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Acorn Family Centre

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2024)
·Askham Grange Prison, Main Street, YORK, YO23 3FT · York
Number of places
11 places
Age range
0–1 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2024
Local authority
York

About this day nursery

Acorn Childcare Centre provides a nurturing and stimulating environment for children from infancy through to preschool, aiming to foster growth and development in a secure setting. The centre focuses on personalised care, tailoring activities to individual interests and stages of development, all while adhering to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum.

Emphasising learning through play, daily routines balance structured and free-flow activities, incorporating elements like outdoor play, creative arts, and staff-led educational experiences. The dedicated team is committed to continuous professional development, ensuring high-quality care and support for every child.

They prioritise safeguarding and special educational needs, with trained professionals available to assist families. Session options are varied to accommodate diverse family needs, and the centre actively supports parents in navigating available funding opportunities to make childcare as accessible as possible.

Our ethos

Acorn Childcare Centre aims to foster growth and development by providing personalised care that tailors activities to individual interests and stages of development, following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. They emphasise learning through play, balancing structured and free-flow activities, and incorporate outdoor play, creative arts, and staff-led educational experiences.

What it's like

Children are happy and settled and are greeted by warm and caring staff who provide activities they enjoy, such as stories and songs, which helps children to settle quickly. Staff support children's behaviour, language, physical skills and independence, preparing them well for future transitions.

Learning through playEYFS curriculumOutdoor learning emphasisDedicated and qualified staffSupports various funding options

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

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

Key facts

Food

Snacks and light meals provided; packed lunch required for Holiday Club; breakfast and light tea included in some sessions

Session types

Full day, Morning, Afternoon, Early Bird, Night Owl, Holiday Club short day, Holiday Club long day

Opening hours

7:30am - 6:00pm

Age range

9 months - 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Established

2022

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Acorn Family Centre

Last inspected 17 September 2024 · Kerry Holder

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 are happy and settled and are greeted by warm and caring staff who provide activities they enjoy, such as stories and songs, which helps children to settle quickly. Staff support children's behaviour, language, physical skills and independence, preparing them well for future transitions.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy, settled and enjoy activities such as stories and songs.
  • Warm and caring staff who develop children's language through play.
  • Staff support children's physical skills and independence.
  • Staff are well qualified and engage in continuous improvement and training.
  • Children have access to high-quality, well-organised resources and opportunities to extend literacy

Areas to develop

  • 1plan and implement the curriculum more effectively, particularly when children choose to learn outdoors
  • 2strengthen opportunities offered to help to develop children's understanding of the importance of oral health
Inspection #10354731 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

Outdoor space

Children demonstrate confidence practising physical skills, for example using ride-on toys, and staff support them to be independent, such as putting on coats for outdoor play. Children have access to daily fresh air and occasional trips to supermarkets, parks and other open spaces, although outdoor learning intentions are sometimes less focused on strengthening learning.

EAL / language support

Staff gather key words for children who speak English as an additional language and use this information to plan from the outset.

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

17 September 2024

Good

Only one graded inspection on record — a trend chart will appear here once a second graded report is published.

View full Ofsted report

Frequently asked about Acorn Family Centre

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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