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Foundations First

Foundations First: CPD Training for Meeting the Needs of Our Most Vulnerable Learners

90-minute online training | For EYFS, Key Stage 1 & SEND practitioners

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What if learning didn’t start with the curriculum- but with the child?

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Foundations First is a powerful CPD session designed for Early Years and Key Stage 1 practitioners (and beyond) working with children who are not yet ready to access learning in the same way as their peers. This training is especially relevant for those supporting children with complex needs, developmental delays, or those who may previously have accessed specialist settings.

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What It's About;

This 90-minute training explores a “stage, not age” approach to education—where we focus on where a child is, not where the curriculum says they should be.

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You’ll learn how to:

  • Recognise when a child is not developmentally ready for formal learning.

  • Prioritise social and emotional foundations that support future academic success.

  • Plan meaningful, individualised provision for children whose learning looks different—and understand why that’s not just okay, but essential.

  • Prepare children for reading, phonics and maths, when they are ready, without forcing premature progression.

  • Reframe expectations with confidence and compassion in the face of increasing need in mainstream settings.

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Who Is It For?;

  • EYFS and Key Stage 1 teachers and support staff

  • SENCos and Inclusion Leads

  • Practitioners working with complex needs or those with significant developmental delays

  • Anyone who feels the current curriculum doesn’t reflect the reality of the children they’re working with

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Why This Training?;

The number of children starting school with complex needs is growing—many of whom, in previous years, would have entered specialist settings. This training was created in response to that change.

It offers a mindset shift and practical guidance to help you:

  • Build trust, safety, and emotional readiness

  • Create learning pathways that start where the child is

  • Let go of comparison—and embrace what real progress looks like

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What You’ll Get;

  • 90-minute on-demand video training

  • Real-life examples, strategies, and mindset shifts

  • Reflections on how to adapt your provision without compromising on quality

  • Confidence to advocate for your learners and trust your professional judgement

 

If you’ve ever said, “They’re just not ready yet,” this training is for you.


Start with foundations. The rest will follow.

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