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Growing Places @ Little Acorns

Ofsted: Good
(May 2023)
·
5.0(4 parent reviews)
·Little Acorns, Mayles Lane, Wickham, PO17 5AG · Hampshire
Number of places
25 places
Age range
2–5 yrs
Last inspected
May 2023
Local authority
Hampshire

About this day nursery

Growing Places @ Little Acorns operates as an outdoor learning facility spanning three acres, providing a dynamic environment for children to engage with nature. The nursery is committed to fostering physical activity and outdoor exploration, instilling in children an appreciation for their surroundings.

With dedicated spaces for creative play, storytelling, and group activities, Little Acorns offers a comprehensive outdoor curriculum, including campfires, den building, and woodland crafts. The facility also focuses on promoting emotional well-being for children, families, and the wider community.

Beyond its nursery offerings, Little Acorns hosts a holiday club for primary-aged children (Year R to Year 6) during school breaks. As an experienced childcare provider of over two decades, the service emphasises the individual needs and interests of each child, aiming to support their development in partnership with parents.

Growing Places @ Little Acorns prides itself on its nurturing approach, as highlighted by Ofsted, which recognises how children are at the core of all routines, learning through spontaneous play and challenges with enjoyment and active involvement.

Our ethos

Growing Places @ Little Acorns is committed to fostering physical activity and outdoor exploration, instilling an appreciation for nature and promoting emotional well-being. They focus on individual needs and interests, supporting development in partnership with parents, and enable children to learn through spontaneous play and challenges with enjoyment and active involvement.

What it's like

Children flourish at this welcoming nursery. They are confident, happy and curious, with rich opportunities to be independent thinkers. They are captivated by exciting activities, learning about nature and developing positive relationships with peers and staff.

Outdoor learning facilityHoliday club

Pricing & funding

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

Age range

6 months to Year 6

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating

Last inspected 31 May 2023

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 flourish at this welcoming nursery. They are confident, happy and curious, with rich opportunities to be independent thinkers. They are captivated by exciting activities, learning about nature and developing positive relationships with peers and staff.

Inspector highlights

  • Children flourish and are confident, happy, and curious.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well.
  • Leaders have established close links with local schools, ensuring a seamless transition for children.
  • Children make good progress in all areas of their development.
  • Parent partnerships are strong, with parents highly praising leaders and staff.

Areas to develop

  • 1improve the support for less qualified or experienced staff to develop their teaching skills, so that all children consistently benefit from high-quality learning experiences.
Inspection #10285481 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well. Staff are attentive to children's individual needs. Leaders signpost parents to support from other professionals and implement tailored teaching and care routines. This helps to improve outcomes for children.

Outdoor space

Children benefit greatly from playing outdoors. Staff teach them how to interact safely and look after animals, such as goats, sheep, ducks, chickens and rabbits. Children learn how to grow their own food, which they help to prepare and consume.

Parent Reviews

5.0
(4)
D P
4 years ago

Little acorns is such a wonderful place! My son (2) attends the nursery and my daughter (9) has attended the holiday club. Both love this place. There is so much for the children to explore and learn from such as all weather outdoor activities, the lodge and yurt for indoor learning and play, community projects that the children get involved in and organised trips to the local forest. There are resident animals such as sheep, guinea pigs, rabbits and chickens that the children help to care for. They have lovely cooked meals using home grown fruit and veg, which the children help to tend and harvest. The staff are amazing and have a great relationship with the children. Couldn't find a better nursery to send my son to learn proper life skills.

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Rosie
3 months ago

Lovely nursery with lots of green space for kids to explore and play. Great staff - definitely recommend

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Penny Tribe
4 years ago

Highly Recommend Little Acorns, my little boy has attended throughout the school holidays & we recently hired it for his Birthday Party as he adores it there so much! The staff are so lovely & have been so accommodating for his SEN needs. I absolutely recommend Little Acorns facilities & staff!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Growing Places @ Little Acorns. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Most recent inspection

31 May 2023

Good

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

View full Ofsted report

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