Caring for your children since 1988
Acorns Nurseries An adult and a child sit on a chair, sharing the joy of a picture book in a well-lit room. Toy buses rest on the window sill, adding to this caring moment of childcare and connection.

Caring for our Children

The baby playrooms provide a world of interesting colours, shapes and sounds to explore, whilst soft music and comfy cots create a restful, relaxing atmosphere in our sleep rooms when your child is ready for a well-earned nap.

Once your child is developmentally ready, they progress to the toddler room where a wide variety of activities ensure they are encouraged to develop confidence, independence and imagination through play. Each nursery has role play areas, creative areas as well as construction areas to challenge and develop young minds.

Acorns Nurseries Three caring toddlers sit on the floor, each holding a percussion instrument, surrounded by a colorful, patterned backdrop.

Babies
(6 weeks to 12 months)

Babies are welcomed from the age of 6 weeks, working in partnership with parents.

Further Information:
Babies (6 weeks to 12 months)

3rd Pic next to ratios information

 

We transition your child into nursery life by discussing

with you at the settling-in visit their individual routine. As well as providing nurturing care with our highly trained, professional staff, our care ensures their health, safety and well-being through the following:

  • Their own base room, which is checked daily before the children access the area.
  • Small groups with a ratio of one staff member to three babies.
  • Home-from-home environment following communication with parents to ensure consistency in the child’s daily routine.
  • Key Carers in your child’s group will have undergone specialised training and obtained relevant qualifications for working with babies.
  • All staff have Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training.
  • Resources and toys are of the correct size to avoid choking hazards. All are sterilised after each use.
  • Dedicated nappy change areas are thoroughly washed and disinfected after every use.
  • Each nursery has a separate Milk Kitchen where milk bottles are prepared and sterilised.
  • At meal times, Key Carers sit with the babies promoting communication, social skills and encouraging self-feeding when developmentally ready.
  • We employ dedicated Dietary Monitors who supervise meal times ensuring all dietary requirements are catered for.
  • Our cosy cot rooms have individual cots and bedding for your child. Our staff complete sleep checklists every 5-15 minutes depending on the age of the baby.
Acorns Nurseries A woman engages in children's care as she helps two young children water plants in a garden, nurturing their sense of responsibility and connection to nature. The children watch eagerly as she pours from a green watering can, fostering their well-being and curiosity.

Toddlers
(12 months to 2 years)

As our children start walking and gaining a little independence, our care adjusts to support their development. We allow the transition to the next age group when it is assessed as appropriate for their age and development stage.

Further Information:
Toddlers (12 months to 2 years)

Acorns Nurseries - Playing Tube

 

As well as providing nurturing care with our specialised highly trained staff, our care ensures their health, safety and wellbeing through the following:

  • Their own base room, which is checked daily before the children access the area.
  • Small groups with the ratio of one staff member to three (up to 2 years old), and one to four (age 2-3).
  • Communication with parents to ensure consistency in the child’s daily routine. 
  • We work in partnership with parents and discuss when their child is ready to transition from nappies to toilet.
  • Key Carers in your child’s group will have undergone specialised training and obtained relevant qualifications for working with babies. 
  • All staff have Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training.
  • Resources and toys are appropriate to your child’s age. All are sterilised after use.
  • Dedicated nappy change areas are thoroughly washed and disinfected after every use.
  • At meal times, Key Carers sit with the toddlers promoting communication, social skills and encouraging self feeding when developmentally ready. 
  • We employ dedicated Dietary Monitors who supervise meal times ensuring all dietary requirements are catered for.
  • Toddler beds are provided with individual bedding for your child. Staff are present with the children at all times. Our staff complete sleep checklists every 5-15 minutes depending on the age of the baby/child.
Acorns Nurseries At Oakfield Street, three children and a teacher are joyfully playing with sand around an indoor table, their giggles echoing like acorns rustling in the breeze.

Children
(Ages 2-5)

As the children mature and gain independence, we encourage them to be physically active, promoting healthy eating, independence in self-care routines and personal hygiene.

Our five development pathways are:

  • Belonging
  • Communication
  • Exploring
  • Physical development
  • Well being
  • UNCRC

Further Information:
Children (Ages 2-5)

Acorns Nurseries - Reading

 

As well as providing nurturing care with our specialised highly trained staff, our care ensures their health, safety and well-being through the following:

  • Their own base room, which is checked daily before the children access the area.
  • Small groups with the ratio of one to four (ages 2-3) and one to eight (Ages 3-5).
  • Communication to ensure consistency in the child’s daily routine.
  • We work in partnership with parents and discuss when their child is ready to transition from nappies to toilet.
  • Whilst the toilet habits are being established, as responsive carers, the children are taken back and for the toilets on a regular basis.
  • Dedicated nappy change areas and children’s toilets are thoroughly washed and disinfected after every use.
  • Key Carers in your child’s group will have undergone specialised training and obtained relevant qualifications for working with children.
  • All staff have Paediatric First Aid and Safeguarding training.
  • Resources and toys are appropriate to your child’s age.
  • At meal times, Key Carers sit with the children promoting communication, social skills and encouraging self-feeding.
  • We employ dedicated Dietary Monitors who supervise meal times ensuring all dietary requirements are catered for.
  • Whilst your child still needs a daytime nap, toddler beds are provided with individual bedding for your child. Staff are present with the children at all times. Our staff complete sleep checklists every 5-15 minutes depending on the age of the child.
Acorns Nurseries Caring children wearing graduation gowns and caps celebrate joyfully outside, tossing their caps in the air next to vibrant green balloon decorations.

Graduation

Our nursery graduation concerts and ceremonies teach our children about change as they move on to a new chapter in their life. It shows them that change is a positive experience, and our ceremonies are a great way of celebrating their achievements during their time at Acorns.

Acorns Nurseries Four children are building a shelter with branches and leaves in a forest setting, learning the true essence of teamwork and caring for each other amidst nature's embrace.

Action Pak

To provide continuation of care after children leave Acorns, we provide varied, fun and exciting school holiday care for children at Acorns Action Pak.

Action Pak is based at Whitchurch High School, for children aged 4-11 years and is registered to care for 297 children each day. The children are split into 8 different groups according to their age and each group enjoys their own base room, team of staff and activities.

 

Visit Action Pak
Acorns Nurseries Children are seated at a table in a classroom, enjoying healthy snacks under the watchful eye of an adult. The walls are adorned with colorful decorations, creating a cheerful atmosphere.

Healthy Eating

Our Nursery Nurses sit with the children at each meal to encourage and assist them at mealtimes, this promotes good table manners and social skills.

Healthy Eating
Acorns Nurseries An adult, with a caring smile, reads a book about space to a child on a bench with yellow cushions, in front of stained glass windows, creating a moment of cherished childcare amidst the vibrant colors.

Educating our children

The pedagogy at Acorns is very much based around love, laughter and learning for our children. The children are at the heart of our curriculum and we encourage learning through care and play.

Our new Early Years at Acorns curriculum has been reviewed in line with current statutory guidance, as we strive to prepare our young children for the more formal environment of school.

Educating our Children