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Little Acorns Pre-School in Plymouth

Ofsted: Good
(Sept 2025)
·Oakwood Primary School, 170 Pendeen Crescent, PLYMOUTH, PL6 6QS · Plymouth
Number of places
20 places
Age range
2–4 yrs
Last inspected
Sept 2025
Local authority
Plymouth

About this day nursery

Little Acorns Pre-School in Plymouth offers an engaging and educational start to a child's academic journey through a play-based learning environment. The nursery prioritises exploration and skill-building, with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning in its secure garden, bespoke woods, and cabin, allowing children to engage with nature in all weather conditions.

“ The pre-school embraces an inclusive approach, supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with trained staff, including those proficient in Speech and Language Therapy (SALT) and Makaton sign language. Each child is assigned a key person who works closely with parents to ensure personalised care and learning plans, tracked through an online learning journal called Tapestry, which also encourages parent involvement.

Little Acorns Pre-School is a family-oriented setting, dedicated to nurturing each child's potential.

Our ethos

Little Acorns Pre-School offers a play-based learning environment that prioritises exploration, skill-building, and outdoor learning in nature. They foster social and communication development and build cultural capital through outings and an inclusive approach, supporting children with SEND. The nursery is dedicated to nurturing each child's potential through personalised care and parent involvement via a key person system and online learning journal.

What it's like

Children are welcomed into the pre-school by friendly and attentive staff, who take time to get to know children and families to build secure relationships. Children form good friendships, enjoy imaginative play, and share toys. The environment is carefully organised to inspire curiosity and creativity, leading children to eagerly explore resources and immerse themselves in meaningful, independent play.

Play-based learningOutdoor learning in woods and gardenSEND supportKey Person approachTapestry learning journal

Pricing & funding

Charges are based on three-hour and six-hour sessions for hours outside of government funding. Additional fees apply for early bird drop-offs starting at 8:15am and late pick-ups up to 3:45pm. Early bird sessions include breakfast.

Funding accepted

15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)

Good to know

  • Early bird sessions include breakfast.
  • Late pick-ups from 3:15pm to 3:45pm require pre-booking.
  • Late collection is subject to a penalty charge per 15 minutes.

Key facts

Opening hours

Open 38 weeks a year, term time only. Morning session 9:15-12:15, Full Day session 9:15-15:15.

Term time / All Year

Term Time

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating for Little Acorns Pre-School

Last inspected 25 September 2025

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 are welcomed into the pre-school by friendly and attentive staff, who take time to get to know children and families to build secure relationships. Children form good friendships, enjoy imaginative play, and share toys. The environment is carefully organised to inspire curiosity and creativity, leading children to eagerly explore resources and immerse themselves in meaningful, independent play.

Inspector highlights

  • Leaders and staff have worked hard since the last inspection to make necessary improvements and raise the quality of provision.
  • Leaders and staff have implemented a new curriculum that focuses on what they want children to learn, encouraging independence and confidence.
  • Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to help them make progress.
  • Partnerships with parents are strong and well developed, with staff providing many opportunities to share information.
  • Leaders and staff promote children's communication and language well, offering opportunities for stories, singing, and encouraging children to share ideas.

Areas to develop

  • 1continue to implement the new curriculum to offer all children challenge in their learning
  • 2provide targeted support for some children, to develop their communication and language skills further.
Inspection #10403649 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents speak positively about the setting and staff who care for their children.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities receive good support to help them to make progress in their learning. Staff work in close partnership with parents and other professionals to meet children's learning needs and access the help children and their families need to make the progress they are capable of.

Outdoor space

Children enjoy being outdoors and having space to run and be physical. Staff encourage children to be active and support their need to move, playing games and chasing each other.

Inspection history
Improved from Inadequate → Good in 2025

Date: April 2012

  • September 2025Good
  • March 2025Inadequate
  • July 2019Good
  • May 2015Good
  • April 2012Good

Frequently asked about Little Acorns Pre-School

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