Children 1st Acorns Nursery School

Draycott Road, Upper Tean, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4JJ
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10 129 Reviews
  • Children 1st Acorns Nursery School, Stoke-on-Trent
Children 1st Acorns Nursery School is rated 'Outstanding in All Areas' by Ofsted (November 2019) and is situated within picturesque countryside and is easily accessible from the A50. The nursery has been refurbished to offer spacious, age-appropriate rooms for babies, toddlers and pre-school children. The outside space has been transformed to provide a range of outdoor learning environments for children to enjoy.

A friendly and enthusiastic team of staff are fully trained and experienced to provide a rich and stimulating learning environment for the children to learn, explore and play in. The ratio of staff to children is high to ensure each child receives the maximum level of support and care.

The nursery features a large garden designed to maximise the potential for outdoor play in all weather conditions, with carefully chosen, age-specific equipment. The staff encourage the children to choose their own activities both indoors and outdoors to support independent learning.

The nursery operates an open door policy and welcomes parents to share information about their child on a daily basis.

An 'out of school' care facility is also available for children aged between five and twelve years. Funded places are available for eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds.
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Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Dawn McCusker (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 34

Total Places for Children

  • 140

Age Range

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

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 & Christmas

Children 1st Acorns Nursery School Reviews (129)

10

Children 1st Acorns Nursery School has a Review Score of 10 (9.960) out of 10, based on 31 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Children 1st Acorns Nursery School has 129 reviews.

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Review from Gemma H (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorns is a fantastic setting providing a warm and friendly learning environment. The facilities are wonderful with an outdoor learning environment second to none. Staff at the nursery go above and beyond to meet children's needs and help parents in any way they can. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend
Acorns to anyone.
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Review from Carly P (Mother of Child) published on 2 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
As a very anxious parent, I called into the nursery unannounced and we couldn't have received a warmer welcome from the manager. She was so informative and empathetic towards me as an emotional mum who was contemplating leaving her son for the first time. Since joining in September 2016, my little boy
has not only flourished within this ability to socialise with children but his also independence. I am 100% confident that he enjoys nursery as he talks about the staff in our home environment, namely when he is being praised by us; which reassures me they pay close attention and praise him for his work or during activities. Not only do they look after the most precious person in my life, they also look after me as a parent, they understand my anxieties about leaving him and always, always go out of their way to reassure and maintain my confidence in their ability to care for him. Thank you to everyone at the nursery especially the manager and the nursery nurses in the Peter Rabbit room.
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Review from Mel B (Mother of Child) published on 2 March 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son attended nursery from the age of 9 months old and from that day I never had any concerns and I can not praise the nursery enough! My son was loved, nurtured and cared for in the best possible way. My son is now 5 years old and attends school and started there with confidence and had the ability
to form friendships as he went without any of his friends from nursery, however every holiday, even when he does not need to he asks to come back to Acorns so he can see his old friends and "the ladies" especially his old key worker from the Jeremy Fisher room. All of the staff welcome us back every holiday with great enthusiasm and are really pleased to see us.
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Review from Simon (Father of Child) published on 27 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
100% safe, friendly etc.


Our daughter has attended before and after school clubs for several years after moving to Acorn's from a different local provider. There is nothing important to criticise the nursery, very small thing is parking, but even this is better than many locations as there is at

least turning space and room for 5-6 cars at one time.


We would highly recommend acorns without hesitation.

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Review from K M (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have always been very happy with my child being at Acorns.
The staff are excellent and it's a very happy homely environment. As my child attends the aftercare, he gets collected from school. The staff are always on top of everything and it's nice to know they are so in tune with each individual
child, knowing if they had a good or not so good day at school.
One thing I would suggest and this is minor is getting the older kids to have something small to eat when food is offered. Other than that I am extremely happy and I always feel at ease that my child has the best care. Thank you.
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Review from Cathy B (Mother of Child) published on 27 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Could not possibly fault the service for our boys. They have settled extremely well and love every minute of being in nursery. We are very grateful to all members of staff for looking after them so well.
Thank you.
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Review from Caroline C (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
My son has been going to Acorns since he was 18 months old and he very much feels part of the family at the nursery.
They take care of him and treat him as an individual which is what I like about Acorns.
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Review from Alaine D (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We love Acorns. The staff are so friendly and approachable. There is always something going on and the free flow from outside to inside is amazing. The space that the children have to play in is fantastic and it is a very warm inviting atmosphere.
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Review from Karl M (Father of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I honestly cannot recommend this nursery and its staff more. It is awesome. Great outdoor space, specialist rooms from baby, toddler and preschool. The staff are focused on your child as an individual through their journey. Feedback is via books in the early years then by observation via an EYLog app.
Throughout, the staff demonstrate an interest in your child and have a genuine love and focus on their growth and development. I feel so fortunate to have discovered this nursery (after a long search).
Quarterly learning objectives, regular scheduled meetings and daily updates are detailed and enable your child to be supported and improve.
There is a plan for teaching and worldly awareness, great outdoor space, wonderful staff focused on your child with key workers and a supportive, nurturing atmosphere.
So highly recommended.
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Review from Colin B (Grandfather of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent staff very friendly and helpful, they are very patient with the children. Our baby grandchild as been at this nursery from six months old and the progress she as made as been excellent. The only thing I will say is that video clips do not work very well on eyLog. Also, it would put the icing
on the cake if we could print the photographs that they take at the nursery.
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Review from K B (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent day care provider. All staff are well trained, kind, professional and approachable. No request is to much bother, whether I wish to change my days or look at my son's progress. Very accommodating. Both my boys have loved attending Acorns.
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Review from Liz H (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wonderful nursery with lots of space inside and outside. Happy friendly staff, who come up with great activities for my little girl. Since she has come to this nursery it's surprised me how much she's learnt and what she has accomplished. She's always happy to go.
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Review from Charlotte (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy loves his nursery. He always comes homes with a story to tell about the exciting things he has done.


The staff have been fantastic with him from baby room to pre-school. Everyone here is always helpful and happy!


I would highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from Janet M (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Have used Acorns for nearly 3 years and absolutely love it. So kind, friendly and helpful, highly recommend. My little girl's birthday is at the end of August and I think it's mostly down to Acorns that she will be ready.
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Review from Kirsty (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Lovely nursery. All staff friendly and approachable. My little boy has grown to enjoy spending time here, even if it's only for a couple of half days a week. He always seems to come home having learnt something new. A very happy environment when I come to pick him up :)
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Review from Emily E (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would definitely recommend this nursery to anyone, it's outstanding. The staff are superb and help the children so much. My daughter absolutely loves going to the nursery and always has.
They involve all the children in every activity and encourage them all the time to do their best.
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Review from Kate (Mother of Child) published on 23 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All staff are attentive and very friendly. I feel confident my child is looked after well and couldn't be happier with the support and development provided for my child. All staff ensure they get to know you and your children and provide a welcoming environment.
All development is monitored and reported
and I enjoy the daily/weekly updates provided both verbally and electronically. One extremely satisfied parent and I would be more than happy to recommend all aspects of this nursery to any parent.
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Review from Samantha W (Aunt of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My niece loves attending this nursery. She talks about all of the lovely staff and the wonderful things she has been doing at nursery at home. The staff are extremely welcoming and are always happy to help. The food smells delicious upon arrival and the nursery is always kept very clean.
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Review from Christopher H (Father of Child) published on 21 February 2017 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I'm very pleased with my daughter's nursery. The staff are welcoming and friendly, the baby room is a good environment to learn and play and communication to home is usually good with the nursery diary. I especially enjoy her photos on the eylog parent app and bringing home things that she makes whilst
at the nursery. Most importantly she always seems to enjoy being there which is the main thing. The only complaint I can make in about a year of her going is a few errors or incorrect entries in the nursery diary which were fairly easily resolved, but frustrating at the time. Lastly, as we're a vegetarian family, the nursery offered to and regularly makes a veggie version of meals for her which is a nice touch. I'd choose this nursery over others in the local area having tried them with older children.
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Review from Rebecca S (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2017 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is my first child and I am extremely precious after a traumatic birth, so, I was very nervous about leaving him at a Nursery. But I needn't have worried! All the staff are so friendly and attentive, nothing is too much trouble. He always comes home with a smile on his face and never ever cries
when I have to leave him there. If he needs something they attend to him like it is their pleasure to do so. I am always kept in the loop with his progress.


The biggest praise has to go to his key worker. Where do I start? She is the most kind-hearted, caring person I've ever met. She treats my son exactly as I do and to see that makes me feel so at ease. My son absolutely adores his key worker and she has done wonders for him. I never ever worry when he is with her, I know that she is giving him all the love and cuddles he needs and all the stimulation that he could ever want. I also want to say thank you for all the lovely things you make with my son, I've kept all of them, they mean so much.

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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.960)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.960) out of 10 for Children 1st Acorns Nursery School 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 31 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 31 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 4.960 for Children 1st Acorns Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (356 Excellents x 5) + (15 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 371 Ratings = 4.96
  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 Children 1st Acorns Nursery School is based on 31 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 140 number of registered child places is 28, which has been reached with 31 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

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Awards / Recognitions (6)

Meet the Team (1)

Dawn

Dawn McCusker

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2006

Let me introduce myself, I am Dawn McCusker, Nursery Manager at Children 1st @ Upper Tean, Acorns. I started my career way back in 1993 after gaining my NNEB qualification at Stoke on Trent College. Over the years, I have gained a great deal of experience working within the Early Years sector. I also hold a NVQ Level 4 in Nursery Management and have successfully held my position as Nursery Manager since 2006.


Together, Children 1st and myself have a clear vision for the future in raising the standards for all children. I have high expectations in driving the Children 1st ethos forward, ‘Leading the way, shaping the future’ and our dedicated team are embracing the fantastic new journey that lies ahead. Here at Children 1st @ Upper Tean Acorn’s we have built good relationships with parents and the local community, where our friendly yet professional approach has always achieved success.


I consider that every child is important and that they should all receive the very best care and education available – providing fun and engaging activities for learning through play. I believe that I have the drive and vision to contribute to making a difference in this wonderful Early Years setting, providing the highest quality care, so children can reach their full potential. I feel that the dedicated, hardworking, team ethos at Children 1st would provide the perfect setting for your little one(s).

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