About Little AcornsWe understand that children learn more in their first years than at any other time but they must enjoy their environment and learn through play. When a child attends our nursery their days will be filled with fun, laughter, love and excitement. Whilst attending our nursery the children will follow the ‘Early Years Foundation Stage’ which is the current welfare standards and learning framework for children from birth to 5 years. This framework is designed to nurture children’s progression and recognises each child as an individual. Development is monitored and recorded by a child’s ‘Key Person’. This involves the completion of on-going observational assessments which inform planning for each child’s continuing development through play based activities. Learning Journeys are also initiated when a child enters the nursery, noting all their significant achievements until they leave us to start school. Although these profiles remain confidential to others, they are available for parents to see upon request. For further information regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage please visit the following websites:
Age Groups All of our age appropriate rooms are light and spacious with quiet cosy corners and bright active spaces which have been filled with a variety of multisensory resources that are suitable for the development stage of each child.
Baby Unit (birth– 15 months) Our baby unit provides a gentle, homely atmosphere to help introduce children into nursery life. These surroundings will assist children in meeting their first milestones whilst keeping inquisitive minds and hands busy! Babies require peace and tranquillity whilst resting and we have two different sleeping environments that provide just that. Parents can choose to let their child sleep in; a traditional Silver Cross pram, enabling them to sleep outdoors within a securely locked space or in a quiet, darkened cot room for those preferring their child to sleep indoors. Both areas are checked every few minutes by a member of staff and the cot room also has sound and vision monitors in operation.
Toddler Rooms (15 – 24 months) Both of our Toddler Rooms are designed to gently introduce your child to a range of new activities and experiences to help them focus on their independence and learn to trust their abilities as they grow and become more confident. After their lunchtime meal the children will sleep in a restful environment, supervised by staff in preparation for the busy afternoon that lies ahead!
Intermediate Rooms (2 – 3 year olds) Our three Intermediate Rooms allow children to expand their vocabulary / learning whilst consolidating all the skills they have gained since entering the nursery. They are encouraged to participate in a mixture of structured activities, messy activities, circle time, ‘free play’ and to explore and investigate at every opportunity. If they still wish to do so, the children can sleep in a restful environment after their lunchtime meal.
Pre School Rooms (3 – 5 year olds). Our Pre School Rooms are designed to deliver a welcoming, stimulating and fun environment for children to learn and develop in before their transition into school. We encourage them to co-operate with one another, make friends, share and take turns and also ensure there are ample activities and resources that promote language development, creativity and the development of mathematical concepts. The children have free access to a computer with a variety of educational programmes and will begin to gain literacy skills using a fun and child centered approach, called ‘Jolly Phonics’.
Our ethos on transitions between age groups is child led; children move when they are ready. The ages listed are a guide only.
Staff We understand that one of the most important things parents consider when choosing a nursery is the team of staff that will be caring for their child. With this in mind we have carefully selected our staff for their patience and positive approach, recognised qualifications, up to date knowledge and skills, and above all their love of children.
During our recruitment process every potential member of staff undergoes a mandatory enhanced CRB check and has their references and qualifications verified by the management.
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