--- title: "Little Acorns, Darlington — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted" description: "Little Acorns, a nursery in Darlington — Rated Outstanding by Ofsted. See opening hours, fees, photos, parent reviews and contact details on Nursery Advice." lang: en-GB json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "WebSite", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. Ofsted ratings, fees, opening hours, parent reviews and inspection history — all in one place.", "inLanguage": "en-GB", "potentialAction": { "@type": "SearchAction", "target": { "@type": "EntryPoint", "urlTemplate": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk/search?q={search_term_string}" }, "query-input": "required name=search_term_string" } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Organization", "name": "Nursery Advice", "url": "https://www.nurseryadvice.co.uk", "description": "Search and compare UK nurseries. 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They value the open communication and the strong partnership with staff." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What is known about the staff team at Little Acorns?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Staff supervision is used to strengthen practice, and regular evaluation supports continuous improvement. The team also uses precise teaching strategies and carefully planned activities to support learning." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Where is Little Acorns located?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Little Acorns is based at Hurworth Primary School in Darlington, DL2 2ET." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does Little Acorns support children with SEND?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Children with SEND receive targeted support that builds confidence and encourages interaction. Staff adapt strategies, plan interventions for all children, and track progress closely so each child is supported to make strong progress." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is Little Acorns suitable for under-twos?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Little Acorns accepts children from 2 to 4 years old." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Which funded hours does Little Acorns accept?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Little Acorns accepts the 30-hour working-parent entitlement for 3- and 4-year-olds." } } ] } ] } ] --- [![Nursery Advice](/__l5e/assets-v1/1c5557d3-f3fd-42f8-935a-3f2d2c3ac7e7/nursery-advice.webp "Nursery Advice")](/ "Nursery Advice") [Find Nurseries](/search)[Parent Hub](/parent-hub)[Compare](/compare)[About Us](/about-us)[For Nurseries](/for-nurseries) [Claim Your Nursery](/claim) 1. [Home](/) 2. [Nurseries](/nurseries) 3. [North East](/search?region=North+East) 4. Little Acorns # Little Acorns in Darlington Compare Contact Nursery Ofsted: Outstanding (Sept 2025) · Hurworth Primary School, Westfield Drive, DARLINGTON, DL2 2ET · Darlington Number of places 36 places Age range 2–4 yrs Last inspected Sept 2025 Local authority Darlington About - About - Pricing - Ofsted - Inclusion - FAQ - [About](#about) - [Pricing](#pricing) - [Ofsted](#ofsted) - [Inclusion](#inclusion) - [FAQ](#faq) Email Nursery ## 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 Curriculum Ofsted Outstanding Located 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 →](https://www.littleacornsnurseryhurworth.co.uk/contact-us) ## Key facts Opening hours Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year, 8am to 6pm, closed on bank holidays 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: Ofsted [View full Ofsted report](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50290052) ### Official Ofsted Report Independent inspection of Little Acorns Inspection date Sept 2025 Inspection no. 10408036 Lead inspector Clare Wilkins [Download full report (PDF)](https://files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/50290052)[View on Ofsted.gov.uk](https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY438010) Visit or enquire ### Book a show-around Most settings reply within 48 hours. Schedule a VisitContact NurseryJoin Waitlist Get in touch ### Contact Reveal phone number [ Visit website ](https://www.littleacornsnurseryhurworth.co.uk/) Hurworth Primary School, Westfield Drive, DARLINGTON, DL2 2ET [© Mapbox](https://www.mapbox.com/about/maps) [© OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright/) [Improve this map](https://apps.mapbox.com/feedback/?owner=bettersearch&id=cmr0xkm3n001m01shcu7igkjr&access_token=pk.eyJ1IjoiYmV0dGVyc2VhcmNoIiwiYSI6ImNtcjB4NzVvNDA0ZTkycHF5Z3g3aWNtZWcifQ.h8Ni35tijJSAoESKsGArhg#/-1.52826/54.4877/14) [](https://www.mapbox.com/) ## Explore day nurseries near DARLINGTON - [Day nurseries in DARLINGTON](/search?q=DARLINGTON) - [Day nurseries in North East](/search?q=North+East) Is this your nursery? Claim this listing to add photos, pricing, and respond to enquiries. [Claim this listing](/claim?nursery=little-acorns-dl2-2et-ey438010) ## 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 2025 Outstanding - January 2020 Good - January 2016 Outstanding - April 2012 Good ## Frequently asked about Little Acorns ### How did Little Acorns do at its last Ofsted inspection? ### What do parents value about Little Acorns? ### What is known about the staff team at Little Acorns? ### Where is Little Acorns located? ### How does Little Acorns support children with SEND? ### Is Little Acorns suitable for under-twos? ### Which funded hours does Little Acorns accept? ## Nearby day nurseries in DARLINGTON Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Acorns. - [ Ofsted: Good 1.4 mi ### Serendipity Nursery And Outdoor Learning Darlington · DL2 1DL 3.9(7 reviews) ](/nursery/serendipity-nursery-and-outdoor-learning-dl2-1dl-2496935) - [ Ofsted: Outstanding 1.9 mi ### Parkside Childcare Darlington · DL1 5TY ](/nursery/parkside-childcare-dl1-5ty-ey330167) - [ Ofsted: Good 1.9 mi ### Maidendale Nursery Darlington · DL1 4SU ](/nursery/maidendale-nursery-dl1-4su-ey358816) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.7 mi ### Eastbourne Pre-School Darlington · DL1 1LJ ](/nursery/eastbourne-pre-school-dl1-1lj-ey474700) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.7 mi ### Broadway Daycare Darlington · DL1 1EJ ](/nursery/broadway-daycare-dl1-1ej-ey441708) - [ Ofsted: Good 2.8 mi ### Flora House Day Nursery Darlington · DL3 8PA ](/nursery/flora-house-day-nursery-dl3-8pa-ey348184) [See all nurseries in DARLINGTON →](/search?q=DARLINGTON) ### Are you the owner of this nursery? 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