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Acorn Childcare Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Mar 2024)
·MALCOLM SARGENT PRIMARY SCHOOL, Empingham Road, Stamford, PE9 2SR · Lincolnshire
Number of places
92 places
Age range
0–5 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2024
Local authority
Lincolnshire

About this day nursery

Acorn Childcare Centre aims to provide exceptional childcare for families in the local Stamford area, fostering a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children from infancy through preschool can thrive and develop. The centre focuses on supporting each child's individual growth and preparing them for school.

The dedicated team, led by Manager Lorna, is committed to continuous learning and professional development, with all staff trained in paediatric first aid and holding enhanced DBS checks. The nursery adopts the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, emphasising learning through play across seven key areas.

This approach encourages natural curiosity and active exploration, particularly in outdoor settings, to build confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience. Daily routines blend structured activities like circle time and emergent writing with free-flow play, arts, crafts, and messy play, ensuring a balanced and engaging experience for every child.

What it's like

Children's voices are heard and respected; staff use choices (for example voting for books) and visual images to support routines and children who speak English as an additional language. Children enjoy the garden and physical play, are supported to be independent and to help tidy, and staff praise them to build self-esteem.

EYFS CurriculumOutdoor LearningPaediatric First Aid Trained StaffDedicated Funding Team

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
  • Deposit£100 / session
  • Admin Fee (Nursery only)£100 / session
  • Busy Bunnies Early (0-2 Years) - 7:30 – 08:00£4.10 / session
  • Busy Bunnies Late (0-2 Years) - 08:00-09:00£8.15 / session
  • Morning (0-2 Years) - 9:00-12:00£24.45 / session

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Age range

Babies to 5-year-olds (Nursery), Primary school-aged children (Holiday Club)

Session types

Morning sessions, Afternoon sessions, Early drop-off, Late pick-up, Breakfast Club, After-school Club, Holiday Club

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2013

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Acorn Childcare Centre

Last inspected 22 March 2024 · Hayley Ruane

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children's voices are heard and respected; staff use choices (for example voting for books) and visual images to support routines and children who speak English as an additional language. Children enjoy the garden and physical play, are supported to be independent and to help tidy, and staff praise them to build self-esteem.

Inspector highlights

  • Children's voices are heard and respected (for example voting for books and responding to children pointing to paints).
  • Staff use images to support routines and children who speak English as an additional language.
  • Children enjoy the garden and engage in physical play, with staff supervising for safety.
  • Management and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities well and work with other professionals, using additional funding effectively.
  • Partnership working with the host school helps prepare children emotionally for their move to school.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff in the pre-school room to help children understand all of the rules and boundaries that are in place
  • 2help staff to strengthen their interactions with children in the baby room to support their early communication skills.
Inspection #10316760 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

The management team and staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities very well; they work closely with other professionals and use additional funding effectively to provide equipment, for example to help children from becoming overwhelmed by noises.

Outdoor space

Children thoroughly enjoy playing in the garden, using it for early literacy (chalk drawing) and physical play (balance bikes), with staff supervising and removing broken toys to promote safety. Since the last inspection, management have changed outdoor areas to allow children to play outdoors in all weathers and to learn about nature.

EAL / language support

Staff support children who speak English as an additional language to understand routines by using images, such as photos of outside and nappies, to help children know what is happening next.

Inspection history

Date: April 2014

  • March 2024Good
  • May 2018Good
  • April 2014Good

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