The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane)

25 Denmans Lane, Lindfield, Haywards Heath RH16 2LA
Review Us
8.5 8 Reviews
  • The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane), Haywards Heath
The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) has a team of qualified, caring staff who take time to get to know the interests of every single child.

Children have fun with staff in an environment that fosters a strong sense of curiosity and self-worth.

They have the freedom to be creative in music, art and imaginative play.

They develop a strong connection to their peers and the natural world as well as having fun while developing a lifelong love of learning.
Show The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) on the Map

Funding & Fees

Contact The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) to get a personalised quote.

Contact The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Janet Irwin (Owner)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 8

Total Places for Children

  • 28

Age Range

  • from 1 years 6 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:29-15:30
    Tuesday 08:29-15:30
    Wednesday 08:29-15:30
    Thursday 08:29-15:30
    Friday 08:29-15:30

When Closed

  • School Holidays

The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) Reviews (8)

8.5

The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) has a Review Score of 8.5 (8.482) out of 10, based on 2 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) has 8 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 8
  • 0
  • 0
  • 2
  • 6
Reviewer Connection to The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane)
  • 8
Total of 8, showing 1-8
Review from B P (Mother of Child) published on 20 December 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
They have such a positive and personable ethos. My child enjoys every hour she spends there. She comes home talking about her day and is speeding along through her milestones. She is an only child so I was concerned about her lack of communication with her peers. She has found so many friends and talks
about them outside of the nursery. My child is displaying positive behaviours which are supported by everyone around her. The staff ask termly for targets to work with and she has hit every one of them. My child is showing clear understanding of phonics after such a small amount of time and such a young age, thanks to the nursery. The large book has helped myself and my husband support her through her learning. My child eats a range of healthy foods and is closely monitored for her behaviour with others and this is modelled by the staff there. This is by far the best nursery locally, it hits all my criteria, which was a very extensive list!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from K L (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has been fantastic, the staff are experienced and engaged with the children and have helped our daughter settle in. The days are structured well and a lot of thought and effort goes into looking after the children and providing them with fun activities and food.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Victoria V (Mother of Child) published on 5 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have 2 little boys that go to The Acorns Nursery and they love it. The staff are so caring and consistent. The children go out on walks to the woods when they can and there are lots of activities to do indoors too. My boys are very happy to leave me behind and go straight in to play.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Ella C (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Acorns Nursery & Forest School is a wonderful nursery the staff are amazing and care so much about the children. They know them individually and help them to develop and thrive. Following their lead to help them learn about themselves, peers and the world around them.
My son adores going and says
‘it feels like home there’. He’s always so excited to go and see what fun things there are in store for the day and very importantly what yummy snacks and lunch there is!
The reading scheme is great for him starting school in September too!
He is always full of stories of his day and the wonderful trips out they do to the park or local community, or what colour homemade play dough they made today!
It is the most fantastic setting equipped with everything the children could need to nurture their creativity and independence, but most importantly it is the most loving home from home you could hope for thanks to the dedication and love of the staff.
We are going to be so sad to have to leave at the end of the summer term!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from A F (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son was one of the first 18mo to join The Acorns Nursery & Forest School, and we are absolutely thrilled with the care he receives. He settled in immediately; eating, sleeping, and taking part in activities from the get-go. He comes home tired and happy! Staff are professional, approachable and warm.
Communication is superb; with regular emails, opportunities for face-to-face meetings and a WhatsApp group for notices. A huge amount of thought and planning goes into the education that the children receive, in line with EYFS, and this is communicated with parents so that learning can be supported from home too. I could go on but in short, we feel incredibly lucky to have such a wonderful nursery on our doorstep. ‘Good’ for ‘facilities/outside space’ is purely due to a smaller outdoor area than some nurseries and lack of on-site parking, but there is on-road and a small public car park very close by (I have never had an issue), and I know the children make the most of the garden and go out on walks regularly.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Bianka H (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience with the nursery is amazing so far.
My daughter started in the setting when she was 20 months and she was so well supported in every way in her settling in process. I could see that she quickly started to form a really strong bond with her key person.
The staff is really dedicated
and tuned in with each child's personal needs let it be more reassurance, more cuddles offered if they need it. The activities and things they do and learn about is really diverse and delivered in a fun way. I love to see the photos of her and the artworks they make and she takes home.
My daughter is bilingual, I can really see how much the staff cares about understanding her when she speaks the language we use at home.
The setting has a relatively small garden, however I must add the staff makes all the effort to take children out for walks and exploring the village which my daughter loves.
Overall I couldn't be happier with her belonging to the Acorns family.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Sammy J (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Acorns Nursery has been an absolute haven for our little boy. He has been integrated beautifully by the experienced staff and is thriving. The staff are personally invested in all the children and it really feels like a home away from home. I am so glad we found the Acorns and couldn't recommend
them highly enough!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from H S (Mother of Child) published on 1 June 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A wonderful nursery where my son has blossomed. Lots of activities for the children to do. They regularly go on trips around Lindfield village - they recently helped tidy the flower garden at the local GP surgery!
All the staff are caring and attentive. They are aware of the children’s individual
needs. My son is slightly behind with his speech and his teachers regularly help him with his sounds.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 8.5 (8.482)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 8.5 (8.482) out of 10 for The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 2 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 3.5 out of 5 from 2 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 5.000 for The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) is calculated as follows: ( (23 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 23 Ratings = 5
  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 3.482 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) is based on 2 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 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 = 3.125
    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 28 number of registered child places is 5.6. 2 Positive Reviews ÷ 5.6 = 0.357
  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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (3)

Meet the Team (5)

Janet

Janet Irwin

Job Title: Headteacher and Co-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.

Caroline

Caroline Finney

Job Title: Lead Practitioner Joined: 2023

Caroline joined our team in 2023 and works in our 25 Denmans Lane Setting.


She is a very experienced practitioner who has a Degree in Early Years Education and has gained Early Years Professional Status.


Caroline worked at another nursery locally but took some time out to enjoy family life with her young children.


She brings a wealth of knowledge and ideas to The Acorns.

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.

Naomi

Naomi Njie

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2024

Naomi joined our team in November 2024. She has previous experience in other nurseries. Naomi enjoys doing arts and crafts with the children and playing. Naomi has a Level 2 qualification.

Joanne

Joanne Creasey

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2025

Jo started at the Acorns in Dec 2025. She has previous experience of many years in other nurseries. Jo enjoys spending time outside with the children and also likes setting up activities and role play for them. She has a level 3 qualification.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane)

What is the Age Range of Children that The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) accepts?

The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) accepts Children aged from 1 year 6 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) Open?

The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) is open: Monday 08:29-15:30, Tuesday 08:29-15:30, Wednesday 08:29-15:30, Thursday 08:29-15:30, Friday 08:29-15:30.

How many Children does The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) have capacity for?

The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) has capacity for a total of 28 Children.

How far is The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) to the centre of Haywards Heath?

1.2 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 & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) has an Enhanced Service - more info.