Welcome to Reception!

We would like to welcome you all to the Racemeadow community. We aim to update this page each term so you are up to date with what the children are learning. To access your child's individual learning journey you will need to access tapestry. We will also share any important information with you on tapestry and will use it for general communication with you so please make sure you check your account regularly. 

We look forward to getting to know all the children and working with you over the year.

Thank you, Reception team 

Looking after our children’s Mental health and Wellbeing

At primary school age, children are developing the emotional and social foundations that will support them throughout life. Their mental health and wellbeing play a vital role in how they learn, build friendships, and cope with challenges. When children feel safe, valued, and supported, they are more confident, engaged, and ready to learn. As parents and educators, we can work together to create nurturing environments where children feel comfortable expressing their feelings and developing resilience. By prioritising wellbeing early on, we help set children up for long-term success both in and out of the classroom.

Tips for you to Support your child’s Wellbeing at Home

• 🗣️ Talk regularly: Encourage your child to share how they’re feeling. Listen without judgment and reassure them that all feelings are okay.
• 🛏️ Establish routines: Consistent sleep, mealtimes, and downtime help children feel secure and balanced.
• 🧸 Play together: Play is a powerful way for children to express emotions and build confidence.
• 🌳 Get outside: Fresh air and physical activity support both mental and physical health.
• 🎨 Encourage creativity: Drawing, music, and storytelling can help children process emotions.
• 💬 Model calm and kindness: Children learn emotional regulation by watching how adults respond to stress.
• 🧘 Teach simple coping strategies: Breathing exercises, quiet time, or a “calm corner” can help children

"The best way to make children good is to make them happy" —Oscar Wilde 

Summer 1 

In our summer term we will be taking a deeper look into the world around us. We will learn about where our food comes from and how we can be more self sufficient by growing our own fruit and vegetables. We will also explore how our town has changed over time and begin to develop an understanding of bigger environmental changes worldwide that are affecting our planet and consider how we can help reduce the damage. 

In phonics we will be continuing to develop our reading stamina so that we are able to read sentences confidently. We will learn consonant blends like br, bl, st, and mp ect and begin to read CCVC and CVCC words with increasing accuracy. Most children will have a book of words, a sheet of sentences or a short story book to read each week depending on their reading level. 

In maths this term we will be learning numbers to 20 and beyond. We will develop an understanding of what a teen number is and will identify counting patterns. We will apply our knowledge of number to solve addition and subtraction problems. We will also be further developing our understanding of shape by building 3D shapes out of 2D shapes as well as manipulating and rotating shapes for different purposes. 

Spring 2

This term is full of adventure. We will be learning about different types of transport, thinking about which mode of transport we would use for different journeys we might take. We will think about how we can be more environmentally friendly with our transport and think about what different type of transport we can make in the future that will be better for our planet. We will think about and discuss our environment and the places we have travelled to and will begin to consider how we can compare different locations. 

In phonics we will be beginning to read more words and will be putting words together to read sentences. We will learn how to use our finger to track the words on the page to make it easier to follow and to understand when one word ends and another begins. We will continue to develop our writing through writing dictated sentences thinking about what we have learnt in phonics about focusing on one word at a time making sure we are writing all the sounds that we can hear.  

In maths we will be focusing on the numbers 9 and 10. We will learn our number bonds to 10 and we will learn about odd and even numbers and double facts up to 10. We will also learn to name and identify 3d shapes. We will begin to explore their properties and spot them in the environment thinking about what makes each shape good for different purposes. 

Spring 1

This term we will learn about different people in the community who help us. The children will think about the jobs people do and the things they need to help them do their job, there will be lots of opportunity for role play. We will also be having lots of discussions about managing ourselves, looking after our bodies and regulating our behaviour. 

In phonics we will be securing our knowledge of sound set 1 including the first digraphs. The children will continue to be split into  specific phonics groups that will be targeted to their level. The children will be learning to blend with increasing accuracy and will be developing their independence in writing words. Children will begin to bring home reading books suitable for their level of reading as soon as they are ready.  

In maths we follow the White Rose maths programme of learning. This term we will be exploring measuring and comparing mass and capacity. In number we will focus on the number 5  developing or understanding of the composition of the number 5 and focusing on number bonds of numbers up to 5 we will also introduce 0.

Autumn 2 

This term is about learning different traditions and celebrations held all over the world. The children will develop their communication skills through discussion about their own family traditions and the things they celebrate. We will share experiences through having a pretend wedding and birthday party and of course it will be the children's first Christmas at Racemeadow so they will join in with the schools traditions for the first time. 

In phonics we will be securing our knowledge of sound set 1.The children will be split specific phonics groups that will be targeted to their specific level. The children will be developing their ability to blend sounds together to read words and break words into sounds to write them. Children will begin to bring home reading books suitable for their level of reading as soon as they are ready.  

In maths we follow the White Rose maths programme of learning. This term we will be exploring shape, learning to name and identify circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. We will begin to talk about the properties of these shapes.  In number we will focus on the numbers 4 and 5 including the compositon of these numbers, recognising and representing the amount and matching to the correct numeral.  

Autumn 1

This term is all about getting to know each other and learning more about ourselves. We will share photos and stories about our families and discuss how things change over time. We will explore where we live and talk about the people in our community that we are all familiar with. Finally we will learn more about our bodies and consider what makes us unique. Our main focus is on helping the children settle into school and become familiar with the new routines and boundaries. We want to ensure that the children feel happy and safe so they can be confident learners. 

Following the RWInc phonics scheme we will begin to introduce children to the first set of sounds and will practice listening for the first sound in a word. We will be hosting a phonics workshop later in the term to introduce you to RWInc phonics so you can help support your child at home. 

In maths we follow the White Rose maths programme of learning. This term we will be exploring patterns by making simple repeated patterns. In number we will focus on the numbers 1, 2 and 3 including the compositon of these numbers, recognising and representing the amount and matching to the correct numeral.