Reception

At Ark Dickens our Reception curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity, foster a love of learning, and build strong foundations for future academic and personal growth. Our approach to learning is centered on the belief that children learn best through play, exploration, and meaningful interactions with their peers and teachers.

Our curriculum is based on the statutory guidance set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. There are seven areas of learning  which are:

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED)

• Developing confidence and self-esteem.
• Learning to build relationships with others.
• Understanding feelings and emotions and how to manage them.
• Learning to cooperate and work as part of a group.

Communication and Language

• Listening attentively and responding to adults and peers.
• Developing vocabulary and language skills.
• Understanding and using language for different purposes.
• Engaging in conversations and storytelling.

Physical Development

• Developing fine motor skills (e.g., using pencils, scissors, buttons).
• Gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, climbing).
• Learning about health and self-care (e.g., washing hands, eating healthily).

Literacy

• Early reading skills, including phonics and letter recognition.
• Developing an interest in books, stories, and rhymes.
• Writing skills, including drawing, mark-making, and eventually letter formation.
• Recognising letters, sounds, and the basics of reading and writing words.

Mathematics

• Counting, recognizing numbers, and understanding their value.
• Simple addition and subtraction.
• Understanding shapes, patterns, and measurements (e.g., size, length).
• Developing a basic understanding of mathematical language.

Understanding the World

• Exploring the environment and understanding the world around them.
• Learning about people, communities, and different cultures.
• Understanding the natural world (e.g., plants, animals, weather).
• Using technology and exploring how it works.

Expressive Arts and Design

• Exploring creativity through arts, music, dance, and role play.
• Using a variety of materials to create and express ideas.
• Developing imagination and creativity through play and activities.

These areas of learning are taught through the characteristics of effective teaching and learning. 
These are: ‘playing and exploring’, ‘active learning’ and ‘creating and thinking critically’.

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