Resource Provision EYFS - Acorns 2024 - 2025

Welcome to Acorns class.

Acorns is a resourced provision class for reception aged children with an environment that primarily focuses on early communication and interaction skills.  Children in our Acorns class follow the same themes as our mainstream reception classes; the children in Acorns have their learning personalised to meet their individual needs. Most activities will be child led, with a focus on their individual targets outlined in the child’s EHCP. Adults will also lead on other activities that are planned to ensure development and progression across key areas of learning.

We have 4 indoor spaces in our Acorns classroom environment and 1 fabulous outdoor learning environment that the children access regularly throughout the day. The children in Acorns also have access to the main EYFS areas/classrooms within the school.

Within the Acorns learning environment staff ensure the children have access to continuous provision areas throughout the school day. Resources are carefully chosen to engage the children in their learning, which reflect their interests, and in doing so, meet the needs of each unique child.  Typical activities may include books in the reading corner, ‘messy play’ activities in the craft/creative area such as paint, play dough and crayons, building with blocks in the construction area or exploring in the home corner, sand or water play.

Each area of learning within Acorns has been designed and developed to promote opportunities for social and communication interactions to develop early communication skills. The experienced adults in the room consistently model to the children, using visuals, simple language and objects of reference to move children’s learning forward. Resources are carefully placed to support and develop children’s communication skills as they work with adults or as the child works independently.

Within Acorns we also offer an environment that provides opportunities for emotional regulation, such as our sensory circuits space. The resources in these spaces meet the needs and interests of the children and are adapted and changed to enable children to achieve their full potential. In these calming spaces, adults use visuals, simple language and objects of reference to develop and support children’s early social communication needs. These spaces are used to support co regulation to meet children’s sensory needs so they are therefore ready to learn.

Sensory Circuit Room

Our outdoor environment

Children also have access to an outdoor learning environment. In the garden there are opportunities for using climbing equipment, as well as exploring the water, playing in the huge sandpit or using the cosy corner to support self-regulation.

Autumn 

This half term we will be looking at The Very Hungry Caterpillar and the children will be exploring the story and characters through different activities. We will also be focusing on our theme 'Minibeasts' and talking about different insects and the way they move. Towards the end of term we will be celebrating Christmas with some festive fun and activities.