Year R

In Reception (Year R), our curriculum is designed to foster wonder and discovery as children begin their educational journey. We focus on building a strong foundation across all areas of development, ensuring every child feels special and supported as they explore "What makes me special?" and the wider world around them.

Communication, Language, and Literacy

Foundational communication is at the heart of Year R. Children progress from listening in small groups and following simple instructions to performing poems and using talk to solve problems. Our literacy journey includes:

• Drawing Club: A creative approach to developing early mark-making and storytelling skills.

• Phonics: A structured progression from Phase 1 through to Phase 4 to build essential reading and writing foundations. 

• Storytelling: Children learn to retell events from stories and take turns speaking in role-play settings. 

Mathematical Foundations

We focus on developing a deep "number sense" through practical exploration. The curriculum covers:

• Subitising and Composition: Learning to recognize quantities without counting and understanding how numbers are made. 

• Counting and Cardinality: Mastering counting for ordinality and using 5-frames and 10-frames. 

• Operations: Introducing concepts like one more/one less, simple addition and subtraction, doubling, and sharing equally. 

Understanding the World and Expressive Arts

Children investigate their environment and express their findings through diverse artistic media:

• Scientific Discovery: We explore seasonal changes, the solar system, plant life cycles (including sunflowers), and various animal habitats from the deep sea to hot places.

• Humanities and RE: Pupils discuss their families and communities, explore where they live, and learn about various celebrations like Diwali, Lunar New Year, and Janmashtami.

• Artistic Expression: Children study the styles of famous artists—including Jackson Pollock, Joan Miró, Andy Goldsworthy, Vincent van Gogh, and Henri Matisse—while experimenting with techniques like junk modeling, watercolor washes, and symmetrical patterns.

Physical and Personal Development

We prioritise both the physical health and emotional well-being of our youngest learners:

• Physical Activity: Weekly sessions include gymnastics, dance, and ball skills, alongside continuous fine motor development to support early writing.

• PSED: Children develop essential social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and identifying kindness, while building resilience and perseverance.

A Glimpse at the Reception Subject Map

wrens curriculum overview.pdf