A very warm welcome to East Ferry. Starting school is a significant milestone in every child’s life. At East Ferry, our Reception provision is designed to ensure children feel happy, secure and inspired from the very beginning of their learning journey. We work closely with families to ensure every child settles confidently, builds strong relationships and develops a lifelong love of learning.
Our Reception team provides a nurturing yet ambitious environment where children are encouraged to develop independence, curiosity and confidence as learners. We recognise that every child is unique, and we take great care in ensuring that their transition into school is positive, personalised and successful.
Our transition programme
We understand that a strong start to school is built on secure relationships, thoughtful preparation and effective partnership with families and early years settings.
Our transition programme is carefully designed to help children become familiar with their new environment, build confidence and develop positive relationships with staff and peers before they begin school.
Before your child starts school
Our transition programme includes:
- Parent information meetings
- Stay and Play sessions
- Opportunities to visit the Reception classroom
- Meeting the Reception team
- Visits to children’s nursery or pre-school settings
- Liaison with early years providers to support continuity
- Opportunities for children to become familiar with routines and expectations
Through this process, we gain a clear understanding of each child’s strengths, interests and individual needs, ensuring that we can meet them where they are from the moment they join us.
Preparing for reception
There are many simple and practical ways families can support children in preparing for school life.
We encourage children to develop increasing independence with:
- Using the toilet independently
- Washing and drying hands
- Putting on and taking off coats
- Managing zips, buttons and fastenings
- Recognising their own name
- Following simple instructions
- Taking turns and sharing with others
- Listening and speaking confidently in conversation
Everyday experiences such as reading together, talking about the day, playing games and encouraging curiosity all help to build strong foundations for learning.
What will my child learn?
Our Reception curriculum is carefully designed to build strong foundations across communication and language, early reading, mathematics, personal development and understanding of the world.
Learning is delivered through a balance of high-quality adult-led teaching and purposeful play, both indoors and outdoors. Children are supported to explore, investigate, create and apply their learning in meaningful contexts, helping them develop confidence, independence and curiosity as learners.
Learning is organised around carefully planned themes that encourage wonder and engagement:
- Autumn 1 – All About Me
- Autumn 2 – Celebrating Differences
- Spring 1 – Adventurous Journeys
- Spring 2 – Great Explorers
- Summer 1 – Looking After Our World
- Summer 2 – Tales and Wonders
Reading and phonics
Reading is at the heart of our Early Years curriculum at East Ferry.
Children begin their reading journey through the Read Write Inc. phonics programme, which provides a structured and consistent approach to early reading and writing. Daily phonics sessions are supported by rich opportunities for storytelling, shared reading and language development across the provision.
We aim to develop confident, enthusiastic readers who develop both accuracy and a genuine enjoyment of books. Families are an essential part of this journey, and we work closely with parents to support reading at home.
Learning through play
Play is central to learning in Reception.
Through carefully planned continuous provision, children are supported to explore, investigate, create and problem solve independently. Skilled adult interactions, modelling and purposeful questioning are used to extend thinking, develop language and deepen understanding.
This approach enables children to build knowledge and skills in meaningful, connected ways while developing confidence and independence as learners.
A typical day
A typical day in Reception includes:
- Whole-class and group teaching sessions
- Daily Read Write Inc. phonics lessons
- Continuous indoor and outdoor provision
- Small group learning activities
- Story time and class discussions
- Play, exploration and discovery
- Assemblies and wider school experiences
Working in partnership with families
We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are fundamental to children’s success.
We communicate regularly with families and provide a range of opportunities throughout the year for parents to be involved in their child’s learning and development.
Tapestry
In Reception, we use Tapestry, our online learning journal, to share children’s learning, experiences and achievements. Families are encouraged to contribute observations from home, helping us to build a rich and complete picture of each child’s development.
This ongoing partnership ensures that learning is recognised, celebrated and supported both at home and in school.
Parent workshops and information sessions
Throughout the year, we offer workshops and information sessions to help families understand how children learn in Reception and how they can best support learning at home.
These may include:
- Early reading and phonics
- Mathematics
- School readiness
- Supporting learning at home
Join us at East Ferry
We are proud of the warm, nurturing and ambitious environment we provide for our youngest learners.
Our dedicated Reception team is committed to ensuring that every child feels happy, secure and excited to come to school each day, and to laying the strongest possible foundations for their future learning.
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to East Ferry and supporting them as they begin their educational journey.
