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Children 1st Acorns Nursery School

Draycott Road, Upper Tean, Stoke-on-Trent ST10 4JJ
Children 1st Acorns Nursery School Logo
Children 1st Acorns Nursery School logo
Children 1st Acorns Nursery School, Stoke-on-Trent
Children 1st Acorns Nursery School, Stoke-on-Trent
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...  

Funding & Fees

From April 2026
Business Days (8:00am to 6:00pm) from £74.00

We also offer Morning and Afternoon Sessions

We want to make life simple, so our fees include infant formula, milk, freshly prepared snacks, and meals. We also provide nappies, wipes, and sun cream, or parents can bring their own if they prefer

Contact Children 1st Acorns Nursery School to get a personalised quote:

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery

Opening Schedule

Open all year

Full days available

Yes

Half day sessions offered

Yes

Group/Owner

Person in charge

  • Jessica Heasman (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 34

Total Places for Children

  • 140

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 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

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Children 1st Acorns Nursery School Reviews (132)

8.5

Children 1st Acorns Nursery School has a Review Score of 8.5 (8.512) out of 10, based on 5 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Children 1st Acorns Nursery School has 132 reviews.

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Review from Stevie (Mother of Child) published on 25 May 2017 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience

All the staff are fantastic. This is the second time I have used this nursery and the care is always outstanding. Amazing setting, beautiful location. From the food menus to the activities, everything is first class. Very happy children so very happy parents.

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Review from Lorraine N (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2017 Submitted via Website
Overall Experience
As a first time mum, I was nervous that my little boy would be starting nursery part time. My husband and I visited and knew I wanted to send my little boy here.
Such a nice homely environment, great facilities with lots of opportunities to learn and play.
Location is excellent with a nice countryside feel, with the opportunity to play and sleep outside.
Everyone who I have contact with at the nursery are amazing. Very supportive, understanding, and caring.
Staff are so welcoming to him every morning. I feel so happy to leave him in the amazing care of his key worker and everyone else who works in his room.
On collection he is always playing, having cuddles with the nursery nurses, and exploring - He loves being at nursery which is so important to me.
Great feedback channels; daily diary, notifications of new pictures and videos from EYLog. Lovely handover in the evening chatting to his keyworker or the other nursery nurses - nice touch.

I highly recommend this nursery to anyone.

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Review from Natalie E (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

We started at the nursery in January 2017 and have had a positive experience so far. The staff have always been very polite and helpful and have made us very welcome and at ease when leaving our daughter. We have loved seeing the photos and videos posted on the EY Log. Our daughter is obviously very happy and content when she is there. I would highly recommend the nursery to friends and family.

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Review from Gemma H (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2017 Submitted via Postal Card
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience
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
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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
Overall Experience
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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience
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
Overall Experience

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
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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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
Overall Experience

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
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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
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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
Overall Experience
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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Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (7)

  • Recipient: StoralDate: Tuesday 31 Mar 2026
  • Recipient: StoralDate: Friday 28 Apr 2023
  • Recipient: StoralDate: Friday 29 Apr 2022

Meet the Team (1)

Dawn McCusker Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2006
Dawn McCusker

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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