Children in the Barrier Reef learn together as part of our Early Learning Unit, bringing together children from Pre-school, Reception and Year 1. Children belong to a small key group with a named key person, helping them to feel safe, secure and well known by the adults who support them.

Our curriculum provides a carefully planned balance of purposeful play, exploration and more structured teaching. Children take part in daily phonics and reading sessions, alongside regular maths, literacy and wider curriculum learning, with teaching adapted to their age, stage and individual needs. Pre-school and Reception children learn through the EYFS curriculum, while our Year 1 children build upon these strong foundations through the National Curriculum.

Throughout the day, children have plenty of opportunities to explore, investigate, create, communicate and practise new skills through engaging, hands-on learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. Our continuous provision is carefully developed to build on children's interests and current learning, while encouraging independence, curiosity, problem-solving and collaboration.

Alongside classroom learning, children enjoy a range of enriching experiences, including regular Forest School, Karate and Music sessions. We aim to create a happy, nurturing and ambitious learning environment where every child is supported and challenged to develop confidence, independence and a lifelong love of learning.

Find out about our curriculum here.

Key People: 

Stingrays – Stefan

Beluga Whales – Laura

Jellyfish – Helen

Starfish – Aziza

Sea Turtles – Ellen, Kaitlin and Sabia

Clownfish – Maria

Early Years Practitioner – Stacey

Early Years Practitioner – Kaitlin

 

Applications for Reception school places opens on 3rd November and closes on 15th January 2027. Fill out an application here

For Children starting school please see this helpful Be School Ready Guide and Parent blogs and information. 

Supporting Your Child’s Learning

As the Barrier Reef includes children in Pre-school, Reception and Year 1, we know it is helpful for families to understand what their child will be learning at each stage of their journey with us.

The guides below provide useful information about what you can expect and offer ideas for how you can support your child’s learning and development at home.

Pre-school & Reception – What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for children’s learning, development, care and safety from birth to the end of Reception.

The What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage guide has been written especially for parents and carers. It explains the seven areas of learning and development, what children may typically be doing at different stages and provides lots of practical ideas for supporting learning through everyday experiences at home.

Please see the parent guide below to find out more about learning and development in Pre-school and Reception.

What to Expect in the Early Years Foundation Stage

Year 1 – What to Expect

Moving into Year 1 is an exciting next step in children’s learning. Children begin to follow the National Curriculum, building upon the strong foundations, skills and experiences developed throughout the Early Years.

Within the Barrier Reef, we continue to recognise the importance of active, practical and meaningful learning. Alongside more structured teaching, children have opportunities to explore, investigate, talk, create, solve problems and apply their developing skills through purposeful learning experiences.

The Oxford Owl – What to Expect in Year 1 guide provides families with a helpful overview of learning in Year 1, together with ideas for supporting your child at home. What to expect in Year 1

Phonics and Early Reading

Learning to read and write is an important and exciting part of children’s journey through the Barrier Reef.

Children in Pre-school begin to build the foundations for phonics by developing their listening and phonological awareness through stories, songs, rhymes and playful sound activities. Towards the end of the year, when they are ready, children are also introduced to the familiar Read Write Inc. pictures and begin to develop oral blending skills, preparing them for their phonics journey in Reception. In Reception and Year 1 take part in daily Read Write Inc. Phonics sessions, with teaching carefully matched to their current stage of reading development. Children learn to recognise sounds, blend sounds together to read words and develop increasing fluency and confidence as readers. Children are regularly assessed so that teaching continues to be closely matched to what children need to learn next.

The video below provides useful information for families about Read Write Inc. Phonics, including how to pronounce the sounds correctly so that you can support your child with reading at home.

Year 1 Phonics Screening Check

Children in Year 1 take part in the statutory Phonics Screening Check during the summer term.

The check is designed to show how confidently children can use their phonics knowledge to decode and read words. It also helps us to identify children who may benefit from some additional phonics support.

Children are already familiar with this type of reading through their everyday Read Write Inc. lessons, and we aim for the check to feel like a normal, relaxed reading activity with a familiar adult.

Further information for parents and carers about the Year 1 Phonics Screening Check can be found below. Phonics Screening Test information