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- The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane)







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.
Type of Service
- Nursery School
Opening Schedule
Open term timeAttendance patterns offered
Term Time
Minimum attendance
- 2 days per week
Full days available
YesHalf day sessions offered
YesGroup / Owner
- The Acorns Nursery & Forest School
- Private Owned
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
Meals Provided
YesMeal Types Provided
Dinner / Tea, Lunch, Snacks
Consumables provided
NoOpening Times
- Monday08:29-15:30
- Tuesday08:29-15:30
- Wednesday08:29-15:30
- Thursday08:29-15:30
- Friday08:29-15:30
When Closed
- School Holidays
Funding & Fees
Typical monthly cost for a 3-days place
£375/ month
Registration Fee charged at £60 non-refundable
Registration Fee charged at £60 non-refundable
Deposit £200 refundable on final invoice
Withdrawal of child: A minimum of one term’s notice required or payment for the following term minus the deposit is required.
Invoices are created termly, payment plans can be arranged if requested.
30 Hour Funding is applied 8.29am-2.30pm
15 Hour funding is applied 12pm-3pm
Calculated from data given to us by this nursery. Your final quote may vary slightly.
Averaged monthly figure. Actual billing varies; some nurseries bill weekly or by use.Defaults shown
9 months to 2 years • 3-days • 30 hours funding • term time
How this price scales (per month)
2 days per week
£250
3 days per week
£375
5 days per week
£626
Adjust for your situation
What this price covers
- Standard chargeable day 8:29am to 3:30pm (7 hours)
- 18 funded hours used per week. Remaining hours charged privately.
- Included in this price: Dinner / Tea, Lunch and Snacks
- You may need to provide everyday consumables, such as nappies, wipes and sun cream
Price without government funding: £1,133 / month (£119 / day)
If you're not eligible or haven't claimed funded hours.More info
- £758/month more than the funded price.
- This is what you'd pay if your child is under 9 months, or if you're not eligible for or haven't claimed funded hours.
About this price
How funding is applied, how the monthly figure is calculated.More info
- Working parents of children aged 9 months to 2 years can usually claim up to 30 funded hours a week. The working-parent hours depend on each parent meeting the minimum earnings rules and earning under £100,000 a year. This nursery applies funded hours during term time only. You've selected 30 funded hours.
- This nursery applies up to 6 funded hours per day, used only during term time. With your selected funding, 18 hours are covered each week. Hours beyond this, including the early and late parts of the day, are charged at the standard rate.
- We work out the total cost across the year and divide by 12, so the figure shown is a smoothed monthly average. In practice, nurseries bill in different ways. Some bill monthly at this average. Others bill weekly, or charge for what happened that week or month, which can vary across the year. Confirm billing details with the nursery when you enquire.
Contact The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) to get a personalised quote:
The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) Reviews (9)
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 9 reviews.
This nursery is very efficient, and seems well organised, everything has a place. If my children get wet clothes they always bag them up separately and place on top of their rucksack. My children always run into nursery each morning which just shows how much they are excited to attend each day....
This nursery is very efficient, and seems well organised, everything has a place. If my children get wet clothes they always bag them up separately and place on top of their rucksack. My children always run into nursery each morning which just shows how much they are excited to attend each day. They also come home with good stories and tell me useful general knowledge that they have Learnt that day. The staff are well liked and I can tell they enjoy looking after my children as if they were their own. I can tell nappies are changed when needed and my youngest hasn't been neglected when a change is needed. I couldn't recommend Acorns highly enough.
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...
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
My son adores going and...
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!
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...
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.
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...
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.
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...
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!
All the staff are caring and attentive. They are aware of the children’s individual...
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.
Child Vacancies
Please contact us for latest vacancies.
News (0) & Events (0)
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There are no upcoming events for The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane).
Awards / Recognitions (3)
- 29 Apr 2022Recipient: The Acorns Nursery & Forest School
- 28 May 2021Recipient: The Acorns Nursery & Forest School
- 01 Mar 2016Recipient: The Acorns Nursery & Forest School
Accreditations
There are no accreditations posted yet for The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane).
Meet the Team (6)

Janet qualified as a teacher at Homerton College, Cambridge, studied psychology at London University and has been teaching, and offering support and...
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 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...
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.

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.

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.

Caroline has a level 3 qualification in Early Years. She has extensive SENCO knowledge, which she has developed through her many years in early years.
Caroline enjoys reading stories with the children and creating nutritious lunches for them.

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...
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane)
How much does The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) cost?
Typical fees at The Acorns Nursery & Forest School (25 Denmans Lane) are £119 / day (without govt. funding), calculated from data given to us by the nursery. Your final quote may vary.
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 -what an Enhanced Service includes.