Primary school teachers - what should reception children be able to do by the end of this term?

[Nearlyamumoftwo]

eldest child is now at the end of his first term so this is new for me as well as him. What do teachers expect children to be able to "do" by now? We got some
Guidance on what they should be able to do by end of the year but not term. Is there guidance / mileestones for end of autumn term?

eg my child can write his first name but not his surname, he knows all sounds and can blend 3 and 4 letter words. (He is only on 2 word reading books). He recognises numbers to 10 but struggles writing them. He can count much higher but struggles to recognise them written down eg if he saw 34 written down he wouldn't know to say 34.

he can use a knife and fork well , but not do his zip up on his coat.

any guidance would be really helpful - I would have thought they should read more than 2 words by now but I honestly have no idea!

It's tricky with reception as they vary so much in age ... some turn 5 a few days after they start reception, while other have only just turned 4! That really does make a difference, so when is your son's birthday?

I'd also add that he seems he is doing fine and the main thing is that he has a parent who is taking an active interest and knows his strengths and areas for development. If the teachers had concerns they would raise them with you. You will probably have another parents' eve around February time and can ask more specific question then.

Ok calm down! Many children finish reception not being able to do all that. He's doing great. Honestly the first term is all about routines, getting them all to line up, sit down, access the provision without arguing and crying! By the end of reception he should be able to read simple sentences like: The big red bus is fast. And read and write all his numbers to 10, 20 if he can. Add simple numbers eg: 2+4.

He should be able to retell a simple story and give his opinion. Hold a conversation with eye contact. He sounds like he's doing fine! Don't get caught up in all the things he's can and can't do. Ultimately so long as he's happy and settled in and made friends that's fantastic.

The only thing I'd say to work on is the coat. But some zips are trickier than others xx

My child is in reception and the teachers have emphasised that it’s not a race, as kids have different abilities and backgrounds.

For example, they said they sometimes mix reception and year 1 in some reading groups to match ability.

@Bex9434good point he is March!
@Bourneothank you will work on the zip - those poor staff have better things to be doing! And thank you for other pointers
@Iocanepowderthank you aswell you're right it's not not a race but just very helpful to know what the teachers milestones are!

I would say that’s within the normal range.

Sounds fine to me. My ds wasn’t able to do all these things in Reception!

Also - knowing how to wash hands properly after using the bathroom, and able to put on own gloves/mittens is helpful.

Concentrating for longer periods and not annoying other kids by poking them, licking them etc. And putting up your hand when you have a question.

I don't know why people act like youre overreacting to want to be knowledgeable about your childs education. Of course its not worth stressing or over comparing but being engaged is a good thing.

This looks to give the framework that should be followed, with the years expectations from page 11. I'm not sure of how this breaks down termly but if hes making progress in these areas then I'm sure that's a great sign.
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68c024cb8c6d992f23edd79c/Early_years_foundation_stage_statutory_framework_-_for_group_and_school-based_providers.pdf.pdf

I'm a Reception teacher.

Being able to write his name is great (I don't teach them to write surnames in Reception. If parents want to teach it that's great, but it's not necessary at this age to teach in school unless there is another child with the same name and the same surname initial in the same class). I think it use to be Year 2 they taught them to write their full name (if they couldn't already do it by then), so they can write it on their SATs paper.

Independently blending CVC (and words with 4 sounds) is great too. Reading CVC and knowing a handful of sight words (I, the, to, no, go, he, she etc) is where I would 'expect' a child in Reception to be by the end of the Autumn term (but I would still be saying don't worry if they're not there, as there's still plenty of time for it to click). Every phonics scheme is different. My children receive books with far more than 2 words, but it's likely his scheme is different so I'm afraid I can't comment on that. Ask his teacher if you feel he should be more challenged by now and see what they say. It might be that that type of book is typical of their scheme at this time of year. I wouldn't imagine it's because he's behind or struggling, as he really doesn't sound like he is from what you have said.

In maths we mainly work on numbers to 5 this term. Not just counting and numeral recognition, but finding one more and one less, and composition of those numbers (knowing different ways of making 3, 4 and 5). Subitising is a big skill worked on in this term to, which means recognising amounts to 5 represented in different ways (eg dice patterns, fingers, Numicon pieces etc). So if the children see 3 apples in a triangle pattern they instantly know it's 3, rather than having to count them. Or if they see 2 red pencils and 2 blue on the table they know there are 4 altogether, without needing to count, because they know 2 and 2 is 4. I hope that makes sense?

Don't worry about bigger numbers. Verbal recital of numbers is a very useful skill, but it's not counting unless they are assigning each number to an object or action (eg counting how many toy cars they have, or counting out 20 claps). If he can verbally count beyond 10 that's great, but I wouldn't be worrying that he doesn't recognise numbers like 34 yet as that is a year 1 skill. Each school is different but I haven't started numeral formation yet with mine. I would usually do that in Spring 2 (after Feb half term). Any recording we do in maths at this stage is purely pictorial, eg drawing 2 apples and then one more to represent 3 altogether.

I would expect children to at least be able to take their own jumpers, shoes and coat on and off by now and feed themselves independently so he's doing well there too. Work on the zip over the holidays. About half of mine can do it now, but I still have quite a few who can't.

From everything you have said, he definitely sounds on track for the end of Autumn 2 👍🏼

Just to add, I totally agree with the person who said being interested in your child's education and their progress is a good thing. I didn't read this as a pushy or braggy post at all, just a curious parent.

There is no official guidance on where children should be at the end of each term in Reception, just for the end of the year (The 'Early Learning Goals', which it sounds like your school have shared with you?).

Each school will have their own set criteria for where they would expect a child to be in each area by now on order to judge them as 'on track' for the Early Learning Goal. I have shared my own opinions, but they may differ from another Reception teacher who might expect more or less at this stage of the year. The end goals are the same for everyone though.

Following this with curiosity. My son is also in reception and I have no real idea what is expected at this stage. I think he’s doing fine, but I’ve no idea what the normal range might be.

Reading is OK as long as it can be sounded out - eg. “umbrella” or “watch” are fine but “high” not so much.

He can write his first name, but I’d have to spell out his surname for him to write it. He wrote Christmas cards for the whole class but it took a week of doing about 5 at a time to get them all done. I had to spell out the names of most of his classmates for him.

He can write the numbers up to 10 and recognise them up to 99 if written down, eg. house numbers, but I don’t think he could necessarily write anything above 10.

Struggles to sit and focus for long, and sometimes struggles to sit still on the carpet for long without becoming distracted. Can do up the zip on his coat but would rather not wear it and get soaked.

Hi @BoleynMemories13thank you so so much for your thoughtful reply especially at the end of term! You've given me food for thought re 2 word books. The school uses Rocket Phonics and they also have "rising star" books. The teacher explained their goal is that everyone should "have" a reading book by Xmas, but (and I appreciate im
not an educator!) I would have hoped it would be sooner and in the new year I'll suggest he's pushed by being given "harder books" but I'll also need to appreciate her expertise if she says he's not ready / doesn't want to put him off. Will work on the zip over Xmas you've got better things to be doing than helping them get dressed! Thanks again for your input!