
• Arriving on time for school
   

Spend time:

• Sharing books, to foster interest in reading and an enjoyment of books.
• Singing songs and nursery rhymes together
• Playing games together
   

Give them the opportunity to:

• Explore with paint
• Engage in pretend play
   

Take them to:

• Visit the local library
• Explore the outside together

Develop Their Thinking Skills

Give your child time and space to experiment with the knowledge and skills they already have. Help your child to discover things for themselves and see mistakes as part of their learning. Give your child lots of praise and encouragement, and value their efforts.

Spend Time Talking and Listening to Your Child

Children need lots of opportunities to talk with others, as they develop and practise their speaking and listening skills. This helps to build their confidence and improves their ability to communicate with other people.

In order to make a good start in reading and writing, children need an adult to talk to and listen to them. Everyday activities such as preparing meals, tidying up, putting shopping away and getting ready to go out, offer you chances to talk to your child, explaining what you are doing. They hear the way language is put together into sentences for a purpose.

At School

Attend parent-teacher consultations and family workshops, to find out first hand how your child learns and to explore ways in which you can support them at home in achieving their targets.

Developing a Partnership

We believe that parents have an important role to play in the education of their child.

In the Foundation Stage we value your opinion and welcome you to share your knowledge of your child.