Welcome to Acorn Nursery and Kindergarten
We are a group of hard-working, dedicated parents who believe that education is “caught not taught” and when faced with the choices available, felt we needed to find and initiate an appropriate way of educating our children.
Mounting evidence suggests that children, who are not hurried into learning, overall, learn more and maintain a sustained love of learning and increased self-worth. This is apparent in other European countries where formal education does not begin until later than in the UK and yet they achieve higher academic success.
We chose the Steiner method because we felt that it provided our children with the greatest opportunity for a happy, flourishing childhood with necessary life skills learnt appropriately through play, art, stories and nature.
There is a lot of actual learning going on; but it is occurring in a self initiated, age-appropriate way.
This time of play in early childhood is neither a waste of time, nor a luxury; rather play is a fundamental way of learning which ensures the best preparation for benefiting from later academic instruction.
Outside play takes place every day in our own garden and sandpit. There are healthy snacks provided, stories and activities relating to the seasons, which help to develop language and listening skills.
Our fully qualified teacher, Rachel, has had 15 years experience of teaching early years, and is a model of patience and understanding. She provides essential discipline in a calm, composed and respectful way.
Rachel is joined by our two assistants:
Leone who is a state qualified Arts and Craft teacher and Sue who is soon to complete her Steiner teacher training.
They are both equally dedicated to the philosophy of educating children in a way all children deserve.
A recent Ofsted Inspector commented that she had never left an inspection feeling so relaxed and refreshed.
Mounting evidence suggests that children, who are not hurried into learning, overall, learn more and maintain a sustained love of learning and increased self-worth. This is apparent in other European countries where formal education does not begin until later than in the UK and yet they achieve higher academic success.
We chose the Steiner method because we felt that it provided our children with the greatest opportunity for a happy, flourishing childhood with necessary life skills learnt appropriately through play, art, stories and nature.
There is a lot of actual learning going on; but it is occurring in a self initiated, age-appropriate way.
This time of play in early childhood is neither a waste of time, nor a luxury; rather play is a fundamental way of learning which ensures the best preparation for benefiting from later academic instruction.
Within the routine of the day, there is some free play with toys made of natural materials to really stimulate the imagination. In this time the children will begin to enhance their social skills in a calm environment.
Outside play takes place every day in our own garden and sandpit. There are healthy snacks provided, stories and activities relating to the seasons, which help to develop language and listening skills.
Our fully qualified teacher, Rachel, has had 15 years experience of teaching early years, and is a model of patience and understanding. She provides essential discipline in a calm, composed and respectful way.
Rachel is joined by our two assistants:
Leone who is a state qualified Arts and Craft teacher and Sue who is soon to complete her Steiner teacher training.
They are both equally dedicated to the philosophy of educating children in a way all children deserve.
A recent Ofsted Inspector commented that she had never left an inspection feeling so relaxed and refreshed.
The Acorn Steiner Initiative is a registered charity number 1109261
