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Reception

reception (4-5 years)

Reception marks an exciting milestone in your child’s educational journey — the moment they step confidently into school life. Reception Year is the initial year of primary school in England, typically for children aged 4 to 5. It is the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) before children progress to Key Stage 1. Most children start Reception full‑time in September after their fourth birthday, following their time in nursery or pre‑school.

Whether your child joins us from our own Pre‑School or from another setting, we ensure their transition into Reception is smooth, positive, and full of excitement.

A Strong Start to School Life

Our Reception environment is warm, engaging, and designed to build independence, curiosity, and a love of learning. Children develop essential early skills across literacy, numeracy, social development, and emotional wellbeing through a blend of structured teaching and purposeful play.

Reception children enjoy hands‑on, exploratory learning both indoors and outdoors. Our teachers guide and extend each child’s development, ensuring they feel challenged, supported, and proud of their progress.

Specialist Teaching

To enrich their week, Reception children benefit from specialist lessons in PE, Music, French, Dance & Drama.

Learn more about our early years curriculum.

A Smooth Transition

We work closely with families and nurseries to ensure every child is ready and excited for Reception. Visits, settling sessions, and personalised support help them feel at home from day one.

Read our blog Ready for Reception: A Parent’s Guide

Come and See Reception in Action

Ready to discover whether Banstead Prep is the right fit for your child?
Experience Reception first‑hand and see our warm, vibrant Early Years environment in action.

Book a visit — choose an individual tour during term time or join one of our Open Days or Stay and Play sessions.

Get in touch:
admissions@bansteadprep.com
01737 363600

Or send us an enquiry and we’ll be in touch to arrange your visit.

Explore all our upcoming opportunities on our Visit Us page

Make an enquiry

Our admissions team will be in touch to find out more about your family and chat about the next steps.
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Children develop the confidence to coperate and collaborate, thriving emotionally and socially as they engage happily with both adults and their peers. ISI Inspection November 2024
Children respond positively to the interesting and motivating learning activities. ISI Inspection November 2024
Leaders of early years classes are knowledgeable and experienced.  They create motivating, relevant and enabling learning environments, both inside and outdoors, which are used effectively to support each child's development as children explore their individual interests. ISI Inspection November 2024
Children in the early years are taught to care for each other and their belongings. From the youngest age, children engage in meaningful activities that develop a sense of community.  Pupils of all ages, including those in the early years, play active roles in the local community. ISI Inspection November 2024
Staff in the early years initiate meaningful conversations that develop children’s speaking and listening skills well. Good communication skills are encouraged through ‘chatterbag’ presentations that support children’s confidence in public speaking from their earliest days in school. ISI Inspection November 2024
Teachers in the early years are effective role models who demonstrate empathy and care through their interactions with children, which nurture positive relationships. ISI Inspection November 2024