School Day | Cranford School

in this section:
Pre-School
a typical day
Reception

Life in Pre-School & Reception

Here at Cranford, we are a family community and parents are warmly welcomed into the Pre-School at the start of each day to settle their children into their ‘family groups’ and to talk to teachers. During each session, children benefit from the widest range of opportunities, including specialist teaching such as ‘Music and Movement’ where gross and fine motor skills are developed through dance and music, Forest School where the children develop a wider understanding of the outdoor world, PE and Swimming in our heated, indoor swimming pool.

Children acquire and develop excellent numeracy skills in the EYFS and throughout the Junior School. This is due to well-pitched learning activities and the focus on number skills to support pupils’ learning
ISI Inspection, November 2022

We understand the importance of creating a smooth transition from Pre-School to Reception, and, therefore, we provide a variety of transition events throughout the final year of Pre-School to support pupils' progress into the Reception year and build the foundations for their future educational journey.

“Within our Early Years setting, children enjoy the opportunity to explore the world around them through free-flow child initiated play alongside carefully planned activities. Through these activities children build their communication skills which, in turn, develops a sense of independence and self-confidence within our warm, caring and nurturing environment.” Mrs Bennet - Head of Early Years

PRE-school (ages 3-4)

Our Pre-School pupils follow the Early Years Foundation framework which provides a platform on which to build and develop existing knowledge and learning. The prime areas of focus are Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Physical Development and Communication and Language.

As your child progresses through Pre-School in preparation for Reception, they begin to engage with specialist teaching within Music, PE and IT to help best prepare for their transition to a more structured teaching and learning environment.

A typical day

7.30am - 8.00am	Breakfast Club (optional)
8.00am - 8.50am	Before-School Care
8.50am - 9.10am	Registration and Assembly
9.10am - 10.50am	Curriculum Time
10.50am - 11.10am	Break Time
11.10am - 12.00pm	Curriculum Time
12.00pm - 1.15pm	Lunch and Play Time
1.15pm - 3.10pm	Curriculum Time
3.20pm - 5.00pm	After-School Care (optional)

Reception (ages 4-5)

In Reception, children have the opportunity to explore a wide-ranging curriculum which inspires and encourages their creativity and independent thinking skills.

“Each rich and varied day provides our children with the opportunity to develop their maths and literacy skills through interactive lessons and independent activities alongside specialist teaching in French, Music and PE." Mrs Raymond, Reception Teacher

Our free-flow environment facilitates children's personal, social and emotional development, whilst consolidating skills acquired in our focused lessons, across our indoor and outdoor classrooms. During their time in our fun and child-centred learning environment, children develop the skills and learning habits they need to continue their individual learning journey as they move up through the Junior School.

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