Acorn Class at Woodcote Primary School offers a warm, inspiring start to learning for children aged two to five. Our experienced and nurturing team creates an environment where every child learns to socialise, experiment, express themselves and problem solve. It is the first step on the road to independence. 

We provide a diverse, vibrant programme as your child works towards common goals within the Early Years Foundation Stage. We create an environment where your child can create, explore, imagine, and learn. We offer a broad range of educational opportunities and provide experiences that enrich your child’s social, emotional, physical, intellectual, cognitive, and creative abilities. We aim to foster your child’s uniqueness and individuality. 

We set the foundations of your child’s first steps on their academic journey, which can serve as the basis for all future learning.  

Our well-equipped classroom and outdoor space supports all areas of development, while our wonderful, shared school environment helps children build confidence and enjoy a smooth transition into Reception. 

We value close partnership with parents, recognising that you know your children best. By sharing insights and celebrating progress together, we ensure each child receives the most meaningful, tailored learning experiences. 

We invite you to contact us and arrange a visit. 

Admissions

We can accept entry into Acorn class at any time of the year, places are offered as per our Acorn Class Admissions Policy. 

Typical Acorn Class Day

The day starts with activities whilst everyone arrives. Once everyone is settled, we gather on the carpet to greet one another and talk about the day ahead. 

We then all sit and have breakfast together, a variety of breads and fruits with a choice of milk or water, where the children are encouraged to pour their own drink (with adult supervision). 

Following on, we have a short adult-led session, usually maths or phonics based, leading into the rest of the session where the children choose their own activities and can move freely between our inside and outside spaces. During this time, there will also be an adult lead activity usually supporting the week's topic or story. 

Following tidy-up time, around 11:25 the children listen to a story leading into lunchtime 11.45-12.45. 

Our afternoon starts with ‘quiet time’ – mindfulness and wellbeing music for the young. The afternoon follows a similar pattern with the addition of teeth cleaning.    

Acorn Class Curriculum

We offer a play-based day with hidden learning! Using the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as the structure for all aspects of our pre-school. Children learn and develop well when they are in happy, safe environments.  We plan a curriculum based on individual needs and interests. This ensures each child’s early years' experience is a happy, active, exciting and secure place to learn. We respect that every child is unique and that they are constantly learning.  

Our staff support your child's development with a balance of child-initiated and adult-lead play-based activities. We plan activities each week, around a letter sound, a shape, a number, a book, a topical or seasonal theme and British Values.  

We teach the Early Years Foundation Stage Monster Phonics reading scheme which introduces the children to characters and phonics teaching in KS2 and beyond within our school.

By the time they transition to Reception, we strive to ensure that they are resilient, capable, confident, and self-assured.

Early Education and Childcare Fees

At Woodcote Primary School, we are committed to transparency so that families can make informed decisions about early education and childcare. We can offer both government-funded entitlements and unfunded places as follows:

Funded Hours

30hr places: 

• 4 Full days 8:45am –3:15pm and 1 Morning with lunch 8:45am- 12.45pm 

15hr places:

The following are examples of options available:  

• 5 mornings 8:45am – 11:45am 

• 3 mornings with lunch 8:45am – 12:45pm and 1 morning 8:45am– 11:45am  

• 2 full days  8:45am – 3:15 pm plus 1 afternoon 12:45pm - 3:15pm  

Unfunded Hours

• Morning  8:45am –11:45am  £18 

• Lunch  11:45am - 12:45pm  £6 

• Afternoon  12:45pm - 3:15pm  £15 

Optional Fees and Chargeable Extras 

The following optional items are available for families and are not a condition of taking up your child’s free entitlement: 

• Additional Hours: Families may purchase extra childcare hours outside of the funded entitlement. 

• Cost: same as unfunded hours above 

• Early start 8:30am – 8:45am £2 per Session 

• Late stay 3:15pm- 3:30pm £2 per Session 

• Hot meal £2.95 per meal - if not having a packed lunch 

• Voluntary Donation £15 per half term 

• Trips and Visits: All school trips are voluntary.  Cost: As applicable per trip; details will be provided in advance. 

Important Notes 

• Families are under no obligation to pay for additional hours, meals, or trips to access free entitlement. 

• All fees and optional services are published to ensure transparency and compliance with Oxfordshire County Council’s Early Education and Childcare funding terms. 

• To claim funding the child will already be aged 2 (and have obtained a 30 hour eligibility code from HRMC) or aged 3+ (if claiming 15 hours) before each Autumn, Spring and Summer term starts. 

• For children in nappies these are to be supplied by parents 

For further information or to discuss your child’s needs, please contact the school office.