Opening hours
Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year, 8am to 6pm, closed on bank holidays
Little Acorns in Darlington
Ofsted: Outstanding
(Sept 2025)
Number of places
36 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Darlington
About this day nursery
Little Acorns Nursery, situated within Hurworth Primary School in Darlington, DL2 2ET, is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children. Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, the nursery focuses on comprehensive development in a safe, secure, and caring setting.
Our ethos
Little Acorns Nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Statutory Framework, focusing on children's comprehensive development in a safe, secure, and caring setting.
What it's like
Little Acorns offers a nurturing environment where children thrive, feeling safe, valued and ready to learn in a calm and secure atmosphere. The curriculum is ambitious and child-led, with carefully chosen experiences that reflect children's interests and developmental needs, promoting deep engagement. Children behave exceptionally well, cooperating and showing high levels of emotional security, supported by staff who model respectful interactions.
EYFS CurriculumOfsted OutstandingLocated within a Primary School
Pricing & funding
Funding accepted
30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request
This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.
Request pricing →Key facts
Food
Healthy mid-morning and afternoon snacks are provided. Children staying after 4pm receive a tea time snack.
Age range
2+ years
Ofsted Inspection
Ofsted rating for Little Acorns
Last inspected 26 September 2025 · Clare Wilkins
Overall effectiveness
Outstanding
Quality of education
Outstanding
Behaviour and attitudes
Outstanding
Personal development
Outstanding
Leadership and management
Outstanding
What it's like to attend
Little Acorns offers a nurturing environment where children thrive, feeling safe, valued and ready to learn in a calm and secure atmosphere. The curriculum is ambitious and child-led, with carefully chosen experiences that reflect children's interests and developmental needs, promoting deep engagement. Children behave exceptionally well, cooperating and showing high levels of emotional security, supported by staff who model respectful interactions.
Inspector highlights
- Teaching is sharply focused to stretch learning and ensure all children access language-rich experiences and challenge.
- Staff use precise teaching strategies and carefully sequenced activities to build vocabulary, extend thinking, and promote literacy.
- Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, and those who speak English as an additional language, receive targeted support.
- Behaviours in this nursery are remarkably positive, with children following guidance diligently and showing respect for others.
- Emotional well-being and personal development are central to staff's approach, helping children recognise and manage their feelings.
- Parents speak with warmth and confidence about the care their children receive due to open communication and strong partnership.
- Staff ensure every child can take part in nursery life by adapting activities and removing barriers to learning.
- In-depth, frequent evaluation and purposeful supervision continuously strengthen practice and raise aspirations.
Inspection #10408036 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report
What parents say
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents speak with warmth and confidence about the care their children receive.
Inclusion & environment
How they support every child
SEND provision
Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) receive targeted support that helps them thrive. Staff use tailored strategies to build confidence and encourage interactions. They plan interventions for all children, not just those with identified needs, and track progress closely to ensure every child is supported to make the best possible progress.
Outdoor space
The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning.
Inspection history
Improved from Good → Outstanding in 2025
Date: April 2012
- September 2025Outstanding
- January 2020Good
- January 2016Outstanding
- April 2012Good
Frequently asked about Little Acorns
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