Welcome to reception:
The start of your daughter's education journey
Reception at Notre Dame marks the beginning of your daughter’s educational journey. It is a time when strong foundations are built, and girls begin to develop greater independence, preparing them for the exciting path ahead.
Our Reception is uniquely year-round to provide complete flexibility for working families. Our holiday provision offers a continuation of our Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum, delivered in a more relaxed style. This is delivered by the same teachers during the holidays as during term time. The difference is that children enjoy the opportunity of making good use of the whole School facilities.
Choosing the first step in your child’s educational journey is both exciting and important. We are delighted that you are considering Notre Dame as part of this process.
The best way to discover whether our School is the right fit for your child is to experience our unique and vibrant community first-hand. We warmly invite you to join us for one of our open events, discovery days, taster experiences, or a private tour at a time that suits you. Each of these opportunities will allow you to meet our students, Heads, teachers, and staff – including Ted, our much-loved wellbeing dog.
Girls join Reception in the September following their fourth birthday. We are now taking registrations for September 2026 entry into Reception.
Curriculum
Our Reception curriculum is designed to provide a nurturing and stimulating start to school life, ensuring each girl develops a love of learning and builds strong foundations for the years ahead.
Reception girls are taught by a dedicated teacher and teaching assistant, who work closely together to deliver the principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Learning is carefully tailored to each child’s age and stage of development, encouraging independence, creativity, and confidence.
Alongside classroom learning, our curriculum is enriched by lessons with specialist teachers in drama, dance, swimming, PE, music, forest school and Spanish. This breadth of experiences helps to spark curiosity and develop a wide range of skills from the very beginning of school life.
Areas of Learning
The EYFS curriculum is structured around seven key areas of learning:
Prime Areas: Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Physical Development; Communication and Language
Specific Areas: Literacy; Mathematics; Understanding the World; Expressive Arts and Design
Life in recepton
The Reception classroom is located within the Early Years Foundation Stage building, providing a familiar and supportive environment. At the same time, girls regularly move around the School for specialist lessons, assemblies, and joint activities with Key Stage 1. This ensures they feel included in all aspects of Prep School life and supports a smooth transition into Year 1.
Enrichment and Topic Work
Much of the learning in Reception is topic-based, allowing the girls to explore themes in a meaningful and creative way. These topics are further enriched by trips and experiences. For example, visiting Windsor Castle when learning about history and castles. Such opportunities bring the curriculum to life and help children make real-world connections with their learning.
Applying for a place
The first step when applying for a place in Notre Dame Reception is to visit us. There are a variety of ways you can do this:
Book A Private Tour: You are most welcome to arrange for a private meeting and tour with our Prep School Headmistress, Mrs Amélie Morgan, or the Head of Early Years, Ms Melanie Lehman by contacting our Admissions Team on admissions@notredame.co.uk or 01932 869993.
Open Events: Our Open Events are the ideal opportunity to witness our School in action. Whether it is an open dance session with one of our qualified dance teachers, a phonics or maths demonstration or an exciting forest school session, you will discover our approach to teaching. You will also have the opportunity to ask our talented teaching staff any questions you may have.
We offer specific Reception Open Events and Whole School Open Events, in case you would like to see the rest of the School.
Register: Following a visit, if you would like to proceed with an application, we should complete our registration form, which can be accessed below. There is a £150 non-refundable registration fee.
Stay & Play: After you have registered your daughter, you are invited into our Reception class for a ‘stay & play’ session, so that you can both experience life in Reception first hand. It is also an opportunity for our teachers to meet your daughter and for you to ask the teachers any questions you may have.
Find Out More
Watch Our Videos to find out more about Prep School and the Early Years Foundation Stage
