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 Ward- R Holly Class Teacher, Forest School Lead
Miss Desborough – R Bay Class Teacher Monday and Tuesday, Early Years Lead
Miss Hutsby – R Bay Class Teacher Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Mrs Batchford – TA
Mrs Hyde – TA
Class Notices
EASTER BONNET PARADE 2025
Easter Bonnet Parade 2025 Please see the attached letter for information on this years Easter Bonnet Parade on Wednesday 2nd April 2025.
RED NOSE DAY 2025
The special link for ParentPay is: https://app.parentpay.com/ParentPayShop/Foc/Default.aspx?shopid=17224
Reception Party – Friday 21st March
Please see the attached letter with details about the Reception Party on Friday 21st March at 3:30 - 4:30pm. Reception Party Letter 2025
Reception’s Outdoor Learning Area
We are aware that Reception's outdoor learning (and play) area is looking a bit jaded of late. It is supposed to look a bit wild and natural, but it could still do with a bit of TLC and maintenance. With staffing shortages as they are, we've just been...
Term Overview
Friends of Parkdale are Keeping our Kids Safe!
We want to thank you all at home, for all of the times you have supported school by attending events that are run by or supported by our hardworking parents who support the school under the name of Friends of Parkdale. Friends of Parkdale (FOP) organise the discos,...
KS1 Family Fun afternoon
Please join us for a Year 1 and 2 family fun afternoon! KS1 Fun afternoon
World Book Day Parent ‘Drop In’ Sessions
Please find a list below, sharing dates and times for each Year group's drop in sessions for reading. Teacher's will be sharing where to wait/go for each session, closer to the time. Monday 3rd March Year 1 at 2:30 - 3:30 Tuesday 4th March Year 2 at 8:25 - 9:15 Year 3...
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 Curriculum Letter Autumn 2024
Autumn Reception Topic Web 2024
Reception Autumn Homework Letter
Reception and KS1 Conkers Trip
Last week in Reception December 2024
Reception Spring Curriculum Letter
https://parkdale-primary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Spring-Curriculum-letter-2025.pdf
Reception Spring Topic Web 2025
https://parkdale-primary.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Spring-Curriculum-letter-2025.pdf
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.