Reception Spelling Words
122 first spelling words for Reception in the UK and for Foundation, Prep and Kindy classes in Australia and New Zealand — first sounds, CVC words, colours, numbers and tricky words.
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Reception is ages 4–5 — the final year of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
The same year is called Foundation, Prep, Kindergarten or Kindy depending on the state, and runs at ages 5–6. New Zealand children start in Year 1, often called New Entrants, at age 5.
One list, four names for the same year. The core sections below suit a UK Reception child of 4–5. The extension words at the end are the ones Australian Foundation, Prep and Kindy classes usually reach first, because that cohort is around a year older.
What Spelling Skills Does Reception Cover?
Reception is not really about spelling yet — it is about hearing the sounds inside a word and choosing a letter for each one. Every list below supports that one skill. By the end of the year, most children can:
First Sounds (26 Words)
One short word for each letter sound. Say the word, stretch the first sound, then write the letter. These are the words children meet in their very first phonics sessions.
CVC Words (24 Words)
Consonant, vowel, consonant — the first words a child can spell entirely by listening. Say the word slowly, count the sounds on your fingers, then write one letter per finger.
Practice tip: if your child writes kat for cat, they have done the difficult part. Praise the three sounds they heard, then show them which letter this word uses. Correcting the listening is much harder than correcting the letter.
Colour Words (11 Words)
Colour words appear on labels, in reading books and on every classroom wall, so children copy them long before they can sound them out. Note grey — that is the spelling used in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Number Words (11 Words)
Number words are irregular and have to be learned by sight — one and two follow no rule a Reception child could use. They are worth learning early because they turn up in maths lessons as well as writing.
Tricky Words (30 Words)
These are the words phonics cannot yet explain — the ones children have to know by sight. They are also the most common words in English, so learning them unlocks whole sentences.
Extension Words (20 Words)
For Australian Foundation, Prep and Kindy classes, and for UK Reception children who are ready for more. These add digraphs and four-letter words, which is exactly where Year 1 picks up.
Practise These Words in British or Australian English
SpellCrush lets you set your child's spelling variant to British or Australian English, so words like grey and colour are marked correct — not as mistakes. Every word is read aloud, which matters most at this age.
Start Free Practice →Not Sure Where Your Child Is Up To?
Take our free five-minute spelling assessment — no sign-up required. It finds your child's actual level and suggests where to start.
Take the Free Assessment →Frequently Asked Questions
What spelling words should a Reception child know?
By the end of Reception, most children can write the letter for each sound, blend and write simple CVC words such as cat and sun, and write a handful of tricky words like the, said and was from memory. Writing 40 to 60 words independently is a strong finish to the year; there is no fixed list.
Is Reception the same as Foundation, Prep or Kindy?
They are the same stage of school under different names. England, Wales and Northern Ireland call it Reception (ages 4 to 5). Australia calls it Foundation, Prep, Kindergarten or Pre-primary depending on the state, and it runs at ages 5 to 6. New Zealand children start in Year 1, often called New Entrants, at age 5. The Australian cohort is around a year older, which is why the extension list at the end of this page exists.
Should a four-year-old be spelling at all?
Only in the loosest sense. At this age the goal is hearing sounds in words and having a go at writing them, not accuracy. A child who writes kat for cat has done the hard part - they heard three sounds and chose three letters. Correct the letter, praise the listening.
Are these words spelled the British and Australian way?
Yes. Every word uses British spelling, which Australia and New Zealand share - note grey rather than the American spelling. It matters even at this level, because colour words are among the first words children ever copy out.
How much practice is right at this age?
Five minutes, most days, in a form that feels like play. Short and frequent beats long and occasional at every age, but especially here - a four-year-old's writing stamina runs out long before their interest does.
Make the First Words Feel Like Play
SpellCrush turns early spelling into a game — XP, achievements and rewards, with a progress dashboard for parents. Free for 7 days, cancel anytime.
Try SpellCrush Free →Looking for the US Equivalent?
In the US, this is roughly kindergarten. The American list is not a translation of this one — it uses American spellings and a different sequence — so treat it as a companion, not a substitute.