Reception

I was wondering if Reception here is more like Kindergarten or Nursery School.

I have a 4 year old who will be 5 on August 30th.  He hasn't done Reception as we were in the States for a few months with my Mom.  He did nursery school while we were there.

So, I'd like my son to go into reception as I think it might be too much of a shock to just go right into Year 1.

Thanks in advance for your info!

In my experience with my oldest, her reception year was more like kindergarten.  They still played, drew, painted and such, but she still brought home worksheets (math, spelling, grammar), which had to be turned in.  She also brought home reading books and a log book, which we had to fill in and turn back in everyday.  So, while they still had fun, they had homework to do, as well.

In my experience with my oldest, her reception year was more like kindergarten.  They still played, drew, painted and such, but she still brought home worksheets (math, spelling, grammar), which had to be turned in.  She also brought home reading books and a log book, which we had to fill in and turn back in everyday.  So, while they still had fun, they had homework to do, as well.

same, my son is in a Montesorri style school and its all learning through play, they do reading, maths etc, but its not done in a classroom manner. He has some things he has "got to" do everyday and he does that on his own accord, and is rewarded when he does them with stickers on a chart, they  move around 3 classrooms and have choices of what to do. Year 1, from what I understand is learning through play for half the year, and after Christmas hols they swap to an informal classroom setting. So not too much structure classroom wise

Year 1, from what I understand is learning through play for half the year, and after Christmas hols they swap to an informal classroom setting. So not too much structure classroom wise

My daughter is in Year 1 now at a C of E school, and they actually have had a structured classroom from day one. They have recess after lunch, but that is the only playtime they actually have. They do have Welly Wednesday, where the children bring a change of clothes and their wellies, and they go through the field studying wildlife and all every Wednesday.  She also has to take PE gear on Thursdays and Fridays. So, they do have a bit of "fun" here and there, but they pretty much have a structured day. It probably differs from school to school, and the type of school they attend. xx

Reception is covered under the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, which means it based on learning through play.  Formal learning & worksheets or sound books should typically only come into play towards the end of the year if at all.  Some Local Education Authorities continue this into year 1.

http://www.ncma.org.uk/pdf/EYFS_parents_carers.pdf

Have you spoken to your LEA regarding starting in Reception?  As far as I'm aware your son, based on his birthdate, should be going into year 1 in September. 

Have you spoken to your LEA regarding starting in Reception?  As far as I'm aware your son, based on his birthdate, should be going into year 1 in September. 

ooh good point - and with that birthday he'd be youngest in his class to boot.

Hi, my son is currently in reception (will turn 5 in August), we arrived from Boston at Christmas and he started in January. The school district we are in (bedfordshire) will not allow children to stay behind a year (if we hadn't started him in reception in January, he'd have had to go into year 1 in September regardless). Reception is very laid back and play based, but with 1:1 teaching time for reading, writing etc. It is though, more full on than the preschool my son was at in MA, for example he is at the end of week 6 and is starting to read simple books (one/two familiar words a page)  From what I have heard, it really steps up in year 1. Would you consider starting him at school mid way through the year so he gets some time in reception?
Good luck with your decision, kids this age adapt well!