Is reception 100% play based

[Tal12]

Hi. I am applying for next year reception class for my child. I’ve seen 2 so far, is it the norm for reception to be completely play based learning?

I went to one yesterday and the reception class just seemed like total carnage - they run between 2 classes and mix with the 40 child nursery outside as and when they chose with basically no structure, all play. The teacher will come and pull children for random activities (individually) throughout the day. I just wondered, is this the norm ? They then introduce more structure in year 1. The other school seemed much more structured! Thank you!

sorry I posted this in education and didn’t get any responses so maybe here is better.

very good point @OrangeBlossom28 thank you.

Yes our school reception is mainly okay based, however there is structure to the day and a mix of free play and led activities. They also have periods for phonics, maths, reading etc.

so play based with some short periods of more formal learning, but not all unstructured free play. also further into the academic year there was more writing letters etc to prep for year 1