Reception at Haileybury Almaty — British School Haileybury Almaty

At Haileybury Almaty, our Reception team are dedicated practitioners who provide the very best start for our youngest learners, aged 4 to 5 years old.

We offer a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued, and inspired to explore the world around them.

Reception is the first year of Primary School and the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This important year lays the foundation for future academic success by developing essential early skills through play, exploration, and carefully structured learning opportunities.

We believe that beginning your child’s learning journey with us in Reception helps to maximise the progress they make throughout their education.

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A Curriculum That Builds Strong Foundations

Our curriculum encourages a love of learning, creativity, and curiosity. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions, children develop key social, emotional, and cognitive skills to ensure they are well-prepared for Year 1 and beyond.

Early Learning Goals (ELGs)

The Early Learning Goals outline the level of development children are expected to reach by the end of Reception. They provide a clear framework for assessing progress and are grouped into seven areas of learning, split into Prime and Specific Areas:

Prime Areas (Fundamental for all other learning)

Communication and Language

Listening, attention, and understanding
Speaking and using new vocabulary confidently

Personal, Social, and Emotional Development

Self-regulation and emotional understanding
Developing independence and resilience
Building positive relationships

Physical Development

Gross motor skills (running, climbing, balancing)
Fine motor skills (cutting, writing, manipulating tools)

Specific Areas (Building on the Prime Areas)

Literacy

Comprehension of stories and texts
Word reading and phonics
Writing letters and simple sentences

Mathematics

Number recognition and simple calculations
Recognising numerical patterns and shapes

Understanding the World

Learning about the past and present
Exploring different cultures and communities
Observing nature and the environment

Expressive Arts and Design

Creative use of materials
Role-play, music, dance, and imaginative expression

Continuous Provision

We offer continuous provision throughout the day — a carefully structured yet flexible learning environment where children can explore independently and follow their interests.

Key Features of Continuous Provision:

Consistency and Accessibility
Resources are always available, creating a predictable space that encourages independence and confidence.

Child-Led Exploration
Children are free to investigate topics that interest them, supported by open-ended activities and guided learning opportunities.

Active Skill Development
Through purposeful play, children naturally build literacy, numeracy, language, and social skills.

Practitioner Support
Our experienced teachers observe, ask purposeful questions, and model behaviour to extend learning in a meaningful way.

Join Us in Reception

We welcome families to discover the warmth and joy of Reception at Haileybury Almaty. If you would like to learn more about our approach or arrange a visit, please contact our Admissions Team. We would be delighted to show you what makes our Reception class such a special place to begin your child’s educational journey.

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