Little Acorns Day Nursery and Preschool in Stoneygate

Curriculum

We believe play is key to children’s development, supporting their cognitive, mental, social, and physical well-being. Our curriculum blends various teaching methods, tailored to each child’s learning style. Passionate practitioners create an engaging environment with stimulating activities, carefully selected resources, and plenty of opportunities for exploration, both indoors and outdoors. From arts and crafts to baking, we provide endless chances for children to express themselves and develop essential skills.

These engaging activities are integrated into our personalised education programmes, Pathways and Foundations for the Future, which nurture skills like independence, mathematical reasoning, fine motor development, creativity, and imagination, all contributing to your child’s overall growth. By adapting our teaching methods to each child’s individual needs, we provide a warm, tailored learning experience that nurtures a lifelong love of learning.

Team

Our wonderful team is made up of long-standing, highly qualified staff who are truly dedicated to caring for the children. Our nursery is proudly inclusive, with our dedicated SENCo team providing support to all children, ensuring they receive the best possible start to their Early Years journey.

Every day, our dedicated team infuses their passion for childcare into everything they do, ensuring each child feels supported and cared for. We are committed to encouraging our team’s ongoing growth and learning to enhance their personal development.

Parent Partnership

We offer a range of great resources to keep families involved and supported. Through our nursery app, families receive updates on their child’s progress, care routines and daily activities.

We have a lending library in the hallway, stocked with books that families can take home to enjoy. We also have take home resources to assist families with toilet training, healthy eating, first aid, weaning, and child development.

We love welcoming families to special celebrations such as Eid, Father’s Day, Diwali, and Christmas, as well as hosting Saturday open days. We also organise events on topics like school readiness and healthy eating, alongside parents’ evenings twice a year. A highlight for us is the annual Preschool Graduation, celebrating children’s transition to school. We really enjoy these events to help strengthen the bond between families and our nursery!

Facilities

Our facilities are specifically designed to create a warm homely environment and to support the growth and development of the children. We have spacious playrooms that encourage learning, and a large garden for active outdoor play, every space is thoughtfully created to nurture curiosity and creativity. For added convenience, we have an on-site car park, as well as sheltered bike storage, providing a secure place for parents who cycle to and from the nursery.

Playrooms

Our rooms are tailored to each age group, ensuring that every child receives the care and enriching opportunities suited to their stage of development. Children transition to the next room only when they are ready, based on their individual progress and needs.

Sweetpeas: Our Sweetpeas room provides a cosy, home-from-home environment where babies are nurtured and cared for. With age-appropriate toys, a fun climbing slide for physical development, and activities designed to inspire curiosity, children build strong bonds with their practitioners. This supportive setting prepares them for their next steps as they grow more mobile and ready to explore.

Buttercups: In the Buttercups room, children thrive in a vibrant environment that nurtures social skills, independence, and confidence. With a focus on hands-on learning, exciting activities promote curiosity, creativity, and physical development. As they grow more independent, the Buttercups room supports their emerging abilities and prepares them for the next stage of their learning journey.

Daisies: The Daisies room is designed to inspire and engage older toddlers with a large, flexible layout that adapts to their evolving needs. Featuring dedicated areas for role-play, climbing, and construction, the space encourages imagination, physical activity, and social interaction. This dynamic environment supports both independence and teamwork as children grow and develop.

Preschool: Our Preschool room, located downstairs with direct access to a beautiful free-flow garden, is designed to meet the evolving needs of children. It includes a cosy story area, arts and crafts corner, role-play space, and a dedicated dining area. The room encourages creativity, social skills, and independence, providing a warm and engaging environment for children to thrive. With daily free-flow outdoor play, it prepares children for school, helping them develop essential skills for a smooth transition to the next stage of their educational journey.

Outdoor Space

Our outdoor area is full of exciting learning opportunities for children. With a large sandpit for creative play, an art easel under the trees for nature-inspired painting, and a well-loved mud kitchen for creative fun, there’s always something to explore.

The construction area lets children build and create using tyres, pallets, and crates, while the music trail, AstroTurf, and soft play area offer room for active play with bikes, scooters, and more.

Our babies enjoy the fresh air with dedicated outdoor play mats and age-appropriate resources designed to stimulate their curiosity and support their early development.

Activities

Our activities include Boogie Mites, which encourages movement and music, Sing and Sign sessions for developing communication skills, and our Foundations and Pathways programmes designed to support early learning. We also offer the exciting Fun Time training programme, where children work together, build teamwork skills, and learn from one another in a fun and engaging way.

Community Outings

We love engaging children in hands-on, educational outings, such as visiting the local fruit and vegetable shop to learn about healthy eating. These ingredients are then used in our Make and Bake sessions, where children practice skills like mixing, measuring, and tasting. Also on our walking and outings agenda are trips to the Botanic Gardens, the Arboretum, and a local care home for intergenerational activities.

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Our Nursery at a Glance