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Acorns Community Pre-School

Ofsted: Good
(Jul 2025)
·
5.0(9 parent reviews) ·Hanover Hall, Jennings Road, Southampton, SO40 3BA · Hampshire
Number of places
32 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Jul 2025
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Acorns Community Pre-school in Totton offers a nurturing and stimulating environment for children aged 2 years to school age. With over 30 years of experience, the pre-school is committed to providing a safe and engaging space where children can learn and develop through play.

They emphasise strong partnerships with parents, actively involving them in their child's developmental journey. The pre-school operates with flexible drop-off and collection times from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday, following school term dates.

Their central Totton location makes them easily accessible. Acorns prides itself on a high staff-to-child ratio and strong staff retention, ensuring consistent and personalised attention for each child.

They are dedicated to inclusivity, working with various agencies to support children with special educational needs. The pre-school also adheres to a clear code of conduct, promoting respect and responsibility within its community, and encourages children to follow "Acorns Golden Rules" like sharing, being kind, and listening.

Our ethos

Acorns Community Pre-school is committed to providing a safe and engaging space for children aged 2 to school age to learn and develop through play. They emphasise strong partnerships with parents, a high staff-to-child ratio for personalised attention, inclusivity, and fostering respect and responsibility through "Acorns Golden Rules" like sharing, being kind, and listening.

What it's like

Children feel safe and secure, arrive confidently and quickly engage in exciting activities while staff build positive relationships through conversation and pretend play. Staff provide sensory and creative experiences that build language and physical development, encouraging independence and emotional security.

Community Pre-schoolFlexible Session TimesHigh Staff RetentionStrong Parent Partnership

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)Tax-Free Childcare
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday 8:30am-3:30pm

Age range

2 years to school age

Session types

half-days, full days

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Acorns Community Pre-School

Last inspected 9 July 2025 · Nicola Houston

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 feel safe and secure, arrive confidently and quickly engage in exciting activities while staff build positive relationships through conversation and pretend play. Staff provide sensory and creative experiences that build language and physical development, encouraging independence and emotional security.

Inspector highlights

  • Children feel safe and secure and build good relationships with staff and friends.
  • Staff provide sensory and creative activities that support language and physical development.
  • Leaders have developed a well-sequenced curriculum to prepare children for school.
  • Leaders and staff work closely with other professionals to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
  • Parents are actively involved through initiatives such as 'Parent Week' and receive information about progress.

Areas to develop

  • 1develop staff interactions to increase children's attention and focus on learning during activities.
Inspection #10398660 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Leaders recognise how to support children who may have special educational needs and/or disabilities and ensure that staff are aware of strategies such as visual timetables. Staff work closely with professionals, including speech and language therapists and local authority advisers, to implement collaborative plans.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy open-ended play, including exploring with water and going on bug hunts.

Parent Reviews of Acorns Community Pre-School

5.0
(9)
Chelsea Connell
4 months ago

No words can describe how amazing this place is. My son feels safe, happy and excited to go in. They encourage individual interests, and really prioritise their needs. Honestly no better place

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nicole bicknell
a year ago

Acorns is such a great preschool all round! Each of the girls are always so welcoming not only to the children but also us as parents. They create such an exciting and loving environment for the children and are excellent at attending to the children's individual needs and have helped my little boy who has SEN needs come on wonders! It's also great that they have flexible start and finish times to help with work commitments. I have worked in nurseries and visited lots in the area and I instantly fell in love with acorns and would recommend them to anyone!

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Suzanne R-S
a year ago

Acorns is an outstanding pre-school! My daughter absolutely loves her time here. She previously attended two other settings but wasnt truly happy there & cried even at the mention of going to preschool. But now she gets excited. I'm so thankful for finding Acorns (I almost had given up & tried to home preschool her). My daughter is now thriving and is a much happier little girl! The staff are amazing, they provide the kiddies with lots of fun activities in a safe, caring setting. Acorns has such a warm, family feel to it! I highly recommend this preschool!

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francesca calcott
2 years ago

Amazing pre-school my son has been attending the last 2 years and he’s done so well and come on so much since being there! He’s now off to primary school come September and he is more than ready due to The staff helping and preparing them they really are brilliant with the children and get to know family’s very well. My other son is due to start in October and very are very happy to be sending him there too outstanding pre-school would recommend 🙂

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Hayley Nowacki
a year ago

Couldnt recommend a better preschool they go above and beyond! thank you for all the work you are doing with moo, speech and language and Portage are really impressed with her and the work you guys are doing with her. Shes making loads of progress Thank you

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Acorns Community Pre-School. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: April 2010

  • July 2025Good
  • November 2019Good
  • February 2016Good
  • April 2010Outstanding

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