Falcons Prep proudly launched our first Reception Class in September 2021. We look forward to continuing to build upon our Lower School by opening a new year group each year through to Year 2.
As a school, we believe that children are born ready, able and eager to learn and that it is their Early Years which are the most formative and important in setting out their future potential. Four key themes will underpin all that we do in the Lower School at Falcons Prep; a) A Unique Child; b) Positive Relationships c) Enabling Environments d) Learning and Development.
An on-going system of both formative and summative assessment will take place daily to ensure that boys are making progress . At the end of the Reception year, each child’s development is assessment against the descriptors in each of the 17 Early Learning Goals in an Early Years Foundation Stage Profile. The EYFS Profile will be used to provide a reliable, valid and accurate assessment of each child’s attainment and will be shared with parents along their journey and most importantly, during their transition to Year 1.
Learning in Reception occurs through a combination of adult-directed teaching such as daily, phonics, maths and literacy sessions and child-led play. We value play highly as a means for learning and consolidating skills, developing our Falcons Learning Habits and becoming life-long learners. Boys are given regular and uninterrupted periods where they can play in an environment organised with a range of open-ended resources alongside highly qualified and experienced Early Years staff, to give opportunities for boys to take risks, to collaborate and to develop their independence both inside and in our outdoor area.
Boys take part in weekly games, music, French and art lessons with our specialist staff.
The Early Years Foundation Stage outlines seven Areas of Learning. This includes the three Prime Areas which form a key foundation to all learning and four Specific Areas which include vital skills and knowledge to be developed. These areas of learning are equally weighed and strongly linked. And are broken down into 17 Early Learning Goals (ELG).
Prime Areas
– Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED). ELG: Self-Regulation, Managing Self and Building Relationships.
Physical Development (PD). ELG: Gross Motor Skills and Fine Motor Skills. – Physical Development
Communication and Language (C&L). ELG: Listening, Attention and Understanding, Speaking.
Specific Areas
Literacy (L). ELG: Comprehension, Word Reading, Writing.
Mathematics (M). ELG: Number, Number Patterns.
Understanding the World (UW). ELG: Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities, The Natural World.
Expressive Arts and Design (EAD). ELG: Creating with Materials and Being Imaginative and Expressive.
