Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Former Children and Family Centre, Worthing Road, Southwater, Horsham RH13 9JH
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9.9 51 Reviews
  • Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school, Horsham
Southwater Day Nursery & Pre-school in West Sussex provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can thrive. The nursery features a dedicated Baby and Toddler Unit, opened in September 2022, offering a safe and engaging space tailored for the youngest children. This unit is equipped with carefully selected resources to support early development, with experienced practitioners delivering high-quality care.

The Pre-school, located on the grounds of Southwater Infant Academy, offers a smooth transition to formal education. The close connection with the academy ensures children are well-prepared for their next steps. The Pre-school also features the Woodland Wanderers programme, designed to give children hands-on outdoor learning experiences that foster a connection with nature and enhance physical development.

The nursery’s well-equipped outdoor area further supports exploration and imaginative play, providing a rich environment for all ages. With its focus on high-quality care, the newly opened Baby and Toddler Unit, and the Woodland Wanderers programme, Southwater Day Nursery & Pre-school is the perfect place for children to begin their educational journey.

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Care Provided by Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

  • Type of Service
  • Day Nursery – Privately Owned
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Good to Know

  • Person in charge
  • Sallyanne Kasey (Manager)
  • Number of Childcare Staff
  • 17
  • Total Places for Children
  • 52
  • Age Range
    • from 0 years 3 months
    • to 5 years 0 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
  • Between Christmas & New Year and 1 week in August (pre-school only)
  • Parking

  • Parking available outside the front of the School and residential parking with public footpath access.


Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school Reviews (51)

Total of 51, showing 41-51
9.9

Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school has a Review Score of 9.9 (9.893) out of 10, based on 31 reviews in the last 2 years. Over all time Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school has 51 reviews.

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Review from Sarah Y (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I have already had my eldest son attend Little Acorns, so for me, there was no doubt my youngest would also attend. My youngest son was delayed in speaking and with the assistance of the team at Little Acorns, he has improved dramatically and I am confident that in September he will be ready for big
school. The team are great and always happy to help. I feel very fortunate that one of the team is male, as he is a great role model and a rarity in nurseries. After spending nearly 4 years with my children at this nursery, I honestly can’t recommend them enough.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Many thanks for giving us such a positive review - we really appreciate it. Hearing from parents how their children have developed and benefited from their time at our nursery is very rewarding to our fabulous team of practitioners - thank you again for taking the time to share your experience.


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Review from Elaine R (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a lovely nursery. Both my girls attended this nursery and have gone onto the school in the grounds. It’s a lovely friendly environment. Can’t fault the staff as they are kind and help children gain independence and learn through play. Being in the grounds of the infant school, they become very
familiar with the surroundings, helping them to settle in school more quickly too. Highly recommend.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for your very kind review and such lovely comments, my team will be delighted to read them. It's a delight to care for your daughters, and we are grateful you entrusted us to do the job. Thank you for your support.


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Review from Anna W (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My two children both attended Little Acorns and have positively thrived in the environment. The staff are incredibly understanding on so many issues. They also helped one of my children with a speech issue and spent time with her individually and it really showed in her development week on week. The
range of activities was vast and well thought out.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for your lovely review. I am glad to hear you are so happy with the nursery, and we are delighted to care for both your children. The amazing team there really put in a lot of effort to plan wonderful activities and care for the children, so it is nice to hear you can see that. Thank you again for your kind words.


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Review from L R (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Little Acorns is a fantastic preschool, with friendly, caring and helpful staff. My son always loved going and they did a great job preparing him for going into Reception. I would definitely recommend.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for your very kind review and such lovely comments, my team will be delighted to read them. It's was a delight to care for your son, and we are grateful you entrusted us to do the job. Thank you for your support.


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Review from Andrea T (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

My daughter went to Little Acorns and absolutely thrived. The staff were caring and supportive, the setting was well equipped and she blossomed into a confident child, ready for school. I would highly recommend the setting and we were sad when she had to leave to attend school.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for sharing your nursery experience. I am delighted to hear you chose to allow us to care for your daughter and that she is thriving at nursery. Helping children become confident is something that we care greatly about and it's wonderful to receive such praise. Thank you.


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Review from Plamena M (Mother of Child) published on 23 November 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Strongly recommend this nursery, we were really worried how our daughter would get on because she is very shy, but she settled really quickly and now she can’t stop saying how much she loves going to nursery. She keeps singing songs and talks about what she did with such excitement. She keeps saying
that she loves her teachers and that she loves playing with her new friends. She made a lot of new friendships which makes us really happy. The staff are amazing and really welcoming and kind.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

It is fantastic to hear that your daughter loves the nursery, thank you for taking the time to let us know. Social interactions are a big part of a child's early years and we are all delighted to know your daughter has made so many friends. Our amazing practitioners work hard to encourage child social engagement; they will be thrilled to hear your comments.


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Review from Hannah M (Mother of Child) published on 11 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

I can’t recommend Little Acorns enough!! My daughter has such a wonderful time there and has made lots of new friends which is great! She is singing songs daily that she has learnt and tells me all about her fun-filled day! The staff are so kind and caring and very professional-we are so pleased with
all aspects of the nursery! I know that when she starts school next year, she will be more than ready, as was my son who also went there 2 years ago. 5 stars all round!

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

It is fantastic to hear that your daughter loves the nursery, thank you for taking the time to let us know. Social interactions are a big part of a child's early years and we are all delighted to know your daughter has made so many new friends. Our amazing practitioners work hard to encourage child social engagement; they will be thrilled to hear your comments.


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Review from Cheryl W (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

We have been so impressed by the staff at Little Acorns. My little girl absolutely loves going and asks every morning whether it’s a preschool day. She’s an August baby and so one of the younger ones, and had a hard time settling in within the first week or so, but the staff have been so caring, patient
and flexible. I would have no hesitation recommending Little Acorns to others.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for taking the time to write such a glowing review. I'm delighted to hear that your daughter is now settled and loves our wonderful nursery. Thank you again for your very positive feedback - the team will be so happy.


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Review from Rebecca B (Mother of Child) published on 10 November 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

What a brilliant preschool, both my daughters have attended Little Acorns and have thrived there, the staff are all amazing and my girls love it there. They are well looked after and always leave wanting to go back on there next session. Highly recommended

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for writing such a positive review for our nursery team. It is our pleasure to have cared for your daughters, and I am so glad that they love their time nursery. I know the team have a ball with the children and they will be super pleased to read your comments.


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Review from Jenny L (Mother of Child) published on 20 October 2020
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Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

Our son wakes up every morning and says “am I going to Little Acorns today? “ he absolutely loves it and gets so excited when we say today is a nursery day. His confidence has grown so much and he has become more and more curious and asking questions. We're really enjoying hearing what he has been doing.
He struggled with his colours but with help from the nursery and guidance from the staff in some home learning, he now can tell us most of them easily. The nursery is warm, welcoming and all the children run in to start their day. I couldn’t recommend the staff and the setting enough.

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Thank you for your kind comments. Hearing how your son asks about the nursery daily is a great endorsement; the manager and the team, work so hard to ensure each child has a special time at the nursery and I am delighted to hear that we made a difference. I can't wait to share your wonderful comments with our amazing team.


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Review from Michelle N (Mother of Child) published on 13 October 2020
Submitted via Website • Report

Overall Experience  Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5

All the staff are amazing with the children; my son is always so excited to get there in the morning. He has made lots of friends, adores the staff and they have worked so well with him (and his brother 2 years ago) preparing him for school in September. Thank you Little Acorns!

Reply from David Hancock, CEO at Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school

Hi Michelle,
Thank you for sharing yours and your son's experience of our nursery - caring for children is in our DNA and its wonderful to receive such praise.
Thank you.


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Current Review Score: 9.9 (9.893)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 9.9 (9.893) out of 10 for Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school 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 31 Reviews in the last 24 months.

  • b) The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 31 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 4.893 for Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school is calculated as follows: ( (329 Excellents x 5) + (35 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 366 Ratings = 4.893

  • 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 Southwater Day Nursery and Pre-school is based on 31 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 52 number of registered child places is 10.4, which has been reached with 31 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 (5)

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Meet the Team (3)

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Jamie Gearing

Job Title: Manager

Joined: 2013

I've been working at Little Acorns for 7 years starting off as an apprentice and gaining experience with a variety of courses and children from all walks of life.


I love Little Acorns I enjoy allowing children to access their silly side and encourage them to use their imaginations to explore the world around them, to engage and challenge themselves to find what they're are capable of.


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Tereza Kennedy

Job Title: Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2019

I absolutely love working at Little Acorns, I always try to be a positive role model for the children and ensure their environment is stimulating and engaging to give them endless opportunities to learn and develop. It is amazing that I am able to teach the children something new and then watch the excitement and accomplishment of their new skills. Also watching the children whilst they play – how their imagination works, makes me smile!


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Kirsty Farley

Job Title: Assistant Nursery Practitioner

Joined: 2011

I love working at Little Acorns, in my 9 years there I have enjoyed watching the children grow and flourish. They come in happy and have as much fun as I do playing with all the different resources we have on offer. I look forward to many more yours of helping children to expand their ideas and make great friendships.


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