Welcome to Reception Class 

Our Vision for our Children in EYFS is in line with our school vision;

We believe every child is amazing and everyone deserves an excellent start to their learning journey. Everything in our nurturing environment sparks enjoyment, curiosity, awe, and wonder encouraging a lifelong love of learning through play, discovery, and meaningful experiences.

Contacts:

Mrs Saunders          ssaunders@redhill.worcs.sch.uk 

Mrs Butcher            sbutcher@redhill.worcs.sch.uk 

This half term in Reception - Super Scientists 

This half term, the children will become Super Scientists as we explore the exciting topic of Space! 🚀✨

The children will learn about the first moon landing, the planets in our solar system, and key inspirational figures such as Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Tim Peake, and Mae Jemison. We will be carrying out simple science experiments, learning about constellations, and developing our curiosity about the world beyond Earth. Our role-play area has been transformed into a space station, giving the children the opportunity to embed their learning through imaginative play.

In English, our space-themed books, which act as our vehicle for learning, are Aliens Love Underpants and Whatever Next! These texts will inspire storytelling, discussion, and early writing. Our space topic will last for four weeks, after which we will move on to our traditional tale The Gingerbread Man.

During writing sessions, children will be encouraged to become more independent writers, using their word mats and grapheme mats to support them. There will continue to be a strong focus on letter formation and on using the strategy “Think it, say it, write it.”

In Maths, the children will focus on:

• Numbers to 10

• Counting forwards and backwards

• Representing numbers in different ways

• Comparing quantities

• Exploring one more and one less

• Understanding number bonds within 10

At home, you can support your child by practising number bonds in fun, everyday ways (such as using toys, snacks, or household objects). We will send home resources to support this learning as each area is covered in class.

In Art, the children will be learning about the work of William Morris, exploring patterns, colour, and design. In Computing, they will begin to learn how to programme Bee-Bots, developing their early coding skills by giving simple instructions, predicting outcomes, and debugging.

We are looking forward to a fun, creative, and curiosity-filled half term of learning!

A few reminders to help the next half term run smoothly:

• PE - This half term, the children will not have timetabled PE sessions. However, they will continue to take part in Forest School and engage in lots of focused gross motor activities within our outdoor provision to support their physical development. If we feel that a PE session would enhance the children’s skills, we will plan one and inform you in advance so you know when to send your child into school wearing their PE kit.

• Forest School is on Tuesdays. 

• Please name all hats and gloves now the weather is getting colder – we cannot easily return items if they are unnamed.

• Children go outside in all weathers, so a coat is essential.

• Book bags and water bottles should come to school daily. 

Reading books 

Reading books must be kept in book bags at all times. A new reading book will be issued every Monday, matched to your child’s current phonics level, and will be collected in on a Thursday.

Please note that if a book is lost or damaged, there will unfortunately be a £5 charge to cover the cost of replacement. To help prevent damage, please do not place water bottles in book bags, as leaks can easily ruin books.

Reading Diaries

Please ensure reading diaries are to be sent in everyday too. If your child is taking part in a phonics or reading intervention, staff will need to make a note in the diary and inform you when this support is taking place.

If your child is currently using a wordless book, please do come and speak to us— we are more than happy to discuss how you can best support your child’s reading at home.

Thank you for your continued support in developing a love of reading!

In Autumn 2, we will continue our teaching and learning of  Phase 2 sounds.  Click on the link below for guidance on how to pronounce each pure sound clearly. For parents | Letters and Sounds