Welcome to Early Years

Starting school is an exciting milestone, and at Paddox Primary School we are committed to ensuring every child receives the very best start to their educational journey.

 

Our Reception classrooms provide a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel happy, valued and confident to explore, learn and grow. We recognise that every child is unique and arrives with different experiences, strengths and interests. Through strong relationships, high expectations and carefully planned learning opportunities, we help every child thrive.

 

Our aim is simple: to develop confident, curious and independent learners who love coming to school every day.

We believe children learn best when they feel secure, respected and inspired.

We strive to develop children who are:

  • Confident communicators
  • Curious learners
  • Kind and respectful friends
  • Independent thinkers
  • Resilient problem-solvers
  • Creative individuals
  • Ready for future success

In Reception, children learn through a balance of:

  • Adult-led teaching
  • Child-initiated learning
  • Purposeful play
  • Exploration and discovery
  • First-hand experiences
  • High-quality interactions with adults

Every interaction is viewed as an opportunity to learn. Play is an important vehicle for learning. Our carefully planned environment allows children to revisit skills, practise new learning and develop confidence whilst having fun.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is ambitious for every child and carefully designed to build knowledge and skills throughout the year.

Learning is based around the seven areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Children develop speaking, listening and understanding skills through:

  • Daily story sessions
  • Discussions and conversations
  • Role play
  • Drawing Club
  • Vocabulary-rich learning experiences

Strong communication skills are the foundation for future success.

Throughout the day, adults:

  • Introduce ambitious vocabulary
  • Model high-quality language
  • Encourage conversations
  • Extend children’s thinking
  • Support children to explain and reason

Children learn to:

  • Build positive relationships
  • Manage their feelings
  • Develop confidence
  • Become resilient learners
  • Understand expectations and routines

Children develop:

  • Fine motor skills
  • Gross motor skills
  • Coordination
  • Independence
  • Healthy lifestyle habits

Reading is at the heart of our curriculum.

Children enjoy:

  • Daily phonics lessons
  • Reading practice sessions
  • Story time every day
  • Shared reading
  • Vocabulary development
  • Early writing opportunities

We use Unlocking Letters and Sounds to teach phonics and provide fully decodable reading books matched to children’s phonic knowledge.

We are passionate about developing a love of reading.

Children enjoy:

  • Daily story sessions
  • High-quality texts from our Reading Spine
  • Shared reading experiences
  • Echo reading
  • Vocabulary discussions
  • Reading practice sessions

We encourage parents to read regularly at home and work closely together to develop children’s confidence and enjoyment of books.

Children develop a secure understanding of:

  • Number
  • Counting
  • Subitising
  • Numerical patterns
  • Shape
  • Space
  • Measure
  • Problem-solving

Children explore:

  • The natural world
  • People and communities
  • History
  • Geography
  • Technology
  • Their local area

Children are encouraged to develop creativity through:

  • Art
  • Music
  • Design
  • Role play
  • Storytelling

Imaginative play

Our Learning Environment

Our Reception provision is organised into exciting curriculum zones designed to encourage independence, exploration and curiosity.

Reading, storytelling, mark making, writing and vocabulary development.

Number, problem-solving, reasoning and mathematical exploration.

Investigation, science, history, geography and exploration.

Art, music, role play and imaginative learning.

Physical development, large-scale construction, teamwork and adventure.

Every child deserves the very best start. Together we nurture, inspire and empower children to flourish.

We value the important role parents and carers play in their child’s education.

We work closely with families through:

· Class Dojo updates

· Reading diaries

· Parent consultation meetings

· Stay and Play sessions

· Curriculum workshops

· Performances and celebrations

· Daily communication opportunities

Together, we create the best possible start for every child.

Starting school is a significant step and we work hard to make the transition smooth and enjoyable.

Our transition programme includes:

· Visits and information sharing with nurseries

· Parent information meetings

· Stay and Play sessions

· School visits

· Induction activities

· Opportunities to meet staff and explore the environment

We love sharing our Reception journey with families.

Throughout the year, children take part in:

  • WOW moments
  • Educational visits
  • Special visitors
  • Seasonal celebrations
  • Outdoor learning adventures
  • Charity events
  • Performances and productions
  • Community projects

By the end of Reception, children leave us with secure foundations in communication, early reading, mathematics, personal development and learning behaviours.

Most importantly, they leave with confidence, curiosity and a love of learning that will support them throughout their journey at Paddox Primary School.