Pre-Reception (ages 3-4)
Welcome to the Pre-Reception at The Mead.
This is where it all starts, where those first positive experiences set your child up for a lifetime of learning. It is in these critical early years that he or she will develop their long-term attitude to school and that all important love of learning.
Therefore our focus is on creating a warm, happy and nurturing environment in which your child can develop. A safe and cheerful place, full of reassurance, learning, play, friends, support and imagination. Here, just as in the whole of school, we encourage the complete development of the whole child, helping them to mature into loving, independent, thoughtful individuals. While the emphasis for the child is on happiness and fun, learning most definitely is part of that fun! Your child will begin to experience the wonderful world of letters and sounds and beginning maths concepts as well as directly their own learning through play. The perfect balance for the perfect start to support every aspect of their development.
Learning is fun!
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, which has seven areas of learning:
Communication and Language development gives children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.
Physical Development is all about being active and interactive; developing co-ordination, control, and movement. Children also learn about the importance of physical activity, and how to make healthy choices in relation to food.
Personal, Social and Emotional Development involves children developing a positive sense of themselves, and of others; forming positive relationships and developing respect for others. Children develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings; how to understand appropriate behaviour in groups; and build confidence in their own abilities.
Literacy involves linking sounds and letters and beginning to read and write. Our children are given access to a wide range of reading materials to ignite their interest.
Mathematics at this stage focuses on developing skills in counting, understanding and using numbers, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and describing shapes, space, and measure.
Understanding The World helps children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Expressive Arts and Design gives children the opportunity to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. Children share their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role-play, and design and technology.
With the emphasis on fun and play, there is plenty of learning happening, and our youngest children begin delving into the wonderful world of words and numbers, science and languages as well as problem solving at every turn! There is time too for storytelling, creativity, music and physical activities. They have access to delightful outdoor play areas and enjoy adventures further afield in their Forest Club sessions.
Music is an important part of life in the Pre-Reception and all the children take part in our annual Early Years Nativity Performance as well as termly services in our local church. Our Pre-Reception children also have weekly PE and French lessons and have the opportunity to take ballet classes as an addition.
Getting ready to move on
As the children look to moving on to Reception our focus shifts towards developing independence, tackling early-learning skills and preparing them for the move to big school. With an eye on their continuing education, we ensure that transition into Reception class is seamless and approached with enthusiasm by the children. They are already so much a part of the Mead family, attending assemblies, eating their lunch in the dining hall, and being fully involved in events such as Sports Day and the Harvest and Easter services.
