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The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane)

59 Denmans Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath RH16 2JN
The Acorns Nursery & Forest School Logo
The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) logo
The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane), Haywards Heath
The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane), Haywards Heath
The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane), Haywards Heath

The Acorns Nursery and Forest School is dedicated to quality childcare and early years education, rated highly with regulators and combining a 'forward-thinking' vision with traditional values.

A well-equipped interior, with numerous play and learning activities made possible, is complemented by an emphasis on outdoor play and a curriculum that incorporates forest school adventures.

The aim of the service to help children achieve their early years potential before a smooth transition into infant school and beyond.

Funding & Fees

Contact The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) to get a personalised quote:

Type of Service

  • Nursery School

Opening Schedule

Open term time

Full days available

Yes

Half day sessions offered

Yes

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Christina Franks (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 6

Total Places for Children

  • 21

Age Range

  • from 2 years 0 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Meals Provided

No

Consumables provided

No

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
  • Tuesday 08:00-18:00
  • Wednesday 08:00-18:00
  • Thursday 08:00-18:00
  • Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • School Holidays (open for 4 weeks holiday playscheme in the summer)

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) Reviews (104)

9.8

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.825) out of 10, based on 15 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has 104 reviews.

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Review from A H (Father of Child) published on 12 June 2026 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

I honestly couldn't think of a better place for our little one to spend their time whilst we have to work. The team are incredible, caring, thoughtful, and knowledgeable. They've made us all feel at home.

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Review from L J (Father of Child) published on 29 December 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

The Acorns always felt like a good choice, but when we talk to friends with kids in other nurseries we realise how lucky we are. The team put so much care and dedication into everything they do, from all the planning behind the scenes to the time and attention they give to each child every day.

It's a very nurturing environment, with opportunities to learn and try different things underpinned by strong child/teacher relationships. The team are great at communicating and encourage regular, two-way information sharing. We see a plan for the home cooked food each term along with weekly themes and letters to talk about. A nice touch is how the themes incorporate different cultures and events.

There's a strong emphasis on school readiness, especially appreciated for our summer-born daughter as the time is going so fast!

Everything about the Acorns exudes care, excellence, dedication, passion and a very warm and safe environment. Most importantly of all, our daughter enjoys going there.

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Review from S B (Mother of Child) published on 4 December 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

We have had an amazing experience with the staff at Acorn. Our son has transitioned from another place and he has settled in wonderfully. The staff is very caring, they offer many activities and encourage the child to follow their interest. My son has quickly made new friends and he looks forward to going back every day! We would recommend this nursery to everybody!

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Review from Moira W (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

I've had two children attend the Acorns and I cannot recommend it highly enough, the staff and environment are warm and nurturing and I always feel completely confident in leaving them there - not only that they will be safe, but that they will be loved and cared for. It's not just a nursery, but truly a 'home from home' for them. Nutritious home cooked meals are the icing on the cake!

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Review from K P (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
I cannot speak highly enough of the care and dedication shown by the manager and her wonderful team at the nursery. Their hard work is evident in every corner of the setting-from the warm welcomes each morning to the thoughtfully planned activities that keep the children engaged and happy. The manager leads with love, and it's clear that each member of the team shares her passion for nurturing young minds.

The environment is both loving and secure, making it the perfect place for little ones to grow. Learning here is exciting and fun, we hear all about our daughter's adventures as she chatters happily about them on our way home each day. Whether it's exploring the outdoors, diving into creative play, or discovering new concepts, the team ensures every day is filled with curiosity and joy. We're so grateful for the care, attention, and heart they put into everything they do.

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Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

We are so impressed with the outstanding quality of care and strong leadership at the Acorns. Our daughter has been at Acorns for almost 2 years and we couldn't be happier. I've already enrolled my second daughter. The staff genuinely care about the children and there is an emphasis on structured activities and learning to prepare the children for school. All aspects of care are exceptional, down to the carefully curated food menu and themed weeks every term, and thorough updates and reviews throughout the term. Thank you Acorns!

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Review from Hannah G (Mother of Child) published on 22 May 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Our boys joined the Acorns in january, having made a significant move down south from Cheshire. With so much upheaval we were very apprehensive about them starting at a new nursery, especially as our eldest can get anxious in new situations - we needn't have worried. The boys settled instantly and I mean instantly - at their settle sessions neither of them wanted to leave! They have both grown so much in such a short space of time. This is entirely down to the brilliant, warm and engaging teachers, the focus on the early years curriculum and the beautiful homely environment management and the team have created at 59. The boys run up the drive every morning at drop off and are excited to share everything they've been learning at the end of the day.

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Review from R C (Mother of Child) published on 21 April 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Our daughter has been attending The Acorns since she was 18 months and we have been thrilled with the care from every aspect. We love the homely setting and the level of attention from staff. Each staff member knows my daughter well and we feel very assured she is in safe hands. The nursery has a strong education focus and since my daughter turned 3 she has been part of their reading scheme. She has dedicated reading time with a staff member each week with written comments so that we're able to follow her progress.

We couldn't be happier with The Acorns and we plan to place our younger child there too.

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Review from B H (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Our experience with The Acorns and the teachers working at no 59 are second to none.
The care and nurturing they show to each children is truly remarkable. Anything I have ever asked for they always accomodated.
They have great cultural diversity amongst the children and they dedicate time and effort celebrating our national festivals at the nursery which is amazing!
My child is bilingual and she has been wonderfully supported in her speaking journey. She is part of the reading scheme where they read books in English both in the setting and we do the same at home. This is one of her favourite avtivities!

She developed amazing friendships at the nursery which I hope will be long lasting.

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Review from Hannah P (Mother of Child) published on 17 April 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

Our daughter joined Acorns in January and loved it from the moment she joined. Its "home from home" setting gives children the security, comfort and warmth to thrive. We love sending our daughter to a nursery that truly cares; the staff are kind, knowledgeable and personable. The garden is a fantastic environment for the children to explore, play and learn. Our daughter looks forward to her nursery days as much as she does being at home. Which is a true testament to the environment that Acorns has created. Where learning and fun go hand in hand!

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Review from Briony P (Mother of Child) published on 15 April 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
This place is exceptional. My child has advanced so much compared to her peers who go to different nurseries. This place has encouraged her to learn, make friends and so much work on self care and self development. She is excited to go to nursery and talks excitedly about it when she leaves.
I'm impressed with the positivity of the staff and how they genuinely do care about my child's well-being and development.
They have helped me with her journey through potty training and getting dressed and undressed.
She now has friends who she talks about when at home and has a nurturing approach to her peers that has come from being around the nursery ethos, as she is an only child.

I cannot stress enough how great this place is!

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Review from A T (Mother of Child) published on 1 April 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

We couldn't be happier with how well he has settled in at Acorns. Everyone is so welcoming, kind and it feels like a second home for him. We're really happy with the information we receive. We get a detailed menu full of healthy food and know what he'll be doing each term. We like that there is a good focus on phonics and educational content such as different cultures or dealing with emotions, plus plenty of time for fun and games and loads of outdoor time. Unlike with a lot of other venues, we are confident that every member of staff at Acorns is very experienced and has been there a long time which is very reassuring. The staff all seem to have genuine care for the children and this shines through at every pick up and drop off and the way that our son interacts with them. We are confident that the staff at Acorns have the experience to deal with a whole range of different children and needs to prepare them for the next stage which is extremely important in these early years.

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Review from K H (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2025 Submitted via Website
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Finding a setting in which both my babies have not only thrived but have felt cared for and safe has been an absolute blessing.
Both our bubs have grown in confidence in their speech and language skills ,in a way thats nurtured and encouraged their personalities and natural play.
My bubs minds run at a million miles an hour constantly creating games and storytelling, this again has been encouraged and supported in a safe space, which is just amazing to see.
Every activity is sooo cleverly thought out by all of the teachers prior and both my bubs can tell me about what they learned that week. It's also wonderful for them to show their Nannie and grandad their art work in the library when they visit one day a week (they do not live locally and it's a mini view into their world at nursery)

We are very lucky to have found a nursery and both bubs have loved every second of going.

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Review from A. H (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2025 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Acorns has been amazing for my Son, for the last 6 months he has come on leaps and bounds.
When we chose Acorns we chose it because it felt like a home from home, and we loved the garden and the space for the children to play freely.
The staff have been amazing, it really feels like there is a sense of care and we were given so much information on settling in. When I pick him up we always have a good chat and catch up on what they have done in the day.
The activities are varied and well planned out and organised. Meals are great and we get given so much information about the plans each term which is so reassuring to be so well informed.

Can't say much more than We really love it!

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Review from M R (Mother of Child) published on 23 December 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Our experience with The Acorn has been absolutely wonderful. The care, kindness, and dedication of the staff have made such a positive impact on my son. It's heartwarming to see how much he looks forward to going to nursery each day, and I can tell he's thriving in the nurturing environment they've created.
The activities are thoughtfully planned, engaging, and tailored to help the children grow and explore at their own pace. I also appreciate the open communication with the staff-they truly make us feel like part of a family.

Knowing my son is in a place where he is happy, safe, and learning so much brings me immense peace of mind. Thank you, The Acorn for everything you do-you are incredible!

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Review from C M (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2024 Submitted via Website
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I was a little apprehensive about my son attending a new nursery after relocating. Staff members made it very easy for us to visit the sites on multiple occasions and put our minds at ease. When meeting the staff, they seemed very caring and all of the children were enjoying story time when we visited the site. When it comes to meal times, it’s lovely that all of the children sit together and eat like they are at home. Having my son in a home environment was important to me as he goes to nursery multiple times per week and I wanted it to feel like home away from home. Staff are very caring and my son has a lovely time at The Acorns with the other children. He enjoys the food and activities offered and we always pick him up clean and happy!

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Review from Sophie K (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

An excellent place for children to learn, socialise and just thrive with nurturing, caring, knowledgable staff. My son has been so happy there for the last three years and I’d highly recommend them to anyone wanting a great start for their own child.

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Review from H L (Mother of Child) published on 28 May 2024 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

The Acorns is an outstanding nursery. We moved my daughter here from a nursery that is part of a chain, and the difference is huge. If you are looking for an individual nursery that will nurture, educate and care for your child to the highest possible standards, look no further. They truly get to know each child and they get the best out of them. My daughter is genuinely excited about going to The Acorns every day, which was not the case with her previous nursery. The staff are kind, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable. They take huge pride in their work and the children are, in turn, proud to belong to The Acorns. The food is home-cooked every day and the environment is delightful. The garden is simply magical. The love and attention that has gone into the space here means the children get so much joy from it. The curriculum planning is second to none. I am blown away by how much my daughter learns. She has great fun and has developed strong relationships. It is the best!

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Review from A P (Father of Child) published on 28 May 2024 Submitted via Website
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An incredible nursery. Feels like it has the warmth and love of a childminders but with the professionalism and development of a nursery school. When my daughter leaves it is going to be a very sad day.

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Review from V B (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
Absolutely professional team with a careful approach to the child and his peculiarities in the educational process.

I feel lucky that my child and we have the opportunity to be part of The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School community.

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Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (4)

Meet the Team (7)

Janet Irwin Job Title: Headteacher and Founder Joined: 1985
Janet Irwin

Janet qualified as a teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge, studied psychology at London University and has been teaching, and offering support and advice to parents ever since. Janet opened The Acorns in 1985 and still enjoys a hands-on role. She was awarded her Early Years Professional Status and MA in education from Brighton University.

Janet has a TEFL Certificate, a qualification for teaching English as a foreign language. She also holds certificates for Paediatric First Aid and Food and Hygiene. She has recently gained a Level 3 qualification in Forest School Leadership.

Janet has a passion for teaching and also for languages. Speaking fluent French, Janet is working on a language project for children. She is the author of the 'At Home with French' and 'At Home with Spanish' activity books for children published by Oxford University Press and also the 'Minilingo' range of audio products.

Christina Franks Job Title: Lindfield Manager Joined: 2014
Christina Franks

Christina Franks is in charge of our Lindfield nursery. She has a Higher National Certificate in Childcare and Early Years Education alongside an NNEB qualification. She also has a diploma in leadership and management.

Christina has a natural empathy with young children and has worked at the Acorns for many years, continuing to establish positive relationships with all our parents.

Sophie Mundy Job Title: Administrator Joined: 2022
Sophie Mundy

Sophie joined our team in October 2022 to take over the role of Nursery Administrator.

She has worked in admin for many years and brings her skill set to update and simplify our systems. She currently works three days a week.

Sophie also spends time working alongside the children at Acorns 59.

Natalie Drake Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024
Natalie Drake

Natalie joined our team in February 2024.

Natalie works at Acorns 59.

She has a level 2 in childcare. She is an experienced practitioner who loves doing arts and crafts with the children.

Natalie plays an active role in planning activities for the children each week alongside Mrs Franks.

Gaye Neve Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2023
Gaye Neve

Gaye joined us in 2023. She is a very experienced practitioner who has worked with children for over 30 years.

Mrs Neve works in both of our settings after retiring from her role as a teaching assistant in a local school. She offers supply cover.

Naomi Njie Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024
Naomi Njie
Naomi joined our team in November 2024. She has previous experience in other nurseries.
She is very good with the children and enjoys doing arts and crafts with them alongside free play.

Naomi has a level 2 qualification.

Joanne Creasey Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025
Joanne Creasey
Jo joined The Acorns in December 2025. She has a wealth of experience from previous nurseries.
Jo enjoys doing freeplay with the children, reading them stories and setting up role play.

She has a level 3 qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane)

What is the Age Range of Children that The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) accepts?

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) accepts Children aged from 2 years 0 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) Open?

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) have capacity for?

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has capacity for a total of 21 Children.

How far is The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) to the centre of Haywards Heath?

1.1 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has an Enhanced Service - more info.