Learning in Reception at Horton Grange is an exciting and transformative experience for young children. This stage marks the beginning of formal education, where children are introduced to a more structured learning environment. The classroom is designed to be vibrant and engaging, filled with resources that stimulate curiosity and creativity. At Horton Grange we use a blend of play-based learning and guided instruction to help children develop foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and social interaction. Activities such as phonics games, counting exercises, storytelling, and collaborative projects are common, fostering a love for learning and encouraging children to explore new concepts. The goal is to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere where each child feels confident and motivated to learn, setting a positive tone for their future educational journey. 

The Early Years Curriculum is divided into seven areas of learning;

The first three areas are known as ‘Prime’ areas:

Personal, Social and Emotional Development-

Developing independence, confidence, co-operating, sharing, taking turns and showing respect.

Communication and Language-

Developing speaking, listening, reading and writing.

Physical Development-

Learning how to use equipment, balance and co-ordination.

There are an additional four ‘Specific’ areas:

Mathematics-

Developing counting, adding, taking away, problem solving, positions, shapes and patterns.

Literacy-

Encouraging the children to link sounds and letters and be able to read and write.

Understanding the World-

Developing knowledge of the world around us including History, Geography, Science, and Design Technology.

Expressive Arts and Design-

Enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials.