The Early Years Academy Stone

Meaford, Stone ST15 0PX
Review Us
9.4 9 Reviews
  • The Early Years Academy Stone, Stone
The Early Years Academy Stone offers a thoughtfully curated environment where every child is nurtured, inspired, and genuinely cared for. Situated in a welcoming community setting, the Stone nursery provides a calm and engaging atmosphere, designed to feel like a home from home. From the baby room through to preschool, each space is intentionally created to spark curiosity, encourage independence, and foster secure emotional connections.

At the heart of this setting is a team of experienced and passionate educators who understand the unique journey of early childhood. The curriculum is guided by a play-based, child-centred approach inspired by Steiner and blended with modern early years practices. Children enjoy a wide range of enriching experiences including outdoor exploration through the Forest School Academy, hands-on sessions in the Baking Academy, and opportunities for real-world connection via the Intergenerational Academy.

Parents value the open communication, flexible booking patterns, and unlimited settling-in sessions which help children and families feel immediately at ease. Whether a child is taking their first steps into nursery life or preparing for school, The Early Years Academy Stone ensures they are met with warmth, expertise, and endless opportunities to thrive.
Show The Early Years Academy Stone on the Map

Funding & Fees

All information regarding our fees, funding options, and eligibility for government-supported childcare is detailed on our website: www.theearlyyearsacademy.co.uk

All information regarding our fees, funding options, and eligibility for government-supported childcare is detailed on our website: www.theearlyyearsacademy.co.uk

Contact The Early Years Academy Stone to get a personalised quote.

Contact The Early Years Academy Stone to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Lauren Francis-Hassall (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 25

Total Places for Children

  • 62

Age Range

  • from 0 years 1 months
  • to 5 years

Opening Times

  • Monday 07:00-18:00
    Tuesday 07:00-18:00
    Wednesday 07:00-18:00
    Thursday 07:00-18:00
    Friday 07:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & 1 week at Christmas

The Early Years Academy Stone Reviews (9)

9.4

The Early Years Academy Stone has a Review Score of 9.4 (9.380) out of 10, based on 9 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time The Early Years Academy Stone has 9 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 9
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 9
  • 0
Reviewer Connection to The Early Years Academy Stone
  • 8
  • 1
Total of 9, showing 1-9
Review from H B (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since starting at this nursery, my daughter has truly thrived. The staff are amazing, and it's reassuring every day knowing she's in such good hands. She has shown noticeable progress in her speech, confidence, and social skills, and she comes home happy and excited every day.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Letitia J (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Early Years Nursery has been AMAZING for my daughter and son! The staff go above and beyond for the children. They respond with enquiries very quickly. I cant Thank the staff enough as my daughter always comes home telling me about her brilliant day and with a fresh Elsa Plait in her hair. My Son
has gone from crying going in to now giggling with laughter when I drop him off. Very Thankful and will be very sad when we have to leave.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from A T (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My twin girls have been attending this nursery for a few months now, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing. The staff are consistently warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. It's clear that everyone there is passionate about what they do, and it shows in the way they interact with the
children.
The girls have settled in, and it's been wonderful to see how confident they are. The environment is nurturing, well-organised, and full of fun and learning opportunities. Communication is always excellent, and I feel fully informed and reassured about their day-to-day experiences.
I'm incredibly grateful for the level of care and dedication shown by the whole team. Knowing my girls are safe, supported, and enjoying themselves gives me so much peace of mind.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jessica S (Mother of Child) published on 22 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The best nursery in Stone! I couldn't recommend this place enough. My son, Freddie, has been looked after by the amazing staff at EYA since September 2024. He has flourished, grown & learnt so much in the last year. The girls who work in each room are absolute angels and are a credit to him.
His development
and speech has come on so much since being in the pre school room.
I believe that they treat every child like their own.. you can see that they generally care for your child like you do.
Very happy with the nursery overall. Freddie is always clean, happy and well fed every single day.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Joe B (Father of Child) published on 19 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended The Early Years Academy since she was 8 months old and has transitioned through all of the rooms in her time there.
Each room has offered exceptional care and well though out activities to enhance her learning. Shes always loved going in in the morning, welcomed by caring and
dedicated staff. Seeing her build relationships with those members of staff and her peers has been lovely.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Sophia H (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had the most wonderful experience with our nursery, all of the staff throughout my son's time there have been incredible. They are all so caring and helpful and my son comes home happy and telling me all about his day and how much he loves his teachers and also the friends he has made there.
I genuinely feel so comfortable knowing he is so well taken care of and it has such a beautiful outdoor spa space where the children can play.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from H F (Mother of Child) published on 15 December 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
All three of my children have been through the nursery, although two left before it became the early years academy, and they have all had a wonderful time. My youngest child is still attending and has a good relationship with the staff, she seems to be thoroughly enjoying her time at nursery, and is
learning a lot too. We get good information sharing from staff at collection and also via the app which is excellent. The staff and manager are approachable and helpful, and genuinely care about making sure the children thrive in their care! They have just updated the menu which sounds healthy and delicious, are doing additional training to support staff to deliver proper forest school sessions and are helping kids enjoy being outside with allotments as well.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from B B (Mother of Child) published on 24 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The Early Years Academy has been absolutely wonderful for my son. He has been attending since he was 8 months old, and the progress he has made is incredible. The staff are caring, patient, and genuinely invested in every child's development. They create such a warm and nurturing environment. I've seen
improvements in his social skills, confidence, and overall growth. The activities are well thought out, engaging, and age-appropriate, and the communication with parents is excellent. I always feel reassured knowing he's in such safe and capable hands.
I'm truly grateful for everything the Early Years Academy has done for our family. Highly recommended!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from N J (Mother of Child) published on 15 October 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Such a lovely nursery, I have only got good things to say about it. My child has been going from 10 months old and it's been a positive experience from the beginning. I feel my child is very safe and well looked after and they love going each day. The staff are lovely, so helpful and friendly. My child
has learnt so much there, from the alphabet to numbers, it's been amazing seeing the progress. Thank you to all of you for everything you do.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 9.4 (9.380)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.4 (9.380) out of 10 for The Early Years Academy Stone 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 9 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.4 out of 5 from 9 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 4.954 for The Early Years Academy Stone is calculated as follows: ( (104 Excellents x 5) + (3 Goods x 4) + (1 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 108 Ratings = 4.954
  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 4.426 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for The Early Years Academy Stone is based on 9 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 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 = 3.7
    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 62 number of registered child places is 12.4. 9 Positive Reviews ÷ 12.4 = 0.726
  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 (0)

Meet the Team (1)

Lauren

Lauren Francis-Hassall

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Lauren brings a calm, confident leadership style to The Early Years Academy Stone, underpinned by a deep passion for early childhood education. With years of hands-on experience and a thorough understanding of child development, Lauren leads her team with both professionalism and warmth, ensuring that every child in her care feels safe, seen, and supported.


Known for her approachable nature and meticulous attention to detail, Lauren takes great pride in creating a nurturing and well-organised environment where children can flourish. She works closely with families to build strong, trusting relationships and is committed to maintaining the highest standards in care, education, and safeguarding.


Under Lauren’s leadership, the nursery thrives as a calm, welcoming space filled with rich learning experiences. She champions the academy’s ethos of Belonging, Being and Becoming, ensuring every member of the team feels valued and that each child is given the time and space to grow in their own way. Whether supporting new parents through settling-in or guiding her team through curriculum planning, Lauren is a steady, reassuring presence who leads by example.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Early Years Academy Stone

What is the Age Range of Children that The Early Years Academy Stone accepts?

The Early Years Academy Stone accepts Children aged from 0 years 1 month to 5 years.

What Days & Hours is The Early Years Academy Stone Open?

The Early Years Academy Stone is open: Monday 07:00-18:00, Tuesday 07:00-18:00, Wednesday 07:00-18:00, Thursday 07:00-18:00, Friday 07:00-18:00.

How many Children does The Early Years Academy Stone have capacity for?

The Early Years Academy Stone has capacity for a total of 62 Children.

How far is The Early Years Academy Stone to the centre of Stone?

1.1 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 Early Years Academy Stone to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. The Early Years Academy Stone has an Enhanced Service - more info.