Welcome to our Upper Early Years, which includes Kindergarten and Reception. This crucial phase marks both the preschool experience and the first year of formal education for your child.
Welcome to our vibrant Kindergarten, home to three delightful rooms: Herons, Nightingales, and Kingfishers! If your child is about to join one of these classes, they are taking their first exciting steps into the world of preschool. In the Heron room, children begin their journey around their third birthday, enjoying a few transitional months filled with engaging activities designed to foster their early development across the seven areas of learning in the EYFS framework.
After their time in Herons, children transition to either the Kingfisher or Nightingale room, where they will spend a full school year honing essential skills that will prepare them for a smooth and successful transition into our Pownall Reception. We can’t wait to support your child’s growth and exploration during this important stage of their education!
I am extremely passionate about teaching and facilitating learning within the Early Years. Being able to share my passion and experience of teaching within Kindergarten and Reception with other practitioners is equally as enjoyable and rewarding.
Such a special part of my role within Kindergarten is being able to build those all important bonds with the children, getting to know their interests and individual personalities in order to gain their trust, as they separate from their main carers. I feel privileged to be able to sculpt and guide the children as they develop and being able to provide them with a safe and secure place where they feel valued and listened to. At this stage the children are naturally curious and excited to learn and as soon as you walk into Kindergarten there is a buzz of excitement and joy and knowing that I have been a part in creating this environment for the children fills me with such pride. I love to see the children building upon the foundations that we lay in Kindergarten, as they continue along the Pownall Pathway.
Mrs Megan Gregory – Head of Kindergarten
“Our daughter is in Kindergarten and absolutely loves it! This is only because of the loving, caring and wonderful teachers we have at Pownall; making all of us feel very safe and loved, so our children can go into school everyday feeling curious and excited about learning and developing in life.”
Reception is an exhilarating adventure for our 4 and 5-year-olds as they step into one of our two vibrant Reception classes! This is a time filled with opportunity, where we craft engaging learning experiences that spark curiosity and inspire a love for learning. Our curriculum features phonics and daily reading sessions designed to build a solid foundation in literacy, while we introduce exciting new maths concepts through a blend of structured lessons and hands-on exploration.
As the year progresses, especially during the Summer term, we shift our focus to preparing the children for their transition into Form 1. Our goal is to ensure they are not just ready for their next step, but excited to embark on their continuing educational journey!
Kindergarten children benefit from a dynamic specialist timetable that enriches their learning experience. Each week, depending on their schedule, they engage in a variety of exciting subjects, including PE, French, Music, Forest School, and Yoga, all led by experienced specialists. This approach ensures that children receive tailored instruction from experts in each field, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the subjects.
In Reception, every child participates in weekly specialist lessons, making this an engaging and vibrant part of their educational journey. Forest School is always a highlight, where children explore nature and develop essential outdoor skills. They also enjoy French lessons with the enthusiastic Madame Petticrew, PE sessions in the sports hall or outside during the warmer months, invigorating Music classes, and relaxing Yoga sessions with our specialist instructor from Children’s Yoga Cheshire. Being taught by subject specialists not only elevates the quality of education but also ignites a passion for learning that sets the foundation for future success.
