Every parent wants their child’s first school experience to feel right — a place that recognises who they are and who they may become. The reception year sets the tone for that journey. It’s not just about facilities or curriculum, but about philosophy — finding a school that sees parents as partners and views early learning as the foundation for lifelong curiosity and confidence.

Choosing the right reception programme is one of the most important decisions parents make. It is not only about logistics; it’s about connection. The best schools view families as co-educators, not bystanders — understanding that learning does not switch on at 8.30am and off at 3pm.

So, when you’re visiting schools or meeting teachers, pause to look beyond the prospectus. Listen for language that reveals the school’s values. Notice how the adults speak to the children. Pay attention to how you feel in the space. These subtleties often tell you more than any brochure can.

Here are a few questions worth asking as you make your decision:

1, How does the school get to know your child as an individual?

Children arrive at school with unique interests, temperaments and ways of seeing the world. A strong reception programme acknowledges this by getting to know each child during the enrolment process. Progressive schools invite parents to share insights about what sparks their child’s curiosity or what helps them feel comfortable. This early collaboration allows teachers to design experiences that meet children where they are — not where someone else expects them to be.

2, What does real family engagement look like?

Authentic engagement is not a once-a-term parent evening. It is a continuous dialogue — short conversations at pick-up, phone calls to share good news or just to check in, as well as goal-setting meetings that allow teachers and parents to celebrate progress and address challenges together. When children see the adults in their lives communicating and collaborating, they internalise an essential message: my world is safe, connected and consistent.

3, How are social and emotional skills supported?

The reception year is a child's training ground for empathy, independence and self-regulation. They learn to take turns, share ideas, solve problems and manage big feelings. A nurturing programme will weave these lessons through everyday play — not as add-ons, but as the fabric of the day. Parents can reinforce these skills at home through similar language and routines, helping children feel anchored in both environments.

4, How does the school create a sense of belonging?

A child’s first impressions of school shapes how they view education for years to come. Schools that welcome families into the classroom, encourage parents to share stories or cultural traditions, and celebrate diversity in all its forms send a clear message: you belong here. This sense of belonging builds confidence — and confident children are more willing to take learning risks.

5, What role does curiosity play?

In the early years, curiosity is the most powerful teacher of all. Look for classrooms that feel alive with questioning, creativity and movement. Children should be encouraged to explore, touch, build and imagine. A strong reception programme allows learning to emerge from a child's natural wonder, guided gently by skilled educators who know when to step in — and when to step back.

At the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning, we see how powerful these early partnerships can be. When parents and teachers work in sync, children flourish not only in literacy and numeracy but also in confidence, communication and emotional wellbeing. They feel understood. They feel capable. And they begin to see learning not as a task, but as a joyful, lifelong journey.

Because the reception year is not just the first step in schooling — it’s the first chapter in a story that families and educators write together. When that partnership starts strong, everything that follows has a better chance to thrive.

• Cindy Corday is cofounder and head of school at the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning