Acorn at Hedgerows

About this day nursery

Acorn Early Years Foundation is a not-for-profit charitable organisation dedicated to providing high-quality early years care and education across Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire. Their core ethos, "Putting children first," underpins a relational pedagogical approach that prioritises nurturing the social and emotional well-being of children through caring relationships and a responsive environment.

Acorn aims to inspire the early childhood sector by developing an ethical, innovative, and sustainable model, with a particular focus on outdoor play and learning. They are committed to continuous staff professional development, fostering a learning organisation that strives for excellence in all areas.

The foundation integrates personalised care, ensuring each child and staff member is treated as an individual, and emphasises healthy eating with fresh, locally sourced food. A significant aspect of their provision is outdoor learning, including Forest School sessions, encouraging children to connect with and experience the natural world.

As a charity, Acorn operates inclusively and sustainably, seeking to minimise its environmental footprint while maximising its positive social impact.

Our ethos

‘Putting children first’ is the best way to sum up our ethos and everything we do. With a strong ethic of care, we prioritise building caring relations and a responsive approach in our dealing with everybody; in doing so, we are nurturing the social and emotional wellbeing of children and helping to build a more caring and connected society. By developing an ethical, innovative and sustainable model of early years care and education, we aim to lead and inspire the sector, particularly in regards to outdoor play and learning, and staff professional development. Personalised care and education is at the heart of our provision, and we believe that the children’s happiness, fun and laughter are key ingredients for successful provision. We continually seek to develop the knowledge, skills and qualifications of our staff team and set high standards for professional conduct and practice, aiming for excellence. Nurturing children’s development and wellbeing is our primary focus, taking a holistic approach, putting children’s needs first, and employing staff who genuinely love working with children. Our food is freshly prepared, locally sourced where possible, and healthy eating is a key part of our focus on wellbeing for children and staff. We provide children the opportunity to learn through first-hand experiences wherever possible. Outdoor learning and play in natural environments is promoted as an essential part of our provision, through Forest Schools and the unique provisions at each site. We encourage the use of natural materials and resources, aim to adopt green practices throughout the organisation, encouraging each site to grow their own fruit and vegetables, and to experience the natural world all year round. As a charitable organisation, we put children before profit and aim to be inclusive and sustainable, both environmentally and financially; seeking excellence, honesty and integrity in all aspects of our work.

What it's like

Staff offer a warm, nurturing welcome and new children receive close, sensitive support including home visits to help them settle. Staff know children well, ensuring all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, are included and supported. Children are inquisitive and imaginative, enjoy exploring the outdoor space, behave well and demonstrate sustained engagement in activities.