In Little Acorns we follow the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The EYFS sets standards for the learning, development and care of your child from birth to 5 years old.
Four guiding principles shape our practice:
Your child will mostly be taught through games and play. Your child’s progress will be assessed by their class teacher at the end of the school year when they turn 5. The assessment is based on classroom observation - your child won’t be tested. It uses the early learning goals, which can be found in the early years framework.
The areas of learning are:
- communication and language
- physical development
- personal, social and emotional development
- literacy
- mathematics
- understanding the world
- expressive arts and design
Our EYFS curriculum changes every year, according to the needs of our learners. You will find that we update it regularly as we adjust provision accordingly. Please contact your child's class teacher if you have any queries about the EYFS curriculum.
Please have a look at the links below to support your child with their learning in the EYFS:
Please have a look below at the things we have been learning:
Little Acorns have been learning about winter. We talked about the different weather we might see, the changes to the trees, the clothes we might wear in this season and the food or drink we might have more of in winter. We also learnt that some animals hibernate and some migrate in the winter. We then went for a wonderfully wintery walk with our friends in Big Acorns. We even spotted some snow!
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
Little Acorns have been making repeating patterns.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
Little Acorns have been investigating how materials change. The children mixed cornflour and water, talking about what they noticed, what had changed and what stayed the same.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
Today we were scientists! We read the story 'Wow! It's night time' by Tim Hopgood. We talked about nocturnal animals and learnt that these animals are awake and active at night while we are asleep. We watched some little clips from night-cams of badgers, foxes and hedgehogs. We learnt that torches are a light source that help us to see in the dark. We then chose to make shadows using torches and the small work animals, created night time pictures using black paper and chalk, and explored the dark den.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
We have been learning about past and present. We sorted pictures which we thought were from 'long ago' or 'now'. We began to understand that life was different in the past, with different schools, lights, transport, toys and clothes. We were then so lucky to have some very special visitors to talk to us about what life was like when they were little. The children all agreed that they like being at school now and might not have enjoyed school 'long ago'. The children listened so respectfully and carefully handled our visitors' special things.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block

Little Acorns have been exploring the wonderful season of autumn. On our autumn walk, we spotted bare trees, colourful leaves, and plenty of acorns! Back in class, we enjoyed reading Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert and were inspired by the beautiful illustrations to create our own pieces of transient art using natural materials collected during our autumn walks over half term.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
People Who Help Us
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
Little Acorns have been learning about senses. We enjoyed touching, smelling and tasting different fruits to make fruit kebabs.
There are no items in this Multi Image Block
Little Acorns at play
There are no items in this Multi Image Block