EYFS Foundations Old

The Foundations of Learning at Clevercloggs

What will your child be doing all day?

At Clevercloggs, your child’s day is not driven by worksheets or rigid routines —
it is shaped by relationships, exploration, and meaningful experiences.

Your child will be following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) — but more importantly, they will be feeling safe, valued, and understood.

Because this is where learning truly begins.

Play, Connection and Emotional Security

At the heart of the EYFS is a simple but powerful understanding:

“Children learn and develop well in enabling environments, in which their experiences respond to their individual needs and there is a strong partnership between practitioners and parents.” (EYFS 1.6)

Rooted in the work of John Bowlby, we recognise that play becomes meaningful when a child feels:

• Emotionally secure 
• Confident to explore 
• Supported by trusted adults 

Our Curriculum (What We Want Children to Experience)

At Clevercloggs, our curriculum is built around the understanding that:

“Each child is a unique child, who is constantly learning and can be resilient, capable, confident and self-assured.” (EYFS 1.3)

We provide:

• Rich, play-based experiences 
• Time, space, and freedom to explore 
• Opportunities led by children’s interests 

Because learning is not something we do to children —
it is something we build with them.

Our Teaching (How We Support Your Child)

Our teaching approach is guided by the principle that:

“Practitioners must consider the individual needs, interests, and stage of development of each child.” (EYFS 1.15)
&
“Teaching should not be taken to imply a ‘top down’ or formal way of working.” (EYFS 1.15)

In practice, this means our practitioners:

• Observe carefully and sensitively 
• Respond in the moment 
• Extend learning through meaningful interaction 

And importantly:

“Assessment should not entail prolonged breaks from interaction with children, nor require excessive paperwork.” (EYFS 2.1)

So our focus remains where it should be —
with your child.

Achievement (What This Means for Your Child)

When children feel emotionally secure, everything changes.

This is reflected in the EYFS:

“Children develop and learn at different rates.” (EYFS 1.1)
&
“Secure relationships with adults… support children to learn how to understand their own feelings and those of others.” (EYFS 1.7)

At Clevercloggs, this leads to children who:

• Are confident and independent 
• Communicate effectively 
• Build strong relationships 
• Are ready for the next stage of learning

The 7 Areas of Learning – Through Connection

We support all areas of the EYFS, always through the lens of emotional security and attachment.