Acorn Class

Intent To provide a nurturing environment that welcomes children into Mountjoy and develops their desire to learn through play and exploration – with each child at the centre of their own learning.

Implementation EYFS Curriculum & MAPS A stimulating and fun environment (that uses the indoor and outdoor classroom) promoting exploration and play alongside learning routines and schedules for greater independence.

Impact Happy and confident young children who are developing their communication, social, physical skills ready for future learning.

Early Years at Mountjoy School is a nurturing, fun and engaging learning experience. We follow a Total Communication approach to learning, using words, symbols, pictures, signing and objects of reference to help children understand friendships and healthy relationships, respond positively to praise and establish routines and structure.

Children can begin their time at Mountjoy from age two and a half. The children are introduced to a different learning topic each half term and staff are skilled at supporting and extending our children’s learning through planned activities, pupil choice and learning through play. During their time in Acorns, we help support children to develop important life skills for health and self-care and ensure the safety of each child in our care with excellent safeguarding procedures and welfare support.

In Acorns class we follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. There are 7 areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. The 3 areas, known as the prime areas, are seen as particularly important for igniting curiosity and enthusiasm for learning and for building children’s capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive.

The prime areas are:

• Communication and language

• Physical development

• Personal, social and emotional development.

The prime areas are strengthened and applied through 4 specific areas:

• Literacy

• Mathematics

• Understanding the world

• Expressive arts and design

We follow the Read Write Inc. phonics program along with the rest of the school as well as White Rose Maths.

Progress and attainment is assessed by the teachers and is also monitored through national assessment tests and tasks. In addition to this, we use Evisense at Mountjoy in partnership with parents to record and compare activities, track progress and link learning between home and school.

As children progress, they work towards a more formal approach to their learning. They access play based activities at set times throughout the day and continue to work on any therapy programs and self-regulation strategies they have learnt.