Reception: Blog items
Date: 2nd Oct 2026 @ 11:38am
This week, we have been enjoying the traditional tale Little Red Hen. We listened carefully to the story and talked about the characters and the events that happened throughout the tale. We also learned new vocabulary, including wheat, grain, mill, knead and harvest, and discussed what these words mean. As a class, we worked together to sequence the story, thinking carefully about what happened at the beginning, middle and end. This helped us to retell the story in the correct order and develop our understanding of the events.
In our provision, we had lots of fun being creative. We used playdough to make our own Little Red Hens, carefully rolling, shaping and moulding the dough to create different features. In the creative area, we explored a range of materials and media to design and make our own Little Red Hen pictures, using paint, collage materials, feathers and paper.
We have loved exploring this traditional tale and using our imaginations to bring the story to life through discussion, storytelling and creative activities!
Date: 2nd Oct 2026 @ 11:32am
This week, we enjoyed reading the story The Little Red Hen. After learning how the Little Red Hen worked hard to make her bread, we decided to make our own! We went to the kitchen and carefully followed a recipe using water, yeast, oil, salt and flour. We talked about the importance of following instructions in the correct order and measured out each ingredient before mixing them together. Once our dough was ready, we used our hands to knead it, stretching, folding and pressing it until it became smooth and soft.
After leaving the dough to rise, we baked our bread in the oven and watched as it turned a lovely golden colour. In the afternoon, we took our freshly baked bread into the garden to enjoy together. We were very proud of our hard work and loved tasting the delicious bread we had made ourselves. What a fantastic way to bring our story to life!
Date: 29th Sep 2026 @ 1:30pm
In Reception and Year 1, phonics is taught twice a day to help children develop the reading and spelling skills they need and to prepare them for the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check in June.
We kindly ask that you read with your child every day to reinforce and embed the phonics skills they are learning in school. Regular reading at home makes a huge difference to children's confidence, fluency, and enjoyment of reading.
In addition to our daily phonics lessons, we will be reading with the children three times a week during guided reading sessions to support their progress and develop their comprehension skills.
If you would like to support your child further at home, please take a look at the phonics support videos attached below. These videos demonstrate how we teach phonics in school and provide helpful guidance for practising at home.
Thank you for your continued support. Working together, we can help your child become a confident and successful reader. 📚⭐️
Phase 2 Sounds Taught In Reception Autumn 2
Date: 29th Sep 2026 @ 1:08pm
Phase 2 Sounds Taught In Reception Autumn 1
Date: 29th Sep 2026 @ 1:05pm
Reception- Rosies Walk Around Reception's Garden
Date: 24th Sep 2026 @ 5:06pm
Date: 23rd Sep 2026 @ 1:06pm
This week, Reception enjoyed exploring the wonderful story Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins. The children loved following Rosie the hen on her journey around the farm while the mischievous fox got into all sorts of trouble trying to catch her. They found the story very funny and enjoyed talking about their favourite parts.
As part of our learning, the children painted pictures of Rosie the hen and the fox, and created colourful collaged foxes using paper plates. At the storytelling table, they retold the story using puppets and small world figures, helping to develop their confidence, language and understanding of the sequence of events.
Outdoors, the children took part in a Rosie’s Walk obstacle course. They used positional language from the story, including around, across, over, past, under and through, as they navigated the course and retold Rosie's adventure. This was a fun way to reinforce their understanding of both the story and key mathematical vocabulary.
It has been a fantastic week of storytelling, creativity and active learning, and the children thoroughly enjoyed bringing Rosie’s Walk to life.
"That sneaky fox kept trying to catch Rosie" Wilhem
"The fox kept getting into trouble =- it was funny!" Olivia
"The fox fell in the pond...and the bees chased him at the end!" Junior
Date: 18th Sep 2026 @ 10:51am
This week, we have been enjoying the story No-Bot, the Robot with No Bottom, a funny picture book about Bernard the Robot, who loses his bottom and goes on an exciting adventure to find it again.
Inspired by the story, we took part in lots of robot-themed activities. We painted robots, created robot pictures using a variety of art materials, and made robots using different shapes during transient art activities at the maths table. We also explored patterns by continuing and creating our own robot patterns.
Alongside our learning about robots, we talked about what it means to be a good friend. The children shared their ideas about friendship and discussed how being kind, helpful, caring and respectful are important ways to show we are a good friend to others, as well as being our School Values too.
We have had a wonderful week full of creativity, learning and fun!
Date: 18th Sep 2026 @ 10:48am
Date: 18th Sep 2026 @ 10:47am
This week in Reception, we were excited to begin our new handwriting scheme, Kinetic Letters. The children have been learning that handwriting is all about movement and building strength and control before putting pencil to paper.
Our focus this week has been on learning the six Kinetic Letter movements, with particular attention on up, down, push and pull. The children enjoyed exploring these movements in a variety of fun and engaging ways, helping them to understand how letters are formed through movement. Before writing we practised the movements using a multi-sensory approach. The children used their whole bodies to make the shapes and directions in the air, developing muscle memory and coordination. Air writing allowed the children to exaggerate the movements, helping them to remember the correct direction and flow needed for handwriting.
Through these activities, the children have been developing their fine motor skills, core strength and confidence, all of which are essential foundations for successful handwriting. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm as they practised the different movements together and supported one another in learning this exciting new scheme.
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:45pm
This week, our Reception children have been learning about themselves, their families and the special people in their lives. The children have enjoyed talking about their families and friends, sharing who lives at home with them and discussing some of their favourite activities they do together. They have also been drawing pictures of their families and explaining their drawings to their teachers and classmates.
As part of this activity, teachers have been encouraging the children to hold their pencil correctly using our 'three friends' grip and to develop their early writing skills by ascribing meaning to the marks they make. We have loved hearing the children's conversations and learning more about each unique family whilst celebrating what makes us all special.
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:35pm
This week our Reception children stayed for lunch for the first time, and they did a fantastic job! The children lined up smartly and were encouraged to use their manners as they politely asked for their dinner choices and selected items from our salad bar. Staff supported the children in sitting sensibly at the table, demonstrating good table manners, and using their knife and fork to cut and eat their food independently. It was lovely to hear the children chatting happily with one another whilst enjoying their lunch and making new friendships. In order to support the children you can encourage these important routines at home by ensuring meal time is a a calm and sociable time. Ensuring the children sit at a table practising good table manners using cutlery independently during mealtimes it improtamt to children's social development. It is the perfect opportunity for families to spend some quality time together finding out about what each other have been doing.
Reception developing our independence
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:28pm
Our Reception children have been developing their independence by learning how to get ready for outdoor learning so we can take our learning outside in all types of weather. They have been practising putting their shoes in the correct tray, finding the right size wellies, and putting on their waterproof trousers and jackets before heading outside. We have been incredibly impressed with how well they have tried to do this independently, with some children needing very little help from an adult.
Taking responsibility for their own belongings and dressing themselves helps to build confidence and prepares them for daily school routines. This is something you can encourage at home too by helping your child practise dressing and undressing themselves independently
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:20pm
We would like to give a very warm welcome to all of our new Reception children who have made a fantastic start to their school journey!
It has been wonderful to see the children arrive each day looking so smart in their new school uniforms. They have come into school with huge smiles on their faces and lots of excitement as they begin this new adventure. The children have been busy exploring their new classroom and discovering all of the exciting activities and learning areas available to them. They have enjoyed getting to know their teachers and support staff, who have been so impressed by their enthusiasm, confidence and positive attitudes
. The children have been chatting, playing together and helping one another as they settle into school life. The Reception team has also been introducing the children to the classroom rules and daily routines. They have been learning how to look after their learning environment, listen carefully during carpet time, and follow instructions to help everyone learn safely and happily together.
. We look forward to sharing many more exciting learning experiences and achievements with you throughout the year. Well done, Reception, on a fantastic first week! We can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead.
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 11:22am
Today, Reception had a wonderful visit from the mobile farm. We were very excited to meet lots of different animals and learn all about how to care for them. The children had the opportunity to see and touch a variety of farm animals, including rabbits, goats, sheep, chickens, cows and a pig. The farmers taught us interesting facts about each animal, such as what they eat, where they live, and how they grow. The children were incredibly gentle and respectful when handling the animals. Many of them showed great confidence as they stroked the rabbits and asked thoughtful questions. It was lovely to see their curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the day. This hands-on experience helped bring our learning to life and gave the children a better understanding of life on a farm. It also encouraged them to develop their communication skills, build confidence, and learn about caring for living things. We would like to thank the mobile farm staff for providing such an enjoyable and educational experience. Reception had a fantastic day and created many special memories that they will be talking about for a long time to come!
Reception-Role Play Ice- Cream Shop
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 11:05am
Our Reception children had lots of fun in our Ice Cream Shop role-play area. They enjoyed taking on different roles, including being shopkeepers and customers, as they practised buying and selling ice creams.
The children used their speaking and listening skills to take orders, serve customers, and handle payments. They showed great imagination and confidence as they acted out real-life situations.
To make the role play even more exciting, the children dressed in their summer clothes ready for a trip to the beach. They wore hats, sunglasses, and other holiday outfits, helping to bring the seaside theme to life.
Everyone had a wonderful time learning through play, developing their communication, social, and maths skills while having plenty of fun together. 🍦☀️🏖️
"My favourite flavour ice cream is strawberry" Cherry
"I'm wearing the flip flops- I'm going to go to the beach with my ice cream" Zara
"I'm selling ice-lollies and ice creams to Harley and Dolcie" Theo
Reception- Our Trip To The Beach
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:55am
We had a very exciting trip to St Anne's-on-the-Sea. We travelled through Blackpool town centre and along the promenade before arriving at the beach.
The sun was shining, the sky was a beautiful clear blue, and a gentle breeze helped to keep us cool. We were all well prepared to stay safe in the sun, wearing hats and sunglasses, applying sun cream, and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. We also enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch together.
After lunch, we showed how responsible we are by recycling our rubbish. We carefully sorted it into food waste, brown paper, and plastic, helping to look after our environment.
We worked as teams to build sandcastles, collect shells and pebbles to decorate them, and create roads around our castles. The winning team was Mrs McAllister's group, who did a fantastic job of building the biggest sandcastle on the beach!
After lunch, we had lots of fun playing What Time Is It, Mr Wolf? Before long, it was time to pack up our belongings and walk back to the bus. We were all tired but happy, and looking forward to enjoying an ice cream when we returned to school.
We were so tired after our busy day at the beach that some of us even fell asleep on the bus on the way home!
It was a wonderful day at the seaside and everyone had a fantastic time. 🌞🏖️🍦
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:14am
As part of our Heritage Week learning, Reception children have been exploring Blackpool as a coastal town and discovering why it has been a popular holiday destination for many years.
We have been learning lots of new vocabulary, including promenade, seaside and pier, and using these words during our discussions and play. The children enjoyed finding out why families visit Blackpool on holiday and exploring how holidays have changed over time.
Through looking at a range of historical artefacts and photographs, the children compared holidays from the past with holidays today. They sorted pictures into past and present, noticing similarities and differences and sharing their own ideas about how things have changed.
To bring our learning to life, the children used their creativity to design and make models of their favourite Blackpool landmarks, including the famous Blackpool Tower, piers and seaside attractions. The children have shown great curiosity throughout the week, asking thoughtful questions and developing their understanding of local history. We are very proud of their enthusiasm and the wonderful work they have produced while learning about the heritage of our local area!
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:03am
Following our wonderful trip to St Annes Beach, the children continued the seaside fun back at school by visiting our very own ice cream shop in the garden! The children enjoyed taking turns to purchase their own ice creams, practising their speaking, listening and social skills as they ordered their favourite flavoure. They loved role-playing as both customers and shopkeepers, making the experience even more exciting. It was a special treat to help us cool off after a busy and enjoyable day at the beach. There were lots of smiles, laughter and happy memories as the children relaxed and shared their ice creams with friends. What a fantastic way to finish a lovely day of learning and adventure!
Date: 6th Jul 2026 @ 11:11am
Reception children have been busy preparing for Boundary's Annual Choral Speaking Competition, where they will be performing the Gruffalo Song. The children have shown great enthusiasm and determination as they practise together each day. They have been working hard on their posture and stance, learning how to stand tall, keep their feet still and look confidently towards the audience. This helps them to perform as a team and present themselves proudly.
A key focus of our rehearsals has been pronouncing the words clearly and correctly. The children have listened carefully to the lyrics and practised saying each word with confidence. They have also been learning to stay in time with one another, ensuring that everyone speaks together and follows the rhythm of the song. To make their performance engaging, the children have explored how to project their voices so they can be heard clearly by the audience. They have enjoyed experimenting with speaking loudly and quietly, discovering how changes in volume can help to bring the story and characters to life. The children have also incorporated a range of actions and gestures into their performance. These actions help to emphasise key words and events in the song, making it more expressive and enjoyable to watch.
The children have worked hard to ensure their actions are coordinated and performed at the correct moments, adding energy and excitement to the performance. We are incredibly proud of the effort, teamwork and confidence Reception have shown throughout their preparations and final performance.
Reception- Making a fruit kebab
Date: 3rd Jul 2026 @ 12:18pm
The children took part in a healthy eating Design and Technology activity where they made their own fruit kebabs using strawberries, red grapes, green grapes, bananas, and clementines.
The children showed good focus and concentration as they carefully prepared the fruit and threaded it onto their skewers. They learned about healthy foods and discussed why fruit is good for our bodies, linking to the message of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The children practised using a knife safely to chop soft fruit, developing their understanding of knife safety and how to handle tools carefully. They also strengthened their fine motor skills by picking up fruit pieces and pushing them onto the skewer.
After making their fruit kebabs, the children thoroughly enjoyed eating them. They used descriptive language to talk about the taste and texture of the fruit, saying it was juicy, fruity, and sweet. The children were proud of their finished kebabs and enjoyed trying a variety of fruits.
"My favourite fruit are strawberries" Faith A
"I love chopping bananas" Oliver
"My kebab is so juicy!" Harrison- Bleu
Reception- Health Week Gymnastics
Date: 26th Jun 2026 @ 12:17pm
During Health Week, the children took part in a range of gymnastics activities. They enjoyed jumping from different heights of equipment, practising balancing on the beam, and carefully moving up and down it. They also worked on running and jumping from the springboard.
The large climbing frame was very popular, and the children had the opportunity to develop their strength and coordination. They also tried the rope swing, which many found quite tricky but exciting.
A strong focus was placed on safety. The children learned and followed important rules for using the equipment safely and practised how to ask for help when needed.
As it was a very hot day, we made sure to include a cooling rest station so the children could stay safe and hydrated.
"I had to hold on to the rope swing and jump on it to swing- it was tricky!" Rubie- Louise
"I got all the way across balancing on the bench- Ididn't fall off!" Billy T
"I had a go but got a bit scared as it was high so Mr Ratcliffe held my hand" Cherry
Reception learn about sun safety
Date: 26th Jun 2026 @ 11:28am
This week, during the hottest week of the year, our Reception children have been learning all about sun safety and how to look after themselves in the warm weather. We discussed the importance of protecting our skin by wearing sun cream, keeping our heads covered with a sun hat, and choosing appropriate clothing to help keep us cool and safe from the sun. We also learnt how important it is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
The children did a fantastic job remembering our sun safety rules and talking about ways we can stay safe when the weather is hot. Of course, we also had lots of fun finding ways to keep cool! The children enjoyed drinking plenty of water, splashing and paddling in the water trays, and there was great excitement when they were cooled down with a refreshing spray from the hose pipe.
There were lots of smiles, laughter and happy faces as everyone enjoyed the sunshine safely. We are very proud of how well the children understood the importance of looking after themselves in the hot weather while still having lots of fun outdoors. Well done, Reception! 🌞💦👒
Reception - Year 5 Takeover Day
Date: 19th Jun 2026 @ 10:50am
During Year 5 Takeover Day, the Year 5 teachers led a Reception class session by reading the story Supertato to the children. The Year 5 teaching assistants supported the session effectively—one prepared the outdoor learning environment while the other stayed inside to assist the children with their activities.
Following the story, the teachers modelled how to draw a picture of Supertato, demonstrating the correct use of colours. This formed the morning’s creative challenge for the Reception children. The children then completed their “Mini-Me” activity alongside their Supertato drawings.
Year 5 teachers supported the children throughout, offering guidance where needed and marking their work using the school’s marking code. The Reception children were highly engaged; they listened carefully, followed instructions well, and were enthusiastic about their learning.
The Year 5 pupils thoroughly enjoyed supporting the younger children and took pride in helping them develop their skills. Overall, the day was a fantastic success, with positive engagement and learning evident from all involved.
“I remember being in Reception and I really enjoyed being back again as a teaching assistant.” – Cooper
“I have enjoyed being the Reception teacher today- it was really good fun helping the children with their learning.” – Emanuelle
These experiences helped to inspire the children at Boundary, giving them an insight into future roles and encouraging them to think about possible careers in education.
Reception learn about the ducklings
Date: 16th Jun 2026 @ 3:43pm
Our Reception class has been on an incredible learning journey as we explored the lifecycle of a duck, inspired by our very own classroom ducklings — Patchy, Coco, Paul, John, Rosie and Raphelle.
Watching the ducklings grow right in front of us made our learning come to life in such a special way. The children were fascinated as they observed how the ducklings changed each day, helping them to understand the different stages of the duck lifecycle — from egg, to duckling, and eventually to an adult duck.
During our oracy sessions, the children did a fantastic job of building their confidence in speaking. They used descriptive language to talk about what the ducklings looked like, describing their soft, fluffy feathers, tiny webbed feet, little wings, and smooth bills. It was wonderful to hear such thoughtful and detailed sentences being shared with the class. This enthusiasm for learning continued into our writing. The children produced some fabulous pieces of writing, describing their favourite ducklings and explaining what they had learned about how ducks grow and change. We are so proud of their creativity and effort! ✏️✨
We also explored our learning through art and design. The children enjoyed painting pictures of the ducklings and had lots of fun creating their own models. Each creation was unique, showing the children’s wonderful imagination and attention to detail.
This hands-on experience has helped the children develop not only their understanding of lifecycles and change, but also important skills in speaking, writing, observing, and creativity. What a fantastic and memorable way to learn — we are so proud of everything the children have achieved!
