The emphasis at Acorns is on the all round development of the child through group and individual teaching in an atmosphere of happiness and mutual respect. The staff to pupil ratio ensures a secure environment and individual attention for the children where each child has the opportunity to reach their full potential whilst having enormous fun. We also use Montessori equipment to help our learning in all six areas.

The foundation stage promotes the following areas of development:-

Personal and Social Development
Children learning how to work, play and co-operate with others, including the development of personal values and an understanding of self and others. They also learn practical life skills which help them to be more independent in every day life.

Language and Literacy
This focuses on children developing competence in talking and listening and in becoming readers and writers. Children are encouraged to listen to stories, nursery rhymes and poems, and to handle books – learning that words and pictures have meaning.

Mathematics
The understanding and foundation for Numeracy. We focus on achievement through practical activities and on using and understanding language in the development of simple mathematical ideas. They begin to match and sort, count objects, make number lines, learn number rhymes and play counting games.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Children developing knowledge and understanding of their environment, other people and features of the natural and made world. We also have our own garden where we grow flowers and vegetables and learn about nature.

Physical Development
Our children learn to develop physical control, mobility and awareness of space and manipulative skills. The children gain confidence and develop greater mobility and physical control by using small and large apparatus and construction toys.

Creativity
The development of imagination and ability to express ideas and feelings in creative ways. This is also linked to literacy and children’s physical development. Opportunities to explore different materials, clay, sand, water, cutting, sticking, painting and colouring all contribute to the development of the children’s motor skills. Dressing-up and role play in the home corner with other children helps to develop their language and communication skills.

Parents are always welcome to come into the Pre-School and contribute from their own expertise and culture.

A child’s experience in the early years has a major impact on their future life chances. When parents choose to use early years services they want to know that provision will keep their children safe and help them to thrive. The Early Years Foundation Stage is the framework that provides that assurance. The Early Years Foundation Stage is the curriculum for all nurseries and pre-schools registered with Ofsted.

This curriculum not only sets the educational criteria for the learning and development of babies and children up to the age of five years but also shapes the high standards of practice. Its central aim is to help young people achieve the ‘Every Child Matters’ outcomes:

• Be healthy
• Stay safe
• Enjoy and achieve
• Make positive contributions
• Achieve economic well-being