Early Years
Children thrive when taking part in thoughtful activities.
OFSTED Inspection - 2024
Children in the early years make a positive start. They enjoy snack time and are polite and kind to each other. Children say ‘thank you’ independently and take turns well. Children love the songs, rhymes and clapping games that help them to focus on language in engaging ways. They enjoy reading their favourite stories with an adult, for example sharing texts in the outside reading shed. Children thrive when taking part in thoughtful activities such as making gingerbread men, kneading dough, cutting and shaping. Staff develop children’s language deliberately, using words such as ‘knead’, ‘dough’, ‘bowl’ and ‘mixing’ meaningfully. Children develop increasing independence and readiness for their next stage of education. The school’s work to ensure reading and writing provision in the early years is effective and is already having a positive impact on children’s learning.
OFSTED 2024
Reception
The Foundation Stage is dedicated to sparking curiosity, building confidence, and fostering a lifelong love of learning through play and exploration.
We understand that starting Reception is a huge milestone. We work closely with parents and keep you up-to-date with your child's progress through Tapestry.
Our goal is to create an environment where every child feels safe to take risks, make new friends, and find their strengths. Whether they are storytelling in our Drawing Club, developing mathematical understanding through Mastering Number, exploring our interactive environment or enjoying nature in Forest School, we are always ready to help them learn and thrive.
Being School Ready
Starting school is an exciting adventure and fostering a few habits at home will help your child feel confident and settled in their new classroom.
Can your child ...?
- Put on their coat and attempt the zip or buttons? Can they put their shoes on the correct feet?
- Open their lunchbox, unwrap a sandwich, and open their own water bottle?
- Understand "your turn, my turn" when playing a simple game?
- Help put toys back in the box when they are finished?
- Practise the "click" of putting a lid back on a felt-tip pen or glue stick?
Toilet Training
We recognise that every child’s development journey is unique. Some children may have identified medical needs, while others may simply take a little longer to reach this milestone.
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If your child is still working towards toilet independence, please speak with us. We will work with you to create a plan between home and school.
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Please find our Intimate Care Policy and resources at the bottom of this page.
Curriculum
By the end of Reception we aim for children to become ...
To find out more, please see our skills progression document at the bottom of the page.
Below are some of the core programmes we use. To find out more, please visit our curriculum page.
Drawing Club:
We introduce Drawing Club starting in Week 4 of the Autumn term. This brings storytelling to life in our classroom. We use captivating stories and animations to inspire children to draw and write while introducing "extraordinary" new vocabulary. By turning literacy into an adventure, children naturally develop the skills to become Sentence Superstars who can write letters correctly, as well as words and simple sentences that others can read.
Read Write Inc. (Phonics)
To help our children become Brilliant Bookworms, we follow Read Write Inc. (RWI) phonics. In Autumn 1, children begin by learning Set 1 speed sounds and start blending them together to read words. As the year progresses, they move on to Set 2 and Set 3 sounds, learning "special friends" (digraphs like sh, th, ch) and recognising "Tricky Words" that cannot be sounded out by phonics alone. By the end of Reception, our goal is for children to read aloud simple sentences and books that are consistent with their phonic knowledge, with increasing fluency and understanding.
Mastering Number
To ensure our children become Maths Masters, we follow Mastering Number alongside White Rose Maths. We focus on a deep understanding of numbers 1–10, including the composition of each number. Your child will learn to subitise (recognise quantities up to 5 without counting), recall number bonds to 5 and 10, and identify patterns like odds and evens. We begin with subitising within 3 during the baseline weeks, moving toward solving number problems and verbally counting beyond 20 by the end of the year.
Language ARP
Our dedicated Language ARP provides high-level, specialist support within our inclusive school setting, specifically and exclusively for children with Speech and Language needs. To be considered for a place within this provision, a child must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that identifies speech, language, and communication as their primary need. Please be aware that there is a limited capacity of only 15 spaces across the entire school for this specialist provision.
Nursery
In our Nursery, we provide a vibrant and nurturing start where children begin their journey as curious learners. Our curriculum is designed around high-quality core books—such as Dear Zoo, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, and Whatever Next—which act as a springboard for exploration, creativity, and language development. Please find the curriculum overview at the bottom of this page.
A World of Discovery
Through our carefully planned themes—ranging from 'Wild Animals' and 'Traditional Tales' to 'Transport' and 'Farm Animals'—children engage in purposeful play and hands-on experiences. Highlights of our Nursery year include:
Specialist Experiences: From African Drumming and Forest School sessions to our exciting trip to Odds Farm.
Community Events: We love welcoming families for our ‘Stay and Play’ mornings and our festive Christmas Concert.
Communication & Language: We place a high priority on speech development through interventions like Chatter Monkeys and Rainbow Road, alongside our dedicated 'Communication Week.'
Nursery Milestones
We focus on the "Building Blocks" of development to ensure children are confident and ready for their transition to Reception. By the end of their time in Nursery, we aim for children to:
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Engage in imaginative pretend play and create "small worlds."
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Sing at least 10 nursery rhymes from memory and copy simple rhythms.
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Draw a recognisable face with increasing detail.
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Express their thoughts and feelings about stories they have heard.
FAQs
Is there anywhere else that offers advice or support? Buckinghamshire Council offer a huge variety of support. Click here!
Toilet Training Resources
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ERIC: The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity – The UK’s leading resource for potty training, including specific advice for children with additional needs.
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Bucks Health: Potty Training Guide – Local advice from the Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.
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BBC Tiny Happy People – Great videos and articles on recognising the signs of readiness.