Ash Class
Welcome to Ash class pupil pages
Welcome to Ash Class!
Ash Class is a warm, nurturing environment for our Nursery and Reception children, aged 2 to 5 years. The class is led by Mrs Borton, our dedicated Foundation Stage Unit Teacher, who is in class every day, alongside our caring Teaching Assistants, Miss Hansford and Mrs Jordan. Together, we create a happy, supportive space where every child feels valued and ready to learn.
Throughout the day, children enjoy a wonderful balance of play, guided learning, and planned activities. They might spend time in small groups, come together as a whole class, enjoy some quiet time on their own, or work one-to-one with an adult. We gently support each child to feel confident and comfortable in all these different experiences.
Our classroom and outdoor area are thoughtfully organised into a range of engaging zones that change over time, reflecting our projects, the children’s interests, and their individual needs. Children can explore areas for building and construction, painting, drawing, modelling, writing, and investigating with sand and water. We also have larger toys and ride-ons, a cosy book corner, and an imaginative role play area that children absolutely love.
We are lucky to have our classroom right next to a field – the Meadow, where children can run, explore, and develop their physical skills using climbing equipment. Their imagination is further encouraged through our play kitchen and small world activities, both indoors and outdoors.
We believe in making learning as hands-on and meaningful as possible. Children enjoy woodland walks in every season, giving them the chance to observe changes in nature and explore the world around them. Each term, we also visit a farm, helping children learn about food and deepen their understanding of the environment in a fun and memorable way.
During their time in Ash Class, children learn through play and discovery, gradually being introduced to early phonics to support their future reading and writing. Most importantly, we aim to create a joyful start to their learning journey, where curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning can truly grow.
Parental support
Social and emotional – LEARN – Togetherness
Speech and Language – SPEECH SOUNDS – Children and Family Health Devon
Help for families – Speech and Language UK: Changing young lives
Toileting – Home – ERIC
Phonics – https://sounds-write.co.uk/support-for-parents-and-carers/
Alex saying the sounds Sounds-Write Initial Code – YouTube
Maths – Parent support – Maths – Early years Maths – BBC Bitesize
Newsletters
Ash newsletter changes Summer 2026
Ash newsletter Then and Now Spring 2 2026
Ash Newsletter Materials Jan 2026
Ash newsletter Away we go! Summer 2025
Useful resources for Ash parents and carers
Gross motor skills activity sheet for parents
Progression in the development of Managing Feelings and Behaviour
Parent help by age band for managing feelings and behaviour
Bug Hotel
We have been very lucky to have a brand new Bug Hotel, built for us by one of our parents. We decided to go on a welly walk to find sticks, fir cones and bark to fill it with. They will make a cosy home for lots of mini beasts! We are hoping that slow worms, woodlice, slugs and ladybirds amongst other animals, will come and live in our Bug Hotel.
Do you have any creatures living in your garden?
Ideas for Home Learning
For ideas on how to support your child at home, please talk to your class teacher and take a look at these resources:-
https://hungrylittleminds.campaign.gov.uk
What to expect when – a guide to your child’s learning and development in the Early Years’ Foundation Stage – found at www.foundationyears.org.uk
https://startingreception.co.uk/#the-basic-skills-to-practice
Reading: The Pleasure Principle – see attached information
Ash Class photos - Summer 2026
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- It is fun using the outdoor classroom to explore and and consolidate activities we started inside.
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- We have amazing times in the meadow, using the Willow den in our imaginative play
We have enjoyed several trips to our local, family farm and discovered how they produce food for us. We have watched the cows being milked and learnt that their milk is made into cheese. We have fed the calves and pigs and stroked the piglets. We collected the eggs from the hens and have hunted for worms that show the soil is healthy. We also discovered where sweetcorn comes from.
