Is It All Just Play? What Reception Classrooms Can Tell You About a School

When you visit a primary school, it’s easy to get distracted by the tiny chairs, messy paint palettes, and adorable chaos of Reception. It all feels very familiar - more like nursery than school.

But don’t let that fool you. What happens next is crucial. Because behind the Lego and the glitter, schools are making big choices about how they see learning - and when they believe children should 'get serious'.

And those choices tell you a lot about their values.

Why this matters

All schools follow the same Early Years curriculum in Reception. It’s play-based, full of discovery and social learning, and grounded in child development.

But by Year 1, the rules change. Some schools continue to offer lots of active, hands-on learning. Others shift to worksheets and whole-class teaching quickly. And while neither approach is 'wrong', they suit different types of children - and different family values.

What to ask when visiting

To get beyond the display boards and token “play corners”, try asking:

1. “How does the learning look different in Year 1 and Year 2?” This helps you understand how quickly things become formal. Listen out for whether they mention a gradual transition - or a sudden shift.

2. “Do children still get opportunities to learn through play after Reception?” This reveals how deeply the school values play-based approaches beyond the minimum.

3. “How do you support summer-born or less confident children as the curriculum becomes more formal?” A thoughtful response will show the school is responsive to different developmental needs - not just sticking to a rigid plan.

What to look out for

• Is there outdoor provision beyond Reception?

• Are Reception and Year 1 classrooms clearly distinct - or surprisingly similar?

• Do staff talk about getting children ready for Year 1 as a process?

• Are there any specific policies for summer-born children?

Want to explore this more?

You don’t have to wait for all four posts. I’ve turned these questions into a free video Masterclass session with key questions and prompts you can take with you on your school visits.

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