Business Details
Welcome to Little Acorns Preschool
At Little Acorns Shireoaks, we provide a nurturing environment for early childhood development in a semi-rural setting within Shireoaks, Nottinghamshire. Established with lottery funding, our purpose-built facility offers all-weather outdoor spaces, including artificial grass and a soft-surface playground, complemented by a dedicated forest school area and eco garden. As a parent-run registered charity (Charity No: 1069794), we reinvest all income into improving resources while maintaining affordable fees. Our curriculum prioritises child-led learning through play, supported by trained professionals who regularly update their expertise in early years education.We employ a Level 3 SENDCO for special educational needs support and have a mental health champion to ensure holistic wellbeing for children, staff, and families. Our inclusive approach celebrates individuality, fostering a warm atmosphere where parents actively participate in their child's educational journey through collaborative partnerships with our team.
Services
Preschool Sessions
Forest School Programme
Eco Garden Activities
SEND Support
Parent Workshops
Highlights and features
- We operate as a parent-run charity reinvesting all income into educational resources
- Our forest school programme develops outdoor learning in natural environments
- Dedicated Level 3 SENDCO provides specialist support for children with additional needs
- All staff complete regular training in early years education best practices
- Mental health champion ensures emotional wellbeing support for children and families
Associations and certifications
- Registered Charity (Charity No: 1069794)
Services
Preschool Sessions
Structured learning sessions for children aged 2-5 years, operating term-time only with flexible morning, afternoon, and full-day options. Our qualified staff deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum through play-based activities that develop social, cognitive, and motor skills while maintaining low staff-to-child ratios for personalised attention.
Forest School Programme
Regular woodland sessions in local natural environments that promote physical development, risk assessment skills, and environmental awareness. Children engage in supervised activities like den-building, nature exploration, and seasonal observation to enhance sensory learning and build confidence through hands-on outdoor experiences.
Eco Garden Activities
Curriculum-linked gardening and sustainability projects in our dedicated eco-garden space. Children learn about plant life cycles, healthy eating through vegetable growing, and environmental stewardship while developing fine motor skills through planting, watering, and harvesting activities throughout the year.
SEND Support
Tailored provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities, led by our Level 3 SENDCO. We implement individualised support plans through targeted interventions, sensory activities, and collaborative partnerships with parents and external specialists to ensure inclusive participation in all preschool activities.
Parent Workshops
Regular educational sessions for parents covering child development topics, early literacy strategies, and home learning activities. These workshops strengthen home-school partnerships through practical advice sharing and collaborative planning to support children's continuous learning journey.
Questions
What are your preschool session times?
We operate term-time only with breakfast club 8:00-8:30, morning session 8:30-11:30, lunch club 11:30-12:30, and afternoon session 12:30-15:30 Monday-Friday.
How do you support children with special educational needs?
Our Level 3 SENDCO develops individualised support plans with regular progress monitoring, sensory resources, and collaborative parent engagement to ensure inclusive participation in all activities.
Can parents get involved in the preschool?
Yes, we actively encourage parental participation through volunteering, sharing skills, attending workshops, and joining community events to strengthen home-school partnerships.
What outdoor learning opportunities do you provide?
We offer daily access to our eco-garden and weekly forest school sessions in local woodlands, focusing on nature exploration, physical development, and environmental education.
How are fees structured at Little Acorns?
As a parent-run charity, we maintain affordable fees by reinvesting income into resources while keeping costs low through community fundraising initiatives.
