Little Acorns Pre-School

c/o Kennington Primary School, Kennington Road, Preston PR2 8ER
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9.9 46 Reviews
  • Little Acorns Pre-School, Preston
Little Acorns Pre-School Nursery is based on the outskirts of Fulwood, Preston in Lancashire and is a charity run setting that operates in the grounds of Kennington Primary school.

The setting has been operating for over 25 years and has a current Outstanding Ofsted rating (October 2024).

At Little Acorns children are engaged in a fun and supporting environment, where children learn through play, in a mixture of indoor and outdoor activities. All the staff are warm, friendly and truly care about children.

The setting provides strong links with parents and ensure parents feel valued, listened too and respected. Staff learn to know children well and provide regular reports and updates.
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Funding & Fees

We offer a range of Goverment funded sessions Monday to Friday
8.30 to 11.30
12.15 to 3.15
8.30 to 3.15.
Tue to Thursday 8.30 to 5.30
2 year olds £19.50 per session
3 year olds £16.00 per session
Extended session 8.30 to 3.15 £5.00

Contact Little Acorns Pre-School to get a personalised quote.

Contact Little Acorns Pre-School to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Nursery School
  • Open term time
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Owner

  • Little Acorns Pre-School
  • Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned

Person in Charge

  • Alison Shepherd (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 7

Registered Charity Number

  • 1136626

Total Places for Children

  • 36

Age Range

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

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-15:15
    Tuesday 08:00-17:30
    Wednesday 08:00-17:30
    Thursday 08:00-17:30
    Friday 08:00-15:15

When Closed

  • School Holidays

Little Acorns Pre-School Reviews (46)

9.9

Little Acorns Pre-School has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.869) out of 10, based on 16 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Little Acorns Pre-School has 46 reviews.

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Total of 46, showing 21-40
Review from Ella S (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
An absolutely lovely setting with amazing staff! They always are so good with my little one, couldn’t recommend enough.
My daughter loves coming here, when I pick her up she never wants to leave! Will be gutted when she leaves for reception.
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Review from Anmbar R (Mother of Child) published on 13 December 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child loves going to preschool! She has come on so much with her confidence since she started and loves telling us what she has gotten up to. The staff are amazing with her, the communication is great and I am content knowing she is learning and thriving all the time. Thank you Little Acorns!
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Review from Vickii L (Mother of Child) published on 13 November 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Little Acorns Preschool since April 2022, and she has come on so much from the little girl crying in the morning and not wanting to leave me to go in with a smile on her face every morning happy to see all her friends. She has gained so much confidence and always comes
home with a big smile on her face telling me about her day. Also love the fact that they update you on how your child is getting on and sending pictures of what she has been doing. Can't thank the management and all the team enough.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much. She is a lovely little girl and a pleasure to have in the setting.
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Review from Rani K (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great school. All staff are very helpful, very kind to my child.
My child comes home happy and with new words.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you, We are happy that she is happy when she comes home. It means so much to us.
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Review from N M (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The excellent team with an enthusiastic teacher who has helped my little girl to learn. The teachers are helpful and always welcome us, especially the kids with a smile which makes it easy for my daughter. I am really thankful for the help of the Little Acorns team she has developed new skills and we
are able to explore more. Thank you to the team for being the best for my child. Cheer up and hats off as we all know managing a child, especially a toddler is an appreciable and hard as well as an enjoyable one
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you for your lovely words. We are a team that loves all our families and children and enjoy working and playing with them.
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Review from V C (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
- Very good caring from the staffing side
- My son improved a lot in language
- Catching up with all letters and numbers
- Started sharing things with friends - which is good in for him
- Dealing with shoes and jacket himself
- Informing about everything which has happened in nursery by the staff
is a very
good method which reduces the parent's stress
- Information on what's going to happen like studies in prior to helping us to teach them at home
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for your kind words. We always try our best to support all our children and give them the best start in life.
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Review from Jibin A (Father of Child) published on 24 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Acorns is one of the best schools in our place. All the staff looking over these are so good and friendly. Here I am free to talk with them. The caring of our kids in excellent. All the surroundings are neat and clean. And also I find the good quality of the school is time management and punctuality.
I can proudly say that this school is one of the best in the area.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for such kind words. We strive to continually develop our setting and keep high standards of care for all the children.
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Review from Hannah S (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't ask for a better setting for our daughter, the wonderful staff who care so much. Great activities and great communication between preschool and home. The staff have helped support our daughter with speech delay and we cannot than them enough.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much. She is a pleasure to have in the setting and is doing so well.
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Review from Nadia Z (Mother of Child) published on 22 March 2023 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The setting is absolutely brilliant. My daughter is fulltime and only started in January 2023. She settled within 2 days because the staff made her feel very welcome and put me at ease. From group activities to independent learning my daughter is extremely happy and progressing well. The staff are approachable
and listen to any concerns we have (if there are any). A fabulous educational and fun environment to develop in. Thank you for the lovely experience so far. The future here is exciting!
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you, Nadia, for such kind words. We love every day being with the children and finding fun things to do.
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Review from N I (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We had a beautiful experience with Little Acorns Pre-School. My daughter was so happy every morning for going back. Staff and management are very much helpful and experienced. Thank you for your efforts. Would recommend it for anyone.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you for your lovely comments. We wish you lots of luck for the future.
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Review from Jane L (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has been attending Little Acorns since September 2020, she absolutely loves attending. The staff are so nice and caring, she always runs in and can't wait to start her day, learning her numbers and letters, doing imaginative play and playing outside. It has been really good for her social
skills too. We shall miss Little Acorns very much as she carries on her journey onto primary school, it has been a wonderful start for her.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much. We will sadly miss you as well. Wish you good luck for the future and please come and visit us.
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Review from Andrew T (Father of Child) published on 9 May 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We received a recommendation of this nursery through a friend. We have not been disappointed. The variety of different activities offered and skills that our child has learned through nursery have embellished her life very well. Our daughter always comes back with intriguing and creative topics of conversation
which is great considering our dual national little one didn't speak so much English when she started.


Staff are very professional and transparent with regards to all communication,written or in person, as well as very caring and nurturing of the children they support. Many thanks for all that you do!

Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for such a lovely comment. We are really going to miss the children when they move to big school.
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Review from Laura H (Mother of Child) published on 7 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been attending Little Acorns since September 2021 and absolutely loves it! We are very fortunate that we don't 'need' childcare, but we felt it was important for our son to expand his social skills and independence in a setting with children of a similar age. We looked around some other
nurseries in the area and they just didn't feel quite right and then, fortunately, somebody recommended Little Acorns to us. As soon as we walked in, we were struck with how homely and nurturing the nursery felt. The staff are very supportive; really flexible, kind and genuinely interested in the children. Communication with parents is also great: lots of photos and feedback. We are delighted with how happy our son is at nursery - in all aspects of development, he has come on leaps and bounds - and we are so, so glad we chose Little Acorns. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for your kind words about the setting
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Review from K T (Mother of Child) published on 7 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Little Acorns has been such a positive experience for my child and for us as parents. He is excited to attend and comes home with lots of stories about what he has done in his day. Activities are varied and fun, and his development has been incredible. He settled immediately, and we have enjoyed getting
weekly updates on his activities and development. The staff are amazing and go above and beyond. Highly recommended from both mum and child.
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for your comment, and it has been our pleasure.
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Review from C H (Father of Child) published on 24 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery. My little girl settled so quickly and loves it. There is so much for the children to do, including jo jingles, welly Wednesday and access to a lovely garden area. I love receiving photos of what she has been doing, and she brings lots of creative things home. My little girl is so happy,
has lots of friends and most of the time, she doesn't want to come home! Would definitely recommend Little Acorns!
Reply from Alison Shepherd, Manager at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you so much for such kind words. We love working with all the children there such a pleasure. Everyone who comes to the setting says there all well behaved and have lovely manners.
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Review from Miranda R (Mother of Child) published on 20 November 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After attachment parenting, introducing my twins to their first setting without me was daunting, but Little Acorns made the transition totally painless. It took four weeks of me staying and the staff were brilliant, patient and accepting and very flexible and supportive. Our family is in an unusual
situation as a mixed race, mixed faith, military family. My children have very few constants and the staff at the home visit, were inquisitive and respectful, offering to support us in any way possible. I can't praise them highly enough for how they keep open communication with us and how they've handled the children's needs as twins, as well. It's a brilliant setting and apart from making it bigger, I can't imagine it better.
Reply from Alison Shepherd at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you for your lovely comments.
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Review from Philippa H (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I can personally recommend Little Acorns pre-school to any prospective parent or carer as the staff strive for excellence in all they undertake to provide a safe, supportive and stimulating, educational environment for children. My little boy has gained so much confidence since starting at Little Acorns.
He has developed creatively and in his ability to create strong relationships, both with other children and staff. The care and support shown by staff is excellent, creating an environment whereby every child is seen as unique with their own needs and potential.
Reply from Alison Shepherd at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you very much for all your kind words.
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Review from Vanessa M (Mother of Child) published on 24 July 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is brilliant since our daughter started last September she has learnt so much.
The staff are very caring and helpful to any needs you ask of them, our daughter is always happy and smiling when I pick her up with lots of stories to tell me on what she has been doing or learning.
I would
highly recommend this nursery to other parents. I know when she is in their care that she's happy and safe. Thank you to all the staff.
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Review from N A (Mother of Child) published on 12 July 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Simply put, this nursery has a lot of heart.


The distinguishing feature for this establishment is the loving and caring staff and management.


They are never complacent with the care they provide. They constantly vary the methods used to help the children grow in confidence and my daughter has

blossomed in their care with a can-do attitude to everything!
Reply from Alison Shepherd at Little Acorns Pre-SchoolThank you for such kind words.
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Review from Stephanie J (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2018 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has settled very well at Little Acorns and I am very pleased, I'm sure this is down to the caring nature of all the staff. I feel he is happy and in safe hands, he is making good progress. He will often come home talking about his day and he is learning lots of new things, I have a good relationship
with his key worker and I am above to relax at work knowing he is being cared for.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.869)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.869) out of 10 for Little Acorns Pre-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 16 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 4.9 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 4.969 for Little Acorns Pre-School is calculated as follows: ( (185 Excellents x 5) + (6 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 191 Ratings = 4.969
  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 4.9 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Little Acorns Pre-School 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 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 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 3.9
    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 36 number of registered child places is 7.2, 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 (7)

Meet the Team (6)

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Alison Shepherd

Job Title: Manager Joined: 2005

Hi, have worked at the setting for over 20 years and have been a manager at the setting for 17 years. I hold a foundation degree, in paediatric first aid and food hygiene. I keep up to date with all the changes by attending meetings and reading.


I enjoy working with children and spend a lot of my time looking at ways to improve the setting and new ideas. During the holidays I look after my grandchild and we like to go for days out.

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Stephanie Jenkinson

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2002

I have been a nursery practitioner for over 20 years and have been at Little Acorns for 10 years where I am SENCO. I am NNEB qualified, hold paediatric first, and food hygiene.
I am a kind and caring person and have a passion for child development.


My hobbies are reading and spending time with my family.

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Jennifer Carr

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

I am a qualified level 3 practitioner and have worked in childcare for over 20 years. I hold first aid and food hygiene and keep up to date with relevant changes.


I enjoy creative and sensory activities with the children. I also enjoy activities outdoors in all weather.


During my spare time, I like days out with my 3 children, going for walks and having film nights.

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Amanda O'Rouke

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 1997

I qualified in 1997 as a level 3 practitioner. Over the years I have worked in a variety of settings including school nurseries and children's centres. As my own children are almost adults now I enjoy working with all age ranges of children and get a real sense of achievement seeing them develop and progress into their own little people.

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Stacy Lakeland

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 1998

I have been a nursery practitioner for 24 years and worked at Little Acorns for 6 of them. I am qualified NVQ level 2 and 3 and hold first aid, food hygiene and safeguarding.


I have 2 children and together we enjoy going for walks. My hobbies are spending time with my family and socialising with friends.

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Jasvinder Kaur-Singh

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner Joined: 2007

I am qualified to level 3 practitioner and up to date with the relevant qualifications that enable me to be a good practitioner. I have worked in childcare for 15 years and have 2 children of my own. I enjoy spending time with my family I also enjoy reading and cooking.

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