Alder Class- Reception
Welcome to Reception (Alder Class). Thank you for taking time to visit our class page. I hope you find all of the information below useful.
In Alder Class, every day is an adventure in curiosity, creativity and growing independence. Each day is filled with discovery, joy and opportunities to grow — a place where children feel valued and excited to learn.
What will my child be learning this half term?
Our mornings start with Little Wandle phonics, building early reading skills through sounds, grapheme–phoneme correspondence, oral blending, and word reading.
Next, Ready Steady Write literacy sessions inspire children to plan and say sentences, learn new vocabulary, and become confident writers.
Maths is hands-on and fun, focusing on subitising, counting from larger groups, and number bonds to 5 through practical problem-solving activities.
Children also enjoy PATHS sessions, learning about feelings, friendships, and positive choices to support emotional wellbeing.
Our curriculum explores Understanding the World—seasonal changes, recycling, landmarks like the Tower of London, and special stories in RE—while creativity shines in Expressive Arts and Design, where children join materials and choose tools for a purpose.
Throughout the day, free-flow play indoors and outdoors encourages exploration, collaboration, and skill-building through purposeful play.
Our text this half term is Juniper Jupiter! Juniper Jupiter by Lizzy Stewart follows the thrilling adventures of a real‑life superhero: brave, smart, able to fly…but missing one crucial ingredient—a perfect sidekick.
Children will build foundational writing skills through this half term, progressing from speaking to writing with clear structure and creativity.
PE
On Thursdays, your child should come to school dressed in their PE kit and trainers. Please see the uniform page on our website (https://www.eaves.st-helens.sch.uk/page/school-uniform/161792)
Please make sure PE kit is weather‑appropriate so children can stay comfortable during both indoor and outdoor activities throughout the rest of the day.
Reading/ Homework
Reading books are changed every Friday, so please ensure your child brings their book bag and current reading books to school so they can be swapped. Our reading expectation is that children read at least four times a week at home to help build confidence and fluency.
Children will begin with wordless books, which support storytelling skills and book‑handling confidence. Once they are confidently blending sounds, they will move on to reading books with words.
What are Early Learning Goals?
Early Learning Goals are the expected levels of development for children at the end of the Reception year. They cover key areas such as communication and language, physical development, personal and social skills, literacy, maths, understanding the world, and expressive arts. ELGs help teachers understand what your child can do and what support they might need as they move into Year 1.
