Learning Through Play

Exciting educational experiences for your child's growth and development through play and exploration.

At little acorns pre-school, we aim to provide an exciting, caring and educational start to your child's academic journey.

We provide learning through play experiences for your child to explore, build their skills and have fun with. Little Acorns also offers outside learning opportunities through use of our secure garden and bespoke woods and cabin where the children can explore different environments, build their gross motor skills as well as lots of opportunities to grow and explore nature!

As well as this, we have staff trained in supporting special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and aim to be able to offer and provide the support each child needs.

We are a family based setting which prides itself on our caring holistic approach, where each child feels nurtured, loved and given the opportunities to develop skills to help them be the best they can be.

Tapestry

We provide learning through play experiences for your child to explore, build their skills and have fun with.

At Little Acorns, we have a secure area of natural, wild, ground that the children call ‘The Woods’. Children can run, climb, roll, and test all manner of skills in a safe and natural environment.

There is also an area for the children to grow vegetables and plants. Each key group have their own raised bed and can grow anything they choose.

We also have a purpose built cabin (outdoor class room ) with heating and a working toilet so the children can still enjoy being in the woods whatever the weather

Outings & Experiences

We welcome all children into our Pre-School whatever their social, medical, or educational needs. Staff members are fully trained to work with all children and follow the Special Educational Needs code of practise (2015) for children deemed to have additional needs.

Staff are trained in Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) . Each child will have a trained key person who delivers programmes to children who meet the SALT criteria. We use Makaton sign language in our everyday activities. This promotes an inclusive practise.

We work together to provide an inclusive practise that incorporates every age and stage of a child’s development.

If you have any concerns about your child’s learning, health or behaviour please talk to the Pre-School Manager. Our Special Needs co-ordinator is Tracy Neilly.

Key Person

Each child will be assigned a key person which will form as part of a key group the member of staff will be particularly responsible for. Your child’s key person will be the person who works with you to ensure that what we provide is right for your child and their particular needs and interests. When your child first starts at Little Acorns, your child’s key person will help them to settle and, throughout your child’s time with us, they will help your child to benefit from the settings activities.

Your child’s key person is responsible for the individual care and learning plan for your child. They will maintain and update all developmental records which will reflect a full picture of your child in our setting.

Outdoor Learning Fun

We use an online learning journal, Tapestry. It is a log of observations, photos, videos, and characteristics of your child’s learning.
Tapestry captures children’s experiences whilst monitoring development and learning. It helps educators and parent’s record, track and celebrate your child’s progress. It details your child’s individual interests, progress, and next steps within the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (2021)

Parents can also upload text, photos and videos from home as well as leave comments on text, photos and videos that the Pre-School uploads.

It is a free to download app which can be used on your phone or tablet.

To be able to use Tapestry you will need to go to your Play or Apple Store and search for ‘Tapestry Mobile’ with the above logo.

We really do encourage parents to use Tapestry. It provides a talking point at home, helps you to know what your child is participating in at Pre-School and gives you, the parent, the opportunity to inform us of what your child gets up to at home. Since using Tapestry we have received lots of positive feedback from parents.

Support for SEND

The children regularly visit the local library, shops, and parks. This is an important part of your child’s learning. These walks will familiarize your child with their local environment and community. This is very important for their personal, social and communication development skills.
Research shows that children benefit greatly from being in their local environment and experiencing everyday activities. All of which builds on children’s early experiences and provides other new opportunities to be curious, explore try new things and experience” awe and wonder”. Theses experiences and opportunities are referred to as the “cultural capital”.

You will be invited to come and speak to your child’s key person 3 times a year for a formal meeting. You too, will be able to contribute to the continual development of your child’s individual learning journey.

Progress Updates