Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford)

St Giles Mews, Vicarage Road, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK11 1BN
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9.9 92 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford), Milton Keynes
Situated on the site of Elizabeth House, in Vicarage Road, Stony Stratford. This nursery provides high quality, affordable childcare and early years education for the local community, in a building which has been completely refurbished and extended, with two spacious play areas indoors, with direct access to three outdoor play areas.

Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor play and learning, and the children will have the opportunity to be outdoors at some point every day, whatever the weather. Included in their fees are regular Forest School sessions; these exciting educational experiences are suitable for pre-schoolers and are delivered by fully trained forest school leaders and offer an innovative approach to outdoor play.

All the nursery meals are freshly prepared and delivered each day by Acorn Catering, which operates from the hub kitchen at their Shenley Church End nursery. They use local ethically sourced produce to create delicious meals and all menus have been designed to be nutritionally balanced ensuring they offer a variety of foods.

A home visit from the manager and your child’s key person is offered to all new families as they believe children benefit from meeting their key person in a familiar environment, before attending the nursery for settling-in sessions. Children are encouraged to form close bonds using their key person system to ensure learning and development are encouraged on an individual basis.
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Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Laura Marshall (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 18

Registered Charity Number

  • 1145108

Total Places for Children

  • 40

Age Range

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

Funding & Fees

  • Full time place starting from £1,630560
    Full day from £8550
    Morning session from £47.50
    Afternoon session from £43

  • Fees are inclusive of all meals, snacks, drinks (including approved formula milk), nappies and activities.
    We do not charge registration fees, but only a £50 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 which 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 07:30-18:15
    Tuesday 07:30-18:15
    Wednesday 07:30-18:15
    Thursday 07:30-18:15
    Friday 07:30-18:15

When Closed

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

Parking

  • There is a small car park for children to be dropped off/picked up.

Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford) Reviews (92)

9.9

Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10, based on 26 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford) has 92 reviews.

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Review from R S (Mother of Child) published on 22 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little one has now been here 6 months and she adores it. The staff clearly care for her beyond just a job and are always happy to support and help when needed.
They have an abundance of activities and regularly impress me with what they’ve been doing and the new skills that have been taught. There
is a huge push on environmentally friendly activities, woodland interaction and observing wildlife all of which work well with our family ethos and what our little one loves.
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Review from Lynn W (Grandmother of Child) published on 20 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I always find the staff really friendly and welcoming. They always greet my grandchild with a smile and a happy ‘hello’. His key person always makes a special effort to meet him at the door even if she is doing something else when he arrives.
The staff are also very approachable & I have no concerns
about talking to them about his behaviours and needs.
The nursery is always clean & tidy.
Communication is great and regular updates via the app are especially useful.
My grandchild has definitely developed since attending the nursery and this is thanks to the attentive staff and the wonderful activities that he gets to do! He is an outdoor child so the outside space is fantastic & ‘visiting’ the chickens helped him settle in at the beginning.
Lovely nursery, fantastic staff & a great range of things to do! I really can’t fault it!
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Review from Maisie W (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Amazing nursery!
My little boy absolutely loves it here, all the girls are amazing with him as he has a speech delay but they all take the time and care to make sure all his needs are attended to!
Always putting on fun activities for the kids and making sure they have the best time!
Would highly
recommend it!
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Review from Leah M (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter has been at Acorn’s Stony Stratford for 6 months. She has developed and grown into a happy and cheeky little girl. The staff supports and nurtures her with a variety of resources from imaginative play, forest school, yoga and much more which makes every day different and she is always keen
to tell us what she’s done.
The communication between the nursery and parents is outstanding, we couldn’t ask for more. It’s clear why they have such a long waiting list it’s a brilliant setting with a passionate team who really care about the children and would highly recommend it!
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Review from Emily A (Mother of Child) published on 19 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our baby has settled well into the Acorn room. The staff made us feel reassured throughout the settling period by sending messages, updates and photos over the app. She has made good relationships with the staff and we are confident she is safe and well cared for.
The nursery offers a healthy and
varied menu which meets our daughter’s dietary needs. They understand her allergies well, and even baked vegan cakes for her to take home on her first birthday.
We have also had another child previously attend the nursery and he has enjoyed the forest school sessions, visits out in the local area and, the wonderful tree house in the woodland garden.
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Review from Lorna K (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my daughters attend Acorn. I have nothing but praise for the staff. They welcome my girls with huge smiles and enthusiasm and take the time to have a chat with me. The staff genuinely care about the children and provide brilliant activities for the children. Food choices are healthy and varied.
As a mum, I leave them knowing they are safe and content.
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Review from Sarah F (Mother of Child) published on 26 September 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Fantastic nursery in a lovely setting. The team were great with our little one and we always had a happy little boy at pick up each day. Always varied food offered and they were really good when we suspected a food allergy but it hadn’t been tested yet while we were on the waitlist.
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Review from Mel T (Mother of Child) published on 13 April 2023 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My boys are extremely happy here at Acorn Day Nursery. My eldest child also went here and he really enjoys helping me with drop off and pick up to see all the staff who always try and make time to chat to him. Which in my opinion just shows how amazing the staff are.
My twins have settled in so well
and the staff always keep us informed of their progress. The staff are always happy, enthusiastic about the activities to help the children learn and I’m confident that when I drop them off they are going to have such a great time.
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Review from Ruth E (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter is very happy at Acorn. Great communication with the team there. I feel she is very well cared for, and the team seem genuinely pleased to see her and care for her development and well-being.
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Review from Victoria P (Mother of Child) published on 9 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn at Stony Stratford is the most wonderful place for our daughter! One big happy family of children, families and staff! We waited a long time to get our daughter a place there but could not be happier with the quality of the care and provision they offer. Our daughter, who we thought may struggle
settling in having never been to any other setting, took to the staff and setting immediately, thanks to the individual time and support that was provided to help her settle in. Often when I arrive now she says to come back later as she would like to stay longer! The attention and care of staff, the focus on outdoor learning, Wellbeing Wednesdays, scrummy home-cooked meals, the beautiful set up of play opportunities and the fun and wonder that all the staff embody all make Acorn a unique setting and we couldn't be more delighted with it for our daughter.
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Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We absolutely love the nursery. Our daughter is so happy here she literally cheers when we drive up. The staff are really caring and knowledgeable about our daughter and caring for small children in general. The setting seems very child-led and offers lots of opportunities for age-appropriate independence.
I really recommend the nursery.
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Review from Zoe R (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Stony Stratford Acorn is simply the best nursery. I couldn't wish for any better for my children. My little girl has been attending for a year now, and she absolutely loves going, as we approach the nursery she is trying to get out of her buggy, and when we arrive she runs in, is always so warmly greeted
by any staff, not just those of her room, and happily waves goodbye to me without a second thought. My son started 6 weeks ago, at just 10 months, the height of potential separation anxiety, and yet he has never been upset when I leave. His settling-in sessions were managed so well that he also is happy to be there and smiles when the staff take him from me. My daughter is now transitioning to the next room, and that has also been so well organised and considered that she is flourishing and ready for that move. The facilities, activities, food and communication are fantastic. But above all, the caring, attentive and knowledgable staff are what make it!
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Review from Alice R (Mother of Child) published on 3 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Stony Stratford Acorn is a wonderful setting. We have two boys there, 3 years and 1 year. Both are really happy at Acorn and enjoy a wide range of experiences from trips to town, yoga, forest school and much more. The nursery also has chickens which are a big hit and a lovely addition. The staff are
amazing, communication really good and we are so happy to have our children there.
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Review from Lizzie B (Mother of Child) published on 1 November 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn have been amazing with my youngest, who started there this year. The staff are so friendly and welcoming and always have lovely and helpful feedback from the day so we know how he's been. I feel so confident taking him and leaving him for the day as I know he is getting great care. He's been out
for lots of walks and trips to the park with them, and we love knowing he is getting lots of different types of experiences when he's there. I recommend this nursery to all my local friends, it's such a lovely place.
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Review from Claire P (Mother of Child) published on 25 October 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children attend Acorn nursery in Stony Stratford and they really love it, it's never a trouble to get them out of the house when it's a nursery day. Days are full of fun activities and lots of fresh air. As a mum, I go to work content in the knowledge they are well looked after by the friendly
and caring staff and learning and exploring lots of new things. I always recommend to any expectant parents!
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Review from Emma C (Mother of Child) published on 21 July 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 1.0 out of 5
During the 8 months I persevered with Acorn the staff turnover and wider concerns about my daughter’s care were relentless. These concerns were exacerbated by the number of accident reports she had which simply didn’t happen at home. I did some research as a result and discovered that they’d had to
report an incident to Ofsted in 2020. In the end the worry about my daughter’s wellbeing at Acorn was too much and I removed her from the nursery in Nov 2021. All I wanted was peace of mind that my child’s needs were being addressed in a safe environment with a happy staff working culture who my daughter could get to know and bond with over time – this isn’t what Acorn delivered and I couldn’t in good faith recommend them based on such a poor experience.
Reply from Kate Ayres, Manager at Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford)
It’s very disappointing that you feel the need to write such a negative review, when you were offered the opportunity to escalate your concern last year, and you chose not to do so. We obviously can’t…read more
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Review from Fran P (Grandmother of Child) published on 28 April 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My grandson has attended since he was 1 year old. The nursery has provided excellent care and a wide variety of experiences at the nursery and locally around the town. I really like the fact that the nursery encourages a love of the outdoors and an eco-friendly ethos.
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Review from Kerry K (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Acorns in August of last year, her first exposure to child care of any kind - and coming from a very isolated home environment due to the covid pandemic. The nursery staff were wonderfully kind in their care and patience towards settling both our daughter… and ourselves! We knew
instantly we’d found the right nursery fit for our family. Our daughter bonded with her key worker almost instantly, who always made every effort to go above and beyond for her. The same can be said for every staff member on the team - Acorns is an incredibly homely environment where the needs and interests of every child matter. Our daughter has since changed age groups, and we have found the same commitment from her new key worker and team. We are very impressed with the forest garden facility, a firm favourite. The amount of creative messy play with a focus on experience and process learning is spectacular, and local outings a special extra. The lunch menu is also great!
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Review from H C (Mother of Child) published on 16 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn Nursery in Stony Stratford is just fab! Since my daughter started in September, they have met our every need and been incredibly supportive. The whole team are really welcoming and the range of activities they offer every day is ensuring that my daughter loves her time at the setting and is developing
well. The app tells me what is happening whilst my daughter is there so even at work I can check-in and see how she is getting on. The regular photos and observations are lovely to see and the daily feedback shows that the practitioners there really care about my daughter and know her well. She loves the meals and the fact that everything is included in the price makes life a lot easier. Communication across the setting is really clear and we are really happy with her provision. I wouldn’t want her to go anywhere else.
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Review from L W (Mother of Child) published on 9 March 2022 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has thrived at Acorn and they have helped him so much with learning and communication, his key worker is amazing and he seems to really like her. She and everyone else has helped him develop his speech and interaction with others. They really seem to care about his well-being and anything he
can do at home to help as well. I haven’t had much dealing with management but things are communicated clearly via the app.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.897)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.897) out of 10 for Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 26 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 26 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 4.897 for Acorn Day Nursery (Stony Stratford) is calculated as follows: ( (282 Excellents x 5) + (28 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 312 Ratings = 4.897
  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 (Stony Stratford) is based on 26 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 40 number of registered child places is 8, which has been reached with 26 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 (12)

Meet the Team (2)

Georgia

Georgia Willshire

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2018

Georgia - Manager
Georgia joined Acorn in 2011 and has worked across 2 Acorn sites progressing from a senior practitioner to a nursery manager. Georgia is very passionate when creating rich and inviting environments which capture children’s interests and support their individual learning and development. Georgia helps support all staff to provide the children with the best possible start, building stable foundations to watch the children learn, achieve and grow as individuals. Outside of work Georgia has 3 young children who have also attended Acorn nurseries.


Georgia is also Stony'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 and ask to speak to Georgia directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.


If you have any questions, or would like to book a visit please contact us.

Julie

Julie

Job Title: Senior Administrator Joined: 2016

Julie - Senior Administrator

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