Nursery Advice
Claim Your Nursery

Acorn Community Nursery

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
3.7(3 parent reviews) ·Kingshead Close, Castlefields, Runcorn, WA7 2JE · Halton
Number of places
70 places
Age range
1–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Halton

About this day nursery

Acorn Community Nursery, located in Runcorn, provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 1 to 4 years. The nursery received a "Good" rating from its Ofsted inspection on 17 May 2023, reflecting its commitment to high-quality education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, and leadership and management.

Children are seen to be happy and confident, settling quickly and displaying good manners, supported by staff who provide comfort and reassurance. The curriculum is challenging and well-sequenced, built around children's individual interests and developmental stages.

A wide array of activities are offered, designed to build on existing knowledge and skills. The nursery demonstrates strong support for all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), fostering confident learners through encouragement and praise.

There is a particular focus on developing communication and language skills, with regular reading sessions and staff modelling new vocabulary. Physical play is also highly promoted, allowing children to develop coordination and an awareness of safety.

The nursery encourages independence across all age groups, from younger children serving themselves food to older children managing personal care. Partnerships with parents are strong, with staff providing extensive support and information to ensure continuity in children's learning and development at home.

Leaders at Acorn Community Nursery are dedicated to continuous improvement, ensuring high expectations for all children to make excellent progress.

Our ethos

Acorn Community Nursery's pedagogical approach is child-led and enquiry-led, focusing on children's individual interests and developmental stages. They are committed to fostering confident learners through encouragement and praise, with a particular emphasis on developing communication, language, and independence. The nursery values strong partnerships with parents to ensure continuity in learning and development.

What it's like

Children arrive happy and settle quickly, displaying good manners and behaviour. Staff are nurturing and provide comfort, helping children to feel safe and secure. They skilfully provide opportunities for children to talk about their feelings, supporting emotional well-being.

Good Ofsted ratingNurturing environmentChallenging curriculumStrong SEND supportCommunication and language focusPromotes independenceStrong parent partnerships

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)

Key facts

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Acorn Community Nursery

Last inspected 17 May 2023

Overall effectiveness
Good

What it's like to attend

Children arrive happy and settle quickly, displaying good manners and behaviour. Staff are nurturing and provide comfort, helping children to feel safe and secure. They skilfully provide opportunities for children to talk about their feelings, supporting emotional well-being.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders have a clear vision for the nursery and have high expectations for all children to make the best possible progress.
  • There is a strong emphasis on reading with children, and staff model good language to address any emerging gaps in communication and language skills.
  • Physical play is promoted well, with children developing good physical skills.
  • There is good support for children with SEND, with early intervention and collaboration with parents and professionals.
  • Children are encouraged to be independent in personal care and self-serving, supporting their readiness for school.

Areas to develop

  • 1support staff to consistently recognise children's emerging interests during group sessions.
Inspection #10285991 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

parents say that staff go above and beyond to ensure their child is progressing.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support all children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), to be confident learners. Staff identify when children require extra support, make ongoing assessments, and work with parents to provide pertinent information for other professionals. This helps to ensure early intervention and helps to close gaps in learning.

Outdoor space

Physical play is promoted well. Older children are developing their awareness of safety, as they independently climb, slide, and practise their balancing. Furthermore, babies enjoy pulling themselves up on the outdoor sandpit, with staff supervision. Children develop good physical skills.

Parent Reviews of Acorn Community Nursery

3.7
(3)
Ricky Young
3 years ago

I just wanted to say how impressed I am with Acorn Community Nursery. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a place for their children. We have a boy whos been there for just over 12 months, and he's loved every day he's been in. They treat our boy like their own, and it feels like a family. We have a newborn, and she will be going there once she is 12 months old.

Read on Google
Natasha Wilson
3 years ago

My child has been coming to this nursery since the baby room and is now in pre school and I can’t even begin to explain how brilliant this nursery is ,she comes out so happy everyday talking about how exciting her day has been and what she’s got up to with all her friends. The staff go above and beyond in activities with the children and helping us as parents aswell. Thank you so much I would recommend this nursery to anyone looking .

Read on Google
Natalie Carr
5 years ago

Use to be a brilliant nursery wen my others were young my other child now in here and has been bit an stratched and the got no explanation nothing saying they don't no who done it or how it happened would not recommend any children going to this nursery as they ovusaly not watching the children properly 😔

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Acorn Community Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: October 2008

  • May 2023Good
  • October 2017Good
  • May 2015Good
  • May 2014Requires improvement
  • October 2008Good

Frequently asked about Acorn Community Nursery

About the setting

Acorn Community Nursery registered in 2000. It employs 16 members of childcare staff, 15 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, for 51 weeks each year, from 7.30am until 6pm, and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
303430
Registered person
Astmoor Community Project
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises

Nearby day nurseries in Runcorn

Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Acorn Community Nursery.

Are you the owner of this nursery? Claim this listing to manage photos, hours and contact details.

Claim listing

Share this nursery

Send to a partner, friend or family member.

This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more