Reception: Blog items
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:45pm
This week, our Reception children have been learning about themselves, their families and the special people in their lives. The children have enjoyed talking about their families and friends, sharing who lives at home with them and discussing some of their favourite activities they do together. They have also been drawing pictures of their families and explaining their drawings to their teachers and classmates.
As part of this activity, teachers have been encouraging the children to hold their pencil correctly using our 'three friends' grip and to develop their early writing skills by ascribing meaning to the marks they make. We have loved hearing the children's conversations and learning more about each unique family whilst celebrating what makes us all special.
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:35pm
This week our Reception children stayed for lunch for the first time, and they did a fantastic job! The children lined up smartly and were encouraged to use their manners as they politely asked for their dinner choices and selected items from our salad bar. Staff supported the children in sitting sensibly at the table, demonstrating good table manners, and using their knife and fork to cut and eat their food independently. It was lovely to hear the children chatting happily with one another whilst enjoying their lunch and making new friendships. In order to support the children you can encourage these important routines at home by ensuring meal time is a a calm and sociable time. Ensuring the children sit at a table practising good table manners using cutlery independently during mealtimes it improtamt to children's social development. It is the perfect opportunity for families to spend some quality time together finding out about what each other have been doing.
Reception developing our independence
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:28pm
Our Reception children have been developing their independence by learning how to get ready for outdoor learning so we can take our learning outside in all types of weather. They have been practising putting their shoes in the correct tray, finding the right size wellies, and putting on their waterproof trousers and jackets before heading outside. We have been incredibly impressed with how well they have tried to do this independently, with some children needing very little help from an adult.
Taking responsibility for their own belongings and dressing themselves helps to build confidence and prepares them for daily school routines. This is something you can encourage at home too by helping your child practise dressing and undressing themselves independently
Date: 6th Sep 2026 @ 7:20pm
We would like to give a very warm welcome to all of our new Reception children who have made a fantastic start to their school journey!
It has been wonderful to see the children arrive each day looking so smart in their new school uniforms. They have come into school with huge smiles on their faces and lots of excitement as they begin this new adventure. The children have been busy exploring their new classroom and discovering all of the exciting activities and learning areas available to them. They have enjoyed getting to know their teachers and support staff, who have been so impressed by their enthusiasm, confidence and positive attitudes
. The children have been chatting, playing together and helping one another as they settle into school life. The Reception team has also been introducing the children to the classroom rules and daily routines. They have been learning how to look after their learning environment, listen carefully during carpet time, and follow instructions to help everyone learn safely and happily together.
. We look forward to sharing many more exciting learning experiences and achievements with you throughout the year. Well done, Reception, on a fantastic first week! We can't wait to see what adventures lie ahead.
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 11:22am
Today, Reception had a wonderful visit from the mobile farm. We were very excited to meet lots of different animals and learn all about how to care for them. The children had the opportunity to see and touch a variety of farm animals, including rabbits, goats, sheep, chickens, cows and a pig. The farmers taught us interesting facts about each animal, such as what they eat, where they live, and how they grow. The children were incredibly gentle and respectful when handling the animals. Many of them showed great confidence as they stroked the rabbits and asked thoughtful questions. It was lovely to see their curiosity and enthusiasm throughout the day. This hands-on experience helped bring our learning to life and gave the children a better understanding of life on a farm. It also encouraged them to develop their communication skills, build confidence, and learn about caring for living things. We would like to thank the mobile farm staff for providing such an enjoyable and educational experience. Reception had a fantastic day and created many special memories that they will be talking about for a long time to come!
Reception-Role Play Ice- Cream Shop
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 11:05am
Our Reception children had lots of fun in our Ice Cream Shop role-play area. They enjoyed taking on different roles, including being shopkeepers and customers, as they practised buying and selling ice creams.
The children used their speaking and listening skills to take orders, serve customers, and handle payments. They showed great imagination and confidence as they acted out real-life situations.
To make the role play even more exciting, the children dressed in their summer clothes ready for a trip to the beach. They wore hats, sunglasses, and other holiday outfits, helping to bring the seaside theme to life.
Everyone had a wonderful time learning through play, developing their communication, social, and maths skills while having plenty of fun together. 🍦☀️🏖️
"My favourite flavour ice cream is strawberry" Cherry
"I'm wearing the flip flops- I'm going to go to the beach with my ice cream" Zara
"I'm selling ice-lollies and ice creams to Harley and Dolcie" Theo
Reception- Our Trip To The Beach
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:55am
We had a very exciting trip to St Anne's-on-the-Sea. We travelled through Blackpool town centre and along the promenade before arriving at the beach.
The sun was shining, the sky was a beautiful clear blue, and a gentle breeze helped to keep us cool. We were all well prepared to stay safe in the sun, wearing hats and sunglasses, applying sun cream, and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. We also enjoyed a lovely picnic lunch together.
After lunch, we showed how responsible we are by recycling our rubbish. We carefully sorted it into food waste, brown paper, and plastic, helping to look after our environment.
We worked as teams to build sandcastles, collect shells and pebbles to decorate them, and create roads around our castles. The winning team was Mrs McAllister's group, who did a fantastic job of building the biggest sandcastle on the beach!
After lunch, we had lots of fun playing What Time Is It, Mr Wolf? Before long, it was time to pack up our belongings and walk back to the bus. We were all tired but happy, and looking forward to enjoying an ice cream when we returned to school.
We were so tired after our busy day at the beach that some of us even fell asleep on the bus on the way home!
It was a wonderful day at the seaside and everyone had a fantastic time. 🌞🏖️🍦
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:14am
As part of our Heritage Week learning, Reception children have been exploring Blackpool as a coastal town and discovering why it has been a popular holiday destination for many years.
We have been learning lots of new vocabulary, including promenade, seaside and pier, and using these words during our discussions and play. The children enjoyed finding out why families visit Blackpool on holiday and exploring how holidays have changed over time.
Through looking at a range of historical artefacts and photographs, the children compared holidays from the past with holidays today. They sorted pictures into past and present, noticing similarities and differences and sharing their own ideas about how things have changed.
To bring our learning to life, the children used their creativity to design and make models of their favourite Blackpool landmarks, including the famous Blackpool Tower, piers and seaside attractions. The children have shown great curiosity throughout the week, asking thoughtful questions and developing their understanding of local history. We are very proud of their enthusiasm and the wonderful work they have produced while learning about the heritage of our local area!
Date: 10th Jul 2026 @ 10:03am
Following our wonderful trip to St Annes Beach, the children continued the seaside fun back at school by visiting our very own ice cream shop in the garden! The children enjoyed taking turns to purchase their own ice creams, practising their speaking, listening and social skills as they ordered their favourite flavoure. They loved role-playing as both customers and shopkeepers, making the experience even more exciting. It was a special treat to help us cool off after a busy and enjoyable day at the beach. There were lots of smiles, laughter and happy memories as the children relaxed and shared their ice creams with friends. What a fantastic way to finish a lovely day of learning and adventure!
Date: 6th Jul 2026 @ 11:11am
Reception children have been busy preparing for Boundary's Annual Choral Speaking Competition, where they will be performing the Gruffalo Song. The children have shown great enthusiasm and determination as they practise together each day. They have been working hard on their posture and stance, learning how to stand tall, keep their feet still and look confidently towards the audience. This helps them to perform as a team and present themselves proudly.
A key focus of our rehearsals has been pronouncing the words clearly and correctly. The children have listened carefully to the lyrics and practised saying each word with confidence. They have also been learning to stay in time with one another, ensuring that everyone speaks together and follows the rhythm of the song. To make their performance engaging, the children have explored how to project their voices so they can be heard clearly by the audience. They have enjoyed experimenting with speaking loudly and quietly, discovering how changes in volume can help to bring the story and characters to life. The children have also incorporated a range of actions and gestures into their performance. These actions help to emphasise key words and events in the song, making it more expressive and enjoyable to watch.
The children have worked hard to ensure their actions are coordinated and performed at the correct moments, adding energy and excitement to the performance. We are incredibly proud of the effort, teamwork and confidence Reception have shown throughout their preparations and final performance.
Reception- Making a fruit kebab
Date: 3rd Jul 2026 @ 12:18pm
The children took part in a healthy eating Design and Technology activity where they made their own fruit kebabs using strawberries, red grapes, green grapes, bananas, and clementines.
The children showed good focus and concentration as they carefully prepared the fruit and threaded it onto their skewers. They learned about healthy foods and discussed why fruit is good for our bodies, linking to the message of eating five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
The children practised using a knife safely to chop soft fruit, developing their understanding of knife safety and how to handle tools carefully. They also strengthened their fine motor skills by picking up fruit pieces and pushing them onto the skewer.
After making their fruit kebabs, the children thoroughly enjoyed eating them. They used descriptive language to talk about the taste and texture of the fruit, saying it was juicy, fruity, and sweet. The children were proud of their finished kebabs and enjoyed trying a variety of fruits.
"My favourite fruit are strawberries" Faith A
"I love chopping bananas" Oliver
"My kebab is so juicy!" Harrison- Bleu
Reception- Health Week Gymnastics
Date: 26th Jun 2026 @ 12:17pm
During Health Week, the children took part in a range of gymnastics activities. They enjoyed jumping from different heights of equipment, practising balancing on the beam, and carefully moving up and down it. They also worked on running and jumping from the springboard.
The large climbing frame was very popular, and the children had the opportunity to develop their strength and coordination. They also tried the rope swing, which many found quite tricky but exciting.
A strong focus was placed on safety. The children learned and followed important rules for using the equipment safely and practised how to ask for help when needed.
As it was a very hot day, we made sure to include a cooling rest station so the children could stay safe and hydrated.
"I had to hold on to the rope swing and jump on it to swing- it was tricky!" Rubie- Louise
"I got all the way across balancing on the bench- Ididn't fall off!" Billy T
"I had a go but got a bit scared as it was high so Mr Ratcliffe held my hand" Cherry
Reception learn about sun safety
Date: 26th Jun 2026 @ 11:28am
This week, during the hottest week of the year, our Reception children have been learning all about sun safety and how to look after themselves in the warm weather. We discussed the importance of protecting our skin by wearing sun cream, keeping our heads covered with a sun hat, and choosing appropriate clothing to help keep us cool and safe from the sun. We also learnt how important it is to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
The children did a fantastic job remembering our sun safety rules and talking about ways we can stay safe when the weather is hot. Of course, we also had lots of fun finding ways to keep cool! The children enjoyed drinking plenty of water, splashing and paddling in the water trays, and there was great excitement when they were cooled down with a refreshing spray from the hose pipe.
There were lots of smiles, laughter and happy faces as everyone enjoyed the sunshine safely. We are very proud of how well the children understood the importance of looking after themselves in the hot weather while still having lots of fun outdoors. Well done, Reception! 🌞💦👒
Reception - Year 5 Takeover Day
Date: 19th Jun 2026 @ 10:50am
During Year 5 Takeover Day, the Year 5 teachers led a Reception class session by reading the story Supertato to the children. The Year 5 teaching assistants supported the session effectively—one prepared the outdoor learning environment while the other stayed inside to assist the children with their activities.
Following the story, the teachers modelled how to draw a picture of Supertato, demonstrating the correct use of colours. This formed the morning’s creative challenge for the Reception children. The children then completed their “Mini-Me” activity alongside their Supertato drawings.
Year 5 teachers supported the children throughout, offering guidance where needed and marking their work using the school’s marking code. The Reception children were highly engaged; they listened carefully, followed instructions well, and were enthusiastic about their learning.
The Year 5 pupils thoroughly enjoyed supporting the younger children and took pride in helping them develop their skills. Overall, the day was a fantastic success, with positive engagement and learning evident from all involved.
“I remember being in Reception and I really enjoyed being back again as a teaching assistant.” – Cooper
“I have enjoyed being the Reception teacher today- it was really good fun helping the children with their learning.” – Emanuelle
These experiences helped to inspire the children at Boundary, giving them an insight into future roles and encouraging them to think about possible careers in education.
Reception learn about the ducklings
Date: 16th Jun 2026 @ 3:43pm
Our Reception class has been on an incredible learning journey as we explored the lifecycle of a duck, inspired by our very own classroom ducklings — Patchy, Coco, Paul, John, Rosie and Raphelle.
Watching the ducklings grow right in front of us made our learning come to life in such a special way. The children were fascinated as they observed how the ducklings changed each day, helping them to understand the different stages of the duck lifecycle — from egg, to duckling, and eventually to an adult duck.
During our oracy sessions, the children did a fantastic job of building their confidence in speaking. They used descriptive language to talk about what the ducklings looked like, describing their soft, fluffy feathers, tiny webbed feet, little wings, and smooth bills. It was wonderful to hear such thoughtful and detailed sentences being shared with the class. This enthusiasm for learning continued into our writing. The children produced some fabulous pieces of writing, describing their favourite ducklings and explaining what they had learned about how ducks grow and change. We are so proud of their creativity and effort! ✏️✨
We also explored our learning through art and design. The children enjoyed painting pictures of the ducklings and had lots of fun creating their own models. Each creation was unique, showing the children’s wonderful imagination and attention to detail.
This hands-on experience has helped the children develop not only their understanding of lifecycles and change, but also important skills in speaking, writing, observing, and creativity. What a fantastic and memorable way to learn — we are so proud of everything the children have achieved!
Reception have a special delivery
Date: 16th Jun 2026 @ 3:39pm
We had a very exciting surprise in Reception when a special delivery arrived — six mysterious duck eggs!
The children were full of curiosity and wonder. We spent time talking together and making predictions about what might be inside the eggs. Some children guessed ducklings, others thought chicks, and a few even imagined something completely different! Then came the most magical moment of all… the eggs began to hatch right before our eyes! 🥚
✨ One by one, the eggs cracked open and we were delighted to meet six adorable ducklings. We named them: Patchy, Coco, Paul, John, Rosie and Raphelle. From that moment on, the children took on the important role of caring for our new arrivals. We learnt just how important it is to look after living creatures by making sure the ducklings had plenty of food, clean water, and a safe, warm space. The children showed such kindness and responsibility. We also spent lots of time observing how the ducklings were growing and changing each day. The children noticed their soft feathers, their bills, their tiny wings, and their webbed feet. They loved talking about how each duckling looked slightly different and spotting their unique features.
One of the most exciting experiences was when the children got the chance to gently hold the ducklings. There were lots of smiles and very careful hands! Another highlight was watching them have their first swims — the children were fascinated to see how naturally they moved in the water. 🦆💦 This wonderful experience helped us learn so much about life cycles, growth, and caring for animals. It was a truly memorable time for everyone in Reception, and we are so proud of how thoughtful and gentle the children were throughout.
Reception release the butterflies
Date: 16th Jun 2026 @ 3:34pm
Over the past few weeks, our Reception class has been on a truly magical journey, watching our tiny caterpillars grow and change right before our eyes. At the start, our caterpillars were very small and wriggly. We made sure to observe them carefully every day, noticing how they ate, moved, and slowly began to grow bigger and bigger.
The children were fascinated by how quickly they changed! After some time, something very exciting happened — our caterpillars formed their cocoons . We talked about how this is an important stage called metamorphosis, where the caterpillars transform into butterflies. The class showed wonderful patience as we waited and wondered what was happening inside.
Then, the big moment arrived! One morning, we noticed beautiful butterflies beginning to emerge. The children were amazed to see their colourful wings and how different they looked from the caterpillars we first met. We spent time observing their patterns, colours, and gentle movements.
Finally, it was time to say goodbye. We took our butterflies outside and carefully released them into the wild. There was lots of excitement as we watched them flutter up into the sky. This experience has helped us learn so much about life cycles, caring for living things, and the wonders of nature. We are so proud of how responsible and kind the children have been throughout this journey.
What an unforgettable adventure it has been! 🌸🦋
Date: 12th Jun 2026 @ 2:14pm
This week, the children explored the story The Three Little Pigs. We read the story together and focused on developing oracy skills by learning and using new vocabulary from the text. The children practised saying sentences using these new words, showing growing confidence in speaking.
At the storytelling table, the children used puppets to retell the story, demonstrating their understanding of the sequence of events and characters.
In the creative area, the children painted a pig and created their own paper plate pigs using collage techniques. They independently selected and attached different materials, building on their fine motor skills and creativity.
In writing, the children wrote simple sentences about the story, using their phonics knowledge and showed increasing confidence in applying their phonetic skills in meaningful contexts.
Date: 21st May 2026 @ 11:22am
This week we have continued exploring the story Bog Baby, about two sisters who discover a mysterious little creature and learn an important lesson about love, care, and letting go. The story captured the children’s imaginations and led to some wonderful creative work.
We finished making our own clay Bog Babies. After carefully shaping them, we painted them blue, bringing each one to life with its own unique personality.
To complete the project, we designed and created habitats for our Bog Babies, thinking carefully about what they would need to feel safe and at home. This helped us to link our creativity with our understanding of real-life habitats and how to care for living things.
Finally, we took our Bog Babies home, allowing the children to share their creations and the story behind them with their families.
"I can't wait to play with my Bog Baby at home with my brother" Harrison- Bleu
"My habitat has got blue tissue paper for the water in the pond and green lilly pads made from leaves for it to sleep on" Leena
"He will love to suck his toes on the leaves in my habitat" Bonnie.
Reception Reading Champions Summer 1
Date: 21st May 2026 @ 10:56am
Well done to all the children in Reception who have shown decidation to their home reading teis half term. They have all recieved a special reading badge! Home reading has such a huge impact on th children's learning. It enables them to practice the skills they have been learning in phonics and help build their confidence and fluency. Don't worry ithere is a chance to earn a badge next half term. All you need to do is reading at least 3 times per week with your child and sign their reading diary.
Date: 21st May 2026 @ 10:50am
Our Reception Sports Day was a fantastic celebration of all the skills the children have been developing throughout the year. The children took part in a fun carousel of eight different stations, each carefully designed to showcase their growing abilities. Activities focused on key skills such as throwing, jumping, teamwork, balance, and coordination, and it was wonderful to see how confidently the children approached each challenge. In addition to the carousel activities, the children also enjoyed taking part in some exciting running races. Their enthusiasm, determination, and big smiles made it a joy to watch! We were delighted to welcome so many parents and carers, whose support and encouragement meant so much to the children. The cheering and positive atmosphere helped make the day even more special. Overall, it was a lovely event that highlighted the children’s progress, resilience, and teamwork. We are very proud of all their efforts and the way they embraced each activity with such positivity. Well done, Reception!
Reception- Making a Clay Bog Baby
Date: 15th May 2026 @ 11:46am
After reading the magical story The Bog Baby, we were inspired to create our own tiny creatures. The story, about two sisters who discover a mysterious Bog Baby and learn about love and letting go, sparked lots of imagination!
Using clay, we carefully built our own Bog Babies. We practised important sculpting techniques such as slip, score, and blend to securely attach the wings, legs, arms, and tails. This helped ensure that all the body parts were firmly joined and would not break off.
Next, we will be painting our Bog Babies and creating habitats for them to live in.
Watch this space to see our finished creations!
Date: 15th May 2026 @ 10:49am
This week in Reception, we have been working hard on developing our handwriting skills using our new scheme, Kinetic Letters. The children have really enjoyed building their strength and control through fun animal positions. We practised lying like a lizard and sitting like a bear to help strengthen our core muscles, which are important for good handwriting. We also focused on how to hold our pencil correctly using the “3 friends” grip. The children practised their pencil pick-up carefully and are becoming more confident with this each day. Using the handwriting tree, the children have been learning how to form their letters correctly. This week, we focused on “jumper letters”, practising the correct formation and movement needed to write them neatly. The children showed great determination and pride in their work. It has been wonderful to see the huge improvements already! Many children are now beginning to write on the lines and are starting to apply the correct letter formation independently in their writing. We are so proud of their effort and progress—well done, Reception!
Date: 15th May 2026 @ 10:29am
This week in Reception, we were very excited to receive a special letter from Jack! He told us all about his adventure and asked for our help to grow a magical beanstalk so he could visit the giant in the sky. During our oracy session, the children shared their ideas about what plants need in order to grow. We had some fantastic discussions, using kind voices and listening carefully to each other. The children suggested that a bean plant needs water, sunlight, soil, and warmth. We talked about how each of these helps a plant stay healthy and grow tall and strong. After our discussions, we took our learning outside. Each child had the opportunity to plant their own bean! We carefully pressed the beans into the soil and gave them a drink of water. We chose a sunny spot so our plants can soak up lots of sunshine. We are now eagerly waiting to see what happens next. Will our beans grow into tall beanstalks like Jack’s? We can’t wait to observe the changes and continue our learning about plants. Stay tuned for updates on our growing adventures!
Reception go on a minibeast hunt.
Date: 8th May 2026 @ 12:06pm
Following our exciting learning about the life cycle of a butterfly, our Reception children, have developed a growing interest in minibeasts and insects found in the natural world. Building on their curiosity, we explored the different creatures they might find in the garden during the spring season. The children eagerly shared their ideas, naming a variety of minibeasts such as snails, worms, caterpillars, millipedes, and ladybirds. Together, we discussed the features of these creatures, learning new vocabulary such as wings, legs, body, and antennae. The children were quick to notice similarities and differences, showing a keen interest in how each creature moves and lives. To bring this learning to life, the children worked in pairs to go on a bug hunt in the garden. Equipped with magnifying glasses and a sense of adventure, they searched carefully in different places, including under leaves, near plants, and along the soil. They were thrilled with what they discovered, finding a range of minibeasts and observing them closely in their natural habitats. This hands-on experience encouraged teamwork, observation skills, and respectful interaction with living things. The children discussed their findings with their partners and shared their excitement with the group. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm continue to grow, as they become more confident in identifying minibeasts and using new vocabulary to describe what they see.
