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Early Years (Pre-School and Reception)
At Whitkirk, the Early Years mark the beginning of an exciting journey where every child’s curiosity, confidence, and love of learning are nurtured. We believe this vital stage lays the foundations for lifelong learning, and we create an inspiring environment where children can explore, grow, and thrive, developing their imagination, independence, and sense of wonder.
Our classrooms and curriculum place play, fundamental skills, and child development at the core. Through a careful blend of adult-led teaching and child-initiated play, we nurture curiosity, independence, and a love for learning. All experiences are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and meaningful.
You can find all essential Pre-School information, including hours, key dates, fees, uniform, and communication, in our Pre-School Handbook.
Why Whitkirk?
At Whitkirk, we provide a safe and engaging learning environment that fosters independence, curiosity, and a love for learning. With reading at the core of our ambitious curriculum, we use carefully chosen texts and enriching experiences, like Welly Wednesdays, visits to This Green Moon in Swillington and the library, to inspire creativity, imagination and support emotional well-being . Our focus is on helping children become happy, independent, confident learners who understand their role in the community and the wider world.
Our Curriculum
Reading lies at the heart of all we do. We use high-quality, accredited texts to develop rich vocabulary and spark imagination. Our skilled practitioners model effective communication, language, and social skills, responding to each child’s interests and pace.
Learning is organised around a ‘Big Idea’ and guiding enquiry questions each term. While we strategically plan for key knowledge and skills, we remain flexible to follow children’s emerging interests. Educational visits are purposeful and connected to our Whitkirk “golden thread” of community , for example, visits to Temple Newam take place throughout the year observing seasonal change, visiting Temple Newsam Farm in the spring and the gardens in summer, and visits to St Mary’s Church and our local library at Halton.
Early Reading
To support your child in learning how to read, we follow the Read Write Inc. phonics scheme. Through the implementation of this scheme, our children leave Reception able to read words and sentences. You can find out how you can support your child at home using Read Write Inc by following this link: RWI Parent guide
Can you practise reading the letter sounds with Miss Sanderson?
Can you practise writing the letter sounds with Miss Emery?
Parental Engagement
Parental relationships are at the heart of our learning culture at Whitkirk and the EYFS. Throughout the Reception year, parents engage in all aspects of a child’s development.
From the start of the year, we welcome parents in every Friday for ‘Stay & Play’ sessions, sharing children’s learning and engaging in activities and conversations about children’s development and ways to support children at home.
Strong communication between home and school is key; we use ‘Class Dojo’ to communicate with families. This is a platform to share daily class learning and celebrate the achievements of our learners.
Links to support home learning in the Early Years
To further support our drive to instil a love of reading, each week we host ‘Secret Reader’. In this, a surprise parent or family member joins the children in class to read a story. This is a much-anticipated weekly event which supports in sharing the love for reading throughout the generations!
If you would like to visit our EYFS unit or speak to any member of the team regarding admissions, supporting your child before they start school, or how to support your child whilst they are in Reception, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the main school office
Reading at Home - Oxford Owl for Home
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Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework
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