Communication & participation
Offer different ways to understand, communicate and join in.
Reception Resources Gateway | Ages 4–5
Find printables, provision ideas, planning and pedagogy for ages 4–5.
Play · teaching · belonging
Resources for your Reception day.
Find practical provision, purposeful teaching ideas and planning support for children aged 4–5. Start with what your class needs today.
What would you like to find?
Type a word or phrase to see matching Reception resources. Use the filters to narrow your results.
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Which resources are included?
All resources and All Access show every matching entry. Free Access includes free resources and public collections, articles and guidance; individual downloads within a collection may need All Access. Reception results include adaptable activities and materials for adults. Open a card’s suitability note for more detail.
Let’s try a wider search.
Use one or two words, choose a different area or remove a filter. You can also explore the collections below.
01 / Play & provision
Start with the space children use.
Choose familiar resources children can revisit, combine and use to practise their growing skills. Add adult support and new possibilities where they help.
Small world
Construction & building
Role play
Outdoor play
Maths provision
Mark making & early writing
Music & soundMake room to revisit learning.
Keep familiar provision available. Add a prompt or teaching focus that children can return to and explore through play.
Find something specific ↑02 / Learning & teaching
Support the next step in learning.
Find resources for purposeful teaching, shared exploration and practice through play. Choose the next step for the children you know.
Communication & languagePersonal, social & emotionalPhysical developmentLiteracyMathematicsUnderstanding the worldExpressive arts & designPhonics & Early Reading
SubitisingSee small quantities, compare arrangements and talk about how a number is made.Letter formation & name writingA free name-writing tool and purposeful letter practice.Reception Early Writing Purpose PackAdult guidance for modelling writing and applying taught phonics through meaningful purposes.All Access
For phonics and early reading, choose materials that match what children have already been taught. Use letter and word resources alongside your setting’s programme.
03 / Planning & curriculum
Connect teaching, play
and progression.
Explore the Reception Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite for progression, provision, purposeful teaching, observation and next steps.
Start with the free overview, then choose the documents that help your setting.
04 / Support & transitions
Help every child take part.
Make communication and routines easier, build belonging and support children through changes within and beyond Reception.
Feelings, routines & settling
Create predictable routines and help children express how they feel.
Families & the move to Year 1
Share what helps each child and build continuity with families and the next class.
05 / Themes & interests
Build on what has caught their attention.
Use a story, season or interest as an optional context for learning, alongside your curriculum and the children’s ideas.
06 / Free resources
Three useful places to begin.
Try a maths or investigation resource with children, or explore the thinking behind the Reception Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite.
Free Access
Subitising: turn, check & talk
Look at a dot pattern, say how many you can see and turn the card to check. Choose from numbers 1–6 to suit the children.
View free resource →
Free Access
STEM challenges to explore
Three open-ended challenge prompts, plus a blank card, for choosing materials, testing ideas and talking about what happens.
View free resource →
Free guidance
The Reception Curriculum Overview
A free introduction to the purpose and priorities of the Reception Curriculum & Pedagogy Suite.
Read free guidance →Sign in or create a Free Access account for sample downloads when prompted. The Reception overview is free to read.
Choose for the children you know. These results include resources that can be adapted, shared with an adult or used to support your setting. Suggested ages are a starting point, not a checklist.
Back to search ↑Resources created by Little Owls Resources.