Early Years
Reception
Our Foundation Stage consists of two Reception classes. Each class has 28 children with one class teacher and one teaching assistant in each.
Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum in Reception follows the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and is planned to provide children with a varied and stimulating balance between learning through play and structured learning activities using our indoor and outdoor learning environments.
We recognise that children come into our school with different experiences in their learning and play. It is our role to help children experience the awe and wonder of the world in which they live. All staff work hard to ensure that the learning opportunities we provide widen children’s knowledge and understanding of the world, setting ambitious expectations for all.
Topic-based learning
Topic-based learning gives children depth to their understanding of a topic as it allows them to engage with their learning over an extended period of time. In the EYFS ‘learning through play’ opportunities are often linked to the topic and this has a profound impact on children’s spoken language and vocabulary.
Throughout the Early Years Foundation Stage each child’s development will be observed, assessed and monitored by the JKPS Reception team in line with the Government's EYFS framework.
Early reading
Children who read or are read to regularly have the opportunity to open the doors to so many different worlds. More importantly, reading will give your child the tools to become independent lifelong learners. We can achieve this together through:
- Read Write Inc. phonics programme (more information about this below)
- Encouraging children to develop a love of books by reading to them daily, at home and at school
- Encouraging children to read on a daily basis, at home and at school
- Regularly reading and exploring a wide range of books in both German and English
At Judith Kerr we use Read Write Inc Phonics (RWI) to give your child the best possible start with their literacy. Phonics will be taught in Reception and Year 1, daily. Children are grouped according to their phonics level.
Watch an overview of RWI here. Free e-books are available here.
Children are also given reading books to bring home daily and share with their family. They have an opportunity each day to change these books. They also take home a picture book in English or German which can be read by a family member in order to encourage reading for pleasure.
Partnerships with parents and carers
We recognise that parents/carers are children’s first and most enduring educators, and we value being partners with them in their child’s education. Families are kept up to date with their child’s progress and development, so they have a well-rounded picture of their child’s knowledge, understanding and abilities.
Parents are often invited to help out with activities such as arts and crafts, as well as supporting individual children with their reading. We also like to invite parents to present to the children on things such as occupations and hobbies, especially when relevant to our topic — we are always open to ideas for exciting new ideas for activities!