Acorns Nursery marked 15 years since the inauguration of its first nursery, through a gala dedicated to performance in education and to the values that have contributed to the constant evolution of this entrepreneurial project launched in 2004: perseverance, enthusiasm, passion, gratitude. All these have guided Acorns’ steps towards this moment and have contributed to the development of strong roots as an actor in early education in Romania.
For Acorns Nursery, the definition of success is the idea of growing together: children, teachers and parents, for a better community. The British educational curriculum applied in Acorns Nursery proposes an integrated approach, designed to meet the requirements of all children through different methods of teaching. By identifying and celebrating the traits that makes each child unique, the British program stimulates their intelligence, imagination and abilities. All courses and activities in Acorns Nursery are conducted in English and provide ways of interactive learning in a cheerful, motivating and safe environment – specially built to meet the expectations of each child.
Almost 1000 children today proudly hold the values of an Acorns Alumni, and there are currently 120 children between the ages of 1 and 6 that are being cared for and studying in the two nurseries in Bucharest.
“In these 15 years we have remained faithful to the same vision, to provide the best care and education to children between the ages of 1 and 6, following the British curriculum and focusing on the children’s needs, passions, interests and uniqueness. At the core of our actions are the values we believe in and which we continue to promote: kindness, uniqueness, gratitude, love, respect, professionalism, responsibility, empathy, involvement, trust, authenticity, generosity, perseverance, passion, excellence. We are grateful to have the opportunity to raise amazing children and to contribute to the evolution of the educational system in Romania, through Acorns Foundation’s projects. ”- Valentina Secara, founder of Acorns Foundation, general manager of Acorns Nursery
During the Acorn15 Gala, distinctions for Excellence in Education were offered to projects that contributed to the development of Romanian society through education. These distinctions were awarded to:
• Alexandru Găvan for the project Joy For Nepal
• Larisa Băltărețu for supporting early years education projects in Romania
• Măriuca Talpeș for the project MERITO
• Suntpărinte.ro, the first parenting website with a section dedicated to early years education
• Asociația pentru valori în educație (Association for values in education) for involving private companies in improving the educational system in Romania
• Roxana Alexandru for supporting early years education projects
• Virgil Ianțu for supporting early years education projects
• ITSY BITSY for promoting early years education on the radio
• Anca Vlad for supporting the Early Years Conference
• Dana Războiu for the project Nation through Education
• Alexandru Tomescu for supporting the construction of a fine arts school in Mihăileni, the birthplace of George Enescu
• Simona Cărăbuș for supporting the Early Years Conference
• Loredana Popp for supporting the Early Years Conference
The funds raised at the Acorns15 Gala will go towards the organization of the 6th edition of the Early Years Conference, a project through which the Acorns Foundation offers free access for teachers in the public education system to trainings held by international experts in education. The conference, with the theme Technology and Development of Mathematical Intelligence, will take place on 6th – 8th November in Bucharest and 9th November in Suceava.
About Acorns Nursery:
The Acorns curriculum follows a varied, individualized learning program, known in England as the “Early Years Foundation Stage”. In its 15 years of activity, Acorns Nursery, through the Acorns Foundation and the First7 Training Center for Early Education, has become a leader in teacher training according to British standards. Acorns achievements include:
• The first organization to receive the Investors in people standard award;
• Holds the Every Child Matters Award (2011-2014);
• Is affiliated to Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and International British School of Bucharest;
• Is a member of British Association for Early Childhood Education, National Literacy Trust (UK) and the National Children’s Bureau (UK);
• Acorns Nusery has initiated and continues to be involved in social responsibility projects related to childcare and early education.