Yes, we had "emerging" for some of DS's things last year (reception), AnAirofHope. That report made me sad, too, as it seemed to be mainly about "how likeable your child is", and that's terrible.
HOWEVER, there's better to come. We've just had the Year 1 report, and it's much more focused on subject areas, where effort really makes a difference. Most of these are probably unaffected by dyslexia because they are about understanding, not writing, recording and reading.
The curriculum has really got richer, with a lot of different ways in which children are being encouraged to understand the world, many of them independent of "text". This could really ease A's frustrations and engage his interest. So, there's:
- Literacy (Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing)
- Numeracy which you say A is good at (what you described was actual mathematical awareness, with his dyslexic number writing being a separate issue which they ought not to have confused with numeracy)
- Science (investigating things, understanding the world, basic awarenesses about sources of light, and being aware that plants need light and water to grow)
- ICT (using computers for clip art, making simple charts, etc.)
- Art
- Design and Technology (although this involves making things, dyspraxia may not make this a total loss for A, because planning is also acknowledged as a very important part of D&T, so if he can plan, he will get credit for the intellectual input)
- Geography (trips to local shops, using basic maps, awareness of the world and world geography, ideas about "what it's like in other countries")
- History (again, not textual: at this age, it seems to be a bit more about putting things in a timeline, awareness of different historical periods, handling "artefacts" - maybe classic or vintage clothes/toys.)
- Music (patterns, changing sounds)
- P.E.
- R.E. - understanding that stories can provide morals, or show people how to treat others (presumably, in time, this will move on to "dilemma" stories, which they will be asked to discuss and "solve" - quite interesting!)
When I read through the Year 1 report, it made me realise how thin and unsatisfactory the Reception curriculum really is! Mind you, some people believe that children shouldn't be taught much in Reception, just be "got ready" to be taught. For some children, that's going to be a frustrating and boring experience, and actually starting a curriculum in Year 1 will provide a good distraction, and finally provide satisfaction!
Over the summer, if you want to try some of the skills, to give A confidence, look at the KS1 section of BBC Bitesize. All the instructions are voiced and written, so basic reading is helped along. Also maybe turn on the subtitles when A is watching things on CBeebies: even the sounds ("DOOR SHUTS") are written out, so if the speech is too fast to read, there's some reinforcement with simple words.
Don't worry. Reception reports go out of date very fast, and there will be a very different report next year!