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Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
Welcome to EYFS at Ashperton Primary Academy
At Ashperton Primary Academy, we believe every child deserves the very best start to their education. Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides a warm, nurturing and inspiring environment where children feel safe, valued and excited to learn.
We recognise that every child is unique, bringing their own interests, experiences and talents. Through strong relationships with children and their families, we create a learning environment that supports, enhances and inspires each child's curiosity, confidence and individuality to flourish, regardless of their background, circumstances or needs.
Children join us from a variety of nurseries and pre-school settings, so we place great importance on ensuring a positive transition into school. By working closely with families from the very beginning, we help every child settle quickly, develop confidence and build the secure relationships that enable them to thrive.
Our aim is to help every child begin their lifelong learning journey by developing physically, socially, emotionally, verbally and cognitively, while fostering a love of learning and a positive attitude towards school. Working in partnership with parents and carers, we nurture confident, independent and enthusiastic learners who are well prepared for the next stage of their education.
Our EYFS Curriculum
Our curriculum is carefully designed around the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework, covering all statutory educational programmes, and takes account of every child's individual starting point, interests and needs.
We provide a broad, balanced and ambitious curriculum that enables children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need both now and as they move into Year 1. Learning is inclusive to ensure every child can achieve their potential and experience success.
Our curriculum is designed to help children become:
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Competent and creative learners who are curious about the world around them.
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Secure and confident individuals who enjoy coming to school and embrace new experiences.
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Skilful communicators who develop rich language through conversation, storytelling and play.
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Independent learners who show resilience, perseverance and a willingness to solve problems.
Each year, our curriculum grows from children's interests, fascinations and needs. High-quality children's literature sits at the heart of our learning, introducing ambitious vocabulary, inspiring imagination and providing meaningful contexts across all seven areas of learning.
Communication and language are at the heart of everything we do. Through rich conversations, storytelling, role play, carefully chosen texts and high-quality adult interactions, children develop the vocabulary and confidence they need to become successful communicators. Every interaction is viewed as an opportunity to extend children's thinking, language and understanding.
Learning Through Play
Play is central to everything we do in EYFS. Through carefully planned adult-led teaching alongside purposeful play, children develop the skills, knowledge and understanding they need in meaningful and engaging ways.
Our skilled practitioners carefully observe, question and support children's learning, extending their thinking through meaningful conversations and shared problem-solving. By following children's interests and recognising their next steps, adults help children become confident, independent learners.
Our stimulating learning environments encourage children to investigate, create, collaborate and solve problems both independently and with others.
Children enjoy learning through:
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Inspiring indoor learning environments
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Extensive outdoor provision
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Regular Forest School sessions
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Continuous provision that promotes independence
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Creative, investigative and imaginative play
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First-hand experiences, educational visits and visitors
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Opportunities for exploration, awe and wonder
Daily opportunities to develop gross and fine motor skills are carefully planned through climbing, balancing, construction, threading, mark making, cutting, outdoor play and practical activities. These experiences develop children's strength, coordination and dexterity, laying secure foundations for writing and independence.
Learning in Our Rural Environment
Our beautiful rural setting is a strength of our curriculum.
Children enjoy regular outdoor learning and Forest School experiences where they explore, investigate, take managed risks and develop confidence in the natural environment. Learning outdoors encourages curiosity, resilience, teamwork and problem-solving while fostering a deep appreciation of the world around us.
Our curriculum is underpinned by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's), with EYFS having a particular focus on Goal 15: Life on Land. Through caring for wildlife, exploring habitats and learning about the natural world, children begin to understand how their actions can make a positive difference to their local community and the wider environment.
The Four Principles of EYFS
Everything we do is underpinned by the four guiding principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage.
A Unique Child
Every child is constantly learning and is capable, resilient, confident and self-assured. We celebrate individuality and ensure every child feels valued.
Positive Relationships
Strong, trusting relationships with adults and peers help children feel secure, confident and ready to learn. We work closely with parents and carers to support every child's development.
Enabling Environments
Our carefully planned indoor and outdoor environments provide exciting opportunities that respond to children's interests and individual needs while encouraging independence and exploration.
Learning and Development
Children learn in different ways and at different rates. Our curriculum provides a balance of adult-guided learning and child-led exploration to ensure all children flourish.
Characteristics of Effective Learning
We believe that how children learn is just as important as what they learn. The Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin everything we do and help children become confident, resilient and lifelong learners.
Playing and Exploring
Children investigate, discover and experiment through carefully planned opportunities for exploration
and play.
Open-ended resources, uninterrupted play and stimulating environments encourage children to follow their curiosity, ask questions and develop confidence as independent learners.
Active Learning
Children develop resilience, concentration and perseverance by embracing challenges, celebrating effort and learning from mistakes. We encourage children to keep trying, revisit learning and take pride in their achievements.
Creating and Thinking Critically
Children are encouraged to think creatively, solve problems and develop their own ideas. Through sustained shared thinking with adults and collaborative play with friends, they learn to plan, test, adapt and reflect on their learning.
These characteristics are woven throughout our provision and help children become motivated, capable learners who are ready for future challenges.
Reading, Communication and Language
Developing communication and language lies at the heart of our curriculum.
We provide a language-rich environment where stories, rhymes, songs, conversations and imaginative play help children build vocabulary, confidence and a love of communication.
Early reading is a priority. Through high-quality systematic synthetic phonics teaching (using Supersonic Phonic Friends), children develop the skills to read words and simple sentences accurately by the end of Reception while developing a genuine enjoyment of books and stories that will stay with them throughout their lives.
Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
Support
ing children's physical health and emotional wellbeing is an important part of life in EYFS.
Children are encouraged to develop healthy habits through:
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Healthy snacks and positive food choices.
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Daily physical activity and outdoor learning.
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Developing independence in self-care.
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Learning about good oral hygiene and how to care for their teeth through practical activities and discussions.
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Building resilience, confidence and positive relationships.
By promoting healthy lifestyles alongside emotional wellbeing, we help children develop habits that support lifelong health and happiness.
Technology in EYFS
We recognise the role technology plays in children's lives and our children are given opportunities to use technology safely, purposefully and creatively to support their learning. Whether using programmable toys, tablets, interactive whiteboards or digital resources, children learn that technology is a valuable tool for exploring, creating and communicating.
We also introduce simple online safety messages in age-appropriate ways, helping children begin to understand how to use technology responsibly and safely as they prepare for Year 1 and the wider world.
Our Values
Our school values and British Values are woven throughout everyday life in EYFS.
Through stories, play, collaborative learning and daily routines, children learn the importance of kindness, respect, responsibility, honesty and perseverance. They learn to value themselves, care for others, celebrate differences and contribute positively to our school community.
These experiences help children grow into caring, responsible citizens who understand that their actions can make a positive difference.
Working in Partnership with Parents
Parents and carers are a child's first educators, and we value the strong partnerships we build with families.
By working together, sharing achievements and maintaining open communication, we ensure every child feels supported both at home and at school. Together, we celebrate every milestone and provide the very best foundations for future success.
Preparing for Year 1
By the end of Reception, our children leave EYFS with strong foundational skills and as confident, resilient and enthusiastic learners who are ready for the opportunities and challenges of Key Stage One.
They leave us with:
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A love of learning and curiosity about the world.
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Strong communication and language skills.
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Secure foundations in reading, writing and mathematics.
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Growing independence and resilience.
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Confidence to solve problems and think creatively.
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Respect for themselves, others and the environment.
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The knowledge and skills to make healthy choices and use technology safely and responsibly.
At Ashperton Primary Academy, we are proud to provide an exciting and nurturing start to every child's educational journey, ensuring they develop the confidence, knowledge and values that will support them throughout their lives.
Continuous Provision
