Rabbits

Welcome to Rabbits

We are delighted to welcome you and your child to Rabbits Class for what we hope will be a happy, exciting and memorable year. Mrs Dougal is our Class Teacher and Ms Morrison is our Teaching Assistant, and together we are looking forward to getting to know every child and helping them settle into school life.

Reception is such a special year as children begin their journey through school. Our classroom is a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment where children are encouraged to explore, investigate, create and learn through play. We provide a variety of activities and experiences throughout the day, allowing children to follow their interests while developing skills across all areas of the Early Years curriculum.

Our learning will be guided by a range of engaging themes and stories throughout the year. These will include topics such as traditional tales, animals, transport, sea creatures, minibeasts, plants and families. While these themes provide opportunities to introduce new knowledge and experiences, we will also follow the children's interests and ideas, making their learning meaningful and enjoyable.

Outdoor learning is an important part of life in Rabbits Class. We make regular use of our outdoor space, giving children opportunities to develop their physical skills, build confidence, work together, investigate the world around them and continue their learning beyond the classroom. Children will need a pair of welly boots and a coat all year and suncream applied in the summer months to ensure they can benefit the most from the outside area.

Key Information

PE Days

Rabbits PE day will be on a Wednesday. Please can children come to school wearing their PE kit. Plimsoles will be needed in term 2 for gymnastics. 

Phonics and Reading

Developing a love of books and becoming confident readers is an important part of Reception. We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics programme at Charing. During the first term, the children will begin learning their Set 1 sounds and will gradually build their knowledge and confidence before progressing onto Set 2 later in the year.

There will be lots of opportunities throughout the week to practise sounds, blend words and develop early reading skills. Reading at home is also incredibly important, so we encourage families to share books regularly. Please aim to read to your child, read together or listen to your child read at least three times each week. Even a short amount of reading each day can make a big difference to their confidence and progress.

Mathematics

In Reception, we want children to develop a strong understanding of number rather than simply learning to count. We will explore numbers to 20, with a particular focus on developing a secure understanding of numbers to 10.

Through practical activities, games, songs and everyday experiences, children will explore counting, recognising quantities, one more and one less, number patterns, comparing numbers and different ways of representing and making numbers. We will also begin to explore number bonds and simple mathematical relationships.

Alongside number, the children will investigate shape, space and measure through play and practical experiences.

Most importantly, we want Rabbits Class to be a place where children feel happy, confident and excited to learn. We can't wait to see them grow in confidence, develop new skills, make friends and discover all the wonderful things they are capable of throughout their Reception year!

We are so excited for the year ahead and can't wait to make lots of special memories together!

I believe that a strong partnership between home and school is key to a successful year, so I will do my best to keep you informed about your child’s progress and any upcoming events or activities. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via the email – ebone-knell@charing.kent.sch.uk

Three young boys wearing blue sweaters playing outside on scooters and a hula hoop on a colorful hopscotch pattern on the ground.
Children playing outdoors at a daycare or preschool, some on bikes and a beach ball, with tires and plants in the foreground and a wooden fence and building in the background.
Children playing outside on a wooden playground structure at a school or park with trees and buildings in the background, on a sunny day.

Each day is always different with child-initiated learning at the heart of our daily practice

Children in blue uniforms playing and running in a school gymnasium with a large colorful mural of a shofar, a dove, and a sunset on the wall.
Five children in blue uniforms are playing a card game on a blue table in a classroom. They are reaching for cards and appear engaged in the game. The background shows other children, tables, and classroom supplies.
Children and an adult playing a colorful board game outdoors on a black table with a spiral track and numbered spaces, several dice, and game pieces, with greenery and garden beds in the background.
A young boy sitting at a classroom table smiling, with colorful counting blocks and a number chart in front of him.
Four young children wearing colorful aprons are playing with water and toy cups at a water play table in a classroom.
A young girl in a blue school uniform sitting at a desk with a laminated card featuring the word "bop" and a picture of a black dog. There are magnetic letter tiles on a dry erase board.