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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Reception expectations

21 replies

boating32 · 14/04/2023 13:20

DS has been sent home with extra work that not all the children were set. At a recent parents evening there were no issues raised even though I queried his maths because he still can't add or subtract unless it's small numbers and even then has to use fingers or objects. He can write a simple sentence phonetically and his reading has come easilly. Currently on yellow band books and usually read fluently. Teacher has mentioned fine motor as an area for development presumably as writing is sometimes all over the place. Focus and attention also mentioned. He is younger in the year currently 4 and turns 5 in May. I'm wondering how concerned I need to be that he been picked out as needing the extra support? I don't get to see examples of classmates work so have no idea of the level of the class. Can attach example of writing if that helps.

OP posts:

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 13:22

Writing example.

OP posts:

alyceflowers · 14/04/2023 13:25

Sounds like he's doing exactly as expected for Reception.

This has the expectations for Reception and the end of year goals https://www.st-vincents.bromley.sch.uk/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Development%20Matters%20and%20ELG%202021.pdf

https://www.st-vincents.bromley.sch.uk/ckfinder/userfiles/files/Development%20Matters%20and%20ELG%202021.pdf

TheWildOnesRunningWithTheDogs · 14/04/2023 13:57

I would say his writing looks fine. Did he do that by himself? If so he's got a good grasp of capital letters, phonetic spelling and punctuation. What was the extra work? If it's maths, it might be because he just needs some more repetition for the concepts to 'click'.

thesmee · 14/04/2023 14:01

Am a primary teacher (albeit not reception) with a summer born reception child and honestly he sounds like he's doing well. Adding/subtracting with objects/fingers is very much expected. Even by Y3 many children still use a ruler or their fingers.

Swansong124 · 14/04/2023 14:18

What is the work?

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 14:19

thesmee · 14/04/2023 14:01

This is reassuring thank you. I think they will be covering number bonds next term so I assumed they would need to be able to add in their head for that. Or are they taught to recall them from memory? This is all new to me.

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Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 14:28

Swansong124 · 14/04/2023 14:18

What is the work?

Mixture of twinkl sheets for numbers to 5, sentence writing, tricky words.

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TheWildOnesRunningWithTheDogs · 14/04/2023 14:35

But math-wise, reception is really about small numbers, focusing on 1-5.

ParentsTrapped · 14/04/2023 14:38

Sounds very similar to my almost 5 year old who is apparently exceeding expectations for the year 🤷🏼‍♀️

Dobby123456 · 14/04/2023 14:43

boating32 · 14/04/2023 14:28

Mixture of twinkl sheets for numbers to 5, sentence writing, tricky words.

Show quote history

Are you sure he didn't get given extra work because he's doing well and they think he's capable if doing little homework?

CurlewKate · 14/04/2023 15:01

That is excellent for 4. If I was mean, I'd suggest that you know that already. But I'm not, so I won't.😉

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 15:04

@Dobby123456 I don't think so as some is quite easy. A lot of the phonics sheets looks designed for those that still need to work on phase 2/3 sounds.

OP posts:

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 15:07

CurlewKate · 14/04/2023 15:01

That is excellent for 4. If I was mean, I'd suggest that you know that already. But I'm not, so I won't.😉

Honestly I was pleased with how he's doing but now doubting myself.

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alyceflowers · 14/04/2023 15:53

What makes you think the work sheets were only given to children who are struggling?

Swansong124 · 14/04/2023 17:47

Are you sure it wasn’t given to all the children who are managing well?

Dobby123456 · 14/04/2023 17:53

boating32 · 14/04/2023 15:04

@Dobby123456 I don't think so as some is quite easy. A lot of the phonics sheets looks designed for those that still need to work on phase 2/3 sounds.

Seems odd that nobody else got them.
🤔 Are you sure you didn't say something at parents' evening that sounded like 'can you give me lots of extra sheets home to help him with his maths and phonics'? 😄

You're son's writing looks very like my Reception child's writing and I thought she was doing well too. I think it's important that they don't associate reading and writing with stress at this age. My dd lives sticker work books, so I told the teacher 'thanks for all the sheets home, but she won't do them. These stick books are working for us.' Something else might work for your ds with his maths.

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 22:31

@Dobby123456 I did make a bit of noise around lack of maths skills. Well as much as you can in the 10 min slot. So you might have a point there.

I'm pretty sure the extra work was only for those who needed it as I know some of the kids who received it.

I totally agree with the comments about not stressing them out. He hated writing all the way through nursery and first term of reception (just didn't have the hand strength I think) so the recent progress is great and I don't want to put him off. Which I guess leads me back to my original question around expected levels. If he is where he should be I will happily push back on extra work.

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Mammyloveswine · 14/04/2023 22:39

TheWildOnesRunningWithTheDogs · 14/04/2023 14:35

But math-wise, reception is really about small numbers, focusing on 1-5.

As a reception teacher my planning after half term focuses on numbers beyond 10... I did number bonds to 10 last term.

There is also a big focus on the "pattern" of number, "subitising".,, so knowing without counting what eg "3", "5", "10" looks like.

Op if that is independent writing I'd be delighted and letter formation is lovely! No fine motor issues from what I can see! Unless your sons school wants cursive? Just a hunch.., (fwiw I disagree with cursive in reception and ks1 completely!).

Anyway as a reception teacher and as the mother of a a child in reception it sounds like your child is doing really well!

Are they state school? Private school? In a "desired" catchment?

mastertomsmum · 14/04/2023 22:42

He sounds fine for his age

Original poster

boating32 · 14/04/2023 23:15

@Mammyloveswine yes they are teaching cursive from reception. It is an 'outstanding' state school with a tiny catchment area and they are very ambitious it seems. So all of your hunches are correct

OP posts:

Hihosilver123 · 16/04/2023 12:53

Mammyloveswine · 14/04/2023 22:39

As a reception teacher my planning after half term focuses on numbers beyond 10... I did number bonds to 10 last term.

There is also a big focus on the "pattern" of number, "subitising".,, so knowing without counting what eg "3", "5", "10" looks like.

Anyway as a reception teacher and as the mother of a a child in reception it sounds like your child is doing really well!

Are they state school? Private school? In a "desired" catchment?

Show quote history

This is exactly right. Reception is all about really understanding number and the number system - subitising, recognising pattern, ordinal and cardinal number, number bonds. It’s not about completing worksheets of adding and taking away.

Number Blocks, on BBC, is very good, and will give you a good understanding of how number is taught in the early years.

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