Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green)

Church Lane, Brafield-on-the-Green, Northampton NN7 1BA
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9.8 67 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green), Northampton
Acorn Day Nursery in Brafield-on-the-Green has an idyllic setting in a beautiful location, taking full advantage of its village setting. Formerly the primary school, the building has been extensively refurbished to provide light and spacious rooms; it is situated in a quiet location at the end of a quiet road next to the church. The nursery is small and homely, with max 45 places.

One of the nursery’s most attractive features, and extremely popular with the children, is the outside space and gardens, fully enclosed and secure for the children to enjoy.

The nursery's Ofsted inspection in March 2019 rated the nursery as Good in all areas. The experienced and well-qualified staff team are very warm and welcoming and look forward to showing prospective parents around the nursery.

The building itself was formerly the village primary school and, whilst retaining the character of the original architecture, it has been sympathetically refurbished to provide a warm and homely environment. The rooms provide light and spacious play areas, with a child-centred focus.

The team work closely with parents and carers to develop children’s interests and skills, ensuring each of them reaches their full potential.

A variety of imaginative and creative play activities can be enjoyed alongside regular outings and trips.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Stephanie Hornsby (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 18

Registered Charity Number

  • 1145108

Total Places for Children

  • 44

Age Range

  • from 0 years 4 months
  • to 4 years 11 months

Funding & Fees

  • Full time place from £1,490.00
    Full day from £75.50
    Morning session from £44.50
    Afternoon session from £40.50

  • Fees are inclusive of all meals, snacks, drinks (including approved formula milk), nappies and activities.
    We charge a registration deposit of £100, which is refunded against the first month’s fees. We don’t charge for settling in sessions, but we do expect payment for all nursery fees to be paid up front at the beginning of each month, which is standard practice for all childcare providers. We do not charge for bank holidays, our four training days each year, or for the three days closure between Christmas and New Year. We do, however, charge for the days children don’t attend through illness or holidays, apart from exceptional circumstances.
    Please view the prospectus on our website for a full fees guide.

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, Staff Training Days & between Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • Parking is available in the nursery car park, and also limited spaces are available within the Church car park

Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) Reviews (67)

9.8

Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.843) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) has 67 reviews.

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Total of 67, showing 21-40
Review from E B (Father of Child) published on 16 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
We've been extremely pleased with the quality of care for our <1yr old. He clearly thrives on the attention and loves the big outdoor space. A lovely nursery setting and very pleased to have found it. Also found them very flexible on timings and providing additional slots to suit us. Would recommend.
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Review from N B (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff at Brafield have been amazing at welcoming us. Our daughter has developed so much in the short time she has been at the nursery. We were worried about how she would get on having been very much a mummy's girl but she goes into nursery happily, she seems excited to be there and all the staff,
not just her key person, are so friendly and caring. No 2 days are the same, they always have new and exciting activities for the children as well as plenty of time outside in their amazing outdoor space. I highly recommend the nursery and all of the staff, especially in the Acorns room.
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Review from Joe O (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery in many aspects. Very caring staff with a great staff-to-child ratio. Lots of outdoor space for exploring. Lots of food options too. My child has picked up many skills since he started going.
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Review from Lois B (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child has been attending Acorn Day Nursery at Brafield for a year now, happily skipping in at breakfast and can’t wait for us to leave! Having a baby in lockdown meant that we were very anxious about starting nursery for our child and, at first, she inevitably struggled to settle. The key worker
and room staff were very understanding of our concerns when raised, going above and beyond to support our child in settling in. They took a notable effort to provide extra time and attention to support her and reassure us as parents. This made such a difference to our child’s experience and has ultimately made nursery the safe, enjoyable, and nurturing space for our child. Communication between the staff and parents has been brilliant and any questions or queries are answered quickly and professionally. The relationship my child has built with each individual staff member in her room and the other areas is so lovely to see, and reinforces the positive, learning, and caring environment they preach! Thank you Brafield!
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Review from Laura J (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I am so pleased with the care my daughter receives at Acorn Brafield. She has significant additional needs and the nursery have been beyond amazing at making sure she is included, they have ensured she has the one-to-one support she needs to help her development. Since she’s been back at nursery she
has thrived and this is all down to the attentiveness of the staff. Staff are always lovely and approachable. My daughter loves the outdoor play in this beautiful setting and having the freedom to choose what activities she wants to do. As parents we are very pleased with the daily feedback we receive, it’s very easy to communicate with staff members and it is clear to see that our daughter loves her time at nursery.
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Review from Lauren C (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience of Acorn at Brafield has been excellent. My daughter has had a great time attending there and the ladies that work there have been really kind and compassionate, with a very special mention to one member of staff in particular - my daughter is excited to see her every day and I feel happy
and confident that she will have a great time and be looked after well.
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Review from Emma F (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child loves the nursery, it’s a gorgeous setting, he loves going in and likes the free flow play as he loves being outside. The menu is really varied, I don’t think there is a dinner he won’t have seconds of! Staff are helpful and supportive with any changes. He has had two key workers since being
at Brafield and they have both been wonderful. I wouldn’t pick anywhere else.
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Review from Louise S (Mother of Child) published on 27 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter transferred from another nursery to Acorn in August 2021 and I couldn’t be happier that we made the move. She took a while to settle, as she is an emotional little one, but the staff have been fantastic, reassuring, and daily feedback has been invaluable. The outside setting is perfect for
those that enjoy the outdoors, so many activities for the children to get involved with, I love the free-flow element of this nursery. I would recommend the nursery to anyone.
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Review from Lily-Rose W (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started here this month and so far has loved it! She has settled really well and is getting fully stuck in. Her key person has been brilliant and really helped to support her when she's not 100% sure about things. I also love the daily update it's so nice seeing what they have been up to
and knowing they've had a great day.
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Review from S A (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The setting is idyllic with many exciting outdoor features that our twins are really enjoying. With amazing outdoor spaces including chickens, a climbing frame with a slide, a den area, and plenty of grass and outdoor toys, they spend most of their days outside, which they just love. The staff are extremely
friendly and caring, and genuinely seem interested in how the children progress. Updates via the app are fab and really welcome when you're feeling guilty about not spending every day with them. The setting offers a diverse range of food for the children to get used to trying, which our twins are taking some time to get used to, which is the only reason for the loss of a star here.
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Review from Mett L (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Previously I had nannies for my older children. We lost our nanny during covid and were unable to find a suitable replacement. A friend suggested Brafield as both her children had been very happy there. My son has been so happy there. He plays in the beautiful garden all day, all year, no matter what
the weather. He eats absolutely anything unlike my older kids. He loves his walks in the village and seeing all the animals. We couldn’t be happier with the care given. He’s an extremely confident child who’s always happy to attend.
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Review from Lucy P (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Having had a baby during the pandemic I was anxious to leave my daughter with anyone, especially people I didn't know, however, the team at Acorn have been welcoming, and approachable and allowed my daughter to settle happily into a new environment. Communication, in general, has been really positive
and I would recommend the nursery to other parents looking for somewhere to send their child.
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Review from Kayleigh T (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Staff are very attentive to the children. They are always engaging in new activities and the preferences of the child. Provide updates and photos each day and make us aware of any concerns. The garden area is fantastic and they have a large amount of equipment and facilities for the children to learn
and play.
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Review from Sarah A (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our experience with Acorns has been entirely positive. The staff are incredibly friendly, professional, and caring and our daughter has had a fantastic introduction to nursery. We feel confident that our daughter is experiencing varied and educational activities every day in a safe and fun environment.
The quality of food is fantastic and the level of care and attention the children receive is very high. We love that our daughter gets to spend lots of time outside and exploring the local area, and can tell that she loves her time at Acorns.
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Review from T H (Mother of Child) published on 26 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Since my daughter started at nursery in the summer of 2020, the staff and other children at Brafield couldn’t have been more welcoming. She has developed so much not only in her communication and understanding of her surroundings, but also socially - her consideration of other people and their feelings
is very clear to see and I believe this is due to the way she has learned about interacting with others at Brafield. The warm and caring environment of the nursery and its staff make it a very happy place for the children, as I witness every time I collect my daughter. I would highly recommend this nursery to anyone looking for a childcare setting.
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Review from Amanda C (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
As a very nervous first-time mum, Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) has been fantastic in looking after my daughter and keeping me updated on what she is up to in her day. There are numerous activities outdoors and indoors. My daughter's key worker is absolutely amazing and you can really see
how much she cares. I honestly cannot fault the place.
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Review from Claire T (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2022 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Very friendly and trustworthy staff. Give a personal feel and family-type atmosphere. Clear communication. My son is always happy here! Excellent customer service.
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Review from Kristina C (Mother of Child) published on 23 September 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn Day Nursery at Brafield-on-the-Green is the most wonderful setting to send your child to nursery. It’s just idyllic - between the backdrop, chickens, building and beautiful garden they have, it certainly has a lot to offer. The best part though, without a doubt, is the incredible staff that are
there. My daughter loves it so much and I have them to thank for that. I sometimes don’t know how I could ever thank them for taking such good care of her - whether that be with a morning cuddle if she’s feeling a bit hesitant or encouraging/supporting/playing all day long. They truly are a fantastic team and I am very grateful that this is where she has spent her nursery years.
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Review from Charmaine T (Mother of Child) published on 18 September 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has only been attending for a couple of weeks, but he’s settled so quickly thanks to the wonderful staff taking the time to get to know him and helping me to feel relaxed and reassured as a parent. Despite covid restrictions, he’s had a great start. The communication with the staff is
fantastic.
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Review from Ellie G (Mother of Child) published on 18 September 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We switched nurseries in January 2019 and our son has come on leaps and bounds in that time, which has been due to the amazing support and structure that the nursery manager and the team have been able to provide. There really is no comparison with the old nursery, Acorn Day Nursery at Brafield-on-the-Green
is in a different league. Our son loves the outdoors and enjoys helping with the chickens and the vegetable patch and playing with his friends in the huge garden. He missed nursery immensely during lockdown and so we had to build our own veggie patch and get chickens too! He returned in June full time and has excelled. All COVID-19 safety precautions are in place and all do the hand sanitizing as second nature. The staff and parents are all vigilant in these very strange times, but most important of all, the children are still having a fantastic time growing and learning in such a loving, supportive environment.
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Current Review Score: 9.8 (9.843)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.8 (9.843) out of 10 for Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.8 out of 5 from 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 16 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 4.843 for Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) is calculated as follows: ( (165 Excellents x 5) + (22 Goods x 4) + (4 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 191 Ratings = 4.843
  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 Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) is based on 16 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 44 number of registered child places is 8.8, which has been reached with 16 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

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (14)

Meet the Team (3)

Steph

Steph Hornsby

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2021

Nursery Manager - Stephanie has worked in childcare since 2006, starting as a volunteer, then a practitioner, moving up to a Deputy and finally a Manager.


Stephanie has worked at Brafield since 2021 and is the current Designated Safeguarding Lead alongside having a level 3 qualification in SEND and SENCo for the Nursery.
Prior to working in Childcare Stephanie ran her own business as a Complementary Therapist practising in Reiki, Indian Head Massage and Reflexology.

Caroline

Caroline Johnson

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2023

Deputy Manager - Caroline Johnson joined Acorn in 2023. Caroline has have worked with young children for over 30 years, having been a private nanny, working as a deputy in preschool nursery and the nursery class of a private school.

Vicky

Vicky Bowers

Job Title: Administrator Joined: 2021

Vicky - Administrator
Vicky previously worked as a Nursery Manager and has childcare qualifications, but after having her own children, moved into the administrative side of early years—a role that allows her to stay closely connected to the nursery environment she loves.


Vicky has a strong attention to detail, which helps her manage everything from funding and session planning to daily queries, often the first point of contact for families and always happy to help. Vicky enjoys the variety of her role and is proud to support a caring, well-organised setting where children can thrive in their natural environment

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Acorn Day Nursery (Brafield-on-the-Green) has an Enhanced Service - more info.