Reception

Parents

At Richard De Clare we believe that parents form an integral part of their child’s learning. As a parent, you are your child’s first educator. At Richard De Clare, we value your knowledge of your child and we use Tapestry; an ‘Online Learning Journal’, as a form of two way communication. This allows the teaching staff and you as a parent, to constantly review and reflect on your child’s development. It also helps us as practitioners to gain a holistic view of your child. Parents are informed about their child’s learning through the use of ‘Home Links’ letters which share with you information about your child’s current interests at school.

All about The Foundation Stage at Richard De Clare

The Foundation Stage is a very unique year as it is your child’s first year at school. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which is underpinned by children’s innate desire to play. Teaching and Learning in the Foundation Stage is stimulating and fun and is carefully designed to provide learning opportunities which celebrate discovery and exploration through first hand experiences.

Prime Areas

Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Communication, Language and Literacy

Physical Development

These Prime Areas of Learning are an essential part of your child’s development and children require these skills in order to become successful learners. For children to access the following Specific Areas; they must initially develop their skills in the Prime Areas of Learning.

Specific Areas

Literacy

Mathematics

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

Expressive Arts and Design

Characteristics of Effective Learning

The Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and the Development of the Characteristics of Effective Learning are intertwined. There are three Characteristics of Learning; ‘Active Learning’, ‘Playing and Exploring’ and ‘Creating and Thinking Critically’. These characteristics underpin learning in the Foundation Stage and as practitioners, we aim to provide an enabling environment which facilitates independent learning and development of these three skills.