Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End)

Shenley Road, Shenley Church End, Milton Keynes MK5 6AB
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9.9 107 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End), Milton Keynes
Acorn’s nursery in Shenley Church End is extremely popular, and the former village primary school offers a spacious interior with well equipped, light and airy rooms. There is an extensive outdoor play area, and the local environment provides several attractive walks and a Forest School site at the nearby Shenley Wood.

All meals and snacks are freshly prepared on site and the children have their own children’s kitchen within the nursery to encourage their involvement. The staff team is very experienced and highly qualified, and they look forward to showing prospective parents around the nursery.

The nursery has extensive gardens and outside play areas, including the timber-framed outdoor classroom. Outdoor play is a key aspect of Acorn’s ethos and the children benefit from spending time outdoors every day, whatever the weather. They also take full advantage of their local setting, which has retained its village feel and has several attractive walks which the children enjoy.

Acorns menus have been carefully planned to be both seasonal and nutritionally balanced and tasty ensuring clean plates every time! All food is cooked from their hub kitchen based onsite, providing nutritionally balanced meals which are both healthy and appetising. They only use fresh, local, ethically sourced produce to create their delicious meals and can accommodate most dietary requirements.

A home visit from the nursery manager and your child’s key person is offered to all new families as Acorn believe children benefit from meeting their key person in a familiar environment, before attending the nursery for settling-in sessions.

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Care Provided by Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End)

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Voluntary / Not for Profit Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Helen Price (Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 16
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1145108
  • Total Places for Children
  • 48
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 4 months
    • to 4 years 11 months
  • 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

Funding & Fees Guide for Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End)

  • Full time place starting from £1,560
    Full day from £81.50
    Morning session from £45.50
    Afternoon session from £41

  • 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.
  • Parking

  • Limited parking available directly outside the nursery, however there is ample parking in the street and the church.


Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) Reviews (107)

Total of 107, showing 81-100
9.9

Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.941) out of 10, based on 27 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) has 107 reviews.

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Review from Nehal B (Mother of Child) published on 14 November 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a fantastic Nursery! We recently moved to the area and I was so nervous as to where we were going to send my three-year-old son. I contacted a few nurseries in the area and quickly received a response from Shenley. We visited the school the next day and my son just went off and started playing!
I was so surprised, but equally comforted that he took to this new environment almost immediately. Since then, he adjusted so quickly and just runs off and starts playing with his new friends.


The nursery provides a fantastic bunch of different activities like Forest school, swimming and Zumba, and a great menu of freshly cooked food. My son comes home every day happy and with a story to tell - what more can you ask for!


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Review from Lee W (Father of Child) published on 29 August 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Acorn nursery is amazing, my second child has just graduated from there. All our children have been in there since 3 months old. Such amazing, caring staff who are honest about how your child's been.


They are a great help to us as a family, by keeping the routine of the house and teaching of the

children with their development and manners. I wouldn't know who else to leave our 3 kids with, having 2 gone through and 1 in their final year.


The manager and her team are all surrogate mothers to the children, making parents feel secure that leaving their children with them, they are in safe hands. You get great feedback and eyLog is amazing and receiving 4 years of eyLog photos and comments on a memory stick to keep for ever was a fantastic touch.


They ask if parents want to read to the kids and to go along to forest school which is brilliant, as are open days and of course bacon rolls on Father's Day.


I'd just like to say a big 'thank you' to the manager and all her staff. Try them out, you won't be disappointed.


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Review from Linda (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Excellent nursery with outstanding, professional staff who really care about the children. Wonderful fun activities which are different every day. Lots of outdoor fun including visits to the local woods. Confident, happy children who are treated as individuals. Excellent fresh food cooked on site -
always smells delicious!

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Review from Sheila C (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot recommend this nursery more highly. Our daughter has been there two years and she has thrived in here! The care has been exemplary. We love the varied activities such as swimming, Zumba and forest school. The focus on creative and outdoor play is especially good.

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Review from Amy H (Mother of Child) published on 11 July 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is truly happy at nursery and looks forward to spending her days there, so much so that I sometimes struggle to convince her to come home! She attends full time, 5 days a week and due to the fantastic care she receives in a warm, happy and friendly environment, I am able to have peace of
mind whilst I am at work. The staff are fantastic and although she has a key worker, she is happy, relaxed and at ease with any member of the staff and is met with a warm and loving attitude whoever she has contact with. She has developed a close friendship group and nursery has become a real home from home. I couldn't recommend Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) high enough.

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Review from Charo A (Mother of Child) published on 23 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter has been attending Acorn Shenley for the last two years since she was 18 months. I can’t recommend this nursery highly enough. From the settling sessions to the transition from one stage to another, everything is run smoothly. They are extremely caring and I have always felt my daughter
is very well looked after. Staff are very knowledgeable and are always happy to discuss any issues or concerns. They are flexible and very accommodating with the children individual needs and I really think they go the extra mile to help you as a parent in any possible way. I am also very confident my child will be well prepared to start school in September.
The outside area is excellent, It is actually the best outside area by far of all the nurseries I checked two years ago. And they do use it a lot, which is fantastic for the children. And their Forest School is amazing!

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Review from Clare H (Mother of Child) published on 18 January 2017
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot rate Acorn Shenley highly enough. I have moved out of the area but couldn't bear to move my daughter to a more convenient local nursery because I love this nursery so much. The staff are wonderful and so caring and my daughter is flourishing. There is a wonderful village feel, lots of fun activities
and we are very happy there.

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Review from Dashna P (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

This week the children from the Oaks went to see a performance at the theatre. I also went along. I was very impressed the by the organisation from the staff before the trip and during the trip. As a parent, I could see the children enjoyed the show and were comfortable through the performance. I was
also impressed by the level of safeguarding for the children. The children individually had a tag on one item of their clothing that they wore (my daughter wore a dress and it was attached to the label at the back) which said I am lost, if found please call the nursery or head office with the numbers on the tag. The staff also counted the children on a number of occasions. Overall, the children were well looked after and the individual needs thought about in advance.


In terms of the nursery, I am always impressed and have been since 2015 when my daughter started.


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Review from Jason C (Father of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my sons have received excellent care from all staff.
My eldest who is 5 is now at school and I feel he wouldn't be as clever or confident as he is now if he didn't have the chance to enjoy nursery life. His younger brother is 14 months and attends nursery and has all this to look forward to.
The best nursery by far.

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Review from Emma C (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Exceptional provision for my son and daughter previously. Staff are excellent and extremely caring towards my child. They know my child very well and he loves going there. Highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from Rebecca Q (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I picked this nursery two years ago based on the good reports I had read at the time and have not been disappointed. My daughter only attends one day a week so I was fearful she wouldn't be involved in as many of the tasks and activities as the children that attend every day but I was wrong. The staff
shuffle activities to ensure my daughter gets a turn and is as fully involved as possible. The feedback system used is brilliant and allows pictures and messages to be exchanged between home and the nursery very easily. The staff are amazing and all very welcoming, two years into our relationship with Acorn at Shenley my daughter can't wait for nursery day!

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Review from Neha B (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Having visited all the nurseries in Milton Keynes for my child, Acorn at Shenley Church End is the best. The team and key workers are very caring, supportive and encouraging. Within a couple of weeks, my child settled and is always keen to attend her sessions. Key workers are attentive to each individual
child's needs and working closely know their temperaments too. Kudos to the team and big thank you for helping us through these early important years in my little one's life. Making learning through play a reality.

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Review from Keeley H (Mother of Child) published on 9 January 2017
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son attends Acorn nursery two days a week and he absolutely loves it. We make cards at home for the people who look after him as he has built such strong attachments to them. He is three years old and learns Spanish, swimming, plus forest school. He comes home and tells me what he had for lunch,
what he made in the garden, the songs he has learnt this week. The childcare is inventive and stimulating, the outdoor space is ripe for exploration and the staff both lead the play and let the children discover things themselves. I drop my son off and know there is no better nursery he could be in to grow, learn and be cared for.

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Review from Claudia (Mother of Child) published on 12 December 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My son absolutely loves going to Shenley Church End nursery. The building itself is lovely from the outside and inside with spacious play areas; the outdoor space is also large and offers a lot to discover and explore; My son really enjoys to be outdoor in the garden with his nursery friends. Everybody
working at the nursery is extremely friendly and the whole atmosphere is very warm and welcoming. I am really happy that my son goes to Shenley Church End nursery,

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Review from Emma C (Mother of Child) published on 3 May 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot speak highly enough of this nursery. My eldest left in September and my youngest currently attends. It is a wonderful and welcoming nursery, the children are all very happy and well cared for. There are a wide variety of activities available to do, with the staff doing an excellent job of
supporting the children in their play and encouraging them to develop their own personalities and interests. It is clear to see that the staff all care for the children which is very reassuring for a parent leaving their child. I have always recommended this nursery to friends, and will continue to do so.

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Review from Vanessa A (Mother of Child) published on 25 April 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both my sons attend the nursery and they love it. My eldest is starting school in September and it's going to be very sad when he leaves however the Manager and her staff have done a magnificent job at preparing him for school. The staff, location, facilities, activities and imagination are all amazing.
The food is gorgeous and the education based on play is outstanding. The activities both the older and younger ones do are fantastic. I chose this nursery as I knew in my heart that the children are loved and cared for by all staff. It truly feels like an extension of the family. My youngest is in the baby room and runs straight in every morning with a huge smile on his face. He is completely settled and loves his carers. Both boys have developed immensely at nursery and are very happy there. I can't thank the staff enough for their dedication towards the children. I highly recommend this nursery.

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Review from Sophie L (Mother of Child) published on 6 April 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I love how much my daughter gains from this nursery - she is so happy there and has been attending since 10 months old. The staff are outstanding - both the wider team and her keyworkers. I cannot fault this nursery at all. I love how much time they spend outdoors on walks, and how much they do with
her creatively.
I recommend this nursery to many people.

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Review from Elina (Mother of Child) published on 28 February 2016
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

When we were looking for a nursery for our son over 7 years ago, and stepped in to Acorn Shenley Church End, I personally got a warm feeling, which no other nursery had given me. Staff felt liked they cared about the individual children and there seemed to be several staff members, who had enjoyed working
there for several years, they made us very welcome. My son then went on to enjoy the nursery for full time from 1 year old until he started school.
My daughter has also enjoyed the Acorn's homely setting for over two years now and was lucky to be cared for by the same familiar key worker as my son had in the baby room so many years ago.
Acorn offers worry free childcare as everything is included, nappies, milk, on site cooked dinners, snacks and extra activities, which parents using different nurseries are often surprised by, e.g.: swimming, forest school, music and dance sessions, baking and French studies. Staff have even helped our kids to stay bilingual with my mother tongue.

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Review from Shakila N (Mother of Child) published on 10 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter is 15 months old, she has attended the nursery for 6 months, she loves it at the nursery - when I drop her off she waves me off, which is quite extraordinary as she is a clingy baby! and is always happy and smiley when I collect her. The staff are lovely, very friendly and provide her with
great care. My daughters day is full of fun.

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Review from Brett H (Father of Child) published on 10 February 2016
Submitted via Postal Card • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

The Acorns is a great friendly safe place for our daughter. The staff are very kind and supportive. As well as the Lindfield site the Acorns also has use of two sites situated in the countryside, these give the children an opportunity to run and play outside.

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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.941)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.941) out of 10 for Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 4.9 out of 5 from 27 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 27 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:

  • a) 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months.

    The Average Rating of 4.941 for Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) is calculated as follows: ( (303 Excellents x 5) + (19 Goods x 4) ) ÷ 322 Ratings = 4.941

  • b) 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 (Shenley Church End) is based on 27 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    • i) 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

    • ii) 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 48 number of registered child places is 9.6, which has been reached with 27 Positive reviews. Points = 1

  • When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.

  • If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

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Awards / Recognitions (14)

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Meet the Team (3)

Helen

Helen Price

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Joined: 2005

Helen joined Acorn in 2005 and started as an unqualified lunchtime assistant. Helen gained qualifications from level 2 right through to her BA in her early years, taking on additional training such as SEN, Forest school leader and minibus driver. After 13 years of looking after children, Helen decided the time was right to start her own family and in 2020 had her daughter who attended Acorn.


Helen has a passion for outdoor learning and enjoys not only watching children learn and develop but also helping staff develop!


My favourite quote “The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky”


Helen is also Shenley'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 01908 507782 and ask to speak to Helen directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.


Laura

Laura

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2008

Laura - Deputy Manager


Becky

Becky

Job Title: Senior Administrator

Joined: 2019

Becky - 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 (Shenley Church End) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Acorn Day Nursery (Shenley Church End) has a Platinum Service – more info.