Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)

Highland Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 7PD
Review Us
9.8 96 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour), Milton Keynes
Acorn at Cold Harbour, West Bletchley.

The nursery provides full day care and sessional places for babies, toddlers and children from four months to four years of age, and the nursery will accept funded two, three and four-year-olds, subject to eligibility.

Since taking over the Cold Harbour pre-school lease of the former children’s centre, staff have been working extremely hard transforming it. The nursery is also combined with an outdoor learning centre, building on a popular Forest School provision and reputation for Forest School training.

This includes an outdoor holiday playscheme which will operate in the school holidays.

Please contact if you would like to reserve a place or book a show-around.

Funding & Fees

Full time place from £1,580
Full day from £79.50
Morning session from £45.50
Afternoon session from £41.00

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.

Contact Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) to get a personalised quote.

Contact Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

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

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Morwenna Cullan (Nursery Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 19

Registered Charity Number

  • 1145108

Total Places for Children

  • 54

Age Range

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

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 Holiday, Staff Training Days & between Christmas & New Year

Parking

  • There is a small designated area for parking for drop off and pick up directly outside the nursery, There is also on street parking outside the nursery.

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) Reviews (96)

9.8

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has a Review Score of 9.8 (9.843) out of 10, based on 33 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has 96 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 89
  • 7
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 96
  • 18
  • 20
  • 33
  • 63
Reviewer Connection to Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)
  • 76
  • 17
  • 3
Total of 96, showing 1-20
Review from Sophie A (Mother of Child) published on 9 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Over the past 4 months, I have been consistently impressed with the care and education our son has received in the Acorn Room. It has been reassuring to see such a strong focus on learning through play. With activities clearly designed to support across all areas of the curriculum. The care has been
excellent. The staff are warm and attentive. On the occasions our son has been ill, they have kept us updated, though I wish he would be allowed to sleep and a longer window for medicine to take effect is allowed before sending him home. I'd also welcome more time in the forest school as the weather becomes warmer.
Reply from Jordan Taylor, Admin at Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)Thank you for sharing your feedback about your son's experience in the Acorn Room over the past four months. We're very pleased to hear that you've been impressed with the care, the learning environment, and the team's warm and attentive approach. Supporting children through play-based learning is central to what we do, and it's encouraging to know this has been so visible to you. We will take your feedback and suggestions on board and we're very happy to increase opportunities for our Acorns to visit the forest more frequently.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from M D (Mother of Child) published on 4 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Overall, we are very happy with the nursery. We have experienced some challenges the staff were open to listen and keen to resolve the issue.
My children have thrived since being here, and the staff are friendly.
Reply from Jordan Taylor, Admin at Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We're delighted to hear that your children are thriving with us and that you've found our team friendly. We really appreciate you sharing that when challenges arose, you felt listened to and that we worked together to resolve things. Your feedback means a great deal to us, and we're committed to continuing to provide a positive, nurturing experience for your family.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from T T (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son looks forward to coming to nursery each day, and I always get him in a good mood.
The staff have a good rapport and are engaging on any matters.
They communicate timely and keep you informed.
Happy parent.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from N M (Mother of Child) published on 3 March 2026 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
Our son is really happy to go to nursery in the mornings, we feel really happy as parents because the team were amazing at getting him to settle in. The settling sessions were slow and gentle, which really meant a lot to us. We love the regular updates and feel like the overall communications has been
smooth and positive all through.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Amanda L (Grandmother of Child) published on 24 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our granddaughter started in the Acorn room in October on a full time basis when she was 18 months old and she loves it. She settled in very well and every morning her face is full of smiles when she is dropped off.
She loves exploring the outside area and takes part in all the creative and development
activities.
The staff in her room are excellent and work with us and support us with any focus areas, especially at the moment while we are potty training.
She has become very independent since joining the nursery and insists on taking her own coat and shoes off when she gets home each day.
The variety of meals is excellent, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, I've picked her up a couple of times just as she's finished her tea and it's lovely to see how the children sit nicely at the table and are encouraged to eat independently.
We are so glad we chose Acorn at Cold Harbour to look after our granddaughter and it's very re assuring to know that she is being very well looked after.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from M H (Mother of Child) published on 20 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We highly recommend the Acorn nursery at cold harbour. Both of our children have gone to this nursery with out eldest having gone from age 1-4yrs.
The acorn room is brilliant. It has always been so supportive and accommodating and both our sons were taken such good care of there. They were so excited
to be dropped off and the staff there have always gone above and beyond to ensure that they were settled and took special care to communicate whenever there was an issue or help them with their sleep/naps or feeding. Special thanks to Andrea, Angela, Debbie, Poppy, Sumalee, sophie, saraya.
Jordan has been brilliant in helping Eesa transition to his next nursery and coordinating settles and all the paperwork etc.
We are so grateful for all the hard working staff that have been so good with our sons and really helped us feel so reassured and safe.
The food and menu is diverse with good varied healthy options. The activities that are laid out change day to day and are great for LOs.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from M R (Father of Child) published on 20 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children attended Acorn Cold Harbour Nursery, and I couldn't be happier with our experience. The staff are incredibly friendly, caring, and genuinely invested in the children's wellbeing. The nursery has had such a positive influence on my children's development, helping them grow in confidence,
social skills, and learning. Communication has always been excellent, keeping me informed and reassured every step of the way. I would highly recommend this nursery to any parent looking for a supportive and nurturing environment for their children.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from L B (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Absolutely amazing staff my little one is thriving at acorn.They have a great range of activities and lots of outside messy play that my little one loves.
There is a great range of food for the children to try.
The staff are so accommodating and celebrate the development of the children.
Im so glad
I picked Acorn as all my worries of leaving my little one are gone and I feel so confident at drop off now.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from A O (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started nursery in October. He had some settling in sessions which helped ease him in to the nursery and we all got to meet his keyworker. The staff are all lovely and give us regular updates and have been supportive in managing my son's food allergy. He is thriving and always has a smile when
I collect him at the end of the day. His communication has improved loads since starting . They do regular stay and play sessions which is a great opportunity for us to see how he is doing in nursery. The administration staff were great with finding out more about the nursery and about funded hours. It's a lovely nursery and we are really happy to see our little boy continue to thrive there.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from C K (Father of Child) published on 3 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter has attended this nursery for just over 4 months now, they have helped her so well to develop key skills and education. They have an amazing outdoor lurning area that is open to the children to freely play.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Claire H (Mother of Child) published on 2 February 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my daughters have attended Acorn at Cold Harbour, they have both always been very well cared for in a loving environment where they get to explore, interact with other children and try lots of new activities both indoors and outdoors. It's lovely knowing they are content in their environment
and they are nearly always running in without a look back in the morning!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Stacey G (Mother of Child) published on 25 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn has always been a place our son feels comfortable and happy and despite his hearing impairment has continued to grow and progress in every way thanks to the amazing support of the staff. Despite staff changes they always strive to ensure familiarity for the children and have a fantastic set up
of toys, imaginary play areas and outside play, including their kindergarten area. We couldn't be happier with our choice of setting!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from A B (Mother of Child) published on 21 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child joined this year and loves the nursery. Since joining Cold Harbour his confidence has grown so much thanks to the staff, friends and environment. The nursery is one of his favourite places and can't wait to attend each time. The staff are always very welcoming and friendly. It is nice to know
that my child is in safe hands and well cared for. I am very pleased with Cold Harbour in general.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Casey Z (Mother of Child) published on 18 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My 2 year old has been with Acorns for just over a year now and he loves it. He does 2 full days a week and loves his key worker Helena. Since moving up to the squirrels room this summer, his development has come on leaps and bounds. His speech is much more, his creative play, and his eating and drinking
habits have improved. He loves being outdoors and the garden and nature kindergarten is great for him to explore and play. He's had many trips out which he loves and staff are great at sending updates and pictures each week. They keep you informed of everything from food intake to nappy changes and are currently assisting us with starting potty training on nursery days. We have regular catchups to discuss his development and are always eager to see if there's any areas or issues to work on with him. We're pleased to have found this nursery for our boy.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from K B (Mother of Child) published on 17 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started at cold harbour in January 2025, after we had setbacks from another setting after they found out she potentially had additional needs.


The staff at cold harbour took that all on board and did not let it impact a single thing. She has even started doing things she would never approach

a year ago.


Although there has been a reasonably big staff turnaround, the staff have remained consistent with the care provided and kept parents updated at all times.


Cold harbour have a fantastic sized garden, and even better, a nature kindergarten! My little girl absolutely LOVES it up there.

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from H C (Mother of Child) published on 4 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My baby started nursery at 4 months old. The staff were so supportive from day 1. I have nothing but good things to say about Acorn. The kindness and compassion the staff show to my baby is just like no other. Angela has become Winnies best friend at nursery, she absolutely adores her. Angela is great
at settling Winnie if she is a bit unsettled and always takes her time to update me at the end of the day when I pick her up. Thank you for everything you do. I cannot recommend this nursery enough!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from W X (Father of Child) published on 3 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We feel completely at ease leaving our baby at this nursery. The staff are attentive, quickly understanding and responding to both our needs and our child's. They provide extensive support and assistance whenever we need it.


Special thanks to the administrator, who has been incredibly helpful and

responsive during times when we needed extra guidance and help. Their calm communication and willingness to help made a big difference for our family.


The meals are excellent: hygienic, nutritious, and well-balanced. The environment is clean, and safety measures are thorough, so we always feel our child is in secure, loving hands.


Overall, this nursery is professional, caring, and highly reliable. We wholeheartedly recommend it to any family seeking a child-centered and reassuring early education setting.

  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Alex M (Father of Child) published on 3 November 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We're really happy we got out daughter into Cold Harbour, she's been there for 6 months now and loves it. The staff are great and she likes all of them. We get great feedback from the nursery every day, sometimes including pictures via the app of their observations related to her development. We get
the sense, based on their enthusiasm, that they truly care about the children's development.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Nana B (Father of Child) published on 1 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son joined Acorn last year and i would like to say the from Administration to the care team, we have had the pleasure of knowing that my son has been in safe hands and has grown/developed very well into a confident and happy child. The team made the nursery feel like a second home to him and the
interaction between us all has been run smoothly to this point. I would highly recommend this nursery to every parent looking for somewhere for their child.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from E S (Mother of Child) published on 25 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son started 3 months ago and we can tell he's really enjoying himself. We love the updates on the app everyday and all the photos of what he gets up to. I always look forward to picking him up and getting told about his day from the nursery, I know he's being well looked after and he seems to eat
better there than he does at home!
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
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 (Cold Harbour) 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 33 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 33 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 (Cold Harbour) is calculated as follows: ( (339 Excellents x 5) + (50 Goods x 4) + (6 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 395 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 (Cold Harbour) is based on 33 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 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 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 54 number of registered child places is 10.8, which has been reached with 33 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.

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (12)

Loading...

Meet the Team (3)

Morwenna

Morwenna Cullan

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2025

Morwenna plays a key role in supporting our early years settings, bringing strong leadership, a nurturing approach, and a deep understanding of early childhood development. With a focus on creating safe, inspiring environments for children to thrive. working closely with staff and families to ensure every child receives the highest standard of care and education. Her dedication helps foster a warm, inclusive atmosphere where both children and team members feel valued and supported.
Morwenna is also Cold Harbour'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 Morwenna directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.

Jordan

Jordan Taylor

Job Title: Nursery Administrator Joined: 2023

Jordan Taylor

Holly

Holly Stallwood

Job Title: Deputy Manager Joined: 2025

Holly has worked in childcare for 16 years and loves to support children with their emotional well-being so they can see themselves in a positive way. She shows a passion for helping children thrive in the natural environment and is dedicated to adapting to meet the needs of individual children. Holly is Cold Harbour’s SENDCo and works closely with those families whose children require additional support. She is a mother and grandmother herself and enjoys spending time with her family in her spare time.

Frequently Asked Questions about Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)

What is the Age Range of Children that Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) accepts?

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) accepts Children aged from 0 years 4 months to 4 years 11 months.

What Days & Hours is Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) Open?

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) is open: 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.

How many Children does Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) have capacity for?

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has capacity for a total of 54 Children.

How far is Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) to the centre of Milton Keynes?

1.7 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 Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has an Enhanced Service - more info.