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Acorn assesses how young children are learning and developing by observing

them. Acorn uses information which is gained from observations,

as well as from photographs and videos of the children, to document their

progress and where this may be leading them. Acorn believe that parents/carers
know their children best and Acorn will ask you to contribute to assessment by
sharing information about what your child likes to do at home and how you, as
parents/carers, are supporting development.

 

Acorn makes periodic assessment summaries of children’s achievement based

on the on-going observations. These help us to build a picture of a child's progress
during their time with us and form part of the children's record of achievement.
Acorn undertake these assessment summaries at regular intervals,

as well as times of transition, such as when a child moves into a different group or

when they go on to school.

 

The progress check at age two

The Early Years Foundation Stage requires that Acorn supply parents and carers with a short written summary of their child’s development in the three prime areas of learning and development - personal, social and emotional development; physical development; and communication and language - when a child is aged between 24 - 36 months. Your child’s key person is responsible for completing the check using information from on-going observational assessments carried out as part of our everyday practice, taking account of the views and contributions of parents and other professionals.

 

Records of achievement and Learning Journeys

Acorn keeps a record of achievement for each child called a learning Journey. Your child's record of achievement helps us to celebrate together her/his achievements and to work together to provide what your child needs for her/his well-being and to make progress.

Your child's key person will work in partnership with you to keep this record. To do this you and she will collect information about your child's needs, activities, interests and achievements. This information will enable the key person to identify your child's stage of progress. Together, we will then decide on how to help your child to move on to the next stage.

 

Tapestry

Tapestry is an online Learning Journey that allows you to view what your child is learning almost as it happens! Using the system, you can view your child's progress online and look at photographs, observations and reports put together by the key person. It provides links to the areas of learning and characteristics of effective learning in the Early Year’s Foundation Stage. In addition, it also records your child’s levels of wellbeing and involvement to illustrate how comfortable and engaged they are in their learning. 

Furthermore, Tapestry allows you to add observations and photographs of your own as well as make comments about your child's progress at home.  It is great to hear about these achievements such as swimming without armbands, giving up their dummy or writing the first letter of their name.

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Parents can access Tapestry by using a mobile phone, computer or tablet by logging on with a secure username and password. Confidentiality is always adhered to as all information is stored using a secure server and parents are only able to view their own child’s Learning Journey.

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Acknowledging the pleasure that the children gain from viewing the current Learning Journey, Acorn will compile a small learning folder of annotated photographs and samples of the children’s creations, this will run alongside Tapestry.

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We hope you enjoy using Tapestry to view your child's progress.