🐛🦟🐞 Welcome to Reception!

Hello and a very warm welcome to Reception at Cottesbrooke!

This is a big and exciting year for our children as they continue their Early Years journey. Our Reception classrooms are calm, nurturing and full of opportunity — designed to help children grow in confidence, curiosity and independence.

🧠 How We Learn

In Reception, we love to learn through play, exploration and new experiences.
Children are supported to work both independently and with others. They practise new skills with their teachers and then apply them during child-led activities — both indoors and outdoors.

You’ll see your child’s progress and achievements shared through Target Tracker – please do check in regularly to celebrate their learning!

🏃 PE and Library

Each class has one PE session per week. Please ensure your child has a named PE kit in school (t-shirt, shorts and pumps in a drawstring bag) and that jewellery is removed on PE days:

• Dragonfly class – Tuesday

• Ladybird class – Wednesday

• Caterpillar class – Thursday

We also visit the school library each week. Children choose a book to take home and share with you — a lovely opportunity to enjoy stories together.
Please return library books every Monday so your child can borrow a new one.

🏠 Home Learning

We set short daily tasks to support phonics and early reading. This may include:

• Letter formation practice

• Reading books

• Focus words or sound sheets

Most homework does not need to be returned unless a date is specified.

📚 Reading Books

Children bring home a reading book every Friday.
Please return it by the following Wednesday so that we can send a new one home.

👕 Please Name Everything!

As the weather gets warmer, it’s easy for jumpers and cardigans to go astray.
Please label all clothing clearly — it makes a big difference in helping us return lost items to the right child.

📄 Parent Information and Curriculum Documents

Below you’ll find important information about our Reception curriculum, including:

• The EYFS statutory framework and non-statutory guidance

• Half-termly topics and focus texts

• Cultural and religious events we explore

• A long-term overview of what your child will be learning across the year

You can also find:

• Our Reception Reading Meeting information

• A parent guide: “What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage”

• A selection of traditional stories we share in class

We’re looking forward to a fantastic year of learning, growing and smiling together in Reception!