Reception – Bay & Holly
In Reception we are passionate about learning through play, talking and building relationships with our friends, grown-ups and the world around us.
At Parkdale, we hope to help your children as they begin to learn to read and think about stories, poems and songs, and start their journey to becoming writers. We will help them to build an understanding of numbers and problem solving through investigation. However, English and Maths are a small part of Reception. Early Years education is all about investigating, talking and playing.
We will explore lots of different topics; combining exciting experiences, and a cosy, welcoming environment full of opportunities to explore, wonder and create.
We will add to this webpage on a regular basis, so look out for updates and information that we post. We will also keep you up to date using Tapestry, an online learning journal.

The Reception Team
Mrs Rippon – R Bay Class Teacher, Communication and Language Lead
Miss Hutsby – R Holly Class Teacher
Miss Desborough – Early Years Lead, Reception and Nursery Teacher
Miss Green – TA
Mrs Carlin – TA
Mrs Hyde – TA
Miss Kareer – TA
Class Notices
Karate day!
Thank you so much to Sensei Raoufi who kindly shared his Karate expertise with Reception and KS1. Ww had a truly wonderful experience, learning Japanese’s counting, some basic moves and having fun along the way. Any parents who have sporty talents, knowledge or...
Flu Vaccinations
Please see attached the information for the upcoming flu vaccinations, taking place on Friday 8th December. Links have been sent through ScholarPack with an online consent form. Protecting Your Child Against Flu Information Leaflet
Christmas Dinner – 12th December
Please see attached the Christmas Dinner Menu for the 12th December 2023! December Christmas Menu Parkdale 2023.pdf
Odd Socks Day
Odd Socks Day is an annual event that encourages people to wear mismatched socks as a way of celebrating diversity and promoting inclusion. It is a gesture that serves as a reminder that being different is something to be proud of. When is Odd Socks Day 2023? Odd...
Term Overview
Reception Autumn Term
Autumn Term This term we will be thinking about “The World and My Place in it”. We will explore our identity and what it means to be 4/5 in 2023, asking ourselves “what makes me special, and what is special to me?” As we discuss our favourite things and the things...
Reception Summer Term
Summer Term This term we will be exploring * Getting Along and Fairness; Traditional Tales with a Twist, and * Parkdale in the Past. In the first half term we will explore traditional tales, reading stories and acting them out. We will ask ourselves if the...
Reception Spring Term
Spring Term This term the whole of Parkdale School will be learning about the Environment and Sustainability. In Reception we are inspired by Sir David Attenborough, “No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never...
Our Provision
In our Reception classroom we aim to provide a challenging, stimulating and welcoming environment. We have curated a cosy and calm space for talking, playing and exploring. We add enhancements to our provision that follow our children’s interests and offer them opportunities to develop and grow.
We are especially proud of our outdoor space where we work as a team to plant and grow flowers, vegetables, fruit and trees. We spend our spring term learning about the world around us and making insect and hedgehog homes; sharing our outdoor space with other living things. Outdoors, children are supported to develop gross motor skills, observe seasonal changes, role play in our playhouses, caravan and car and dig in our sandpit.
Autumn
School trips
Wollaton Hall Trip!
We had a great arty trip to Wollaton Hall. What a beautiful, sunny and creative day!
June: cycling and playing outdoors!
Class Documents & Resources
Classroom Information
Welcome to R Bay
Welcome to R Holly
The Reception Support Team
Classroom Timetables
Letters
Reception News November 23
School Trip December 2023
Reception Curriculum Letter Autumn 2023
Reception Autumn Homework Letter
Reception Spring Term Curriculum Letter
Autumn Reception Topic Web
Reception attendance letter
Reception Spring Topic Web
SCARF Letter
Reception Summer Term Curriculum Letter
Reception Summer Topic Web 2023
Supporting your child
Phonics Bug
Phonics Bug gives you access to reading books, games and activities to support your child at home.
Phonics Play
Phonics Play is another website you can access which has lots of phonics games you can play with your children at home. https://www.phonicsplay.co.uk/
School Jam
School Jam is our Maths online platform which provides easy to follow videos, games and lots of fun activities to try at home. This will be launched in the Autumn term, Download the app or log in via Active Learn
Purple Mash
We LOVE Purple Mash. This super platform teaches children ICT skills whilst encouraging them to be creative and explore lots of different games and activities. Logins will be shared soon! Don’t forget you need to enter the Parkdale School portal.
Useful Links
The Early Years Foundation Stage on a Page
The Reception Baseline Assessment for Parents
Speech and Language Support in School
Small Talk
Phonics Glossary
Information for New Starters
Uniform Information
Please note from September 2022 Reception will be switching to an Active Uniform. Our new Uniform will be Parkdale PE kit only.
Reception children will need :
Black Parkdale PE top
Black Parkdale PE bottoms
Black or White trainers
A Parkdale PE T shirt in their House colour (until they are assigned Houses a plain white t shirt will be fine).
They DO NOT need ties, shirts, school shoes, jumpers etc.