babies Archives | Little Acorns Nursery School https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/tag/babies/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:41:13 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 15 Fascinating Facts About Babies https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/15-fascinating-facts-about-babies/ Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:07:11 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7476 Human babies are incredible. Indeed, the more we learn about them, the more we realise just how incredible they are! Not only are they little bundles of joy that have evolved in less than a year, but they also conceal some amazing secrets. Did you know, for example, that babies have gills (kind of), fur and a tail during their development in the womb — and that they have three times more taste buds than adults when they're first born? In today's article, we explore some fascinating baby facts that surprised us — and may surprise you! Take a look.]]> Fabulous New Ofsted Report for Little Acorns Nursery, Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/ofsted-report-little-acorns-nursery-clayton-le-woods/ Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:27:34 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7437 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. Let's take a look at some of the positive findings and encouraging comments from the Ofsted Inspector who prepared this latest report.]]> Little Acorns Nursery Open Day: Saturday 1st November 2025 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/open-day-saturday-1-november-2025/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:24:53 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7374 Little Acorns Nursery is rated as a 'Good Provider' by Ofsted.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!]]> Don’t Miss Out on Free Childcare This September – Apply NOW! https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/30-hours-funded-childcare-deadline-for-september-term/ Sat, 28 Jun 2025 13:44:28 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7157 (Free ‘30 Hours’ Childcare Scheme for Eligible Working Families) Don’t Miss Out on Free Childcare This September: Apply NOW! Don't miss out on the free ‘30 Hours’ childcare funding 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.]]> Glowing Ofsted Feedback for Little Acorns Nursery https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/good-ofsted-feedback-for-little-acorns-nursery/ Fri, 15 Nov 2024 14:28:26 +0000 http://s351775982.websitehome.co.uk/Dev-Updates/?p=6725 Our post today spotlights some of the many glowing comments made by the Ofsted inspector following her recent visit.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.]]> Free Childcare for Children Aged 9 Months+ (for Eligible Working Families in England) https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/free-childcare-guide-for-eligible-working-families/ Mon, 16 Sep 2024 09:27:32 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=6585 Since September 2024, eligible children as young as 9 months have been able to access free childcare 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.]]> Tips for Potty Training Tots https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/tips-for-potty-training-tots/ Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:07:25 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=6330 Achieving potty training success will improve the quality of life for the child, the parent, and other guardians involved in the child's care.One of the key tasks all tots must face, in tandem with parents, is potty training. It's something we all had to master as toddlers and therefore we know it's 100% achievable — despite it sometimes seeming to be rather a challenge. Achieving success, though, will improve the quality of life for the child, the parent, and other guardians involved in the child's care. Learning to master the use of the potty and later the toilet will also be a major boost to self-confidence and independence when the child is at nursery, preschool, and later school. With that in mind, today's guide outlines our top tips for successful potty training.]]> Significant Childcare Funding Announced for Families https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/significant-childcare-funding-for-families/ Sat, 15 Apr 2023 13:30:42 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=5736 Significant New Childcare Funding Announced for Families.

A Guide to the Game-Changing Childcare Funding Initiatives Announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2023

Generous and far-reaching childcare funding reforms were announced in the Spring Budget 2023 last month. The Chancellor of the Exchequer's new funding plans should give more parents, including those of even younger children, access to significant help with childcare costs going forwards. The new initiatives will:
  • allow Generous childcare funding was announced in the Spring Budget 2023, giving more parents, including those of even younger children, access to significant help with childcare costs.parents to return to the workplace sooner after the birth of their child if they so choose;
  • help fill vacant jobs in the workplace;
  • allow parents (particularly women) to progress their careers sooner after starting a family;
  • help to boost the UK economy, and;
  • perhaps most importantly give more children access to a good early years education, starting potentially at a younger age. Beginning no later than the age of 2 has been shown to better prepare children for the transition to school, boost children's education overall, improve GCSE grades, improve career prospects and even increase earning potential once they reach adulthood. Learn more about the benefits of a good early years education here.
So, the new childcare funding should make a huge difference for those families that are eligible. Let's take a look at the 3 key childcare funding initiatives announced...]]> Follow for Nursery News, Insights & Early Years Information https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/follow-us-on-social-media/ Wed, 15 Feb 2023 08:00:05 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=5595 Keep up-to-date with everything happening at Little Acorns Nursery and in early years news and research - subscribe to our social media channels.Are you are a parent or carer of a child under five? If so, you could learn a lot about childcare, parenting and early years learning and development by following Little Acorns Nursery on social media. We're active across multiple social channels including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram and share high quality content useful to parents of under-fives. That includes parents of children at Little Acorns although, actually, parents anywhere will find the content educational and useful. Our high quality content includes unusually informative 'early years' articles and information. For example, a whole range of guides, the findings from various studies, suggested activities for kids and overviews of things like childcare funding schemes with eligibility guidelines. Also, of course, the social media channels include posts relating to the exciting activities happening at the nursery in Clayton-le-Woods, Chorley. Following is an overview of where you can find — and follow — Little Acorns Nursery and what you can expect to see if you do ...]]> Help for Children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/special-educational-needs-disabilities-send/ Sun, 15 Jan 2023 16:30:17 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=5548 Today, we look at how early years childcare providers can help children under five if they have special educational needs or disabilities.Today, we look at how early years childcare providers like Little Acorns Nursery can help children under five if they have special educational needs and disabilities. This is often referred to as ‘SEND’ or in longer forms like ‘SEN and disabilities’. Let's explore the topic to get an overview of some of the help available.

Childcare Help for Children with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities

Early years and childcare providers can support children under five in a variety of ways if they have special educational or developmental needs, and/or a disability. Indeed, helping affected children as early as possible in their lives is of paramount importance...]]>