Reception class this year has 40 children in it, we have 2 classrooms made into one big one with 2 teachers and 2 or 3 TA's.
However, they do do alot of sitting chanting out the sounds and numbers but no writing and if they don't want to come and do an activity the teacher says oh well leave them.
This happened last year too and most of the children left Reception being unable to write even their name.

I am working with the children in year 1 this year and have so much work to do,they do not know how to add 2 numbers together and do not recognise the + or = signs. Is this normal????
Should they not have been taught this in reception?
I know its FS now and its play based but the teacher seems to say oh well they're so young let them play!!!!!
I feel like I have a mountain to climb in year 1 and feel that we'll be moaned at by the year 2 teacher when they go up not knowing half of what they should because they are below par now.
Any ideas???

I know our reception has changed radically from what it was, and to conform to the new foundation strategy have had a great play area fitted. I don't understand fully what the new strategy is, but do know it is based on play and allowing the children the freedom to chose what they do and how long, allowing them access to the outdoors at all times, and allows them times for short naps.

I think its great for the kids and allows them to be kids longer, but not very helpful to year 1 and the expectations for these children.

If these changes have been made in reception then they should be liaising with Y1 about their expectations as there is bound to be a consequence.

What I find weird from your post is why, with 2 teachers, they didn't just have two smaller classes

Yes trueblue some of that wonder why too!!
Dorothy I agree allowing the kids to be children longer,in fact we say in year 1 and 2 when the children are 6 and 7 years old why can they not be allowed to be children and do fun things, but we are still confined by assessments.
I wish the government would consult the teachers who teach before putting these new things in place.

It is so difficult sometimes as every teacher varies what they think they should do!
We have the EYFS Profile, but then each teacher really decides exactly what they want the children to do.
We teach the children to write their first and second names as I think this is so important, they need to know how to write their names. However, when a woman came out from Early Years she actually said the children should not be learning to write their names.
Its difficult as people have different opinions but I do believe there should be some boundaries as to what children should do.
For example in some settings children move around in groups for the free-flow activites, whereas others just dip in and out when they want too.
poohbear x

Ahh, could this be the reason why a lot of our Yr 7s have poor literacy and numeracy skills, they missed the solid grounding in Reception.