Opening hours
Morning Breakfast Club: 8:15 - 9:00am Monday to Thursday; Morning sessions: 9:00am - 12:00pm; Afternoon sessions: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School, situated near Ely in Cambridgeshire, boasts a rich 50-year history within its local community. The pre-school provides child-led care in a nurturing and welcoming setting, benefiting from a large, sheltered outdoor garden.
It offers both half and full-day sessions throughout term time, five days a week, catering to children aged from two years and three months up to five years old. The curriculum includes a dedicated Forest School programme, primarily for children aged three and over, with special provisions for two-year-olds.
The facility also runs a popular Baby & Toddler group on Monday mornings. Dedicated to supporting personal, social, and emotional development, Little Thetford Acorns requires a minimum attendance of six hours per week, which can be spread across a single day or two half-day sessions.
They actively support families in navigating government funding options for childcare.
Our ethos
Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School offers child-led care and has a dedicated Forest School programme, prioritising personal, social, and emotional development.
What it's like
Children are happy and thrive in the spacious learning environment, building warm relationships with staff and peers. Staff act as positive role models, promoting independence in self-care. Children display creativity with a wealth of resources, engaging in mark-making and extending their interests from planting to scissor skills. Staff support choices, emotional understanding, and positive behaviour.
The nursery charges an hourly rate for standard morning and afternoon sessions, with a flat daily rate for the breakfast club. Standard sessions can be government-funded or self-funded, while breakfast club sessions must be self-funded. A one-off registration fee applies to non-funded children.
Funding accepted
Good to know
Opening hours
Morning Breakfast Club: 8:15 - 9:00am Monday to Thursday; Morning sessions: 9:00am - 12:00pm; Afternoon sessions: 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Age range
2 years 3 months to 5 years
Term time / All Year
Term Time
Session types
Half-day, Full-day
Established
2010
Last inspected 14 May 2024 · Helen Clutterham
What it's like to attend
Children are happy and thrive in the spacious learning environment, building warm relationships with staff and peers. Staff act as positive role models, promoting independence in self-care. Children display creativity with a wealth of resources, engaging in mark-making and extending their interests from planting to scissor skills. Staff support choices, emotional understanding, and positive behaviour.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection
Parents praise the staff on the care their children receive and their nurturing attitude.
Parents believe their children receive a good foundation as they move on to their next stages of education.
Inclusion & environment
Staff recognise the individual needs of children, quickly supporting them to receive early help if needed. Children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are well supported by the knowledgeable special educational needs coordinator (SENCo), who implements individualised plans of support.
Children develop their physical skills, exploring the spacious outdoor area. They run, climb and balance, moving their bodies and building core strength. Children explore the nature area, plant seeds, watch them grow, and use a willow yurt, mud kitchen, and wheeled toys for imaginative and challenging play.
It's been a year already and I cannot believe it! Little Acorns preschool in Little Thetford was recommended to us by one of our family friends and it made the difference for our son. He doesn't like big crowds or large groups and at this preschool he has had all the freedom to explore, play and connect with his carer/educator and some of the children. It had a positive impact on his social skills and confidence. I cannot recommend this preschool enough to parents looking for a place for their toddlers/preschoolers.
Read on GoogleHighly recommend Little Thetford Acorns Preschool. Both of my children have attended, they have given them both an amazing start. The staff are caring, attentive, warm and passionate about the role they play in our little ones lives. The garden and outdoor space has no comparison to any other preschool, along with offering Forest School learning. The preparation put into the transition to Primary school was seamless for my children. They offer a sense of community for both parents and children. I was always kept informed of what my children had been doing along with how they were progressing.
Read on GoogleI chose Little Thetford Acorns because of the positive reputation it has. The staff were friendly and professional at our taster session and made us feel very welcome. Our daughter struggled with being left for some time and the staff were understanding, supportive and reassuring throughout this time. They would even call to let me know she was ok. We have seen our daughter develop in leaps and she loves her time there. The staff are dedicated to making the first introduction to learning a happy positive experience. The outdoor area is fantastic and our daughter has loved going to Forest School. It has been a lovely time being part of the preschool for all the family and we will be sad to leave when our daughter starts school in September.
Read on GoogleCould not praise this preschool enough! The setting is friendly and welcoming and the outdoor space is huge, as well as safe/secure. The staff here are incredibly kind and nurturing. I can honestly say that our daughter views them as her extended family! She has developed so much since attending and she cannot wait for the next term to begin. I feel incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful team to entrust with my daughters care.
Read on GoogleThis is an absolutely fantastic preschool. The setting is great with an amazing garden for the children to play in all year round. The staff are hardworking, creative, dedicated and caring; they really know and understand the interests and needs of the children. There is a real sense of family, of community, of belonging which is something quite unique.
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club. See all on Google Maps
Date: June 2010
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to Little Thetford Acorns Pre-School and Children's Club.
Ely · CB6 3NX
Ely · CB7 4EX
Ely · CB6 3RY
Ely · CB7 4BB
Ely · CB7 4LS
Ely · CB6 1BL
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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more