Activities for Children, Childcare, Chorley, Clayton-le-Woods, Learning & Development, Nursery, Play, Preschool, Sensory Room

New Sensory Room at Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods

Little Acorns was delighted recently to unveil our new Sensory Room at our Clayton-le-Woods nursery near Chorley. The space offers a holistic experience tailored to each child’s individual needs and features calming lights, soft play equipment, a variety of textures, and a sensory den. Designed to enhance engagement and enjoyment, the new sensory equipment, accessories, and resources facilitate a wide range of sensory experiences that support therapeutic, educational, and recreational goals for every child. Indeed, the new room has been a huge hit with the children who love to go there to relax, explore, learn, and engage with the wide range of stimulating activities.

The new Sensory Room is accessible throughout the day under the watchful eye of our dedicated early years professionals. It’s an inclusive environment that not only provides diverse sensory opportunities for all children but also offers a safe and calming space to help regulate and reduce instances of sensory overload. Watch our video and view the image gallery to get a flavour of what’s on offer in the new sensory space.

Sensory Room Gallery

(Click the images to view them large along with a full description).

The new Sensory Room at Little Acorns Nursery is designed to engage many of the eight senses, which help people and animals make sense of stimuli coming from the world and feelings within their own bodies.

The 8 Senses

What are the eight senses? There are five internal and three external senses:

The 5 External Senses

These help us make sense of stimuli coming from things outside our bodies:

Sight (visual), i.e. what people see, including colours, shapes, movement, etc.
Hearing (auditory), i.e. sounds people hear via their ears, including qualities such as pitch and volume.
Touch (tactile), i.e. how things feel via receptors in the skin. Aspects like pressure, texture, temperature, and pain can be identified through this sense.
Smell (olfactory), i.e. the sense, associated with the nose, that identifies the odours/scents of things around us.
Taste (gustatory), i.e. the sense that identifies flavours — sweet, savoury, salty, bitter, etc.

The 3 Internal Senses

These help us to make sense and practical use of feelings inside us:

Vestibular, i.e. the sense governed by inner ear mechanisms that help us with balance, movement (especially of the head), and spatial orientation.
Proprioception, i.e. the sense of body awareness that gives us greater understanding and control of body/limb position through stimuli feeding back from muscles, joints, etc.
Interoception, i.e. the sense that tells us about internal states like temperature, heart rate, and pain, as well as feelings like hunger, thirst, and even needing the bathroom.

Sensory Integration

One of the most important things to understand about senses in early childhood is that, although children are born with some basic senses and sensory equipment, their brains and neurological pathways need to both develop further and learn to process sensory stimuli. Such learning is aided only by active physical exploration and a wide range of experiences. This leads to something called ‘Sensory Integration’ — the interpretation and organisation of incoming stimuli, which will aid a person’s appropriate responses to them.

Some of the Benefits of Our New Sensory Room

For children at Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, the equipment, accessories, and resources in our new Sensory Room will help in achieving that all-important sensory integration. Touching different textures, climbing, running, balancing, spinning, hearing sounds and seeing visual stimuli will all help young brains and synapses to better organise themselves and give meaning to the incoming stimuli and internal senses. By giving meaning to signals received, and enabling children to make sense of the related feelings and emotions, they will become better equipped to react in appropriate ways. Examples of such reactions may include moving in a particular way to achieve a specific outcome, adjusting their balance to prevent a fall, improving coordination and gross motor skills, optimally adjusting body position within a space, or even learning, through repeated experience, to ‘filter out’ some of the background stimuli when needed. The latter can be useful, for example, when a child is trying to focus on a particular task or, indeed, is trying to be calm and relaxed despite multiple stimuli being present.

A Safe Space for Children

As well as helping to stimulate those whose senses may be under-active or in need of development, sensory rooms also represent a safe and soothing space where children who are at risk of overstimulation can retreat. Whatever the scenario, the sensory room is a place where all children can decompress in a peaceful space and reset before returning to a group.

Sensory rooms are highly inclusive and will therefore also support development in children who are neurodivergent, for example, affected by ADHD or autism.

Nursery Places at Little Acorns Nursery

A Nursery Place for Your Child in Clayton-le-Woods, Near Chorley

If you are local and your child is under five, consider a nursery place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery (Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley). We are rated as a good childcare provider by Ofsted, and support free/funded childcare hours for eligible children. The nursery day also begins early, at 7:30 am, and remains open until 6:00 pm — convenient for working parents.

If this sounds of interest, please get in touch using one of the following options:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

As well as providing weekday childcare for families in and around Clayton-le-Woods, Little Acorns Nursery may also suit those nearby in towns and villages like Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Chorley, Penwortham, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Leyland, Thorpe Green, Whittle-le-Woods, Lostock Hall, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, and Euxton.

31st July 2026/by Mark

Babies, Childcare, Children, Chorley, Chorley Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Early Years Education, Lancashire, Nurseries, Nursery, Nursery News, Ofsted Report, Preschool, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Under-5s

Fabulous New Ofsted Report for Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

A fabulous new Ofsted report is out for Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. Published on 30 September 2025, it follows an inspection earlier that month. Parents and local families will be delighted to learn that, once again, Little Acorns Nursery was rated as ‘Good’ across all categories. That’s a high rating for overall effectiveness, the quality of education, the behaviour and attitudes of those attending, the personal development of staff, and the quality of leadership and management at the setting. A clean sweep! It’s news that will instil confidence in families that are considering enrolling a child at the nursery, and a clear demonstration that little ones who attend will benefit enormously — and be kept safe.

“What is it like to attend this early years setting?”

“The provision is good” — Ofsted.

Overall effectiveness: Good
The quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good

Let’s take a look at some of the positive findings and encouraging comments from the Ofsted Inspector who prepared this latest report.

Children Feel Happy, Settled,
Safe & Secure at the Nursery

The Ofsted Inspector could clearly see that children at Little Acorns are happy and feel at home at the nursery:

“Children are happy and settled at the nursery… Staff help children to learn important language, such as to describe their feelings. This helps children to feel safe and secure at the nursery.” — Ofsted.

She later also remarked that staff “are responsive to children’s needs, feelings and moods” and “encourage children to express and say what they feel,” later concluding in the report that “Children’s well-being is supported effectively.”

A Positive Attitude to Learning

As the Ofsted Inspector said in her report, “Children make good progress in their learning of the nursery’s curriculum”, and she recognised the positive approach to children’s learning at the setting:

“Leaders are ambitious for children’s learning and development. They are clear about the knowledge that they want children to learn and why.” — Ofsted.

And, with that in mind, it was clear to the Inspector that children’s learning and development are nurtured well by thoughtful and attentive staff:

“Staff know the children well. They provide meaningful learning opportunities that build on children’s interests effectively… Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning.” — Ofsted.

Children’s Personal Development is Promoted Well

Ofsted’s report also points out that children’s personal development is nurtured very effectively, resulting in them becoming independent and “confident in their own abilities.”

“Leaders make certain that staff promote children’s personal development well. Children benefit from the many opportunities that staff provide to help them to become independent.” — Ofsted.

Help Making Friends

The Ofsted Inspector also recognised the nursery’s positive role in helping babies and children socialise and make friends:

“They develop important knowledge about how to make friends because of staff’s skilful help. Babies show curiosity and are inquisitive about others. Older children are confident when meeting new people.” — Ofsted.

Help Developing Physical Skills

The way the nursery and its practitioners help children develop physical skills was also picked up in the latest Ofsted report. The Inspector sang the praises of the ‘thoughtful’ early years practitioners and the appropriateness of equipment:

“The nursery provides plenty of opportunities for children to develop essential physical skills. For example, staff working with babies provide climbing equipment, such as low-level steps, for babies to explore how they can move their bodies. Staff working with older children provide them with access to large equipment, such as the outdoor slide and wheeled ride-on toys. Children delight in testing out how strong they have become because of the thoughtful help of the nursery.” — Ofsted.

Strong Safeguarding at the Nursery

Ofsted’s inspector applauded the nursery’s “effective” safeguarding arrangements:

“There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.” — Ofsted.

She also recognised recent safeguarding enhancements. With regard to possible allergens, for example, she remarked:

“The provider ensures that known allergies for children are identified, understood and managed well… It is now a nut-free nursery. Staff have attended relevant training and leaders have strengthened risk assessments.” — Ofsted.

And, with regard to security, she noted the excellent measures in place:

“The provider ensures that the premises are safe and secure […] additional locks and entrance bells have been added to the nursery’s external gate. Staff understand their responsibility to ensure that external doors are locked and that they adhere to the nursery’s risk assessments. Leaders ensure that children are adequately supervised. This ensures the safety of children.” — Ofsted.

Staff Recognised

Another key area that Ofsted inspectors look at is staffing. For example, are staff happy, are they adequately supervised and managed by leaders, and are they given the opportunity to grow? Well, as the ‘Good’ ratings for ‘Personal Development’ and ‘Leadership & Management’ in this latest report testify, it was a resounding ‘yes’ on all counts. The Inspector recognised that the leaders ‘ensure the smooth running of the nursery’ and support the work of staff. She went on to report:

“leaders ensure that supervisions for staff are effective and include opportunities to discuss individual staff’s training and development needs. Staff receive effective coaching from leaders that improves the quality of education that children receive.” — Ofsted.

Click here to view/download the September 2025 Ofsted Report for Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley.

Little Acorns Nursery: a High-Quality Childcare Service in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

As the latest Ofsted report testifies, Little Acorns Nursery is a great choice if you’re looking for a high-quality childcare service in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley. We’re open virtually all year round, support funded childcare places for children aged 9 months to 4 years (inclusive), and give under-fives the best start in life. Contact us today to arrange a guided visit to the nursery, ask any questions, or enrol your child for a nursery place. We can’t wait to meet you!

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

Little Acorns is an award-winning nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, Central Lancashire, and may also represent a convenient choice for families living nearby in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland, and Penwortham.

26th November 2025/by Mark

Childcare, Chorley, Chorley Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, Nurseries, Nursery, Nursery News, Preschool, Under-5s

Little Acorns Nursery Open Day: Saturday 1st November 2025

Little Acorns Nursery is holding an Open Day on Saturday, 1 November 2025. We’ll be opening our doors to Lancashire families, so they can see this wonderful childcare setting in person. There’s no need to book — you are welcome to come along at any time between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. What’s more, being on a Saturday, it should prove more convenient for working families. On the day, our team will be available for guided tours. We can show families the rooms, excellent facilities, and well-equipped outdoor areas, and answer any questions that you might have. Saturday is a non-working day at the nursery, so you’ll have our undivided attention. Why not bring your own child with you, so they can see the setting too — and get a feel for how well they would fit in? Come along — we’d love to meet you!

“A fabulous enabling environment, indoors and outdoors.”

Come Along — And Save!

If you sign up for a nursery place on the day, we’ll waive the registration fee!

Nursery Open Day: Saturday 1 November 2025, 10 am – 1 pm

Little Acorns is a wonderful childcare nursery at 34 Sheep Hill Lane, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire, PR6 7JH. We are a convenient choice for families seeking high-quality childcare near Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Chorley, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland, and Penwortham. We operate virtually all year round, closing only for Bank Holidays and over Christmas/New Year. We support free/funded childcare places for eligible children aged from just 9 months— great for working families. Little Acorns Nursery is recognised by Ofsted as a Good Provider.

“Children are happy and settled at the nursery.” — Ofsted, September 2025.

• ‘Good Provider’ status from Ofsted (September 2025 report). • Government-funded childcare places are supported for eligible families. • A nurturing & enabling environment, inside and out. • Forest School re-opening in 2026. • Baby Massage and Baby Yoga sessions planned for 2026 — training already in progress! • 5-Star Food Hygiene Rating from the Food Standards Agency (June 2025). • A purpose behind everything we do at the nursery.

“Children demonstrate a positive attitude to their learning.” — Ofsted, September 2025.

We’d love to show you our fabulous nursery and preschool on the 1st of November, so please come along anytime from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. — we can’t wait to meet you!

Need More Information? Call 01772 696 288

15th October 2025/by Mark

Childcare, Childcare Funding, Chorley, Chorley Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Lancashire, Nurseries, Nursery, Preschool, Under-5s

Don’t Miss Out on Free Childcare This September – Apply NOW!

(Free ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme for Eligible Working Families)

In September this year (2025), free childcare for eligible working families expands to 30 hours per week for children as young as just 9 months. Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods is supporting the funding scheme too. Taken usually over 38 weeks* of the year, it means a generous 1140 hours of funded childcare will be available to eligible children in Central Lancashire over the course of a year. For the first time, the funding will cover eligible babies aged from only 9 months and children up to 2, the scheme having previously rolled out to eligible 3-and-4-year-olds last year. An urgent factor to be aware of, however, is that the funding application deadline is only weeks away for those wanting to start in the September 2025 term. So, whether you’re thinking of applying at Little Acorns Nursery or elsewhere, don’t delay your application any longer if you want to access the free funding from September. If your child is eligible and you do not apply by the deadline, your child will not be able to access the free funding for the entire September term. Read on to learn more about the new funding for eligible working families, the deadlines for applications, and the rules that apply.

When is the Application Deadline for the September Term?

— & What if you Miss it?

The application deadline for September 2025 childcare funding is the 31st of August 2025. At the time of writing (late June 2025), that’s just a few weeks away. If you miss the August deadline, your child will not be able to access funding for that term even if, in theory, they had been eligible. You will then either need to pay for childcare during the September term or defer your funding application to the following one. That begins in January 2026 with an application deadline of 31 December 2025. Similarly, if you miss that deadline, you’ll need to cover childcare costs yourself or defer to the subsequent term, which will start in April 2026. The funding application deadline for the April term will be 31 March 2026.

Is Little Acorns Nursery, Chorley, Accepting ‘30 Hours’ Funded Applications?

Yes, Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods will be supporting the newly expanded free childcare scheme. That means we’ll be able to look after eligible Lancashire children, including babies aged from just 9 months, free of childcare costs^† for 30 hours* per week subject to available places.

^{† While the free childcare hours are funded by the government scheme for eligible working families, extras like the cost of trips, nappies, food/drink, and any additional hours are not usually covered. Ask your specific childcare provider for clarification.}

Why is the Free Childcare Available?

The newly expanded childcare funding scheme for working families has several aims and stems from plans made originally during the Spring Budget of 2023. Although the governing party changed in the intervening time, the new Government has continued to support and implement the funding scheme. The main aims of the childcare funding expansion include:

Helping to make childcare more affordable for working families;
Helping children to begin their early years education earlier (this has been shown to significantly increase outcomes in studies);
Helping parents, particularly mothers, return to the workplace, or extend existing working hours, after having time off to look after a young child;
Helping the economy as a whole by filling job vacancies.

The scheme will save eligible families significant sums. With eligible children aged 3 to 4 having been able to access the ’30 hours’ funding since September 2024, this September’s further expansion will mean that eligible children will be able to access free childcare hours from 9 months right up until school age. Fabulous!

“Eligible children will be able to access free childcare hours from 9 months right up until school age.”

Is Your Child Eligible for the ‘30 Hours’ Funded Childcare for Working Families?

The main eligibility requirements are that the child’s parent, and their spouse/partner, if applicable, are each earning:

the equivalent of the National Minimum Wage (or Living Wage) for at least 16 hours per week over the next 3 months and;
no more than £100,000 per annum (current tax year).

Other rules and caveats apply but the above represent the two key rules for eligibility. Learn more here.

How to Apply for Childcare Funding for Eligible Working Families

When to Apply

The application deadline for September 2025 childcare funding is the 31st of August 2025. You can apply for funded childcare for eligible working families as soon as your child reaches the age of 23 weeks (that’s just over 5¼ months). If successful, they’ll be able to start using their free childcare hours the term after they reach the age of 9 months. Depending on when that occurs, they’ll be able to start accessing the funded childcare from either the 1st of September, the 1st of January, or the 1st of April, with application deadlines for each being the day before.

Please note that there are other rules concerning when you can apply if, for example, you’re returning to work following maternity/paternity leave and similar, or you are starting a new job. Learn more here.

Where to Apply

To access childcare funding for working families, you’ll need to apply for it via your Childcare Account on the Gov.uk website. You can use that same link to create a Childcare Account if you don’t already have one. Have your National Insurance (‘N.I.’) number, your Unique Taxpayer Reference (‘UTR’) if self-employed/applicable, and your child’s UK birth certificate reference number at the ready when you apply. Confirmation of your application’s success — or otherwise — is usually immediate but may take up to a week in some circumstances.

How to Access Your Free Childcare Hours

If your application for the ’30 Hours’ childcare funding is successful, you’ll receive a code to your Childcare Account. You’ll need to give the code to your chosen childcare provider along with your child’s date of birth and your own N.I. number. You will need to do so before the deadlines, which are explained in the information box near the beginning of this guide. So, as we said before, if you are applying for the September term, don’t delay — you must apply by the 31st of August or you will miss out on that entire term’s funding.

Is That Everything?

Not quite; you’ll need to reconfirm your details and eligibility every three months. You should do so via your Childcare Account. On success, a new code will then be provided via the account for you to pass on to your childcare provider.

Apply for a Childcare Place at Little Acorns Nursery

High-Quality Weekday Childcare in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Central Lancashire

Little Acorns Nursery welcomes new applications for childcare places in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. We’re a highly-regarded nursery with a Good Ofsted rating and support many different childcare funding schemes for eligible families. As well as serving local families from Clayton-le-Woods and Chorley, we also represent a convenient choice for those in nearby locations like Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

Get in touch today to explore a possible nursery place for your baby, toddler, or preschooler at Little Acorns Nursery. We’ll be happy to hear from you, show you around, and answer any questions. Get started via one of the following:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

^{* The ’30 hours’ free childcare scheme usually covers 38 weeks of the year and a maximum of 1140 hours per year. Whether the free hours can be spread out a different way, for example using less than 30 hours per week but over more weeks of the year, will depend upon availability from your chosen childcare provider. Ask your provider about availability.}

28th June 2025/by Mark

Glowing Ofsted Feedback for Little Acorns Nursery

Today we look at the wonderful Ofsted report published recently for Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. Ofsted is The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Their inspector visited this fabulous Lancashire childcare setting in late August and released its official report a month later on 25 September 2024. Our post today spotlights some of the many glowing comments made by the inspector therein, following her visit. It also highlights the reasoning for ‘good provider’ ratings across all areas of the Ofsted report. Take a look and you’ll see why babies, children under five, and those with special educational needs and/or disabilities absolutely thrive at Little Acorns.

How Does Ofsted Rate Little Acorns Nursery, Chorley?

It’s a clean sweep across all sectors of the Ofsted report:

“The provision is good” — Ofsted

Overall effectiveness: Good
The quality of education: Good
Behaviour and attitudes: Good
Personal development: Good
Leadership and management: Good

Let’s look at some of the wonderful comments made by the Ofsted inspector in her latest report for the setting:

Children are Happy at Little Acorns Nursery

It’s great to see that the Ofsted inspector picked up on just how happy children are at Little Acorns Nursery, Chorley:

“Children are welcomed warmly by the friendly staff. They arrive happily and are excited to spend time with staff and their peers.” — Ofsted

Little Acorns Children are Confident

We also do everything we can to ensure that children feel confident and valued at Little Acorns and it’s good to see that this was also abundantly clear to the Ofsted inspector:

“Children are confident, and those who need reassurance receive it in abundance from staff. This helps to enhance children’s self-esteem.” — Ofsted

Tailored Learning & Support for Children with Special Needs/Disabilities

Little Acorns Nursery’s support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (‘SEND’) was particularly well regarded by the Ofsted Inspector. In her report, she commented:

“All children, including those with special education needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points.” — Ofsted

And later …

“Staff are knowledgeable about the individual needs of all children attending the nursery, including those with SEND. They ensure that, if needed, children are referred to other professionals in a timely manner. Staff work collaboratively with a range of outside agencies. This helps to ensure that the curriculum meets children’s individual needs. — Ofsted

Safeguarding — Child Safety at Little Acorns Nursery

The safety and well-being of children is of paramount importance in any setting. Ofsted recognised the good safeguarding policies and measures taken at Little Acorns Nursery, where staff ensure child safety at all times, including mealtimes:

“The arrangements for safeguarding are effective […] There is an open and positive culture around safeguarding that puts children’s interests first.” — Ofsted

“Staff notice and minimise risks to children’s health and safety in the nursery. They complete effective risk assessment and take swift action when they identify hazards. Staff show a good understanding of children’s dietary requirements and allergies. Each mealtime, staff check that children only receive food appropriate for their dietary needs.” — Ofsted

High-Quality Staff

The quality of staff at childcare settings is critically important in so many ways. The Ofsted inspector’s comments demonstrate the quality and suitability of the team at Little Acorns Nursery:

“… staff ensure the smooth running of the setting […] Children are welcomed warmly by the friendly staff.” — Ofsted

“Staff form close bonds with children. Their nurturing interactions help children settle quickly into nursery routines.” — Ofsted

Being a good role model to children is also hugely important, especially in the early years. Little Acorns Nursery staff were recognised in this regard as well as in respect to the high-quality curriculum that’s tailored for each child:

“Staff are positive role models.” — Ofsted

“Staff create an ambitious curriculum for all children.” — Ofsted

Good Behaviour at Little Acorns Nursery

Any good nursery or childcare provider will ensure that children understand right from wrong and are mindful of the effect their actions have on others, including peers. Nurturing good manners and appropriate behaviour amongst little ones benefits everyone including, of course, the children themselves. Ofsted’s latest report recognised that Little Acorns is very successful in this regard:

“Staff are positive role models. They help children learn how to share the toys and resources […] children behave well, they understand some rules such as having kind hands. ” — Ofsted

Good Support for Children’s Emotional Development

Sound emotional development goes hand-in-hand with good behaviour. Staff were recognised by the Ofsted inspector for facilitating good emotional development in the children under their care:

“Staff support children’s emotional development well. Pre-school children […] take turns to discuss what makes them feel happy and why. Children understand about different feelings and they are learning how to regulate their own emotions.” — Ofsted

Encouraging Creativity

Children find messy play hugely rewarding as well as being immense fun. Messy play nurtures children’s imaginations, creativity, dexterity, and self-expression and benefits them in many other ways. It is therefore a crucial part of early years learning and development — and more important than it perhaps sounds. Ofsted picked up on the quality of messy play activities at Little Acorns Nursery within its report:

“[Staff] provide plenty of opportunities for children to engage in messy play. For example, babies splash in the raspberry filled water tray and explore the lemon and flowers inside. Pre-school children dip their fingers in paint and create their own colour monster. ” — Ofsted

What’s more, such activities are good for their motor skills and coordination:

“These opportunities help to develop children’s hand muscles in readiness for early writing.” — Ofsted

Nurturing Physical Development in Children

Physical development is a crucially important part of a child’s early years and, as such, staff at Little Acorns Nursery are always keen to nurture it amongst children under their care:

“Babies have plenty of space to crawl and to learn to walk. They beam with joy as they climb up the steps before coming down the indoor slide … Toddlers use spades to scoop up sand and fill their buckets. Pre-school children practise their hand eye coordination as they throw balls through hoops with staff outdoors. This helps to develop children’s larger muscle movements.” — Ofsted

Nurturing Independence

Learning how to be more independent is hugely important for children, particularly in their early years. Not only does it help them learn to be more self-sufficient, but it also boosts confidence and self-esteem and helps to better prepare them for school.

“Staff promote children’s independence well. Toddlers try to put their own superhero costumes and masks on as they dress up. Pre-school children serve their own food at mealtimes. Children are learning how to manage their own personal hygiene. These opportunities help children to feel proud of the tasks they can complete by themselves.” — Ofsted

Well-Promoted Communication & Language Skills

Communication and language are two of the major keystones of child development. Without such skills, children will really struggle. It is therefore heartening to see that the Ofsted inspector recognised the successes of our approach at Little Acorns:

“Children’s communication and language skills are promoted well.” — Ofsted

Good Partnerships with Parents

Early years education is more successful when all the adults in a child’s life are pulling in the same direction. That’s why staff at Little Acorns Nursery nurture partnerships with children’s parents and it’s good to see both Ofsted and parents recognising this:

“Overall, partnerships with parents are good. Staff work closely with parents to share updates on their child’s development using the parent app. Parents discuss the positive relationships staff have built with children.” — Ofsted

View or download the full [September 2024] Ofsted Report for Little Acorns Nursery here.

[2025 UPDATE]: A later Ofsted report was released at the end of September 2025. Learn more about the excellent findings here.

Little Acorns Nursery: a Good, Caring Childcare Provider in Clayton-le-Woods

As you can see from the wonderful Ofsted comments in their latest report, Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. Children have a fabulous start at the setting, in a warm, loving, caring and nurturing environment where the best is brought out in each child in readiness for school. If this sounds like something you’d like for your baby or child under five, contact us, register for a place, or request a free guided visit today:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

As an award-winning childcare provider located in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, we may also suit those living in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland, Penwortham and Central Lancashire.

15th November 2024/by Mark

Children, Early Years Education, Education, Nursery, Parenting, Preschool, Primary School, School, Under-5s

Applying For a Primary School Place: a Guide for Parents (Time-Sensitive!)

If your child is 3 or, at the latest, has just turned 4, it’s time for you to apply for their primary school place. What’s more, you only have until about mid-January to do so. That’s all true whether you intend them to start school at 4 or leave it until they’re 5. In today’s guide, we explain the rules around applying for a primary school place, the key dates you need to know, what to expect, and the various options open to you and your child.

When to Apply for a Primary School Place

Applications for starting at Primary School need to be made when your child is 3 or, as we said above, has just turned 4 at the very latest. When they have reached this age range, the application needs to be submitted during the period between the 1st of September of the current year and the 15th of January of the next year. So, at the time of writing (October 2024), applications are already open and parents have until 11:59 pm on the 15th of January 2025 to apply. Don’t leave it until the last minute, though, just in case there are technical issues if applying online or postal delays if using the paper version of the application form.

Legal School Age & Your Child’s Starting Options

‘Compulsory School Age’, the legal age by which children must begin school, is the 31st of December, March or August (whichever of those arrives first) after they’ve turned 5. However, starting earlier is also an option and one that is taken up by many.

Starting ‘Early’ at 4

Compulsory School Age begins on the 31st of December, March or August (whichever arrives first) after children have turned 5. Most children in England start primary or infant school earlier, in ‘Reception’ year. For most, this will be in the September term when they’re still only 4. That’s just one reason why applying for a primary school place is so important while they’re only 3 or, at the very latest, have just turned 4.

Whether a child begins school at 4 or 5 depends on several factors including the preference of the child’s parents. Some parents, particularly those with a child whose birthday falls between the 1st of April and the 31st of August (a “summer-born child”), may simply feel that their child is not ready to begin school at the age of four. If born during this date range, they would be amongst the youngest in the year. In such a scenario, parents can decide to defer the child’s start to the later, legal, age of 5 if they so wish.

Deferring Until 5

Where parents do decide to defer their child’s school start to the age of five, it’s worth noting that local admission authorities and schools can decide whether the child will begin school in Reception Year (effectively Year Zero) or Year One. This decision will need to be carefully made, taking into consideration the best interests of the child. For example, their specific needs and abilities will be a factor. Whether it’s best to begin school in Year One with contemporaries mostly of the same age or go into Reception Year with children who are mostly younger, to ensure they have the basics, will be among the various deciding factors. Learn more about deferring until five here.

Note that summer-born children deferring until the following year may be required to submit an extra application form by the same mid-January deadline.

How & Where to Apply for a Primary School Place

Registering an interest that you’re interested in a particular primary school is sensible and, indeed, may result in the school supplying some useful information. However, it will not guarantee your child a place even if it’s attached to their nursery or preschool. You therefore need to make your official application through your local authority, which can be identified here by entering your postcode. Once identified, navigate to their site using the green button supplied after your postcode search. For example, if you live locally to Little Acorns Nursery near Chorley, you would arrive at Lancashire County Council’s primary school portal. As that example shows, local authorities supply lots of information about applying — indeed it’s an absolute mine of information – along with a simple button or link to actually begin your application for a primary school place for your child.

You may need to quickly first register with the system if you have not used it before, or enter your User ID and password if you already completed that process. Once applying for a primary school place, you’ll need to enter the kind of information you’d expect (name, address, details about your child including their permanent address, etc.) along with confirmation of whether they will already have a sibling attending any of the schools you are applying for once they start, plus the name of their Local Care Authority if they are receiving care, and so on.

Note that you may need to submit a supplementary information form in some circumstances, for example, with some church/faith schools.

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Application

Research your local primary schools, visit them to get a feel for them, and ask teachers and heads any questions you may have. Schools often have open days or evenings or accept appointments for these purposes.
Check if any of those that you’re considering applying for are usually very oversubscribed before submitting your application. Doing so will help to ensure that you submit choices that are more likely to succeed. You can usually contact your local authority and/or schools to discuss such likelihoods as they will be able to access historical data. Ensure at least one of your three choices stands a realistic chance of success i.e. is unlikely to be oversubscribed although, of course, nothing is guaranteed.
Make use of all three of your school preferences available during the application process. Don’t be tempted to put the same school for all 3 of your choices. Doing so will not increase your chances of obtaining your top choice and will obviously mean you have no viable second and third choices, leaving you more open to disappointment.
Be sure to enter a valid email address that you have access to during the application process. This will allow you to receive your school offer as soon as possible once released in April of the following year, rather than having to wait for a postal notification.
Don’t be late with your application. Priority for school places is given to those who applied on time.

What Happens if You’re Late With Your Primary School Application?

What happens if you are applying for a primary school place for your child, want them to start in the standard September term, but miss the mid-January application deadline? In this scenario, you’ll need to fill in a ‘late application’ form. This will be available via your local authority website. Note, however, that priority for primary school places will be given to those who applied on time. This means that late applicants stand less chance of achieving their desired choice of schools because, potentially, there may no longer be available places by the time the late application is processed.

What if You Want to Change Your School Choice After Applying?

Sometimes, for one reason or another, a parent will wish to change the choice(s) they originally applied for. In such a scenario, check your local authority website for guidelines, which may require use of an alternative application form or, if beyond the mid-January deadline, even a ‘late application’ form. Again be aware, though, that applying (or re-applying) late may lower your choice of achieving your preferred choice(s).

Criteria for School Place Offers

Criteria by which admissions are judged vary a little from school to school, so parents will need to do their own research. However, such criteria have to be transparent and fair and adhere to legislation laid down by the Department of Education (DfE). Generally speaking, the following are typical factors that will usually affect admissions:

The child’s proximity to the school;
Whether or not the child will have a sibling already at the same school;
Whether or not it’s a church/faith school and whether that matches your child’s faith/religion;
Whether the child has a parent who has worked at the school for 2 or more years;
Whether the child qualifies for the Pupil Premium grant, for disadvantaged pupils, or the Service Pupil Premium (‘SPP’), for children of parents in the armed forces. (More info).

‘Offers Day’ for Primary School Places

For primary** school places, offers are released around the 16th* of April each year, the exact date depending on whether the 16th otherwise falls on a weekend or public holiday. For 2025, 2026, and 2027, primary school ‘offer day’ will therefore fall right on target on the 16th of April as each is a weekday for each of those years. Those applicants who had applied online, on time, and supplied an email address during the application process, will be the first to receive offers via email. Later the same day, others who supplied an email address will also receive offers via email. Those who applied without supplying an email address will have their offers posted via 2nd Class post, meaning they may find out what school their child has been offered a day or two later than the 16th of April. That said, some local authority portals allow all parents to log in to view school offers online.

** ^{The date of ‘National Offer Day’ for secondary school places is a little different, but today we concentrate purely on primary school places.

* Those parents who apply late, via post, or for a primary school place starting ‘in year’ (rather than in the September term) are likely to receive offers for their children on a different date.}

What to Expect on Primary School Offers Day

When it gets closer to April and the Offers Day for primary school places is closer, parents may appreciate our separate guide about what to expect on the day. We have included details about how and when to accept offers, what happens if you don’t accept an offer in time, how to reject them if you feel they are unsuitable, and what your options are if your child has not been offered the school you had hoped for. It also includes how to appeal a decision, waiting list options, and more. To learn more, head on over to our new article: Primary School Offers Day – a Guide for Parents.

The vast majority of parents secure one of their three preferences.

Our Clayton-le-Woods Nursery Gets Children ‘School-Ready’

Little Acorns is a fabulous nursery and preschool in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley. With wonderful facilities, extensive grounds, and caring ‘early years’ practitioners, we nurture children to bring out the best in each area of their learning and development. In this way, we help them to become as ‘school-ready’ as possible by the time they leave us to begin primary school.

If you would like to explore the possibility of a nursery place for your child at Little Acorns Nursery, get started by choosing a button below:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

Little Acorns is a high-quality nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley. As such, we may also be a convenient choice for families in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland, Penwortham and Central Lancashire.

15th October 2024/by Mark

Free Childcare for Children Aged 9 Months+ (for Eligible Working Families Living in England)

Babies, Childcare, Childcare Funding, Chorley, Chorley Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Early Years Education, Lancashire, Nurseries, Nursery, Preschool, Under-5s

Free Childcare for Children Aged 9 Months+ (for Eligible Working Families in England)

With September 2024 arriving, eligible children aged as young as 9 months can now access free childcare in England. The new childcare ‘hours’ are available where working families are eligible for the support and, in tandem, where local childcare providers are set up with appropriate staffing ratios and capacity. The good news, however, is that Little Acorns Nursery, in Clayton-le-Woods, supports the new scheme. It’s therefore with great pleasure that we’re now beginning to welcome children as young as just 9 months of age for free childcare hours at the Chorley setting.

In today’s guide, we’ll explain who is eligible and how much free childcare they can access right now — and in a year’s time when the scheme expands further.

When Does the New Childcare Support Start?

The new childcare support began at the start of September 2024, so it is already available for eligible children. It will expand yet further in September 2025 and we clarify what that means below.

What Free Childcare Can Babies (9m +) & Children of Eligible Working Families Access?

From September 2024 (so already active), eligible children aged from 9 months to 3 years of age can access 570 hours and eligible children aged 3 and 4 can access 1140 hours of free childcare support per year. The free hours are usually taken over the course of 38 weeks (equating to 15 and 30 hours per week respectively). However, some childcare providers may allow the hours to be spread over more weeks of the year by reducing the number of hours per week. Speak directly to your specific childcare provider about the availability of this more flexible option.
From September 2025, eligible children aged from 9 months to 3 years will also be able to take 1140 hours of free childcare per year, again usually taken as 30 hours per week. As before, it may be possible to spread the hours out over a greater number of weeks of the year by reducing the number of hours taken per week. Again, speak with your specific childcare provider to see if that option is available if it’s of interest.

Summary:

	Available Now	Available From Sept ’25
Eligible* children 9 months – 3 years	570 hours (usually 15 per week)	1140 hours (usually 30 per week)
All children 3-4 living in England (‘Universal Entitlement’)	570 hours (usually 15 per week)	570 hours (usually 15 per week)
Eligible* children 3 to 4 years	1140 hours (usually 30 per week)	1140 hours (usually 30 per week)

* Subject to eligibility criteria outlined below. Additional charges may apply (e.g. for food/nappies – ask your provider if these cost extra).

^{Note that some 2 and 3-year-olds are also eligible for 570 hours of childcare funding under a different scheme where they fall into certain ‘additional needs’ categories or their parents receive qualifying government benefits. Today’s guide, however, focuses primarily on the more widely available scheme for eligible working families.}

*Eligibility Criteria for Working Families

The free childcare scheme for children aged from 9 months to 4 years (inclusive) applies to children of eligible working families. But what constitutes an eligible working family? The following rough guide explains:

As a rough guide, to be eligible, both you and your partner (if you have one):

Must not have an adjusted net income above £100k in the current tax year;
Must each expect to earn at least the equivalent of the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 or more hours on average per week, over the next 3 months;
– for those aged 21 or over, this currently equates to £183 per week and £2,380 over 3 months;
– for those aged 18-20, it currently equates to £137 per week and £1,788 over 3 months;
– for those either under 18 or in an apprenticeship, it currently equates to £102 per week and £1,331 over 3 months;
^{Figures are before tax and are correct at the time of writing (September 2024)}
Must have a National Insurance number;
Must be applying, of course, for a child of the appropriate age for the scheme.

There are additional rules around specific scenarios, for example, for foster carers, those starting a new job, those whose earnings do not form a regular pattern, the self-employed, and those receiving one or more government benefits. Immigration status is also a factor. Learn more about the eligibility rules here.

“Some children from working families can now receive free childcare from just 9 months old until they begin school.”

Get Started!

Learn more about when and how to apply and when you can start using the free childcare hours here. Staff at Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, are also happy to discuss the childcare needs of local parents, including the various funding options available to those who are eligible.

High-Quality Childcare Services in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Central Lancashire

Little Acorns is a wonderful childcare nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Lancashire. We provide a high-quality childcare and ‘early years’ education service for babies and children aged up to five, giving them the very best start in a home-from-home environment. As well as being perfectly located for local families in Clayton-le-Woods, we may also suit families living nearby in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

Register your child for a nursery place today, arrange a guided tour, or ask us any questions — we’ll be happy to help:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

16th September 2024/by Mark

Early Years Education, Education, Nursery, Parenting, Preschool, Preschoolers, School

How to Help Your Child Transition to School

Beginning school is a huge milestone for any child as well as for the child’s parents or guardians. Whether transitioning from nursery/preschool or straight from home, beginning school can be a daunting step in a child’s life — especially if they’re unprepared. Today’s post therefore aims to help parents/guardians make the transition to school as easy and stress-free as possible for their child, so they are empowered to feel at home and hit the ground running from the moment they begin. Take a look, therefore, at our guide on How to Help Your Child Transition to School. Following the advice should help make this milestone plain sailing for everyone involved.

Prepare Your Child Well in Advance

The most impactful measure for a smooth transition to school is thorough preparation. As the old saying goes, “Fail to prepare — prepare to fail” meaning you should ensure good preparation if a successful outcome is to be achieved. And, by definition, preparation is required in advance of the school start date. The remaining tips below are all part of that preparation and, as you’ll see, some will be required well in advance.

Well in Advance:

Ensure a Good Early Years Education for Your Child

One of the most critically-important steps for a smooth transition to school is to ensure your child receives a comprehensive early years education. One of the most critically important steps for a smooth transition to school is to ensure your child receives a comprehensive early years education. By this we mean they need to have been nurtured between birth and school age in all areas of their learning and development — ideally including the seven key areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In essence, they will need help with their communication and language, physical development, personal, social & emotional development, literacy, mathematics (watch out for our separate post on that coming soon), understanding of the world, and expressive art and design. With such skills and knowledge under their belt before the age of five, they will be incredibly well-equipped once they begin school. Without them, they will find the transition difficult and may even be held back.

Early Years Education at Nursery & Preschool

Such an early years education is also available, of course, via outstanding childcare services like those available at Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods. High-quality settings like ours nurture every aspect of children’s learning and development. Through a programme that’s tailored for every child, we do everything we can to ensure they achieve personal bests in every area and are as school-ready as possible by the time they leave us to begin school. With all that achieved, they are sure to thrive from the moment they start. Learn more about why children benefit by going to a good nursery/preschool here.

Close Parental Involvement in Your Child’s Education

Parents/guardians can and ideally should help with this early years education from home too. Indeed, close parental involvement in a child’s education has been shown to be hugely beneficial to that child, with far-reaching short- and long-term benefits. Studies have shown that such children are much higher achievers at school than those who did not receive regular educational support from parents. Follow the bold link to learn more.

Read With Your Child to Super-Charge Language Skills

Reading with your child from an early age has also been proven to be hugely beneficial to children. Studies show that, by reading with them regularly – including before the age of five – their language skills will receive a massive boost and this will help them enormously once they begin school. Reading with (not just to) children can boost the language skills of preschoolers by the equivalent of 8 months — incredible when you think about it. Comprehension, vocabulary, creativity, knowledge, literacy, and even empathy skills are improved when parents regularly read with young children. A love of books and reading is also a natural extension of this and, again, this can only help children once they’ve started at school. Learn more about how you can Super-charge Your Child’s Education Through Reading here.

Nurture Independence, Social & Soft Skills

It's important to nurture children's independence, social skills and soft skills before they begin school. During their journey from birth to school age, it’s also important to nurture children’s independence, social skills and soft skills.

Ensuring independence will make them feel more in control and self-assured once they start school. For example, help them learn to wash hands, tie shoe laces, use zips and buttons on clothing and be able to dress themselves. Parents can help children accomplish all of these by demonstrating each and encouraging practising at home.
Parents can also encourage good social skills in children while at home, so they are polite and naturally more likeable once they start school. So, try to nurture skills like good manners, understanding right from wrong, mastering negotiations with peers, sharing, helping others and generally being able to make and keep friends. Parents can encourage socialising with friends and relatives of a similar age to accomplish such things.
Additional soft skills will help little ones thrive as well as fit in and be positively viewed once they begin school. Examples of soft skills to nurture in children before they begin school include good communication (verbal as well as non-verbal), listening, an understanding of empathy, cooperation, teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, resilience, adaptability, good organisation, creativity, resilience and time management. Mastering these will stand children in very good stead at school.

In the Weeks Running Up to Starting School:

One of the small but impactful things you can do to better prepare your child for starting school is ensuring they have a friend joining at the same time. When starting school is only a few weeks away, there are several small but impactful things you can do to better prepare your child for the transition:

Forewarn your child that they’ll be starting school soon and give them further reminders as the start date draws closer. This will avoid any nasty shock when the day arrives and help prepare their mindset.
Talk about it often as the day draws nearer. Encourage questions, answer them, and listen to any misgivings your child may have. Reassure your child whenever they seem apprehensive.
Focus on the positives of school, such as all the new friends they’ll make, all the new activities they’ll participate in, new play equipment and sports facilities, and how school can be a huge adventure.
Show them the school, initially through a brochure or website and later during an organised visit where you can both ask questions during the tour. This will help them feel more at home when they arrive as well as helping them know what to expect.
Find a friend who will also be attending the same school and the same class. Perhaps one of their peers from nursery/preschool may be attending — perfect if so. If not, ask around to find someone who is and arrange play dates so the children can get acquainted in advance. Knowing they will have a friend there in advance is going to help your child hugely once they start school.
Ensure your child gets ample sleep, especially in the run-up to starting school, otherwise, they’ll struggle to stay awake or concentrate at school. Sleep is incredibly good for children anyway.
Allow children to sync their body clocks with the hours they’ll be awake once they begin school. So, set a suitable bedtime and getting up time for your child in the weeks before school starts — and stick to it. Towards bedtime, allow your child to gently wind down and ensure they avoid the use of electronic screens (TVs, iPads etc.) during this period. It will help your child get to sleep.
Purchase/source any uniform, Wellington boots, shoes, clothes, backpack and PE kit required for school, ensuring it’ll all be the right size for your child once they begin. It’s a good idea to put your child’s name on each item too. Check with your child’s school what else they may need, for example, stationery, lunch box, etc.
Practise the school route. A dummy run along the route to school on a weekday is a great idea during the week before your child begins school. Time it to coincide with the real schedule you’ll be following once your child is attending so that you’ll get a feel for how much traffic there will be. Make any adjustments needed so you’ll not be late when the time comes.

On the Day Before the 1st Day of School:

Pack your child’s backpack and ensure it includes everything they’ll need. For example, perhaps a snack and/or lunch box, any spare clothes, PE kit, stationery if needed, and so on.
Ensure everything is labelled with their name, as appropriate.
Go through the backpack with your child so they know what’s in there and where everything is.

On the Day:

Be on time. Dropping off or picking up late will stress both you and your child out!
Don’t fuss; it’ll only make your child more nervous.
Remind your child that you’ll be there to pick them up at the end of the school day.

Outstanding Childcare & Early Years Education in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Award-Winning Weekday Childcare Services in Central Lancashire

Little Acorns is an outstanding nursery and preschool located in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. This is backed up by our prestigious Best Individual Nursery Award and an ‘Outstanding Provider’ status from Ofsted. So, if you’d like your baby, toddler, or preschooler to have the very best start in life, consider Little Acorns Day Nursery. We’ll bring out the very best in them and do everything possible to ensure they’re as ready as possible by the time they leave us to begin school.

Please select an option from the buttons below to get started on your application, ask a question or request a guided tour with your little one.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

Little Acorns Nursery is also conveniently close by for families in Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

15th May 2024/by Mark

Activities for Children, Children, Early Years Education, Learning & Development, Mammals, Nature, Nature Activities for Kids, Nursery, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Under-5s

Let’s Get to Know Wild Mammals! An Educational Nature Activity for Kids — with Free Poster

Children and childcare staff at Little Acorns Nursery love nature. So, with World Wildlife Day coming earlier this month and Spring now upon us, it’s the perfect opportunity to release our free Wild Mammals poster. Shown in full colour and printable in high resolution at A3 or A4, it features 20 British¹ wild land mammals that young children can learn to identify and look out for. Some can be seen when on walks, on holiday, or even perhaps at the local park, while others are rather more elusive — but that just makes it more exciting for children when they finally spot them! The poster is perfect for displaying on the wall at home — and is a fun way to both intrigue and educate children, including under-fives. With that in mind, why not download your free land mammals poster today, print it out, and get your little ones closer to nature?

“Nature is a tool to get children to experience not just the wider world. But themselves.” (Stephen Moss)

Nature is So Good for Children!

As we’ve reported before, nature is really good for children! Its many benefits include improved attention, reduced stress, better academic performance, improved self-confidence, higher levels of empathy, enhanced fitness, motor skills and coordination, boosted imaginations and a whole raft of other important benefits. Learn more about the importance of nature to children here.

“Children are born with a sense of wonder and an affinity for nature. Properly cultivated, these values can mature into ecological literacy, and eventually into sustainable patterns of living.” (Zenobia Barlow)

Importantly too, nature-based activities like spotting mammals, birds, butterflies, minibeasts, and wildflowers will also encourage children to get actively interested in conservation issues as they grow older. By appreciating nature and flora and fauna from a young age, they are more likely to want to help protect the natural world in the future, including into adulthood. Such a path can lead to healthier lifestyles, greener choices, and a better world for everyone to live in. And that’s all part of what World Wildlife Day was all about back on the 3rd of March this year.

Download Your Free Wild Mammals Poster

With all that in mind, take a look at the preview of today’s free British Wild Mammals poster below. Click it to view or download the high-resolution PDF version, which will give you the best print-out quality. Whether you right- or left-click to download the poster file will depend on your own particular device’s set-up, so perhaps try both and you’ll soon see which type of click will enable you to save the PDF poster to your device’s drive. Then view it in Acrobat (available free here) and print it out from there.

“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” (Unknown)

So, try to ensure children under your care get ample access to nature and the natural environment — it’s so good for them. The free wildlife posters and charts available on this website should help to encourage that, whilst intriguing and educating children too.

Looking for an Outstanding Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley?

Little Acorns Nursery is an outstanding, award-winning childcare provider

Little Acorns is an outstanding and award-winning childcare nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. Ofsted rates us an ‘Outstanding Provider’ and our National Nursery award speaks volumes about the quality of our childcare service. So, if you want the very best start for your baby, toddler or preschooler and live in Central Lancashire, Little Acorns Nursery offers an outstanding choice. We give children a complete early years education and bring out the very best in them so they can reach their full potential. We also support Government-funded childcare schemes for eligible families.

Get in touch to register your child for a nursery place, or come for a visit to see how well they’ll fit in. We’re here to answer any questions too.

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

Little Acorns is a nursery and preschool in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, offering the highest-quality childcare and early years education to under-fives. That includes those from nearby towns and villages including Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

^{1. By ‘British’ we mean wild mammals that can be found in Britain. We appreciate, however, that some animals shown on the poster are not indigenous to the UK and originated in other countries. Examples include the Muntjac Deer, which came over from China, and some red squirrels that were imported from abroad to bolster our own dwindling populations.}

15th March 2024/by Mark

The Benefits of Sport in the Early Years – Plus Exciting Chorley News!

Active Play, Activities for Children, Chorley, Exercise, Football, Lancashire, Learning Through Play, Nursery, Play, Sport, Under-5s

The Benefits of Sport in the Early Years – & Exciting Chorley News!

In exciting news, Chorley made it to the National press and TV this week and there has been a huge amount of buzz about what’s been going on. For anyone who missed it, the story involves Chorley Football Club and stars from two pop groups. Shane Lynch and Keith Duffy from Boyzone and Brian McFadden from Westlife visited a Chorley FC match. Along with Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, they are exploring the possibility of buying a stake in the club. The story has gone completely viral with the likes of Sky Sports, ITV and the BBC having sent camera crews to cover it. The stars’ visit and interest in Chorley Football Club have been the talk of the Nation and have certainly put Chorley on the map!

“This is a game-changer that has the potential to bring our town into the limelight like never before, generating a buzz and publicity that will shine a bright light on Chorley and the local area.” — Chorley FC

With Chorley Football Club being only 4.8 miles and a 14-minute drive from Little Acorns Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, this news has certainly registered on our radar. What’s more, it’s sure to fire up greater interest in sport from children in the Chorley area. Perhaps some of them could even end up being sporting stars of the future! With all that in mind, we thought we’d take the opportunity today to explore the value and importance of sport to children in their early years.

Sport in Early Childhood

Sport takes an incredible number of forms and, as such, allows children of all shapes, sizes and abilities to get active in one way or another. There are many sports to choose from, so there’s bound to be something to suit every child. Make no mistake, sport is generally very good for children and we’ll come onto some of the many reasons later in this article. Whether it’s table tennis, swimming, cycling, football, gymnastics, running, roller-skating, a simple game of rounders, or one of the many other sports, there’s usually something for everyone — including children with additional needs. Sport is fun too, so children will naturally enjoy taking part once they’ve identified sports games they connect with.

The Benefits of Sport to Children, Especially the Young

Participation in sports benefits children in many different – and often profound – ways. That’s especially true for children in their early years, being a stage when they learn fundamental skills like jumping, running, throwing and catching balls, etc.

What’s common to just about all childhood sports is that they get children moving — and that’s perhaps one of sport’s most important facets. With childhood obesity rates at alarming levels^∞ in recent years, getting children active — and used to an active lifestyle from an early age — has never been more important. Taking part in sports will help improve fitness levels, strengthen hearts, muscles and bones, and help children maintain a healthier lifestyle when combined with a healthy diet.

“Getting kids moving and having fun again has never been more important, and it all counts towards the 60 minutes of physical activity (including 30 minutes outside of school) they need every day.” — NHS

Sports and active hobbies will also help little ones hone balance, agility, coordination and motor skills. That’s incredibly important during early childhood as these key skills are still developing and, as the old proverb goes, “practice makes perfect.”

The benefits of sports are not only physical; children’s mental health benefits enormously too. Not only is participation in such activities immense fun (which is an important benefit all on its own) but sport also helps children’s confidence and self-esteem to grow, as well as being a great antidote to any stress and anxiety they might be feeling.

“Having a positive attitude towards physical activity has also been associated with children being happier.” — NHS

Participation in sport also teaches little ones other key skills. For example, it helps children understand the need for good communication, cooperation, teamwork and even sportsmanship. It teaches them the importance of perseverance, strategy, how to win or lose gracefully, how to overcome challenges and how to build resilience. Learning such skills will stand them in good stead during childhood — and right into adulthood.

Regular participation in sports also instils discipline and a sense of responsibility in children. They learn the importance of practice, punctuality, and following rules. Such understanding can positively impact both their academic and personal lives.

Sport is a great socialiser too. Through sport, they’ll get used to interacting with other children as well as coaches, teachers, or childcare professionals. Moreover, children not only make new and deeper friendships through sport, but also learn social skills before, during and after such play. These skills and benefits will stay with them for the long term and will help to enrich their lives in profound ways.

Children also benefit cognitively through participation in sport. Sports require strategic thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving. They require children to learn to anticipate actions, make quick decisions, and adapt to changing situations. All such endeavours stimulate cognitive development in children and greatly enhance mental agility.

Taking that a step further, multiple studies suggest that regular physical activity improves concentration, memory, and even academic performance in children. It’s incredibly powerful when you think about it.

All in all, sport can play a crucial role in the holistic development of children. By enhancing physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills, participation in sport can contribute to their overall well-being and indeed success in life. Let’s therefore nurture our Clayton and Chorley children and make the most of the incredible opportunity that is sport.

Little Acorns – an Outstanding Nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Entrust your early years childcare to an outstanding, award-winning provider

If you want the very best childcare nursery or preschool in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, you will find it in Little Acorns Nursery. We are officially an ‘Outstanding Provider’ as well as being the winner of an amazing National Nursery award. So, you know that your child will be in good hands under the care of our wonderful early years practitioners. We also support various Government-funded childcare schemes for eligible families.

Contact us today to register your child for a nursery place, explore the possibility of doing so, or ask any questions:

Apply Today Book a Tour Message Us 01772 696288

Our nursery/preschool is located in Clayton-le-Woods, near Chorley, Central Lancashire. As such, it may also suit those in towns and villages nearby, for example, Clayton Brook, Clayton Green, Thorpe Green, Pippin Street, Buckshaw Village, Whittle-le-Woods, Farington, Bamber Bridge, Lostock Hall, Euxton, Leyland and Penwortham.

15th February 2024/by Mark

Sensory Room Gallery

The 8 Senses

The 5 External Senses

The 3 Internal Senses

Sensory Integration

Some of the Benefits of Our New Sensory Room

A Safe Space for Children

Nursery Places at Little Acorns Nursery

A Nursery Place for Your Child in Clayton-le-Woods, Near Chorley

“What is it like to attend this early years setting?”

Children Feel Happy, Settled, Safe & Secure at the Nursery

A Positive Attitude to Learning

Children’s Personal Development is Promoted Well

Help Making Friends

Help Developing Physical Skills

Strong Safeguarding at the Nursery

Staff Recognised

Little Acorns Nursery: a High-Quality Childcare Service in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Come Along — And Save!

Nursery Open Day: Saturday 1 November 2025, 10 am – 1 pm

(Free ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme for Eligible Working Families)

When is the Application Deadline for the September Term?

— & What if you Miss it?

Is Little Acorns Nursery, Chorley, Accepting ‘30 Hours’ Funded Applications?

Why is the Free Childcare Available?

Is Your Child Eligible for the ‘30 Hours’ Funded Childcare for Working Families?

How to Apply for Childcare Funding for Eligible Working Families

When to Apply

Where to Apply

How to Access Your Free Childcare Hours

Is That Everything?

Apply for a Childcare Place at Little Acorns Nursery

High-Quality Weekday Childcare in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Central Lancashire

How Does Ofsted Rate Little Acorns Nursery, Chorley?

Children are Happy at Little Acorns Nursery

Little Acorns Children are Confident

Tailored Learning & Support for Children with Special Needs/Disabilities

Safeguarding — Child Safety at Little Acorns Nursery

High-Quality Staff

Good Behaviour at Little Acorns Nursery

Good Support for Children’s Emotional Development

Encouraging Creativity

Nurturing Physical Development in Children

Nurturing Independence

Well-Promoted Communication & Language Skills

Good Partnerships with Parents

Little Acorns Nursery: a Good, Caring Childcare Provider in Clayton-le-Woods

When to Apply for a Primary School Place

Legal School Age & Your Child’s Starting Options

Starting ‘Early’ at 4

Deferring Until 5

How & Where to Apply for a Primary School Place

Top 5 Tips for a Successful Application

What Happens if You’re Late With Your Primary School Application?

What if You Want to Change Your School Choice After Applying?

Criteria for School Place Offers

‘Offers Day’ for Primary School Places

What to Expect on Primary School Offers Day

Our Clayton-le-Woods Nursery Gets Children ‘School-Ready’

When Does the New Childcare Support Start?

What Free Childcare Can Babies (9m +) & Children of Eligible Working Families Access?

Summary:

*Eligibility Criteria for Working Families

As a rough guide, to be eligible, both you and your partner (if you have one):

Get Started!

High-Quality Childcare Services in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley, Central Lancashire

Prepare Your Child Well in Advance

Well in Advance:

Ensure a Good Early Years Education for Your Child

Early Years Education at Nursery & Preschool

Close Parental Involvement in Your Child’s Education

Read With Your Child to Super-Charge Language Skills

Nurture Independence, Social & Soft Skills

In the Weeks Running Up to Starting School:

On the Day Before the 1st Day of School:

On the Day:

Outstanding Childcare & Early Years Education in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley

Award-Winning Weekday Childcare Services in Central Lancashire

Nature is So Good for Children!

Children Feel Happy, Settled,
Safe & Secure at the Nursery