The Pre-Reception Day
Pre-Reception is an exciting year of growing independence, deepening friendships and preparing for the transition into Reception. Designed for children in the year before they start school, it provides a gentle bridge between Nursery and Reception.
Growing in Confidence
Children continue to learn through purposeful play while becoming increasingly familiar with school routines, expectations and the wider Chinthurst community, helping them make a seamless transition into Reception. Every day is carefully planned to inspire curiosity, build confidence and help children develop the skills they need for the next stage of their educational journey.
Whether they are writing a shopping list in the role play area, counting natural treasures in the woods or sharing their latest discovery with friends, children are encouraged to think, question and persevere. By the time they leave Pre-Reception, they are happy, confident learners who feel excited and ready for all that Reception has to offer.
A Typical Pre-Reception Day
A typical day might include:
- A warm welcome and independent settling activities
- Explore and Learn through themed experiences
- Phonics and early reading sessions
- Practical maths and problem-solving activities
- Specialist lessons including Music, PE, Drama and French
- Creative projects, construction and STEAM challenges
- Lunch shared with friends
- Outdoor play in our dedicated Nursery garden
- Woodland learning adventures in the local woods
- Storytime, mindfulness and reflection
No two days are ever quite the same, as our practitioners thoughtfully adapt learning to reflect children's interests and emerging skills. Children are encouraged to take ownership of their learning, make choices and develop confidence in their own abilities.
Building Strong Foundations for School
Children in Pre-Reception continue to learn through play, but with increasing opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and independence that will help them thrive in Reception and beyond. Activities are carefully planned to nurture curiosity while introducing children to routines and experiences that make school life feel familiar and exciting.
Children are encouraged to:
- Communicate confidently by sharing ideas, retelling stories, asking questions and developing a rich vocabulary through conversations, books and role play and through engaging in Helicopter Stories.
- Build friendships and resilience by working collaboratively, managing emotions, taking turns and developing the confidence to try new things.
- Develop physically through climbing, balancing, PE, woodland adventures and activities that strengthen pencil grip, hand control and coordination in preparation for writing.
- Explore literacy and phonics by recognising sounds and letters, blending orally, practising mark making and beginning to write words and simple sentences.
- Discover numeracy through counting, sorting, measuring, recognising patterns and solving practical mathematical problems in meaningful contexts.
- Investigate and create through STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics), where children build, design, experiment and use simple technologies to support their learning.
By the end of Pre-Reception, children are becoming increasingly independent, confident learners who are familiar with school routines, eager to embrace new challenges and excited for the next step into Reception.
Specialist Experiences
Children in Pre-Reception are already becoming familiar with life beyond their classroom. They confidently visit the main school for specialist lessons in Music, Drama, French and PE, taught by teachers they have come to know during their time in Nursery. These sessions spark new interests, encourage creativity and help children feel comfortable in different learning spaces, supporting a smooth and exciting transition into Reception.
Outdoor Adventures Every Day
As children grow in confidence and independence, so do their adventures. Alongside free-flow access to their outdoor learning area and daily play in our dedicated Nursery and Pre-Reception playground, Pre-Reception children embrace new challenges and greater responsibility in their play. Woodland learning sessions take them beyond the school gates to explore our local area. Whether balancing along fallen logs, building dens or hunting for minibeasts, children develop resilience, teamwork and independence, helping them feel ready and excited for the transition to Reception and beyond.