Foundation Stage
Welcome to our Early Years Foundation Stage
Starting school is an exciting step for children and their families. At Aston Lodge, our Early Years Foundation Stage provides a happy, caring and stimulating environment where children feel safe, valued and confident to explore the world around them.
We build strong relationships with every child, placing wellbeing, inclusion and safeguarding at the heart of all we do. Through high-quality teaching and thoughtfully planned experiences, children develop socially, emotionally, physically and academically at their own pace. Our aim is to nurture confident, resilient and independent learners who are ready and excited for the next stage of their learning journey.
Applying for EYFS
Families are invited to register their child for a nursery place by contacting the school office. This can be done at any time from birth up to the term before your child will turn 3 years old.
0114 287 2432
office@astonlodgeprimary.org
Application for School (FS2 4/5 Year Olds)
Families must complete the RMBC application form before the deadline in January.
Please note: existing FS1 children are not guaranteed a school place and families will still need to apply for FS2.
Click the button below to find out more about School Admissions.
FS1 / Nursery ( 3 – 4 Year Old)
FS1 Morning Session Times
8:30am to 11:30am
(Door closes at 8:45am)
FS1 Afternoon Session Times
12:15pm to 3:15pm
(Door closes at 12:30pm)
All 3 to 4-year-olds in England are entitled to 570 free hours of childcare per year. At Aston Lodge, this equates to 15 hours a week for 38 weeks of the year. Your child will stay for either a daily morning session or a daily afternoon session.
Are you eligible for 30 hours of free childcare per week?
You may be able to get 30 hours of free childcare a week through the Free Childcare for Working Parents scheme. Your child must be aged 9 months to 4 years old and you must live in England.
To be eligible for Free Childcare for Working Parents, you (and your partner if you have one) will need to be in work or about to start a new job. You (and your partner) will also need to earn over a certain amount. You will need a National Insurance number to apply.
Please note, should you wish for your child to stay at school for the full 5 days sessions this equates to 32.5 hours. There is an additional cost for the extra 2.5 hours, or you can choose to collect your child early on a Friday afternoon.
Additional Costings
Although the childcare is free (please see dropdown above), you will be asked to pay for the following extras:
- Additional optional cost for a 30 hour child who is staying all week – £10 (for the additional 2.5 hours childcare)
- FS1 school dinner cost – £2.50
- Cost for additional hour’s childcare over lunch period – £3.00
- Cost per additional session (morning or afternoon) – £13
- Additional activities, such as trips (cost per visit / experience TBC at the time of booking)
Lunchtime Arrangements
Children who stay for lunch are supported by staff in the dining hall between 11:30am and 12:15pm.
- Hot dinners are available at a cost of £2.50 per day
- Alternatively, children may bring a home-packed lunch
Our lunchtime supervision ensures that all children eat safely, enjoy their meals, and have a positive social experience with their friends. Supervising staff are paediatric first aid trained.
What Children Need to Bring
- Clearly labelled bag with a spare change of clothes
- Clearly labelled water bottle
- Clearly labelled outdoor clothing such as a waterproof coat and wellington boots
- Clearly labelled packed lunch if required
Curriculum
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is the official framework in England that sets standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to age five (the end of Reception year in school).
FS Curriculum
Here at Aston Lodge, our ambitious Early Years curriculum nurtures a love of learning and helps children become confident and independent. We value each child’s unique experiences, working closely with parents and carers to ensure they reach their full potential. Our curriculum covers all seven areas of learning:
- Communication & Language
- Personal, Social & Emotional Development
- Physical Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts & Design
Play is at the heart of our approach, with a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities both indoors and outdoors. Children learn through exploration, guided teaching, observation and purposeful interactions – with carefully planned resources that encourage creativity and problem-solving.
We offer an inclusive environment where every child is supported to grow and develop. Through a wide range of enrichment opportunities – including school trips and hands-on experiences – we bring learning to life and broaden children’s horizons. Ongoing assessment against the Early Learning Goals ensures that our teaching is tailored to each child’s individual needs, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and be fully prepared for the next step in education.
Phonics
In Nursery, we follow the Twinkl Phase 1 Phonics SSP programme from the Autumn Term until the Spring Term. The purpose of Phase 1 is to develop children’s listening and communication skills. including their vocabulary, to prepare them for reading and writing in the next phase/level.
If children do not fully develop these skills it can mean that they may struggle to hear the individual sounds in words which can mean children find it much harder to spell and blend sounds for reading.
During Level 1 children will develop their listening and communication skills through 7 aspects:
- Environmental sounds
- Instrumental sounds
- Body percussion
- Rhythm and rhyme
- Alliteration
- Voice sounds
- Oral blending and segmenting
In the Summer Term, the children will begin the school’s Phonics scheme Read Write Inc, in-line with the rest of the school.
Get In Touch
For more information about our EYFS provision, or to arrange a tour around our school, please email office@astonlodgeprimary.org or call 0114 287 2432.
Wickersley Partnership Trust
Our school is proud to be part of Wickersley Partnership Trust (WPT), which connects us with seven other primary schools across Rotherham. This partnership supports us in delivering excellent Early Years education through shared training, curriculum development and moderation, ensuring every child benefits from a consistent, inclusive and well-supported learning experience.
Latest Foundation Stage News
Chinese New Year Celebrations in FS2
This week, FS2 have been learning all about Chinese New Year and why it is such a special celebration in China. The children explored the
FS2 Family Art Workshop
Yesterday, FS2 had a fantastic morning welcoming family members into school for a James Brunt inspired art workshop. The children loved exploring natural materials, getting
Gingerbread in FS2
FS2 have continued their topic on Hansel and Gretel, making own gingerbread people inspired by the classic tale! During this hands-on activity, the children followed
Other Information:
Key Dates:
Keep an eye out for future Open Day dates!
EYFS Prospectus
Click below to see our EYFS prospectus.
