DEXTER CLASS
RECEPTION (EYFS)
Providing the rich soil that enables our children to develop deep roots and flourish
The Parable of the Sower, Matthew 13
Welcome to Dexter Class!
We are delighted to share a little glimpse into our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) reception class, where learning is exciting, meaningful, and rooted in play.
In Dexter Class, we believe every child is unique, capable, and full of potential. We provide a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and confident to explore and take risks. We want our children to flourish and develop a lifelong love of learning.
The team
Our dedicated team works closely together to support every child’s learning, development, and wellbeing. We pride ourselves on creating strong, positive relationships with both children and families. By getting to know each child as an individual, we are able to support their interests, build their confidence, and help them thrive.
Class Teacher: Mrs Sarah Penn
Teaching Assistants: Mrs Alyson Smith, Mrs Debbie Sugden and Mrs Camilla Lury
We are always happy to talk—whether you have a quick question or something more detailed—so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
What does learning look like in Dexter class?
Our learning is carefully planned through engaging themes and high-quality texts that spark children's curiosity and imagination. Children learn through a balance of:
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Child-initiated play
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Adult-led activities
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Indoor and outdoor exploration
We provide rich, stimulating environments where children can:
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Investigate, reason and solve problems
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Develop language and communication skills
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Build independence and confidence
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Explore their creativity and imagination
The 7 areas of the EYFS are:
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Communication and Language
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Personal, Social and Emotional Development
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Physical Development
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the World
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Expressive Arts and Design
The Characteristics of Effective Learning:
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Playing and exploring
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Active learning
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Creating and thinking critically
Our curriculum has been designed to build knowledge and skills over time and evolves to ensure key skills and foundational knowledge are taught whilst taking into account children's interests. This way we can ensure that we go 'wider and deeper' and prepare children for their next stage in learning. You can see our Curriculum Overview below:
Autumn Term- Settling in and discovering
We focus on helping children feel happy, safe and confident in their new environment
Area
Communication & Language
Personal, Social & Emotional
Physical Development
Maths
Literacy
Understanding the World
Expressive Art and Design
What we explore
Talking about ourselves, listening to stories, learning new vocabulary through play and celebrations
Making friends, understanding feelings, learning routines and expectations
Developing movement, coordination, and fine motor skills
Counting, sorting, matching, exploring patterns and numbers to 5
Beginning phonics, sharing stories, mark-making and writing simple captions
Learning about families, celebrations, and the seasons
Exploring colour and pattern, painting, role play, music and creativity
Key words we use
listen, talk, share, question, describe
feelings, kind, friend, safe, help
balance, move, control, hold, cut
more, less, same, sort, pattern
family, past, present, celebrate, change
sound, letter, blend, word, sentence
colour, make, create, pretend, design
Spring Term- Growing and Exploring
As children settle in, they begin to develop their skills further and become more independent in their learning.
Area
Communication & Language
Personal, Social & Emotional
Physical Development
Maths
Literacy
Understanding the World
Expressive Art and Design
What we explore
Retelling stories, asking questions, sharing ideas and experiences
Keeping safe, building friendships, caring for others and our environment.
Improving coordination and control, developing strength for writing.
Numbers to 10, adding and taking away, measuring and comparing.
Writing simple sentences, learning new sounds, reading with increasing confidence
Exploring habitats, animals, seasons, and the wider world.
Creating detailed artwork, modelling, storytelling and imaginative play
Key words we use
explain, remember, story, why, how
safe, care, share, help, respect
strong, control, move, grip, balance
add, take away, bigger, smaller, measure
phonics, read, write, sentence, story
habitat, weather, grow, change, world
build, join, model, imagine, create
Summer Term- Confident learners
In the Summer term, children build on everything they have learned and become increasingly confident, independent learners ready for Year 1.
Area
Communication & Language
Personal, Social & Emotional
Physical Development
Maths
Literacy
Expressive Art and Design
What we explore
Speaking clearly, explaining ideas, sharing stories and opinions
Becoming independent, managing change, preparing for transition
Refining movement, coordination, and control
Numbers beyond 10, number bonds, sharing, mapping and problem-solving
Writing sentences independently, retelling stories, recounting experiences, reading with fluency at the appropriate phonics level.
Mapping the local area, habitats including coast and oceans, dinosaurs, fossils and life cycles, important people from the past.
Creating independently, designing, building and performing
Key words we use
explain, describe, tell, think, answer
independent, brave, try, change, grow
control, balance, move, strength
number, total, share, group, solve
story, sentence, read, write, meaning
ocean, extinct, fossil, life cycle, environment
design, create, perform, build
A little more about Phonics, reading and writing
Language development is underpinned by high quality adult-child interactions. Reading is central to everything we do at Amberley. Children will:
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Take part in daily phonics sessions using our bespoke Amberley Phonics Scheme
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Bring home reading books matched to our scheme to share with you
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Develop a love of stories through regular story time and exploring fiction and non-fiction texts.
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Take part in daily literacy, language and communication activities such as Colourful Semantics and story mapping.
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Enjoy playing games and exploring continuous provision to develop communication, reading and writing skills.
How you can help at home:
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Read with, and to your child every day
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Talk about the story and pictures-what might happen next?
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Practise sounds and blending
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Provide opportunities for writing- lists, sending cards
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Spot letters, words and numbers when you are out and about.
Working Together
We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are essential for children to thrive. In Dexter class, we use an online learning journey called Tapestry to record the children's experiences, progress and achievements. We encourage you to add to these online journals, sharing your children's interests, progress and home life.
Supporting your child at home makes a huge difference. Simple things you can do include:
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Talking about your day together
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Listening and memory games
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Encouraging independence (e.g. dressing, tidying)
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Playing outside/at the park to support gross motor skills
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Looking for signs and words in the environment
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Encouraging mark-making/writing-shopping lists, cards, maps etc.
- Spotting numbers and counting in everyday life
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Sharing books regularly
You can even record these experiences on Tapestry!
Starting School
We understand that starting school is both an exciting and anxious time for both parents and children. We want to help make it as smooth as possible so we hold stay and play sessions, visit children's pre-school settings and hold a new parents information evening.
Below you can find further information about what to expect in the EYFS and 'Starting Reception' and , just click on the button or picture.
Please do reach out to us if you need any further information.
Click on the picture for helpful information