Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill)

Wadhurst Lane, Kents Hill, Milton Keynes MK7 6JF
Submit a Review
10 171 Reviews
  • Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill), Milton Keynes
Acorn Early Years nursery at Kents Hill is ideally located for local families; close to the Kingston retail district and approximately four miles from Junction 13 of the M1 and four miles from Central Milton Keynes.

The nursery has been purpose-built in an innovative octagonal shape, offering lovely, spacious play rooms and a central atrium. Each room leads to extensive garden areas so that the children have access to a range of activities both indoors and outside. Acorn places a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and the children benefit from Acorn’s forest school sessions. They even help to grow vegetables and look after the nursery chickens in the extensive outdoor play area.

The key person system ensures children know there is always somebody there for them at Acorns. The team believe children benefit from meeting their key person in a familiar environment, before beginning their time at the nursery, and so home visits are offered to all new families to help establish those bonds.

All meals are freshly prepared on-site by the nursery chef and menus are carefully designed to offer nutritionally balanced and seasonal options, with something for every child's preferences and requirements.

The friendly staff team welcome visits from prospective parents, so please get in touch if you'd like to find out more.

Show Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) on the Map

Care Provided by Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill)

  • 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
  • Elena Martuccio (Senior Nursery Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 24
  • Registered Charity Number
  • 1145108
  • Total Places for Children
  • 60
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 4 months
    • to 4 years 11 months
  • Opening Times
  • Monday 07:30-18:00
    Tuesday 07:30-18:00
    Wednesday 07:30-18:00
    Thursday 07:30-18:00
    Friday 07:30-18:00
  • When Closed
  • Bank Holidays, Staff Training Days & between Christmas & New Year

Funding & Fees Guide for Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill)

  • Full time place starting from £1,560
    Full day from £81.50
    Morning session from £44.00
    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.
  • Parking

  • There is secure parking in the nursery grounds


Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) Reviews (171)

Total of 171, showing 81-100
10

Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) has a Review Score of 10 (9.961) out of 10, based on 39 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) has 171 reviews.

Overall Experience

  • 162
  • 8
  • 0
  • 1
  • 0

Date Published

171
20
20
39
132

Review from Rebecca C (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

As soon as we went to visit Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) for the first time we absolutely loved it. The setting was amazing, with interesting rooms, well thought out activities, caring, happy staff and free-flow access to the lovely garden. The children spend a massive amount of time outside, which
we absolutely love and they also get to attend a forest school every few weeks. Even during the pandemic the children have been out and about, playing at the park and visiting the nursing home. Everyday our daughter cannot wait to go to nursery and she has a brilliant time. She starts school in September and we are so sad that she won't be at Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) anymore.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Shyam P (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We are so happy that we sent our daughter to Acorns Day Nursery (Kents Hill). The practitioners are very friendly and observe tiny details and developments of our daughter. We are very grateful to send our daughter here, happy with all the staff and the manager. The use of the app makes communication
simple and easy with staff. We love the fact that they take walks in the park, can't recommend them enough. Keep up the good work.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kelli O (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both of our children have gone to Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) from about one years old We visited a number of nurseries when we were looking where would be the best place to leave our children whilst we worked. As soon as we walked into Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) we just knew it was the right
place for us. The environment and staff are just amazing and our girls have thrived from being there. The love, care and attention they received was exactly what we were looking for and nothing was ever too much trouble. We are both key workers so our youngest daughter continued to attend throughout all lockdowns and the staff have remained positive the whole time whilst knowingly putting themselves at risk which were are forever thankful for.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Chris H (Father of Child) published on 28 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Both our children went here and our youngest is coming up to leave. The biggest compliment we can give is that the children love to go! The staff are always happy and welcoming, the summary at the end of each day is always useful, insightful and they genuinely care for the children. Management have
been very accommodating of our changing circumstances and really do try to cater for our needs. Our youngest will be sad to leave but both of ours boys have had a solid start at this very good nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Joanna O (Mother of Child) published on 28 April 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I cannot fault the nursery at all. The staff are amazing, so friendly and warm. The staff seem to genuinely care for all the children they look after and it shows by the glowing things my daughter comes and tells me and how excited she is everyday to go in. I always know my children are safe and happy
while they’re there. In my experience, the manager always goes above and beyond to help with any needs, including last minute emergencies. The nursery itself is always clean and spacious. Always doing different activities with the children. Couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people to help my children grow.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jennifer M (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2021
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We relocated four months ago, and the one thing that was stress-free was moving nursery. From the first contact, Kents Hill nursery has been fantastic. There has always been clear communication and a welcoming feeling from our first enquiry. I can not speak highly enough of the manager, and she sets
the standards for the whole nursery. Our daughter has settled really well and we feel very fortunate that we found this Nursery. Our daughter has the opportunity to undertake lots of activities, lots of outdoor playing and exploring is encouraged. We are kept updated via an easy to use app about the lovely and varied food she has eaten and some photos of activities too. Recently the nursery has helped us start to potty train our daughter, nothing is too much trouble for the learning practitioners. Our daughter has come on so much with all aspects of her development since attending the nursery. I would not hesitate in recommending Kents Hill.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Vanessa (Mother of Child) published on 10 June 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My partner and I who are both key workers (we work for the emergency services) placed our two four-year-old girls into Acorn Kents Hill after their current nursey closed temporarily due to Covid.
When we visited the nursery we loved the facilities, and the outdoor nature feel it had, we knew that
our girls would have so much fun learning there.
When my partner and I met the teachers they were keen for us to tell them about our girls. The teachers were also keen to know what we wanted them to focus on with their learning whilst the girls attended the nursery, and how best to settle them in considering they have been at their current nursery since they were ten months old, this really put my partner and I at ease.
The girls spent two months at Acorn. The nursery was very supportive to us as a family during this difficult time.
The amount of fun and learning the girls did on a daily basis was incredible, this we have shared with people. We totally recommend the nursery, it truly is a great place.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from David K (Father of Child) published on 4 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter always has a great time at the nursery. The Nursery team are very well trained, very caring and help the kids to develop all round. I particularly like the Acorn philosophy of getting the kids outdoors as much as possible. It is always a pleasure to see all these happy and muddy kids checking
out the hens, playing in the mud kitchen, playing in the playground with all the toys or running around like little crazies. Thanks to all the team.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Sara S (Mother of Child) published on 3 February 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My child started at Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) in January. The settling in process has been fantastic. The staff are always keeping me well informed of how she is getting on on a day to day basis. Communication on the app is also fantastic and it’s great to see photos/observations along with exactly
what she’s eaten instantly. The activities provided are engaging and varied and overall very pleased with the nursery and how well my child has settled.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Louise (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Great nursery dedicated to child learning. My child is shy but has never felt overwhelmed and is pushed daily with learning new information and skills.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Swapna R (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5

Very friendly and caring staff. They make kids day so much fun with lots of outdoor and indoor activities. And I don’t have to worry about food as it’s all freshly cooked onsite.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jez T (Father of Child) published on 28 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Such a fantastic environment that encourages my daughter to be the best she can be through discovery, education, play and awesome support. She has thrived since attending the nursery and is in such a good place ready to join school later this year.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Jo C (Mother of Child) published on 28 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

A friendly and welcoming nursery. My child loves going in and is very happy and settled. The nursery staff are all very engaging and form strong bonds with the children. They plan and participate in a wide range of activities that really help the children grow and develop.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Petra V (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Acorn nursery is like a second home to us. Just a few days ago, our son turned 4 and the nursery staff all extended their warmest wishes to him the minute he stepped in the door. The practitioners spend time with the children, speaking and interacting with them all day long; even at the end of the day
during pick-up, practitioners are reading or singing songs with them keeping children calm and engaged. What is also important to us is that the practitioners bring children outside of the nursery often. They not only visit a local park but they also participate in a Forest school once a week. Moreover, they regularly visit a local care home where they play, sing and chat with residents. A lovely in-house cleaning lady keeps the classrooms nice and tidy and the practitioners help children stay clean. There is a wealth of resources, toys, tools, interesting new objects, and art materials that the practitioners keep introducing; there is something new every day! Couldn't recommend more.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Kate H (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Acorns is a really lovely nursery. The staff are happy, friendly, kind, caring and always happy to answer any questions or help when needed etc. My child looks forward to each nursery day and has a lot more confidence in themself. The children are able to do so much for themselves from having the free
flow play freedom to serving their own food at mealtimes this really helps build their own achievements and confidence which helps the progression onto primary school. It's a very caring nursery with amazing staff all round.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Alex (Father of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

An amazing safe, fun and educational environment for children. With a strong focus on the environment and outdoor play.
They have great facilities and the children are able to play in and outdoors all year round.
The nursery’s mobile app allows us to stay informed of our child’s daily activities such
as meals and how much he ate and nap times.
I would and have highly recommended Acorns Kents Hill to anyone looking for a nursery.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Emily (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Acorn at Kents Hill is fantastic!
My daughter has been attending for over a year now and she loves it!
All of the staff are fantastic and they make me feel so at ease leaving my daughter in their care.
The quality of activities and facilities are brilliant, including all of the home cooked meals
prepared on site!
My daughter also attends a weekly forest school and they have regular outings in the local community.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Stuart H (Father of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our 2-year-old son attends the nursery twice a week and it's been really great to see his development. He has gone from crying to being really excited about going to nursery, sometimes to the point of not wanting to go to sleep and wanting to go to nursery at 7 pm! The updates we receive from them through
their app are fantastic, a real insight into how the child is doing, and pictures are excellent too!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Megan D (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My little boy has come on leaps and bounds since he started in nursery last year.
He has developed with his speech very quickly and is now starting to use sentences and he's not yet 2!
The staff are all kind and helpful, the food they are given every day is nutritious and encourages him to try a variety
of foods.
I cannot thank Acorn for playing a huge role in his life to prepare him for when he goes to school and into the real world!

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Review from Guy C (Father of Child) published on 18 October 2019
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We really like the feel and ethos of Acorn, the exciting environment which includes animals and focuses on outdoor activities, their approach to exploring and learning, and their constant enthusiasm for their own learning and improving too. Children always have the opportunity to play outside and are
encouraged to direct their own development and exploration within this safe environment. The feedback we get from practitioners at the end of the day is excellent – they always make time to update us on what our child has been up to, even if it is almost the end of their day. The manager and her team have always been prompt to answer any questions and offer great advice whenever we have been unsure.

Facilities / Outside Space

Learning

Resources / Equipment / ICT

Care

Activities

Staff

Food / Nutrition

Management

Cleanliness

Safeguarding

Value for Money

Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.961)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.961) out of 10 for Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  • a) The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 39 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 39 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 4.961 for Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) is calculated as follows: ( (450 Excellents x 5) + (14 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 466 Ratings = 4.961

  • 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 (Kents Hill) is based on 39 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 60 number of registered child places is 12, which has been reached with 39 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

Please Contact Us for Latest Vacancies

Awards / Recognitions (13)

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading

Loading events

Meet the Team (3)

Elena

Elena Martuccio

Job Title: Senior Nursery Manager

Joined: 2011

Elena worked in the Early Years sector for many years and has been part of the Acorn team since 2011.


During her time at Acorn, she completed her Foundation Degree in her Early Years and progressed from Deputy Manager to Senior Manager. She is passionate about creating a nursery environment which allows all families, children and staff members to feel happy and welcome on a daily basis.


As a Senior Manager, Elena strives to share her knowledge with other practitioners, supporting them to achieve and reach their personal goals and qualifications.


She is also Kents Hill'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 Elena directly - alternatively, the setting can provide a direct email address for her.


Sophie

Sophie Rodwell

Job Title: Deputy Manager

Joined: 2007

Sophie - Deputy Manager has worked in Early Years for many years and joined Acorn in 2007. She is qualified to level 6 and has an Early Years Degree and Early Years Teacher Status (EYTS). Sophie enjoys being outdoors and has completed her Forest School training.


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 (Kents Hill) to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Acorn Day Nursery (Kents Hill) has a Platinum Service – more info.