Little Acorns Pre School

Little Acorns Pre School is set in the grounds of Tortworth VC Primary School in a purpose built log cabin. The inside of the building is warm and cozy, the outside surrounded by green fields and trees - what better place for a child to start his or her school life?

Little Acorns offers pre school education for children from 2 years and 9 months upwards who will go on to attend Tortworth VC Primary School and St Andrews C of E School in Cromhall as well as for children attending other schools (subject to vacancies.)

You are welcome to visit the pre-school at any time, although you’ll appreciate if we’re in the middle of something we might not be able to give you our undivided attention! We encourage new starters to attend some sessions (up to 5, unless there are special circumstances) with their carer to begin with (what we call “Stay and Play”) for which we make a charge. Once you feel your child is ready to start on their own, then we will support you in ensuring your child is happy and settled. Enrolment Forms are always available to collect from the pre-school.

We have in place a “Home Book” for each child in which we encourage you to write any observations about your child’s social, emotional and academic development. We believe in working in a strong partnership with the children’s parents and carers, who of course, are their prime educators at this special stage in a child’s development. Each child has a labeled peg and drawer, in which any notes home, art etc and the home book will be kept for collection at the end of the session. We would encourage you and your child to check the drawer every session they attend.

The sessions start with self registration by both parent/carer and child on arrival and then the children go and do whatever activities they choose for the first hour or so. We will often have a table with something special for them to do- eg cooking, a science experiment, some special arts and crafts but if they do not wish to participate they don’t have to. At present we have a formal snack time, as our numbers are not too big, but as we expand, we plan to bring in the concept of a snack bar, so the children can have a snack when they need it, rather than when we say they should eat! There is always drinking water available.

We end the session with some active games and dance, and circle time, which can include discussions, singing and music, story time, story sack, writing (with adult as scribe!) and reading poems and playing circle games. We encourage the children to actively participate in planning activities and try to develop themes and ideas based on their interests and our analysis of their developmental needs.

The pre school has a large outdoor area which is used every day for free play as well as dance and movement and other games. We have a policy that the children can access the outside whenever they want to (what is known as “freeflow”) and encourage parents and carers to provide Wellingtons, waterproofs and a change of clothes so the weather does not deter us! As the doors to outside are always open, the children can take out whatever activities they like, from role play, to painting. We, and the Log Cabin Out of School Club, (with whom we share the building) have lots of plans to further develop the outside area.

We hope that you will agree that the log cabin provides the children with a fantastic environment in which they are able to play and learn.