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Little Acorns Day Nursery in Chesterfield

Ofsted: Good
(May 2024)
·
4.2(6 parent reviews) ·Ashgate Manor Medical Centre, Ashgate Road, Chesterfield, S40 4AA · Derbyshire
Number of places
52 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2024
Local authority
Derbyshire

About this day nursery

Little Acorns Day Nursery, an independently run establishment in Chesterfield, has been a nurturing "home away from home" for children for over 25 years. Situated in a purpose-built facility just five minutes from Chesterfield town centre, the nursery is dedicated to providing professional baby care and a stimulating environment where children can develop their sense of identity.

They offer high-quality Early Years Education with planned learning activities aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The nursery prides itself on its dedicated staff and friendly atmosphere, ensuring a supportive experience for all children.

Little Acorns also provides nutritious lunches and is committed to transparent communication regarding fees and government funding options.

Our ethos

Little Acorns Day Nursery is committed to a professional, stimulating environment that aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to help children develop their sense of identity. They aim to be a nurturing "home away from home" for children.

What it's like

Children and parents are greeted warmly by staff. Children develop positive relationships with staff, who know them well, promoting their self-esteem. Children show positive attitudes to learning and persevere to complete tasks, receiving praise for their achievements.

Independently runPurpose-built nurseryOver 25 years experienceNutritious lunches

Pricing & funding

Fees are structured around full day, half day, or hourly rates for private nursery sessions. A registration fee applies to private placements and mixed bookings, while fully funded bookings do not require a registration fee.

Funding accepted

Tax-Free Childcare30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)

Good to know

  • A non-refundable registration fee applies to private and mixed booking patterns.
  • No registration fee is charged for fully funded-only bookings.
  • Additional childcare hours outside of funded entitlement are charged at the standard hourly rate.
  • Meals and snacks are optional for fully funded bookings, with a daily voluntary contribution requested.

Key facts

Opening hours

Monday to Friday all year round, except for one week at Christmas and bank holidays. Sessions are from 7.30am until 6pm.

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Acorns Day Nursery

Last inspected 29 May 2024

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 and parents are greeted warmly by staff. Children develop positive relationships with staff, who know them well, promoting their self-esteem. Children show positive attitudes to learning and persevere to complete tasks, receiving praise for their achievements.

Inspector highlights

  • The manager and staff provide a curriculum that encourages children to develop the skills that they need to be ready for school.
  • Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make progress in their development.
  • The manager, deputy and staff create a culture of respect and tolerance for others.
  • Staff teach children to develop their independence by taking care of some of their own self-care needs.
  • The manager and deputy offer staff support and ongoing training, creating a happy and effective team.

Areas to develop

  • 1focus more precisely on the intention of planned activities to support all children's learning
  • 2help staff implement the curriculum for communication and language to increase opportunities for toddlers to use newly acquired vocabulary.
Inspection #10335716 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities to make progress in their development. The special educational needs coordinator accesses information and advice from external agencies to ensure children's needs are met. She shares plans and targets for individual children with the child's key person and parents to ensure continuity in each child's care and learning.

Outdoor space

Older children excitedly run outside to play with their friends and negotiate taking turns to go down the slide. Outside, staff praise toddlers as they teach them to ride on balance bikes. Children fill buckets with sand in the outdoor sandpit.

Parent Reviews of Little Acorns Day Nursery

4.2
(6)
Nur Zulkifli
9 months ago

Little Acorns has been a true blessing for my son. Despite his challenging behaviour, the staff have gone above and beyond to identify his additional needs and support him in regulating his emotions. He absolutely loves going to nursery and asks to go every day — such a big change from his previous nursery experience. Even his specialist teacher and speech and language therapist have commented on how wonderful the nursery is. I’ve seen so much improvement in him, and I truly believe it’s thanks to the care and dedication of the team at Little Acorns. The staff genuinely care about my child, and they are a real credit to their profession!

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Amy Webb
6 years ago

Little Acorns is an outstanding nursery that I highly recommend to others. My eldest son went from age 18 months until he left to start reception year at school. My youngest son has been going since age 6 months and will remain until he likewise is ready to start reception year at school. The nursery have excellent policies in place such as with safeguarding and health & safety that are followed and enforced. They have great facilities and delivery fantastic activities for the children. They have good numbers of staff so excellent ratio to children, who are all fabulous with the children. The staff come up with great ideas to help entertain, educate and provide adventures for the children. There is an excellent routine as well and well balanced food menus. Need to get the ocean pie recipe as both my boys love it! I really can't say enough on how wonderful all the staff are that work there. It is such a lovely place. My children have benefited so much from being there.

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Suzanne Millward
4 years ago

My son loves his time at nursery. The staff are welcoming and caring. My son is always learning new skills and is developing all the time thanks to the amazing work of the staff. The nursery caters for his allergies at meal times which is a bonus as he enjoys eating!

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Little Acorns Day Nursery. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: April 2014

  • May 2024Good
  • June 2018Good
  • April 2014Outstanding

Frequently asked about Little Acorns Day Nursery

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