Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Helpers in Our Class Job Chart: Free Printable Chart for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Helpers in Our Class Job Chart is a free printable chart for Reception (ages 4 to 5). Children fill in a simple table to show which helper does which job this week. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, use page 1 with the children and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children meet a chart with two columns, Job and Helper. Together with a grown up, they talk about the jobs that need doing in the class or at home. Then they fill in who is the helper this week. A name, a sticker or a small picture can go next to each job. The chart can stay up all week, and jobs can be swapped so everyone gets a turn.
- Job
- Helper
Job ideas to try
Line leader and door holder
Choose a child to lead the line and hold the door for others. This is a good first job because it is easy to see and easy to talk about.
Book and tidy helper
One child puts books back on the shelf. Another checks that the floor is clear of toys. Say the job out loud so everyone knows what it means.
Plant and display helper
A child waters a plant with a small jug or straightens the display table. Choose gentle jobs that small hands can do safely.
Home jobs
At home, a child can put out spoons and napkins, or match socks. Adults do any job that involves knives, hot dishes or the cooker.
Why small jobs matter in Reception
In Reception, children are learning how to be part of a group. A class job gives them a real reason to help, and being trusted with a task feels good. The Early Years Foundation Stage includes Personal, Social and Emotional Development, and building relationships with other children and adults is one of its strands. A job chart gives that a simple, daily shape.
Taking turns is hard at four and five. Children often want the favourite job every day. A chart that everyone can see makes fairness easier to understand, because the answer is on the page and not just in an adult's head. It also helps children talk about feelings when it is not their turn, and about how to wait.
Skills and curriculum link
- Taking turns
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Early name or picture recognition
- Talking about helping others
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Personal, Social and Emotional Development | Building Relationships | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can do a small job to help.
- I can take turns with jobs.
- I can say how I helped.
Ideas to help children get started
- Start smallChoose jobs that a child can finish in a short moment. Success with a small job makes them keen to try the next one.
- Say what the job isDescribe each job in a few clear words, such as "you hold the door". Young children find it easier when the job has a clear start and end.
- Make turns visiblePoint to the chart each time the helper changes. Children see that their turn will come and that everyone gets one.
- Notice the helpingWhen a child does their job, say what they did and how it helped. This builds pride and shows why jobs matter.
Key words
- HelperA person who does a job to make things easier for others.
- JobA small task that needs doing.
- TurnYour chance to do something, before the next person has theirs.
- ChartA page that puts information in rows and columns so it is easy to read.
- TeamA group of people who help each other.
- FairWhen everyone gets the same chance.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown up.
- Talk about the jobs in your class or home. Let the children help to choose them.
- Fill in the chart together the first time. Talk about each choice as you go.
- Use the chart all week. Check it against the notes on page 2 and point to it when the helper changes.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use stickers or small pictures instead of names. Draw a tiny picture next to each job, such as a book or a door, so children can see what the job is. Start with only a few jobs and add more later.
To stretch confident children
Ask children to write their own name in the chart. Some may want to add a drawing of their job as well. Ask them to say what they did and who will do the job next.
Make it a game
Swap jobs every Monday so everyone gets a turn. Let a child pull names from a pot to decide who has which job. Cheer for each helper at the end of the week.
Talk about it
- What job did you do today?
- How did you help others?
- Whose turn is it next, and how do you know?
- Which job would you like to try next?
- How does it feel when someone helps you?
- What could we do if two people want the same job?
Take it off the page
Helper hats
Make paper badges or hats for each job, such as door holder or book helper. Children wear them for their turn, then pass them on.
Tidy up song
Make up a short song to sing while everyone helps to put toys away. A familiar tune is fine. It makes tidying feel like a team game.
Helper drawing
Ask your child to draw a picture of themselves doing a job. Talk about who it helped and write one short sentence underneath.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Use the chart at home for small jobs such as laying the table or tidying toys. Praise effort, and keep the jobs gentle and short.
Teachers
Use it as a classroom job chart, a circle time starter or a display for the week. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed groups, and the PSED link is Building Relationships.
Home educators
Use it as part of a daily routine with one child or several. Brothers and sisters can share the chart and swap jobs each week. It pairs well with picture books about friends, helping and sharing.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children learn simple routines, such as hanging up a coat or tidying toys with an adult. They begin to share space and play alongside others.
After this, children take on longer jobs, work in small groups and talk about fairness and rules. The habit of taking a turn and doing a job well carries on through school.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- What job did you do today?
- How did you help others?
- Whose turn is it next, and how do you know?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is this job chart for?
It is written for Reception, which is ages 4 to 5, in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Younger children can use it with more adult help, and older children can write their own names.
- What will children practise?
They practise taking responsibility for a small job and taking turns. They also begin to see how helping others makes a group work well, and they can talk about what they did.
- How do I use it?
Use it with a whole class or family across the week. Let children help to choose the jobs, work through the chart together the first time, then change helpers when the week ends.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use stickers or small pictures instead of names. Start with only a few jobs and say each one out loud. Add more jobs when children feel confident.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers and sisters, or for a new week with a new set of helpers.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a classroom display, a circle time starter or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and it links to Personal, Social and Emotional Development.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children can add colour with pencils or crayons if they like, or use coloured stickers next to each name.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.