ELF - The Ethereal Learning Foundation

20/10/2026

I once heard someone say “we don’t have many toys or games at our house so my children don’t have much opportunity to learn”.
And “they can’t be learning much because they’re not following a curriculum”

Is this true? Absolutely not.

Everything in life is an experience, learning is an experience. The child is the curriculum.

It took me a long time and lots of practice to get really quick at seeing the learning that was happening (it was my job, I got paid to do it!). And I know how challenging and overwhelming it can feel at times and the questions that may pop up.

Is that right?
Have I missed something?
Did they actually get that?
Should I have done more?

One of the things I love about ELF is watching all the learning that happens when there is no adult there or observing where the children take the learning journey once the adult has initiated the process.

You don’t have to have loads of resources, toys, games, worksheets - experiences matter, being there sometimes as a companion and sometimes as a guide matters.

Still trying to work out what they learn?

Tell me about an activity that you have done recently so we can explore all the learning opportunities.

19/10/2026

At ELF we focus on development of skills, a variety of skills that we believe will support the young people in personal awareness and understanding of themselves and others - skills for life.

Our partnership with NTU (Nottingham Trent University) and the research they are undertaking will focus on those skills - how do we promote them at ELF, how do we know the children are developing them?

So, our question to you -

What are the most important life skills? Comment with your top 5.

18/10/2026

If you’re looking for a home Ed drop off but aren’t sure, ask the children who go there what it’s like!

We asked some of the children at ELF what they would say to someone about joining us.

These are their responses 🤩

17/10/2026

Looking for a regular home Ed drop off group?

Join us on Wednesdays and Thursdays in Arnold.
A variety of different activities to develop confidence
communication
teamwork
problem solving
collaboration
metacognition
relationships
emotional awareness
autonomy
fun & enjoyment

Contact Deb to organise a visit 07766747603

16/10/2026

YES!!

We are open for both weeks of the October half term break as we are not a school, we provide a service for home educating families so our sessions continue.

16/10/2026

15/10/2026

Making salt dough - measure, pour, mix, knead
Creating animals that hibernate - model, science
Autumn wreaths - cut, draw, pattern, geography
Waterproof fabric- investigate, experiment, predict, record
Games - collaborate, strategy, problem solve

We also had the opportunity to check out the newly refurbished park - and loved it!!🛝

And 5 new visitors to ELF this week🥰

Plus our NTU students joined us to begin the research project demonstrating the positive impact of Deb’s SELF Approach🌟

13/10/2026

Should you let your child decide everything?

Some people believe that their child’s life is their life and they have a right to choose what they want, when they want it etc It is often about wanting to empower them, to give them confidence, to give them autonomy …all important eventually.
It is sometimes about seemingly adopting a completely opposite view to school where choices and decisions are often made for young people. And there is also the fear of upsetting them, of causing uncomfortable emotions if we say no or make a decision that conflicts with what the child seemingly wants.

However, it has to be about balance and timing is key.

There are some decisions, some choices that children can make for themselves from a younger age, such as ‘what activity can I do next?’, ‘do I like this food or not?’
Young children do not have the cognitive development to be able to make more complex choices that require a foundation of understanding and awareness, their brains haven’t developed to that point. They need support to make choices based on an adult’s experience and awareness of consequences.

In addition to this children need boundaries so they feel safe. Sometimes making a choice can bring up feelings of overwhelm, too much responsibility and this can lead to frustration, fear, anxiety.
They also need to experience the boundaries of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ and the feelings that go with these responses so they are equipped to deal with this in life.

So, whilst we may want to give them freedom of choice, this should be a scaffolded journey to teach them how to make informed choices so they understand consequences, know that different decisions lead to different outcomes that often then can’t be changed.

Let them be children without taking on the responsibility of choices and decisions too soon.

11/10/2026

Last week someone asked me

“What does ELF offer?”

There are several parts of ELF, however our main focus is our learning provision.

Timings: Wednesdays and Thursdays 9.00am until 2.00pm

Ages: 4 years to 12 years

Cost: £15 per session

Activity: A play based, child directed learning environment enabling young people to explore, investigate and engage in interactive activities both indoors and outdoors.

Skills developed: Imagination, creativity, critical thinking, resilience, confidence, communication, teamwork, problem solving, collaboration, emotional intelligence, social interaction, alongside academic development.

Venue: St Mary’s Church family centre, Arnold, Nottingham. NG5 8HJ

Who: Deb has a background in teaching and facilitating learning as well as a journey of personal development. She plans, coordinates and manages the learning environment bringing her warmth, understanding and calm energy to build trust, safety and secure relationships.

To book a visit contact Deb, we look forward to meeting you.