Ashford Church of England Primary School

Ashford Church of England Primary School

01784 253310   •   Contact Us

Early Years Foundation Stage

The presentation from the Reception Parent Meeting can be found on the Reception class page

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Reception classes at Ashford CE Primary School we aim to provide a broad, balanced, differentiated curriculum which addresses the children‘s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, moral and cultural development within a safe, secure, stimulating environment.

Our curriculum enables the child to learn and develop skills, attitudes and understanding in these areas of learning:

The prime areas being:

  • Personal, Emotional and Social Development
  • Communication and Language
  • Physical Development

The specific areas are:

  • Mathematics
  • Literacy
  • Understanding the World
  • Expressive Art and Design

EYFS

EYFS

EYFS

Throughout the EYFS we plan activities to give children learning experiences and opportunities to work towards the Early Learning Goals and prepare them for the National Curriculum. Teaching and learning takes place within the classroom and outside areas. Within these areas children will participate in a variety of activities, both with an adult and independently.

We believe that play, both indoors and outdoors, is the fundamental way in which young children learn. Play can be enjoyable and challenging. When playing, children behave in different ways. Sometimes their play will be boisterous, sometimes they will describe and discuss what they are doing, and sometimes they will be quiet and reflective as they play. Through play, children will be developing skills across all the Prime and Specific areas of learning, working towards achieving the Early Learning Goals.

In a secure environment with effective adult support, children will be able to:

  • Explore, develop and represent learning experiences that help them make sense of the world
  • Practise and build up concepts, ideas and skills
  • Learn how to control impulses and understand the need for rules
  • Be alone, be alongside others or co-operate as they talk to rehearse their feelings
  • Take risks and make mistakes
  • Think creatively and imaginatively
  • Communicate with others as they investigate and solve problems
  • Express fears to relieve anxious experiences in controlled and safe situations

We teach our curriculum through six exciting themes that encompass all seven areas of learning. We provide our children with many opportunities to question explore and discover while developing independence and a love of learning. Throughout our learning environment the children take part in independent learning experiences that link to the termly theme, children’s interests and individual targets. The themes are our starting points but we develop the direction we take within each theme based on the children’s interests. Below is an example of the half termly themes that your child may encounter during their school year in Reception. If the children show a particular excitement or enthusiasm for a subject then the theme may be different from below and be changed and/or developed accordingly. (A PDF version can be downloaded by clicking on the image.)

EYFS

EYFS

We use the online learning journal ‘Tapestry’ to record significant achievements in children’s learning. These observations are then shared with parents and there is the opportunity for parents to respond to the learning and add their own comments and photos.