Diverse Learning Environments
Sunflowers
We have designated areas for the youngest children, which are bright and stimulating with soft, safe and clean materials.
Cots are provided in a quiet area for resting times where sleeping children are checked regularly.
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There is a separate baby-changing area used within the Sunflower room.
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We actively encourage parents of young babies to adapt the child’s daily routine to their home life requirements. We then reflect this routine at nursery.
Parents/carers receive feedback on their child’s day in a written report detailing bottles and food consumed, number of nappies wet or soiled, sleep times and activities enjoyed up to eighteen months of age.
Meals and nappy changes of children are recorded on to charts and are shared with parents/carers at the end of the day.
Bluebells
We enhance and encourage newly developed physical and language skills through learning based play. This approach to developing young skills allows the children to feed their needs and interests in a very informal fashion. Children are encouraged to participate in activities throughout the session.
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Some children may require a sleep throughout the day time children, this is offered after lunch and small toddler beds are provided for this. A sleep policy is available on request.
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When the time is right and your child is ready for potty training, the staff work with parents/carers to encourage and establish a potty training routine. Separate bathrooms with small toilets and potties are used.
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Parents receive feedback on the child’s day through verbal means and the use of notices outside the Bluebell’s room.
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We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage in all of our under three areas.
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Early Foundation Stage Curriculum “Birth – Pre-school”
Play underpins the delivery of the activities and opportunities your child will have. Free flow is promoted throughout the baby, toddler and pre-school areas, giving opportunity to explore freely. The focus is around the prime areas
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Personal, social and emotional
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Physical development
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Communication and language
Evergreens
Our Evergreen room is designed to offer a large variety of activities for our pre-schoolers (Age 3+).
Evergreen activities are based upon the Government’s education standards for this age group – The Early Years Foundation Stage focuses on the following prime areas:
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Literacy
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Mathematics
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Understanding the world
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Expressive arts and design
Children are encouraged to engage in activities which interest them. The Evergreen room allows many activities to be on offer at any one time. These include books, computers, outdoor learning, music, dance and creative resources. At this age, children are encouraged to become more independent in readiness for their transition into school.
Before & After School
If your child attends Headlands Primary School full-time, we offer a childcare service for the hours before and after school, children are escorted to and from their classrooms.
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Activities are planned for the children’s enjoyment, with choices that engage with individual areas of interest, where possible both indoor and outdoor experiences are offered.
We encourage the children to be independent, for example helping the staff to prepare tea and snacks. Breakfast is provided in the mornings and tea and drinks after school.
Application forms for this service can be obtained at any time in Acorn Childcare UK's reception or completed using the link below.
This service can be very popular and your child’s name may need to be added to our waiting list.
Our Values
Communication
We encourage children to feel at greater comfort in social environment, enabling conversations with their peers and form new friendships. Through these relationships, they will also hone their listening skills as well as their ability to empathise and interpret non-verbal communication cues.
Resilience
Resilience is the ability to "bounce back" after challenges and tough times, developed when children experience new situations and learn to deal with them positively. At Acorn children learn skills and develop their resilience in a secure, supportive setting.
Awareness
Being aware of their surroundings, emotions and of others, children can develop empathy, perspective and articulate them. It also helps them regulate their own emotions and make thoughtful decisions, leading to healthier relationships and happier children.