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Felsted Little Acorns

Ofsted: Expected standard·Felsted Primary School, Braintree Road, DUNMOW, CM6 3EB · Essex
Number of places
30 places
Age range
3–4 yrs
Last inspected
Mar 2026
Local authority
Essex

About this day nursery

Felsted Little Acorns is a childcare setting for children aged 2 to 4 years, located in Dunmow, Essex. Established in 2001, the nursery operates during term time from 8:45 AM to 3:15 PM and provides government-funded early education for eligible children.

The nursery has a capacity for 30 children and employs eight childcare staff members, five of whom hold Level 3 early years qualifications. Children at Felsted Little Acorns are described as happy and confident, understanding the nursery's expectations and rules.

They enjoy daily fresh air and exercise, with the freedom to choose between indoor and outdoor play, and relish their time in the garden. While the curriculum is based on children's interests, the setting is currently working on ensuring sufficient challenge and consistent quality of teaching to extend children's learning effectively.

Our ethos

The nursery prioritises each child's individual needs and development, fostering a supportive and engaging environment where children feel secure and valued. They offer a stimulating learning experience designed to keep children motivated and engaged, preparing them for their continued educational journey.

What it's like

Children arrive eagerly and are warmly greeted by nurturing staff. They are happy and confident and understand the nursery's expectations and rules. However, while the curriculum is based on children's interests, they are not offered sufficient challenge, and the quality of staff's teaching is variable.

Happy and confident childrenValued and supported staffGood parent communicationOutdoor play emphasisedChild-initiated play

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)
  • Additional session fee for 3-4 year olds (non-funded hours, 3 hours)£18.00 / session
  • Additional session fee for 3-4 year olds (non-funded hours, 6 hours)£36.00 / session
  • Additional session fee for 3-4 year olds (non-funded hours, full day)£54.00 / day
  • Warm school lunch for 3-4 year olds£3.50 / day
  • Minimum attendance fee (covers snack and consumables)£5.00 / week

Key facts

Opening hours

8.45am until 3.15pm

Age range

3-4 years old

Term time / All Year

Term_time_only

Established

2001

Ofsted Inspection — new report card

Expected standard

Last inspected Mar 2026

Headline: Expected standard

Grade summary

Exceptional
—
Strong standard
—
Expected standard
Needs attention
—
Urgent improvement
—

Each dot represents one of the six inspection categories. Headline is the average of the six grades, rounded up.

Category grades

AchievementExpected standard
Behaviour, attitudes and establishing routinesExpected standard
Children's welfare and wellbeingExpected standard
Curriculum and teachingExpected standard
InclusionExpected standard
Leadership and governanceExpected standard
Age range
3 to 4
Registers
Early Years Register
Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Felsted Little Acorns

Last inspected 24 March 2026

Safeguarding effective

Actions the provider must take

  • Develop the curriculum to ensure that it clearly identifies what it is that children need to learn, how this reflects their individual needs and offers appropriate challenge, to help them make at least good progress (due 05/08/2025).
  • Improve supervision and monitoring of staff practice and seek professional development opportunities for staff that improves their knowledge about how children learn and how to provide an ambitious and challenging play environment (due 05/08/2025).

What it's like to attend

Children arrive eagerly and are warmly greeted by nurturing staff. They are happy and confident and understand the nursery's expectations and rules. However, while the curriculum is based on children's interests, they are not offered sufficient challenge, and the quality of staff's teaching is variable.

Inspector highlights

  • Children are happy and confident and understand the expectations and rules in the nursery.
  • Parents speak highly of the nursery and the team of staff.
  • Children enjoy fresh air and exercise daily and can flow freely from indoors to outdoors.
  • Staff speak positively about their role and feel valued and supported.
  • Overall, children are supported to initiate their own play and easily access quality resources.

Areas to develop

  • 1Develop the curriculum to clearly identify what individual children need to learn, how this reflects their individual needs, and offers appropriate challenge to help them make at least good progress.
  • 2Improve supervision and monitoring of staff practice and seek professional development opportunities for staff that improves their knowledge about how children learn and how to provide an ambitious and challenging play environment.
Inspection #10388306 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff talk knowledgeably of the children in their care, including those who require additional support. Staff plan the curriculum based on children's interests.

Outdoor space

Children thoroughly enjoy fresh air and exercise daily. They are able to make choices as to where they play as they flow freely from indoors to outdoors. They relish their time in the garden. Physical skills are promoted as they use a variety of ride on toys, throw and catch balls with skill, and use balancing equipment.

Inspection history

Date: September 2014

The most recent inspection point has been hidden because the parsed entry didn't match the headline Ofsted rating (Requires improvement). We're re-checking it against the original report.

  • May 2025Requires improvement
  • April 2025Requires improvement
  • July 2019Good
  • July 2019Good
  • January 2016Good
  • December 2015Good
  • July 2015Inadequate
  • July 2015Inadequate
  • October 2014Requires improvement
  • September 2014Good

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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