KG & Reception

Our KG and Reception classes follow the Early Years Curriculum from England. We strive to develop creative skills, social and emotional values, thinking skills and physical development in our young pupils. Our British School Overseas (BSO) accreditation in November 2015 highlighted and praised the creativeness within our Early Years Foundation Curriculum, enabling our pupils to be imaginative, develop new ideas and express themselves.
Students experience the joys of learning and discovery, as well as the spontaneous delights of childhood in a secure environment. We believe that early development of basic skills provides a sound foundation for future learning.

Pupils’ learning is monitored carefully, and activities are planned as children's personalised learning is considered to be of the highest importance.

In addition to class-based lessons, Kindergarten and Reception pupils also experience some specialist lessons:

• Music lessons are taught by music specialists. Musical language, rhythm and movement are introduced through songs and children have the opportunity to experiment with a variety of instruments.
• P.E. lessons (Physical Education) are taken by P.E. specialists. These lessons focus on developing the pupils’ physical control, awareness of space and the ability to handle and experiment with a range of equipment effectively.
• During Library visits, pupils are taught how to look after, explore, appreciate and enjoy a variety of books. Reception pupils take library books home within the second term.

Speaking and Listening

Speaking and listening skills are an extremely important part of the curriculum. These are developed through storytelling, role play, conversation, learning songs and rhymes, following simple instructions, circle time, general play activities, drama and using a listening centre. The pupils use these skills to support their reading, comprehension, writing and general language development.

Phonics in KG and Reception

A strong emphasis is placed on learning phonics. In KG a sound (not letter names) is introduced each week. These help develop and link between early reading and writing skills. During Reception, more complex sounds are learnt, alongside spelling patterns for each sound. Pupils learn to build simple words with three and four sounds, in addition to learning to read simple 'sight' or 'tricky' words from their reading books. In keeping with the expectations for children in England and Wales, by the end of the Reception year, pupils are expected to be able to identify more complex letter combinations, and understand their relationship with how to spell them.

Early Reading in KG

Pupils learn to develop an awareness and appreciation of books to prepare them for the introduction to reading. They learn to identify, match and relate each sound to a variety of objects. 'Letter sounds' are linked to songs, actions and pictures, making learning enjoyable, stimulating and 'multi-sensory.' Many cross-curricular activities are linked to the sound they focus on each week.
Pupils also learn to recognise and read their name, and begin to identify familiar words used frequently around the classroom and in books.
Pupils take home books in the second term, learning to share and help develop the enjoyment of pre-reading skills. Pupils’ reading is personalised, and books are carefully selected at the appropriate level to support or extend individuals where necessary.

Reading in Reception

Reception pupils read in small groups, using a wide selection of the best modern reading schemes on offer to schools in the UK. Each pupil is heard to read three times each week. A strong emphasis is placed on reading at home each day. Reading books are taken home each day, with a reading record book for parents to sign. This enables each pupil to develop and practice their reading skills, and for parents to share in this important stage of their child's development.
Individual words/vocabulary are sometimes also sent home, encouraging pupils and parents to play simple games, and to help learn words out of context of their books. We expect parents to spend about 15 minutes a night sharing the reading book with their child, and playing games with their words.
Gradually the reading books will get more demanding, ensuring each child is progressing to the best of their ability.

Early Writing in KG

Pupils are given activities to develop their pencil control and spatial awareness. Simple pencil control exercises include left to right direction activities, and tracing over shapes and pictures.
Fine motor skills are also developed using paints, modeling materials, messy play activities and cutting with scissors. 'Role play' activities and 'writing areas' around the classroom enable pupils to develop their writing skills informally.
Our pupils use a variety of media for 'free' drawing and self expression, as well as experiencing some more directed activities.

Developing Writing Skills in Reception

Pupils are encouraged to record their ideas with marks, then simple words and sentences, using their growing knowledge of phonics. The 'learning environment' within each class encourages students to develop their writing skills. Pupils are encouraged to tell the teacher what their writing says. Throughout the year, children are taught to write using the correct letter formation for each letter. The use of capital letters, full stops and finger spaces between each word are frequently modelled to the pupils.

Pupils are introduced to the concepts of mathematics through both play and directed teaching activities, all of which encourage problem solving, the development of thinking skills and the use of 'talk' to share their ideas.
Pupils develop their mathematical skills and understanding, along with a wide range and variety of mathematical vocabulary. Activities are very practical, and are recorded in different ways, using photos, words, numbers or pictures.
Areas of the curriculum include number, shape and pattern and measurement. Practical activities encourage the children to develop their reasoning and thinking skills, in addition to developing a wide and varied use of mathematical vocabulary. The children are encouraged to talk about their work and record their findings in a variety of ways.

Pupils are introduced to 'their world' through a variety of topics. There is a strong emphasis on practical ‘hands on’ activities. There is also a cross-curricular approach to topic work involving science investigation, art and craft activities, play, language and general knowledge.
As the world becomes increasingly technological, we place a significant emphasis on providing children with opportunities to utilise equipment that supports their growing understanding of technology. All Early Years classrooms are well supplied with a wealth of the latest child-friendly devices, such as cameras, video-cameras, microphones, programmable toys and 'talk-time' cards. Children are able to select to use these whenever they feel it will support their learning.

Examples of some recent topics are:

• Transport and Road Safety
• My Body and Myself
• Health, Food and Hygiene
• Toys
• People Who Help Us
• Animals
• Fairy Tales
• Sea and Water
• Going to Space
• Colour and Shape
• Nursery Rhymes

Arabic is taught by a specialist Arabic teacher. The children are encouraged to talk in Arabic during these lessons. They learn basic pre-reading and pre-writing skills.

During the Reception year, Muslim children attend one lesson each week, taught by a specialist Islamics teacher.

During the Early Years, pupils learn the many social skills that are important within the school environment. These ensure they are well prepared for learning in the years ahead of them.

These include:

• Practical independence
• Taking care of personal belongings
• Personal hygiene and safety
• Looking after and using a wide range of equipment appropriately
• Learning to share and take turns when playing
• Being polite and respectful to both adults and other children
• Developing an awareness of respect for other cultures and people

In addition to Curricular and Introductory Meetings, parents play a key role in many events during the year. These include...

• KG Story Afternoon
• KG 'Play and Stay' afternoon
• KG Maths Afternoon
• The KG Art Exhibition
• Reception ‘Open Afternoons’ for pupils to share their work with their parents
• Celebrations relating to National or International themes.
• Special themed days e.g. KG colour days, Reception Pirate Day
• Class Assemblies/Concerts
• Sports Day
• Book Week, Maths and Science Week
• Visiting Book Fairs

Parents are kept continually informed about activities within the Early Years. Department. This includes providing information regarding activities within school, curriculum information and the development of each individual pupil.

• A newsletter each fortnight is produced by each teacher for the Parent Portal, showing details of events and activities that have taken place in each class.
• Curriculum Information, for each year group is produced every two months and is available on the Parent Portal, to enable parents to support learning at home
• Parents are invited to attend an 'Introductory Evening,' and 'Curriculum Information Evenings' each year.
• Each teacher devotes time each week to meet with parents. Teachers are as flexible as possible to accommodate parents wherever possible. Teachers will also request to see parents if they feel it is at all necessary.
• Parents are encouraged to communicate via email with their child's individual teacher when necessary. All staff, including the Head Teacher and the Deputy Head Teacher are available via email. Communication via email ensures close ties between school and home.
• KG and Reception children are collected from their classroom at the end of the school day. This provides an excellent opportunity to see the teacher if you have any minor concerns.
• Formal individual parent/teacher conferences are held once a year.
• Written reports are sent home, twice a year for Reception pupils, and once for KG pupils.
• Each family has a personal Parent Portal account, giving parents access to a wealth of information, including the latest curriculum information, details of upcoming events and activities to support learning. Parents are encouraged to check this daily as it is the primary form of communication.