Welcome to Reception

Welcome to Reception

RG Class Teacher is Miss Gordon

RKR Class Teachers are Ms Rowlands and Mrs Robson

Reception’s Learning Support Assistants are: Miss Monaghan and Mrs Shurie

Prime Areas:

Communication and Language

Physical Development

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Specific Areas:

Literacy

Mathematics

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

In the first few weeks of Reception, we focus upon familiarising the children with the indoor and outdoor environments, establishing routines and making sure they feel happy and safe.  This year we will also conduct the Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) for your child.

At Greenbank Primary School we know that children learn best through hands-on experiences in diverse and stimulating environments. With this in mind, all pupils learn both in and outdoors (in all weather conditions) throughout their time in Reception.

 

Outdoor learning in early years education offers numerous benefits for children. Some of these advantages include:

1. Physical development: Outdoor play promotes gross and fine motor skills as children engage in activities like running, climbing, and manipulating objects. Gross and fine motor skills are vital and support children’s ability to hold a knife and fork and hold a pencil effectively when writing.

2. Health and well-being: Exposure to natural environments can enhance children’s physical and mental health, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

3. Cognitive development: Exploring nature fosters curiosity and problem-solving skills, as children discover and investigate the world around them.

4. Social development: Outdoor play encourages cooperation, communication, and teamwork, helping children develop important social skills.

5. Creativity and imagination: Nature inspires creativity and imaginative play, as children use natural materials and landscapes as a canvas for their ideas.

6. Environmental awareness: Early exposure to the outdoors can instill a lifelong appreciation for nature and environmental stewardship. Children love looking at the physical and environmental changes through the year.

7. Improved concentration: Outdoor learning can lead to better attention and focus, as the changing outdoor environment stimulates children’s senses.

8. Emotional resilience: Facing challenges and risks in outdoor settings helps children build resilience and self-confidence.

9. Multisensory learning: Nature provides a rich sensory experience that engages all the senses, supporting holistic learning.

10. Connection to the curriculum: Many academic concepts can be integrated into outdoor activities, making learning more enjoyable and meaningful.

      

Miss Gordon

Miss Gordon

Reception Teacher

Ms Rowlands

Ms Rowlands

Safeguarding Lead, Assistant Head, Reception Teacher

Mrs Robson

Mrs Robson

Reception Teacher

Miss Monaghan

Miss Monaghan

Learning Support Assistant

Mrs Shurie

Mrs Shurie

Learning Support Assistant

Useful Information

Throughout the week, children access the indoor and outdoor environment freely and partake in a range of activities to develop their fine and gross motor skills. We really enjoying our time learning and playing outdoors and to allow us to continue this we are asking all children to bring in a pair of wellington boots and a waterproof suit if they have one.   Alongside our outdoor learning, we have a dedicated Physical Development time in our P.E hall on a Thursday, in preparation for P.E children should come to school in their P.E kit on this day.  .

At Greenbank Primary School we aim to create a stimulating environment in which children are given opportunities to enjoy books, read for pleasure and are motivated to want to read independently.  To encourage reading for pleasure all children will have the opportunity to select a book from our library and we ask that you spend some time each day reading the book to your child, talking about the pictures, asking what they think is happening in the book, and whether they liked it.

In Reception we enjoy doing a cookery session each week. This is a valuable experience for all the children- as it is a cross curricular activity helping improve the children’s maths, literacy, communication and social skills as well as promoting healthy eating and fine motor skills. To help us to continue to provide the children with this opportunity, we would like to ask for a donation of £5 per half term. This is to be paid directly to Reception staff not through parent pay. Please ensure your child’s class teacher is aware of any allergies or dietary requirements your child may have.

As a school we also use the app Seesaw to help keep us connected and for home learning purposes. Please sign up to this app, as Home-School link activities will be loaded up to it weekly. You can find information about how to download and access Seesaw in the first page of your child’s red Home-School link book. Your child can capture the learning on Seesaw and we will respond to it there or respond to the tasks set in the Home-School link book and return it to school.  If you need a paper copy of the Home-School link sheet to come home weekly for whatever reason please let your child’s class teacher know. Likewise, if you need your child’s Seesaw details please contact a member of the Reception team we will be happy to help with this.

If you have any questions about Reception, please speak to a member of our Reception staff at home-time or contact us via Seesaw or leave a message with the school office.

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