How We Support Children's Learning & Progress

Teaching & Learning

Learning Through Play

'In the Moment' Planning:

Our Approach to Teaching & Learning

Children learn best when they’re deeply engaged in their play. In the Moment Planning is all about our staff noticing what captures your child’s curiosity and then gently building on it. By tuning into these interests, our Nursery Practitioners can introduce new ideas, ask thoughtful questions, and provide just the right level of challenge to help your child explore and learn even more in a natural and enjoyable way that feels like part of their play.

Leuven Scale

We aim for children to be as highly involved in their activities as possible in what we refer to as “Level 5 on the Leuven Scale”.

A child at Level 5 might be so absorbed in building a tower block that they don’t notice anything else around them, or even that lunch is ready! That’s exactly the kind of engagement we aim for each day.

Level 1	Level 2	Level 3	Level 4	Level 5
Low Activity	A Frequently Interrupted Activity	Mainly Continuous Activity	Continuous Activity with Intense Moments	Sustained Intense Activity

The EYFS:

Simply Put

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) sets the standards for how children learn, develop, and are cared for from birth to five years old. It doesn’t dictate one way to teach – and that’s important. Ofsted recognises that early years teaching is about play, modelling language, exploring ideas, asking questions, and creating the right environment and routines. That’s exactly how we do things at Tommies.

Keeping Track of Learning

While our Nursery Practitioners are required to complete assessments to track your child’s development, we encourage them to keep these concise and focused, so their main attention remains on engaging with and supporting your child rather than spending excessive time on paperwork.

Our Nursery Practitioners use their professional knowledge to understand your child’s development, sharing daily highlights and updates with you through our parent partnership app, Famly. On Famly, you’ll also find more detailed assessments and clear next steps to help you stay connected to your child’s learning progress.

The Key Person Approach

Every child at Tommies has a Key Person – a trusted adult who knows your child well, builds strong links with your family, and keeps a close eye on their progress. This approach ensures continuity of care and a personal connection that supports your child’s emotional security and development. The Key Person acts as a consistent point of contact for parents, providing regular updates and insights into your child’s daily experiences, achievements, and any areas where additional support might be beneficial.