Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)

Highland Close, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK3 7PD
Review Us
9.9 85 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.

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

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.

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 (85)

9.9

Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.889) out of 10, based on 34 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) has 85 reviews.

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Total of 85, showing 1-20
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!
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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.
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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.
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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.

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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!
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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.

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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.
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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.
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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!
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Review from Shannon H (Mother of Child) published on 20 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been at Acorns nearly a year now and he loves it there, all the staff are lovely and very attentive to his needs. They encourage messy play and outdoor play in their lovely outdoor space. Always receive a detailed review of his day on pick up which is comforting along with being able to monitor
his activity throughout the day via the Famly App. Overall from our experience it is a lovely Nursery.
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Review from Chelsie G (Mother of Child) published on 19 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter started here in the Acorn room in November last year when she had just turned one and she absolutely loves it! Her face lights up of a morning when she realises where we are. Her speech has come on greatly since starting here. You are kept up to date throughout the day via their app which
is great when you're at work missing your little one. The staff are all lovely & very accommodating. Cold Harbour is exactly what you would want from a nursery setting.
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Review from K C (Mother of Child) published on 5 February 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
After moving our son to Acorn just before Christmas, it's amazing how quickly he settled and adapted to another new setting. The staff at Cold Harbour are amazing, they always communicate any small detail and take the time to know all of the children in their care, their routines and what works for
them. The children always have plenty of activities in provision set out for them for the day and our son seems to gain so much from being there! We've noticed how much he has progressed already in such a short time. Thank you to all the lovely Cold Harbour Acorn team!
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Review from Nikki B (Mother of Child) published on 7 October 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Acorn at Cold Harbour has such lovely staff that are always accommodating and try their best to meet our child's needs. Our child enjoys the activities that are on offer at the nursery and loves the outdoor play.
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Review from L C (Mother of Child) published on 13 September 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
When my son moved up from the baby room to the next room he took a while to settle (as initially the the older children from the next room up were mixed with his new room which was a little overwhelming for him).
However, my child's key worker made an extra effort to send more updates to reassure me.
She was very friendly and built a very good relationship with my son.
The team takes the children out on shop visits, to the park and they go to the forest school which is brilliant.
The admin staff also do a great job and are very helpful.
My only criticism would be about the food. Their prospectus gives an example menu showing a varied snack & lunch offering (that they offer toast or crumpets as a snack) but most of the time it was a rice cracker with dairy-free spread and occasionally fruit. I think the food offering could be improved.
The building inside is looking a little tired.
Reply from Jordan Taylor, Admin at Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour)
Thank you for your feedback. Our menus are currently in the process of changing over to our Winter menu ready for October. This includes a much wider variety of snacks throughout the nursery. We will…read more
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Review from A G (Mother of Child) published on 29 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son has been attending Cold Harbour since April 2021. We have been happy with the care and support he has received. I think the outdoor opportunities are amazing and he loves forest school.
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Review from S M (Mother of Child) published on 27 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Staff were welcoming and they communicated effectively.
The nursery has plenty of activities for the children and outdoor space for outdoor activities.
The nursery provides cooked food for the children
The children have a key worker who reviews the child's progress and liaises with parents.
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Review from Stewart J (Father of Child) published on 8 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our son has been at the nursery for 3 years and we cannot speak highly enough of the care and support we have received as a family. Our son has autism and the nursery has been so supportive in ensuring he is included in activities and has ensured he has been able to thrive and develop during his time
at nursery. The staff are all fantastic, in particular our son's key worker who feels like part of our own family! The children are encouraged to explore the vast outside space, which is a fantastic space for the children to play, learn and develop. The staff create imaginative play settings for the children to enjoy and have a vast array of resources available to them. I'd recommend Acorns at Cold Harbour to anyone!
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Review from Shannon C (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Me and the father feel that nursery has really been a beacon for our daughter. From the day she started to finishing now... she's come on leaps and bounds and we couldn't be more thankful for all the staff members for everything they do. She's had the best time here and will definitely miss everyone.
Thank you all!
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Review from Victoria W (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery has been so welcoming and attentive since day 1. They keep us updated throughout the day on his eating, sleeping and activities, which is lovely to see! All the staff at the nursery know him and us, which gives it such a personal feel - he really feels valued. We love watching him learn
and explore there and would recommend them to anyone.
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Review from D S (Father of Child) published on 31 July 2024 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My child is 2 years old and loves the nursery. Since joining Cold Harbour her confidence has grown so much thanks to the staff and the environment that they provide. My daughter is very sensitive and was difficult to settle at first but the staff persevered and provided her with lots of care and affection
which helped her to settle and now she waves goodbye as she happily runs in each morning.
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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.889)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.889) 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 4.9 out of 5 from 34 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 34 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 4.889 for Acorn Day Nursery (Cold Harbour) is calculated as follows: ( (369 Excellents x 5) + (31 Goods x 4) + (7 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 407 Ratings = 4.889
  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 34 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 54 number of registered child places is 10.8, which has been reached with 34 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)

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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 Kate directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.

Jordan

Jordan Taylor

Job Title: Nursery Administrator Joined: 2023

Jordan Taylor

Lauren

Lauren

Job Title: Senior Practitioner Joined: 2020

Lauren - Senior Practitioner

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.