Yew Tree Community School

Reception 

Reception at Yew Tree Community School

At Yew Tree Community School, our Reception classes are a happy, nurturing place where children begin their learning journey with curiosity and confidence. Our curriculum is based on the EYFS framework and is designed to give every child—especially the most disadvantaged—the knowledge, skills, and cultural capital they need to thrive.

We provide carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments, where children can explore, play, and learn through meaningful interactions with adults and peers. Every space is designed as a little world of discovery, including:

• Cosy reading corners to inspire a love of books

• Creative spaces with natural materials for art, building, and making

• Role play areas to explore imagination and storytelling

• Small-world and sensory areas for investigation and problem-solving

• Maths and construction corners to develop early numeracy and reasoning

Writing is woven naturally into all areas, allowing children to express their ideas, develop communication skills, and see literacy as part of everyday learning. Outdoors, children connect with nature, climb, balance, and investigate through active play. Every space encourages curiosity, independence, and a love of learning.

A Thematic, Language-Rich Curriculum

Using the Early Years Framework and Development Matters, we have created a bespoke curriculum tailored to the needs and interests of our children. Each half term, children explore an engaging theme through diverse high-quality books and rich vocabulary. Themes include:

• Marvellous Me
• Let’s Celebrate
• Fantasy Fun
• Growing & Changing
• The World Around Us
• Where Shall We Go?

Daily carpet sessions for phonics, literacy, and maths provide structure and shared learning experiences while reinforcing the EYFS framework guidance.

Phonics and Early Reading

We follow Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised to support children in becoming confident, fluent readers. Phonics is taught daily for up to 25 minutes, beginning in Week 2 of the Autumn term, and includes:

• Phase 2 and 3 GPCs, progressing to Phase 4 for fluency and accuracy

• Weekly review sessions to embed learning

• Continuous opportunities to apply reading and writing skills across all areas

We place a strong focus on language development, knowing that speaking and listening are the foundations for reading and writing across the curriculum.

Mathematics

Reception follows White Rose Maths, a scheme used throughout the school. Maths is taught through playful, practical activities, helping children develop skills in:

• Counting and number recognition

• Patterns and sorting

• Shape and spatial awareness

• Problem-solving and reasoning

This approach fosters confidence, curiosity, and a love for mathematical thinking that continues into KS1.

Knowledge Mats

Each half term, families receive a Knowledge Mat summarising what children will be learning, including:

• Key vocabulary and knowledge

• The texts they will explore in class

• QR codes to access stories at home

• Ideas for supporting learning beyond school

Knowledge Mats are also shared on Tapestry, helping parents stay connected to their child’s learning journey.

Please read our curriculum overview that outlines what your children will be learning in Reception. 

Please take a look at our Knowledge Mats to see what your child will be learning each half term and how you can support their learning at home.