In the Early Years Foundation Stage at Aston on Trent Primary School, we aim to provide the best possible start for our youngest children to enable them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the Early Years and a child’s experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. We work closely with our families to ensure high quality early learning so that together we provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up. Our EYFS teaching and learning ensures children’s ‘school readiness’ by giving children the broad range of knowledge and skills that provides the right foundation for good future progress through school and life.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage at Aston on Trent Primary School, we believe that children learn best through a balance of child-initiated play and adult-led activities. Our curriculum is carefully planned in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. We draw on what we know engages and motivates our children, their own fascinations and predictable interests as observations and assessment of their individual stages of development. 

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, a rich learning environment is provided where children are challenged to develop further and become independent learners. In order to achieve this, we maximise the opportunities for the children to develop their characteristics of effective learning.

“The characteristics of effective learning describe factors which play a central role in a child’s learning and in becoming an effective learner."

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

They are:

Playing and Exploring

• Finding out and exploring
• Using what they know in their play
• Being willing to have a go

Active Learning

• Being involved and concentrating
• Keeping on trying
• Enjoying achieving what they set out to do

Creating and Thinking Critically

• Having their own ideas
• Using what they already know to learn new things
• Choosing ways to do things and finding new ways

By the end of FS2 children should have attained the ELG (Early Learning Goal) in all seven areas of learning. The seven areas of learning are split into the prime and specific areas.

The prime areas are:

Communication and language: “…giving children opportunities to experience a rich language environment; to develop their confidence and skills in expressing themselves; and to speak and listen in a range of situations.”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

Physical development: “…opportunities to be active and interactive; and to develop their co-ordination, control and movement…to make healthy choices in relation to food.”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

Personal, social and emotional development: “…to form positive relationships and develop respect for others; to develop social skills and learn how to manage their feelings…”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

In addition to these, there are also four specific areas:

Literacy: “…encouraging children to link sounds and letters and to begin to read and write…”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

As part of Literacy, Aston on Trent Primary follow The Twinkl phonics programme.

Mathematics: “…to develop and improve their skills in counting, calculating simple addition and subtraction problems; and to describe shapes, spaces and measures.”

As part of Mathematics, Aston on Trent Primary follow the White Rose Education for Maths programme. 

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

Understanding the world: “…providing opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)

Expressive arts and design: “…to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials…providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through…art, music, movement, dance, role-play and design and technology.”

(Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage)