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Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA
Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) Logo
Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) logo
Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear), Milton Keynes
Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear), Milton Keynes
Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear), Milton Keynes

Acorn at Mulberry Bear is a 62 place day nursery, located in the Open University Campus in Milton Keynes. Which offers full and part-time care for children aged four months to four years, and is open 7:30am until 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, all year round.

Staff at the setting are committed to providing high quality childcare and education for all its children through play in an enriched environment.

Each group has its...  

Funding & Fees

Full time place starting from £1,530
Full day from £78.50
Morning session from £46.50

Afternoon session from £42.50

Fees are inclusive of all meals, snacks, drinks (including approved formula milk), nappies and activities.
We do not charge registration fees, only a £100 deposit which is refunded against the first month’s fees. We don’t charge for settling in sessions, but we do expect payment for all nursery fees to be paid up front at the beginning of each month, which is standard practice for all childcare providers. We do not charge for bank holidays, our four training days each year, or for the three days closure between Christmas and New Year. We do, however, charge for days children don’t attend through illness or holidays, apart from exceptional circumstances.

Please view the prospectus on our website for a full fees guide.

Contact Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) to get a personalised quote:

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery

Opening Schedule

Open all year

Full days available

Yes

Half day sessions offered

Yes

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Ravenne Richards-Holness (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 11

Registered Charity Number

  • 1145108

Total Places for Children

  • 52

Age Range

  • from 0 years 4 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Meals Provided

No

Consumables provided

No

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:30-18:00
  • Tuesday 07:30-18:00
  • Wednesday 07:30-18:00
  • Thursday 07:30-18:00
  • Friday 07:30-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays, Staff Training Days & between Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • There are dedicated parking bays for dropping off and collecting children at the nursery.

Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) Reviews (44)

9.9

Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.885) out of 10, based on 18 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) has 44 reviews.

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Showing 44 reviews matching selected criteria
Review from Mai E (Mother of Child) published on 1 March 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My daughter is really having a good time at the nursery and although it was her first ever starting time in the nursery, I expected to have a hard time getting her adapted, but due to the extra care she has been given she quickly loved the nursery. Now she keeps asking every day when she is going.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for leaving the nursery a review. We are so pleased with how well your child has settled into nursery.

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Review from Mark R (Father of Child) published on 1 March 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Mulberry Bear Nursery has been excellent for us. Our son absolutely loves going to nursery, and the staff have been brilliant for his entire time with them.
We feel very happy and safe to leave our son with Mulberry Bear during the days. His development has come on leaps and bounds since becoming a member.

I would recommend this nursery to anyone.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for leaving the nursery a review. It is lovely to hear your child loves to attend our nursery.

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Review from Ahmed R (Father of Child) published on 1 March 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Mulberry Bear Day Nursery continues to impress with its standards and care. My son has been here for more than a year, and he absolutely loves it there! Forest schools are outstanding, and the activities are engaging. The food there is borderline gourmet as well, things our son would never eat at home! Overall, I love this nursery, and now that we're expecting a new baby, she will definitely be going there!

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for this lovely review of the nursery. Thank you for mentioning Forest School, as our Forest School leader has recently completed her training to be able to take the children.

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Review from Talib A (Father of Child) published on 29 February 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Dedicated staff. Great communication with the parents. Caring and keeping kids clean, happy and entertained. Managed well with good facilities and environment for the kids. My boy always comes home happy (and tired) after a day in the nursery!

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for reviewing the nursery. It is great to hear your child goes home happy and tired after attending nursery.

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Review from Marjan A (Father of Child) published on 29 February 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

The staff are very kind, our little one loves the activities and loves getting cuddles from the staff. She always plays a hiding game at the beginning of the day and the staff always play along. She likes to climb around outside and enjoys forest school.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for leaving a review of our nursery. The staff enjoy participating in the hiding game with your child.

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Review from J S (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My son started at the end of January, he has some additional needs and Acorns Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) and all of the staff have been amazing in the two weeks he has been here. I can see a big difference in him already and I cannot wait to watch him grow and learn under the care of all of the amazing staff!

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your review. It is great to see how well your child has settled into the nursery.

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Review from Kavin S (Father of Child) published on 24 October 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

One of the best nurseries to leave your child. The staff are very kind and competitive enough to look after your child during the whole day. Staff in the nursery look after the child from the time you drop them and until the time we pick them back.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for submitting this lovely review of the nursery. It is our pleasure to look after your child at nursery.

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Review from A S (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

I have experience sending my daughter to two nurseries, and this nursery is so much better in many ways. My daughter settled in really quickly, and we get regular feedback on her development. You won’t regret sending your child.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your review of the nursery. It is lovely to see a child settle into nursery life so quickly.

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Review from H H (Mother of Child) published on 18 October 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
We absolutely love Mulberry Bear. The staff are fantastic. My daughter currently attends the nursery and she loves going in. She enjoys all of the activities, loves the outdoor area and enjoys playing with her friends. She is really settled and I have no qualms about leaving her there. She has food allergies and all of the staff are so careful. Makes me feel very confident with her in their care.

My elder son also used to attend Mulberry before it was taken over by Acorn. He absolutely loved his time there too.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your review of the nursery. It has been our pleasure to look after both of your children and see them flourish.

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Review from N G (Mother of Child) published on 5 May 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My eldest son attended here and now my youngest is here. They both love this nursery. The staff are amazing. We had to send our children to another nursery for a while and this experience made me massively appreciate just how lovely Mulberry Bear is. The activities they do are varied, the numbers are not too big so they can make connections with other children and the staff. The app is great. The outside space is lovely. Sometimes they go on walks around the campus. My son enjoys going to nursery which allows me to go to work and not worry about him.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your lovely nursery review. Fabulous to hear your son loves the activities available to him when coming to nursery.

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Review from L S (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Fantastic nursery all the staff are great and engaging. They create a happy environment for my son, he loves going in every day which gives me huge peace of mind. He’s been at the nursery since he was 6 months old and I’ve never had an issue. I love how varied his days can be from outdoor walks to messy play, baking cakes and creating cards as well as the normal child play times. They make parents feel involved by keeping them updated on the app and inviting the to play and stay sessions.

I honestly couldn’t rate this nursery high enough.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

It has been our pleasure to see your child flourish at the nursery since joining at a young age.

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Review from Shamela M (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

I’ve had both my boys attend this nursery. The staff are very friendly and supportive. They have accommodated my needs for extra hours even at very short notice. Both my children have great relationships with the staff and I always feel confident and happy leaving my children at nursery knowing they will take great care. My children love the nursery and have had all their needs met.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your nursery review. We are happy to accommodate extra hours where possible.

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Review from Vyvyan W (Grandmother of Child) published on 27 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Lovely staff, good care of the children. My grandson has allergies to eggs and dairy and they take their responsibility very seriously. He loves his time in the nursery and loves any field trips. The communication from the staff is good also.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

It is lovely to have a nursery review from a grandparents perspective.

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Review from G N (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Accessible and communicative staff- very supportive and engaging environment for our three-year-old. Lots of books, arts and crafts- particularly love the outdoor area and forest school.
The use of the app has been lovely- with pictures and other information being communicated to us really well.

My child comes home happy and healthy.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you very much for your nursery review. We are thrilled your child goes home happy after a day at the nursery.

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Review from E M (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Our daughter entered the nursery about six months ago straight from abroad, without knowing a word of English and from the first day to this day she goes to nursery happily! The staff is warm, smart, responsible and above all attentive and amazing, we won! My daughter enjoys every single day and shares wonderful stories about her day upon return, the fresh and varied food prepared on-site and the various activities she loves. There is a forest day once every two weeks which is an experience in itself. I totally recommend this wonderful nursery.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you very much for this nursery review. The meals are prepared off-site at a central Hub and brought to the nursery. It has been a real pleasure to see your child flourish over the last six months.

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Review from C B (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My son and I absolutely love Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear) and all of the staff here. He has settled into his new class so well and I am so pleased with the environment and how they are with all of the children. Couldn’t recommend enough.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your nursery review. It has been a pleasure to see how well your child has settled after moving into their new room at nursery.

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Review from S R (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Such a brilliant nursery, our child is able to play, learn and explore with a huge range of activities laid out and a huge garden with play equipment and a mud garden to play in.
We are constantly kept up to date with his daily activity, the care he has been given and the food he has eaten.
Food options are brilliant, varied and nutritionally balanced, I love knowing how well he eats in nursery days.

The staff are all brilliant, friendly and attentive and have formed a real bond with our child. He adores them. I could not recommend this nursery enough.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for your nursery review. The staff team are very proud of the bonds they build with all of the children at the nursery.

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Review from Anna Y (Mother of Child) published on 29 March 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

My almost 3-year-old son is attending this nursery for the second month. He likes it very much, he says that now he has friends and it's funny to play in the nursery, he likes reading books and crafts lessons. The staff are kind and care for children. My son started to trust them very fast. The groups are not so huge and there is enough staff per children. I like our new nursery, my son likes it too. He is happy and I see some progress in speech and new skills development. I recommend this nursery!

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

We are so pleased your son has settled into the nursery so well and is enjoying the craft lessons.

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Review from Z P (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Our son does not want to go home! It took a couple of weeks for him to settle, however, the staff were just amazing through this journey. It is amazing to see the progress he made, from crying every morning, to now enjoying his morning routine and breakfast with friends. He is happy and content. So are his parents. We are very grateful for the care our son receives there.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

It is our pleasure to see your son so happy and content whilst at nursery.

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Review from A M (Father of Child) published on 18 January 2023 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

My daughter attends this nursery. My son also attended for 4 years. I have found this nursery to be everything that I would hope for in a preschool. The staff are kind, compassionate and caring and genuinely care for the children under their care. My son has special educational needs and I will be always thankful to them for alerting us to these. They adapted their practices for my son and were very knowledgeable in this area. I would totally recommend this nursery.

Reply from Sharon Rigby, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Mulberry Bear)

Thank you for bringing both of your children to the nursery.

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Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (13)

  • Recipient: Acorn Early YearsDate: Tuesday 31 Mar 2026
  • Recipient: Acorn Early YearsDate: Monday 31 Mar 2025
  • Recipient: Acorn Early YearsDate: Monday 15 Apr 2024

Meet the Team (3)

Ravenne Richards-Holness Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2024
Ravenne Richards-Holness

I have been working in Early Years for over 25 years. I am passionate about ensuring that children have the best possible outcomes in life. To achieve this, I focus on supporting and mentoring my team, helping them to become the best practitioners they can be, so they can positively impact the children within our care.

Megan Ward Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2026
Megan Ward

Megan has been at Mulberry Bear since qualifying in 2020, having spent time there during her work experience placement in college. From a young age, she has known that working with children is her true passion. Megan loves sharing her knowledge and experiences with the team and is excited to contribute to the growth and development of the children in her care.

Katharine Seaton Job Title: Office Manager Joined: 2014
Katharine Seaton

Hospitality Management degree

I joined Mulberry Bear in 2014. Both my children attended the nursery prior to my joining as Office Manager. My role in the nursery is varied among other tasks I help the manager with booking children into the nursery, showing prospective parents around and monthly invoicing.

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