At Ashford Hill, our main aim is to give children the best possible start to their learning journey and inspire a passion for life-long learning. 

“When we succeed in giving every child the best start in their early years, we give them what they need today. We also set them up with every chance of success tomorrow.” (Development Matters, Sept 2020)

In the Early Years Foundation Stage we strive to give children a strong foundation to grow, explore and achieve as learners, and we want them to feel happy, safe and secure, in an enabling environment where everyone is valued and respected. We ensure that the opportunities we provide are inclusive for all and we believe that every child has the right to achieve their full potential. It is our aim that the children who enter our EYFS develop physically, verbally, cognitively, and emotionally whilst embedding a positive attitude to school and a love of learning. 

We have a highly engaging and stimulating environment with something new and exciting for the children to explore each day. 

Our curriculum is intentionally planned to meet the needs of our unique children. It is designed to ensure that children develop the knowledge, learning and life-long skills that they need to succeed in life. Our learning includes a balance of discreet, adult-led sessions and carefully planned continuous provision where children have the opportunity to investigate and apply their learning using both the indoor and outdoor environments. This balance ensures that the children receive a high quality foundational experience. 

Children follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum, which includes: 

The prime areas of learning; 

• Communication and language  
• Physical development 
• Personal, social, and emotional development 

The specific areas of learning; 

• Literacy 
• Mathematics 
• Understanding of the World 
• Expressive arts and design 

Our staff are passionate and joyful, and have excellent knowledge of the EYFS curriculum, including early reading and early mathematics. They are skilled play partners, teaching the children their next steps and reinforcing and supporting them in their learning. They ensure all children achieve through high quality teaching, scaffolding, modelling and questioning. Adults continuously use formative assessments in the moment to move children’s learning on as well as reflecting on what the children can do and where adaptions need to be made to ensure we are responsive.

We have high aspirations for children and encourage them to have high expectations of themselves. We want our children to 'be the best they can be' and leave YR showing determination and integrity, and have an understanding of their place in our school community.

Please see the EYFS Curriculum Overview below for more information.