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

59 Denmans Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath RH16 2JN
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9.9 102 Reviews
  • 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.
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Type of Service

  • Nursery School
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

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

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 (102)

9.9

The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.941) out of 10, based on 17 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) has 102 reviews.

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Reviewer Connection to The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane)
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Total of 102, showing 61-80
Review from Georgina M (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Finding The Acorns Nursery was a true blessing when we moved to the area from London. The staff are kind, caring and passionate about what they do. I have watched my daughter settle in with ease and grow in confidence each week. With her knowledge and understanding constantly expanding through the time
and effort put in by the wonderful staff, I believe The Acorns is the perfect setting to equip my daughter for what lies ahead with school.
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Review from David (Father of Child) published on 13 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorns have been incredibly welcoming to our daughter, she really looks forward to going there to see the other children and staff on each day. The nursery is well organised and administrated, in a great setting, with friendly, extremely capable staff.
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Review from VictoriaT (Mother of Child) published on 13 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff team here are fantastic. During my daughter's settling in phase, I was made to feel welcome for several sessions and I witnessed the utmost caring and warm approach to the children in their care. They are highly experienced, professional and show genuine care for what they do. The environment
is a homely feel with a lovely garden space, but the most important reason for me to recommend this nursery is the wonderful staff team.
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Review from M S (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff knowledgeable and caring. They provide a wide array of opportunities for learning, and my daughter has learnt and developed so much in the past six months since she started at Acorns. She is very happy there and looks forward to going.
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Review from Samantha B (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Acorns team is amazing at providing a safe, caring environment for my daughter to learn and grow. I know that she will start school with all the tools she needs to make the transition as smooth as possible. Thank you so much for being so reliable.
Highly recommend this nursery.
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Review from Lis S (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son took to this nursery instantly and settled straight away. He looks forward to going each week which, for me, is the best review you can get. From my perspective, I’m confident I have left my child in an environment where he’ll flourish. The owner is a highly experienced educator and is passionate
about early years. This shines through into the setting. The staff engage deeply with the children and this is a key element for me. I’ve looked around nurseries where the staff are staring into space and the children are being ignored. Couldn’t recommend it more.
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Review from D D (Mother of Child) published on 7 February 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Acorns provides exceptional care in a forward-thinking context. I always feel my son is safe, secure and well looked after by the outstanding staff, and he loves the wide range of activities on offer.
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Review from Cecilia P (Mother of Child) published on 5 April 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery. I cannot say a single bad thing about The Acorns. The staff nurture the children to become happy, independent children who thrive. If you want the absolute best for your child then this is the nursery to choose.
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Review from Jace (Mother of Child) published on 26 June 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attended the Acorns at both Lindfield and at the Forest School and did Holiday Fun until he started school. He loved the school and the teachers, who were very supportive and caring, and enjoyed his experience very much. He was very happy to attend the school and every came back home with lots
of stories about what he had learned and experienced all the time.
In addition to learning, he built his confidence and social skills, which also improved his behaviour at home. Furthermore, the head teacher and her team identified early on potential learning difficulties and helped very much with specialised support. This was so useful that we continued private tuition with the head teacher even after he started school, twice a week. We highly recommend the Acorns!
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Review from Nicola B (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son loves his time at Acorns. The staff really care for him. I always feel I can ask the staff anything about his care and they make the time, and are well informed, to have a good conversation with me.
My son is learning great life skills and is clearly flourishing at Lindfield. I am very happy
that he attends Acorns.
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Review from Sarah M (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Acorns Nursery School is a unique place. Staff are incredibly welcoming and I fully trust that what they provide for my son is excellent. The outside space has been transformed into a beautiful stimulating environment where they children can explore, practise physical skills and be inquisitive.
The children are provided with a hot meal each day, cooked in the kitchen where the children then sit and are encouraged to serve each other. The skills that the children learn through doing this each day are superb.
A happy place with endless opportunities for children to explore and develop.
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Review from Alice M (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A lovely, warm setting that my children love. Great facilities in a home from home environment. From baking to pottery, my children come home laden with works of art that they have made. Can't recommend it enough.
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Review from Sue (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Friendly and homely environment. The staff are excellent with the child, they work hard to develop and encourage progress. My child loves going to nursery and I am so glad we made the move to The Acorns. Would definitely recommend.
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Review from Robyn B (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have found that my son has settled extremely well at The Acorns. He bounces into nursery without looking back and I know I can leave him without any worries.
I have already been surprised with how much he is learning. He talks really fondly about his teachers and the friends he has made.
Overall
I couldn't ask for more and am extremely happy.
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Review from Dorin B-S (Father of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boy runs in without looking back each morning. He then comes home covered in whatever they have been doing that day, food all over his face along with a massive smile. I know he's had a great morning playing, learning and eating and that's all that matters to me!
I couldn't be happier with The
Acorns.
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Review from Belinda S (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son absolutely adores his days attending The Acorns Nursery School Lindfield and I can see why. An absolutely amazing nursery school with attentive and caring staff. It's a real joy to be part of the Acorns family. We have specific dietary needs that are catered for and that is very important to
us. Our son always returns home telling us about a new activity he has done each day - I couldn't be happier.
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Review from Victoria TB (Mother of Child) published on 16 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
When we moved to this area and looked around the Acorns at Lindfield we couldn't believe our luck. It is very rare to find a passionate woman with a MBA in education running a nursery from her home with an equally passionate and caring team. My daughter loves arriving at this home from home to see the
staff and her friends. She always enjoys the varied wholesome activities, often using nature as a resource and the attention she receives. The menu is varied and I am told delicious! My daughter has a milk allergy and they always make sure they have an alternative meal, snacks and treats for her. I can't recommend it enough.
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Review from Anna F (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorns in Lindfield is a really wonderful nursery. It has excellent staff who are incredibly caring and really happy children. The nursery has a great ethos and prepares children really well for school, both in terms of learning but, at least as importantly, in terms of confidence and peer relationships.
Acorns is a very special place.
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Review from Lucy S (Mother of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter currently attends Acorns and loves it! We couldn't be happier with the care and nurturing she receives by the team, she talks all the time about her teachers and what she does at Nursery. My son also attended Acorns and he blossomed with confidence which was lovely, as he is a naturally
shy child. He went to big school fully prepared and the nursery certainly did an outstanding job.
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Review from Edward C (Father of Child) published on 15 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son absolutely loves being at Acorns - it's a great nursery with wonderful staff and surroundings. He bounds in every morning and loves telling us about his days when he gets home. There nursery has a great atmosphere and all the other children seem equally happy. There is also plenty of opportunity
to be outside which is a great plus.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.941)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.941) out of 10 for The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 17 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 4.941 for The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) is calculated as follows: ( (195 Excellents x 5) + (6 Goods x 4) + (3 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 204 Ratings = 4.941
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Acorns Nursery School & Forest School (59 Denmans Lane) is based on 17 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 21 number of registered child places is 4.2, which has been reached with 17 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (4)

Meet the Team (7)

Janet

Janet Irwin

Job Title: Headteacher and Founder Joined: 1985

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

Christina Franks

Job Title: Lindfield Manager Joined: 2014

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 has worked at the Acorns for many years and continues to establish positive relationships with all our parents.

Sophie

Sophie Mundy

Job Title: Administrator Joined: 2022

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.

Cristiane

Cristiane Robertson

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2023

Cristiane joined our team in November 2023.


Cristiane works in Acorns 59.


She is Brazilian and has a level 2 in childcare. She has a young son and is bilingual in English and Portuguese. She loves outdoor play and crafts.

Natalie

Natalie Drake

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

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

Gaye Neve

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2023

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.

Katy

Katy Danton

Job Title: Early Years Practitioner Joined: 2024

Katy joined our team in 2024. ? Katy has worked in both our settings but is currently working at Acorns 25


She is a level 3 practitioner with a wealth of knowledge.


?Katy enjoys spending time outside with the children.

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.