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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Moving to EYFS - any tips?!

6 replies

toadstool32 · 26/05/2021 20:52

I've taught for ten years from y2-6, four years of those have been y2 but now I'm moving to reception in September. A mixture of excitement and fear! It's a 2 form entry so got someone amazing to mentor me but would love some tips to prepare. I'm pretty good with my phonics!

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BackforGood · 26/05/2021 23:28

This depends a LOT on the school.
If you follow the EYFS as it was written and intended, then if it quite different from Yrs 1 - 6, but a lot of schools pressure Reception Teachers to work much more like Year 1 teachers.

I think Reception is the best year to teach - the dc change SO much during the school year - but the Autumn Term is exhausting. September is like herding frogs, to be fair.

happystory · 27/05/2021 09:01

The main difference I found initially (Autumn term particularly as pp mentioned) is they need more care. Expect tears, wanting mummy, maybe wee accidents. But this is not to put you off, 4 and 5 year olds are lovely and so keen to learn.

EdithGrantham · 02/06/2021 23:10

When you say "Everyone" at the start of an instruction only around half the class will realise that applies to them for at least the first half term. The others will wait to be told individually.

Prepare for a lot of snot from tears/illnesses and a good proportion of children who still don't seem to realise they need a tissue and/or would rather just lick it off their top lip or use their sleeve.

Use "Choose it, use it, put it away" as a mantra for helping keep the environment tidy.

Model language as much as you can e.g. "You need to say, 'Can I have a turn?' (wait for them to repeat to child who has the toy they want) then your friend might not say yes straight away but they could say 'When I'm finished' or 'In a minute'"

Having said all that, the children can be very capable if they're given a chance and love little jobs like taking notes to other teachers, fetching someone you need to read with, sharpening pencils or getting something from a different (but familiar) area of the classroom or school.

As BackforGood says it very much depends on the school but if they allow true play based learning Greg Bottrill's book Can I Go and Play Now is excellent reading. Princesses, Dragons and Helicopter Stories is another good read and an excellent approach with brilliant results if you can find time to squeeze it in to the day.

toadstool32 · 03/06/2021 07:16

Fab tips thank you!

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jjejj · 03/06/2021 07:58

There are lots of really good zoom online sessions on preparing yourself for the new curriculum which could be helpful. The books mentioned by the pp are excellent as is the Reception year in action by Anna Ephgrave if you are interested in planning in the moment approach.

There's so much to know about teaching reception, it's a fantastic year. It's great to have an experienced a year group partner to support you. If you need anything feel free to PM me.

toadstool32 · 03/06/2021 08:07

Yes my year group partner is amazing! I've been teaching ten years myself, done npqml but eyfs is just a whole new ball game!

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