We believe that children should be able to express themselves creatively and a lot of the arts and design skills are developed through children's own imaginative ideas. Children can freely explore materials and tools once they have been taught how to use them safely and effectively, more methods and resources are added as the children begin to master different techniques or seek out ways to adapt their creations. 

Junk Modelling and the creative area outside allow children to access creative outlets throughout the day, and they use these to extend their own imaginative play for example by using junk modelling to create telescopes to use in their pirate storyline or making boats to test out in the water tray. 

To explore new artistic techniques and styles, children in Reception are introduced to various artists throughout the year. These include Matisse when learning about collage, Jackson Pollock when reflecting on our emotions when painting and Van Gogh when learning about Space and stars. As well as art and design, music plays a huge role in our curriculum and children have weekly musical sessions with Mrs Noyes as well as access to instruments in their play and listening to different musicians and composers in the classroom. 

Throughout the Reception year, children will be working towards the following Early Learning Goals:

Creating with Materials

• Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function;
• Share their creations, explaining the process they have used;
• Make use of props and materials when role playing characters in narratives and stories.

Being Imaginative and Expressive

• Invent, adapt and recount narratives and stories with peers and their teacher;
• Sing a range of well-known nursery rhymes and songs; Perform songs, rhymes, poems and stories with others, and – when appropriate – try to move in time with music.