Autumn 2 Week 1

This week in Reception, we’ve been learning all about firefighters through the story Norman’s Trapped. The children explored key vocabulary such as rescue, emergency, extend, and vehicle, and enjoyed drawing Fireman Sam and designing their own fire engines. We added a magical twist with secret codes and imaginative ideas—like shrinking down to sneak through a letterbox or using a magic word to transform a fire engine!

In phonics this week, we focused on revisiting previously learned sounds, giving children the chance to consolidate their recognition and practise blending. In maths, we focused on comparing quantities—using fingers and objects to represent numbers and describe which sets were more than or fewer than.

We introduced Bonfire Night by watching videos and discussing how to enjoy fireworks safely. The children learned important safety rules and shared their own experiences of celebrations. In our PSED session, we explored what is safe to eat or drink, and used a mystery bag to sort items and talk about asking a trusted adult when unsure.

On Tuesday we held a circle time for Cares Day, sharing ideas about how we can be kind to one another. In expressive arts, we recapped favourite poems from our Poetry Basket and sang nursery rhymes including Hickory Dickory Dock, The Grand Old Duke of York, and Five Little Ducks.

In PE, we worked on skills like turn-taking and sharing, and practised jumping and landing with balance and control. Our Squiggle movement this week was The Hook, danced to Reach for the Stars by S Club 7 for our early writing practice!

Autumn 1 Week 7

This week in Reception, we’ve been exploring the story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff in our Literacy and Communication sessions. The children learned exciting new vocabulary like creaky, determined, gruesome, fearless, and suddenly. They drew their own trolls and imagined magical powers—like growing massive or breaking the bridge with a magic hammer! Later in the week, the goats tried fancy dress to trick the troll, including slippers to help them sneak quietly across the bridge.

In phonics, we focused on the sounds h, b, f, and l, practising blending and recognising these sounds in words. In maths, we worked on subitising—recognising small quantities without counting—using arrangements of 2, 3, and 4. The children used their fingers, listened to sound patterns, and described visual patterns using positional language. We celebrated Diwali with food tasting, dressing up, dancing, and themed activities in our learning choices and home corner. The children loved exploring the festival and sharing their experiences.

In PSED, we read Barry the Fish with Fingers and held a “Super Skill Show and Tell,” where children shared special ways they help others—like being kind, helping friends, or sharing toys. In music, we sang nursery rhymes including Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, Wind the Bobbin Up, and Dingle Dangle Scarecrow, with lots of movement and fun.

 

Autumn 1 Week 6

This week in Reception, we’ve been exploring Goldilocks and the Three Bears as part of our Literacy and Communication learning. The children enjoyed discovering new vocabulary such as guzzle, piping hot, starving, wobbly, and exhausted. They created their own imaginative versions of Goldilocks, complete with magical powers like glowing hair that senses danger, and shared their ideas with great enthusiasm.

In phonics, we focused on the sounds ck, e, u, and r, and continued practising our tricky words. The children are becoming more confident in recognising sounds and are beginning to blend them to read simple words.

In maths, we explored how numbers are made by building collections of 2, 3, and 4 objects. The children used real items to group and count, helping them understand that numbers can be represented in different ways.

We’ve been developing our gross and fine motor skills through Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, using movement patterns to support early writing. In PE, we practised footwork and balance—learning to keep one foot still while lifting the other with minimal wobble. The children showed great determination and coordination.

In Understanding the World, we went on an autumn walk after exploring seasonal images. Armed with clipboards and observation sheets, the children went on a walk and recorded signs of autumn.

For PSED, we read Giraffes Can’t Dance and played Movement Mirror, where children took turns leading and copying each other’s movements. We talked about trying new things, celebrating our differences, and how everyone moves in their own special way. In music, we sang nursery rhymes including I’m a Little Teapot, Ring a Ring o’ Roses, and One Finger, One Thumb, Keep Moving. 

We also worked together to build a gazebo for our outdoor area. The children showed fantastic teamwork—finding the right poles, matching letters, and helping to assemble the structure. They were thrilled with the result and proud of what they achieved together.

 

Autumn 1 Week 5

This week in Reception, we’ve been celebrating our differences through the story of Elmer. The children enjoyed talking about what makes them special and unique, and shared thoughtful ideas about individuality and kindness.

In Drawing Club, we explored The Gingerbread Man, using the story as inspiration for imaginative drawings and storytelling. In maths, we’ve been working on counting accurately and recognising numbers in different contexts.

Our phonics sessions focused on the sounds g, o, c, and k, along with tricky words like so, no, go, and I. The children are growing in confidence as they practise recognising and using these sounds.

We’ve also been developing our gross and fine motor skills through Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, using movement and mark-making to support early writing. As part of our seasonal learning, the children made autumn leaf-coloured playdough and talked about the colours and signs of autumn they’ve noticed around them.

In music, we’ve been singing nursery rhymes including Wheels on the Bus, Zoom Zoom Zoom, and Row Row Row Your Boat—a great way to build rhythm, memory, and language.

We marked Young Minds Day by wearing yellow and talking about ways to keep ourselves happy and healthy. We also learned about harvest time—how farmers gather crops and why this is an important time of year.

Autumn 1 Week 4

This week in Reception, we explored The Three Little Pigs in our Literacy and Communication sessions. The children learned new vocabulary like construct, sturdy, flimsy, fierce, and terrified, and used their imaginations to add magical twists to the story—like a wolf who shrinks to sneak through the letterbox or turns a brick house into candyfloss! They also created their own wolf characters and thought about what might happen if the pigs were caught… perhaps even a picnic with a lonely wolf!

In phonics, we focused on the sounds i, n, m, and d, practising blending and recognising these sounds in words. Our daily sessions are helping children build confidence in early reading.

In maths, we worked on subitising—recognising small quantities without counting. Children explored numbers 1 to 3 through finger patterns, dot arrangements, and spatial groupings, learning to describe and identify sub-groups within larger sets.

In Understanding the World, we learnt more about Autumn and used a feely bag filled with seasonal objects like leaves, pine cones, and conkers. The children loved guessing by touch and talking about the changes they’ve noticed outdoors.

We celebrated National Poetry Day with our Poetry Basket rhyme Down is the Earth, exploring words like earth, sky, and friends. Children stretched up to the sky, touched the ground, and greeted one another with a cheerful high five. In RE, we introduced the Bible through the story of Jesus Calming the Storm, using a blue blanket to bring the story to life together.

For PSED, we read The Family Book by Todd Parr and talked about how all families are special and unique. Children shared stories about their own families and listened respectfully to others. In Expressive Arts, we sang nursery rhymes including Incy Wincy Spider, Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Once I Caught a Fish Alive. In PE, we continued developing coordination and footwork, focusing on balance and smooth movement.

We also enjoyed Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle, moving to music and practising mark-making to support early writing—this week’s track was Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake, which brought lots of energy and smiles!

 

Autumn 1 Week 3

This week in Reception, we’ve been exploring emotions through the story The Colour Monster. The children learnt key words like happy, sad, afraid, calm, angry, and in love. They created their own Colour Monster characters and imagined magical powers—like making everyone feel better! We talked about where the monster might live and how different potions could change its feelings, using pictures and actions to help express emotions.

In phonics, we focused on the sounds s, a, t, and p. The children have been practising recognising and saying these sounds, and working on identifying initial sounds in words.

We also celebrated International Day of Languages by learning to say hello in French and singing Frère Jacques. The children loved exploring a new language and sharing their greetings with one another.

In expressive arts and physical development, we moved to music, explored different ways of moving our bodies, and practised coordination through squiggle movements and PE games. During our Understanding the World session, we explored colour mixing using coloured water and droppers. The children discovered how combining two primary colours creates a new one and enjoyed experimenting with their own mixtures. For personal, social and emotional development, we read It’s Okay to Be Different and played a game to celebrate our similarities and differences. It was a lovely way to build a sense of belonging and community in the classroom.

 

Autumn 2 Week 2 

Well done to our Reception children on another fantastic week! They are settling in beautifully—getting to know one another, building friendships, and becoming familiar with our daily routines.

This week, we’ve enjoyed energetic PE games in the hall, explored a wide variety of learning choices in the classroom, played listening and attention games, and had great fun adventuring on the trim trail out on the field. It’s been wonderful to see their confidence and curiosity growing each day.

Autumn 1 Week 1 

What a fantastic first week it’s been in Reception! We are incredibly proud of how well the children have settled in. They’ve done so well getting used to their new routines—trying their best, being positive, and enjoying their time at school. They have all been superstars this week!