Welcome to Year 1: Your adventure begins here

Stepping into Year 1 marks a significant milestone in your child’s educational journey. After the nurturing and play-centred environment of Reception, the transition to Year 1 can be both exciting and challenging for children and parents alike. This pivotal year is where structured learning begins in earnest, setting the foundation for future academic success. We understand that moving from Reception to Year 1 involves adjustments, as children get accustomed to a more formal classroom setting and new routines. But worry not—this year is designed to make learning fun and engaging, ensuring a smooth and joyful transition.

 

What is Year 1?

 

Year 1 is the first year after Reception in schools in England and Wales. It’s the beginning of compulsory education, welcoming children who are aged 5 before September 1st of the academic year. This year is part of Key Stage 1, a two-year phase that includes Year 1 and Year 2, covering ages 5 to 7. It’s a time filled with new experiences, discoveries, and a whole lot of learning!

 

Changes in the transition to Year 1 

 

The transition between Reception to Year 1 can be hard for students in the following ways:

 

• • In Reception, learning is all about play! Your child enjoyed the freedom to choose activities and explore at their own pace. In Year 1, the adventure continues with more formal, subject-based learning guided by enthusiastic teachers.

• • Year 1 brings exciting new expectations! Your child will develop a routine to follow instructions, focus for longer periods, and grow more independent. It’s a thrilling step up in their learning journey!

• • While there might be fewer chances to “let off steam” or have quiet time, the activities are designed to keep kids engaged and excited about learning.

• • Homework might increase, but it’s all part of the fun! It’s a chance to practisepractice new skills and share what they’ve learned in school with you.

• • Year 1 is full of changes: a new teacher, a new classroom, possibly new classmates, and maybe even a different playground. It’s a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and discover new favourite spots.

• • Parents might find fewer daily interactions with teaching staff, but there are still plenty of ways to stay involved and support your child’s journey.

Strategies to use in the transition to Year 1 

 

All these changes can be overwhelming for a child, but there are things you can do to make the upcoming year easier for both yourself and your child to manage:

 

1. 1. Talk about the move to Year 1 with excitement and a positive attitude! Instead of saying, “You’ll have to work a lot harder in Year 1,” try, “It will be exciting to learn about new things, won’t it?”

2. 2. Keep the upcoming changes fresh in your child’s mind during the long summer holiday. Discuss what’s coming up in September and ask your child what they’d like their new teacher to know about them. Write down these fun facts for their transition day.

3. 3. Dive into books together! Reading with and to your child is one of the the most powerful ways to support their learning and progress. Plus, it’s a wonderful adventure you can share together.

4. 4. Encourage your child to take charge of their school bag. Make a checklist and pack it the evening before each school day. It’s a great way to build independence.

5. 5. Spark creativity by encouraging your child to write a story. At Educate Excellence we provide creative writing tasks weekly to encourage students to think ‘outside the box’ and apply their grammar and writing skills. The more often they do this, the easier it will become! 

6. 6. Help your child practice telling the time to the hour and half-hour on an analogue clock. A great idea is buying a learning clock and practising by moving the hands of the clock! 

7. 7. Practice counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s. Talk about “more than” and “less than,” and explore the world around you for 2D and 3D shapes.

8. 8. Get those letters just right! Use a mix of large and small movements to practisepractice letter formations for every letter of the alphabet with this warm-up writing activity.

Throughout Year 1, your child will dive into a world of knowledge, exploring various exciting topics in Maths, English, and Science. Here’s a sneak peek at what they’ll discover:

 

Year 1 Maths: Counting, Shapes, and More!

 

In Year 1 Maths, your child will embark on a journey of numbers and shapes:

 

• • Count forwards and backwards up to 100: Mastering numbers is fun!

• • Addition and subtraction facts to 20: Simple math magic!

• • Multiplication and division: Through playful objects and problems.

• • Finding halves and quarters: Exploring fractions with shapes and quantities.

• • Measuring and telling time: Using standard units and clocks.
  • Naming 2D and 3D shapes: Discovering the world of geometry.

Year 1 English: Reading, Writing, and Phonics Fun!

 

Year 1 English is all about building confidence and creativity with literacy:

 

• • Phonics mastery: Matching letter groups with sounds (like “igh,” “ea,” “th”).

• • Reading stories and poems: Immersing in a world of words.

• • Spelling practice: Learning words with familiar sounds (e.g., light, read, think).

• • Handwriting skills: Forming letters and numbers with flair.

• • Storytelling: Sequencing sentences into short stories.

• • Punctuation basics: Using capital letters, full stops, question marks, and exclamation marks.

Year 1 Science: Exploring the Natural World!

In Year 1 Science, kids become young explorers:

 

• • Plants: Identifying and naming plants and studying their structure.

• • Animals, including humans: Learning about different animals and their groups.

• • Everyday materials: Investigating the properties of various materials.

• • Seasonal changes: Observing the wonders of weather and seasons throughout the year.

As exciting as your child’s first day at school can be, we understand it can also be an anxious time for parents too. Here are some tips to ensure you and your child have a smooth transition into primary school:

 

• • Trust the Teachers: Your child’s teachers are experienced and ready to make their first classroom experience fantastic. Even newly qualified teachers have spent significant time training in classrooms.

• • Keep the Goodbyes Short and Sweet: It’s great to help your child find their coat peg and register, but lingering too long can unsettle them or other children. A quick, confident goodbye sets the tone for a positive day.

• • Stay Positive: Most kids are excited for their first day. Even if you’re feeling anxious, keep those nerves hidden. Children are sensitive to your feelings and a calm demeanour will help them feel secure.

• • Picture Perfect Moments: Capture those adorable first-day photos before or after school. Taking pictures as they walk into class can distract other pupils and make your child feel self-conscious.

• • Label Everything: With 30 identical grey jumpers, labelling is essential. Ensure your child’s name is inside everything to avoid mix-ups and lost items.
  • Punctual Pick-Up: Be on time for pick-up. After an exciting first day, your child will be eager to see you and share their experiences. Seeing their friends leave while they wait can be unsettling.

How can Educate Excellence help?

 

Here at Educate Excellence we can help ease the transition for both parents and children. Our sessions bridge the early years playful learning approach with the more formal curriculum of Year 1.

 

 You can find all your child’s resources on the online portal,  and if you or your child have any anxiety around starting the new year our tutors are always here to help. Please either contact Fayas the head of education or your child’s personal tutor. 

 

Get ready for a year filled with curiosity, discovery, and endless fun! Year 1 is where the journey of learning takes off, and every day is an exciting new adventure. Let’s make this year unforgettable!