Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook)

Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1LQ
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Top 20 award
10 58 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook), Bedford
Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) is set in the beautiful grounds of Colworth Science Park, and offers a homely atmosphere in which your child can relax and have fun whilst learning and socialising with other children.

The team of qualified, experienced and dedicated staff provide the best possible care for your child within the context of a happy and secure environment.

The nursery is dedicated to providing high-quality care and education for children aged four months to four years, working in partnership with parents to help children learn and develop.

Children have use of a large indoor nursery space, as well as access to a secure and secluded private garden at the back of the nursery. The garden is a wonderful outdoor area with plenty of space to run around and play.

The children not only get to play outdoors in a safe environment, but gain access to a host of new experiences and education about nature and the world around them, the local wildlife, and how the environment changes through the seasons.

Through active playing and exploration, children are learning skills such as problem solving, spatial-awareness and mathematical language.

Their menus have been carefully planned to be both seasonal and nutritionally balanced and tasty ensuring clean plates every time! Their cook prepares all the nursery meals and snacks onsite each day providing nutritionally balanced meals which are both healthy and appetising. Acorn only use fresh, local, ethically sourced produce to create their delicious meal and can accommodate most dietary requirements and have won several awards for their food.

You are very welcome to visit the nursery to see the facilities and meet the staff.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Aimee Bishop (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 24

Registered Charity Number

  • 1145108

Total Places for Children

  • 62

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Full time place starting from £1,420360
    Full day from £74
    Morning session from £43
    Afternoon session from £39

  • Fees are inclusive of all meals, snacks, drinks (including approved formula milk), nappies and activities.
    We do not charge registration fees, only a £100 deposit 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 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 07:15-18:15
    Tuesday 07:15-18:15
    Wednesday 07:15-18:15
    Thursday 07:15-18:15
    Friday 07:15-18:15

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays, Staff Training Days & between Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • A large car park is located at the front of the nursery

Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) Reviews (58)

10

Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) has a Review Score of 10 (9.963) out of 10, based on 20 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) has 58 reviews.

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Review from E H (Mother of Child) published on 19 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic setting and environment for our child. Our son started at only 9-months old and we couldn't fault it. During the lockdown period, it was so comforting how they treated our son and us both as new parents. The staff clearly care about the health and progress of our son. They have new activities
daily, woodland adventures, regular updates throughout the day and longer observations about progress. Just fantastic!
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Review from Jasmine S (Mother of Child) published on 16 November 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn Nursery in Sharnbrook have been extremely supportive of my child and our family of all our needs from supporting toilet training through to behaviour management and supporting the development of our child. They are nurturing and prioritise safeguarding. We ended up at this nursery after difficult
experiences at two different previous nurseries and Acorn have removed all of our worries. Our child is the happiest they have ever been and we can't thank them enough. We would highly recommend to all!
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Review from Abi H (Mother of Child) published on 6 July 2021 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn Day Nursery has been amazing for the past 2.5 years our son has attended. He has now been in each of the three rooms and we cannot fault them. Every day he comes home happy, chatting about all the fun activities they have done (mostly outside which is great) and it is clear he loves every second
of it. The staff are all great, it feels like one big family.
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Review from Georgios T (Father of Child) published on 3 March 2020 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We were very pleased with Acorn Nursery. Our daughter was there for the last three years. The carers all were very happy and pleasant, our daughter enjoyed her time there a lot, loved the forest school and the various creative activities of the nursery. She made great friends with the other children
and learnt how to be well behaved in groups and be part of a social group. Overall, very happy with what this nursery provided to our daughter.
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Review from Claire V (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn Day Nursery cannot be recommended by me highly enough. My child has learnt so much over the past year in this fantastic facility and adores all of the staff who work there. As a parent, it is one of the scariest things leaving your child in an environment without you for the majority of the day,
but this place makes it so easy. They teach all of the basic life skills as well as being the parent that children need in your absence with plenty of affection and cuddles galore! The quality of the food is outstanding and the outdoor facilities are excellent. Just be prepared for your child to come home VERY muddy - but happy.
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Review from Gemma C (Mother of Child) published on 24 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My two daughters have been coming to Acorn Nursery since September 2019. They have settled in really well. The staff are professional as well as approachable, caring and attentive to my children's needs. There is a wide range of activities that enable my child's emotional, physical and intellectual
needs to thrive. I would like to send my children for more sessions but unfortunately, they do not currently have capacity. I have seen a positive change in my children since they have started nursery.
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Review from Amy L (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I have both my daughter's in day care at Acorn Sharnbrook. The staff are fantastic, they make a big effort to create a special bond with each child from the start. There's also a big effort around planning different themed activities every day ensuring the children are always interested and it teaches
them something new. I couldn't recommend Sharnbrook enough, they are brilliant my girls are doing great. learning lots and makiing friends.
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Review from E W (Mother of Child) published on 14 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter enjoys her days at nursery as there are lots to do. Singing with singing starlets lady, cooking, going in the big garden, being part of the purchasing committee, enjoying a hot chocolate by the fire at forest school! We really like the regular photos and updates shared on the famly app.
It feels like you're part of it. We find it easy to talk with the Squirrel team about our daughter and what she's been up to each day. The staff are enthusiastic, kind and do a great job making our daughter's time different and fun. We are also impressed with the food that they all seem to enjoy. There's always breakfast waiting when she arrives and lunch, tea and snacks are tasty and varied. Thank you for everything you do to give our daughter a brilliant nursery experience.
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Review from Sarah F (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2020 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have had an excellent experience with our daughter's time at nursery. She is clearly happy and excited to be there and seems to have formed strong bonds with her teachers and peers. She enjoys the food and we are thrilled it is homemade and healthy. Additionally, I love the focus weeks where we are
able to see how she is developing and where we can continue to help her learn.
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Review from Kirsty G (Mother of Child) published on 6 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery. My son loves going in, in the mornings, and doesn't want to leave in the evenings. Food is very great, and staff are very welcoming and friendly.
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Review from Ryan Y (Father of Child) published on 5 June 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl gets really excited when I mention her nursery, she talks alot about her key person and her friends. The learning environment suits my little girls needs as she loves to be outdoors in all weathers. Her confidence has grown and she is happy to be dropped off at nursery and gets stuck
in with a book and a cuddle from her key worker. When I go to pick her up she has the biggest smile on her face and the staff tell me all about her day and we talk about it in the car journey home.
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Review from Geraldine (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have one child in the preschool room and one in the baby room. The staff here are friendly, caring and attentive, and the nursery is a wonderful facility. The range of activities on offer is excellent, with lots of opportunity for outdoor play and interaction with nature, as well as arts and crafts,
baking and singing - and a strong emphasis on reading. There is a very welcoming, community feel here. The nursery is also very good at communicating with parents, keeping us up to date with what the children have been doing and involving us in activities and special events. I would highly recommend it.
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Review from Louise E (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A great nursery set in a village just off the A6 from Bedford to Rushden.
The staff work really hard to provide you with daily updates on progress and forest school is a real highlight where the children learn skills outdoors. They also have Singing Starlets once a week which is another highlight and
very interactive for the children.
This nursery was a refreshing change from other local nurseries as everything is included, e.g. nappies, wipes and food is cooked on site. They are great with fussy eaters and really try to encourage the children to eat new things.
My daughter has met some good friends at the nursery and extra days/sessions can usually be accommodated. This nursery has prepared my daughter well for school and I know she will really miss going here every day.
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Review from Jane M (Mother of Child) published on 30 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
New and exciting activities await my boy every day he attends Acorn Nursery. He is learning so many new skills and has a lovely group of little friends. Staff are always enthusiastic and happy. We will be sorry to leave when the time comes.
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Review from Juliette P (Mother of Child) published on 25 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my children have attended the nursery, which is situated on Colworth Science Park. My youngest is currently in the Squirrels toddler room. We've been really happy with the excellent care provided by the staff throughout. The changes introduced since Acorn began running the nursery last year have
been really positive, the emphasis on natural materials and exploratory play is excellent.
The nursery has good outdoors provision and is situated in lovely grounds, so it's nice to see the children able to make use of them. I'm sure my little one will really enjoy the Forest School sessions when he moves into the Oaks pre-school room. The meals provided are varied and balanced, and all cooked on site.
My little one really enjoys the additional music sessions from Singing Starlets and sharing stories with his carers, an activity which is really encouraged within the nursery.
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Review from Amy H (Mother of Child) published on 25 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our son has been at this nursery since he was 10 months old. They have cared and loved him.
They have been able to accommodate his dietary requirements even when it changed weekly!
They look after his needs and encourage his learning. Couldn't be happier.
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Review from P D (Father of Child) published on 25 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Easily the best nursery in the area. Real emphasis on social skills and learning through creative play and crafts with natural materials. A real highlight is forest school half day a week where the children are encouraged to explore and take risks. The whole place oozes positive energy: our girls have
really blossomed in confidence and cannot wait to go to nursery in the morning. Also, a real community feel, with staff and parents knowing each other well. Healthy food and a good approach to developing good food habits and introducing a wide range of different foods.
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Review from Ian O (Father of Child) published on 25 May 2018 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A great nursery in amazing surroundings! The staff are friendly and very helpful and our son is extremely happy there. He loves the activities which range from painting to singing starlets and his favourite "Forest School". He never comes home hungry either as the menus are varied and of high quality.
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.963)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.963) out of 10 for Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) 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 20 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 20 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 4.963 for Acorn Day Nursery (Sharnbrook) is calculated as follows: ( (231 Excellents x 5) + (9 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 240 Ratings = 4.963
  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 (Sharnbrook) is based on 20 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 62 number of registered child places is 12.4, which has been reached with 20 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 (13)

Meet the Team (2)

Aimee

Aimee

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2007

Aimee is a dedicated and experienced professional who takes great joy from overseeing the development of all the children within the nursery and most importantly seeing the smiles on their faces each day. She, along with Deputy Manager Julie Dix, take great pride in the nursery and the team who make it all happen.


Aimee is also Sharnbrook's Designated Safeguarding Lead, so if you ever have any concerns or would like to chat about anything safeguarding related, please visit or call the nursery on 01234 608899 and ask to speak to Aimee directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.

Julie

Julie

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2001

Julie - Deputy Manager

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