preschool Archives | Little Acorns Nursery School https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/tag/preschool/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:47:24 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Enrol on a ‘Complete Antenatal Course’ — Absolutely Free! https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/free-antenatal-course/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 11:19:14 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7552 Today's post introduces you to a free and comprehensive antenatal course.Whether you're planning a family, are already pregnant, or have recently given birth, it's beneficial to obtain as much knowledge and information as you can so that you are fully prepared. So, when we spotted a comprehensive antenatal course that allows free* access to UK families, we naturally wanted to share the opportunity with parents, expectant parents, and our readers. With that in mind, today's post introduces you to a Complete Antenatal Course. It's a free, 8-hour online course, led by midwives, that you can access today. We have already investigated it for you and thought it was fabulous! Read on to learn more about the course contents, highlights, and easy access details to get started — all at zero cost!]]> Our Clayton-le-Woods Forest School is Open! https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/clayton-forest-school-open/ Thu, 15 Jan 2026 14:11:33 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7503 Our much-loved Forest School in Clayton-le-Woods re-opens from January 2026.We’re delighted to share some very exciting news: our much-loved Forest School in Clayton-le-Woods re-opens this spring (2026). After dedicated staff training, careful preparation and thoughtful planning, we’re ready to welcome children back to outdoor learning — and we know it’s something they will be extremely excited about. Forest School has always been an important part of who we are as a nursery. In fact, we are proud to have been the very first setting in the area to establish a Forest School, and it quickly became a highlight of the week for our children. Bringing it back now feels like a natural and meaningful step forward, rooted in the proven belief that young children thrive when they are given time, space and freedom to explore the natural world around them. Indeed, spending time in and around nature is profoundly beneficial to children.]]> 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!]]> Composting for Kids — Educational Fun That’s Perfect for Autumn https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/composting-activity-for-kids/ Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:24:23 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=7316 For children and under-fives, autumn is one of the most exciting times of the year.As the bright days of summer give way to crisp autumn air, parks, gardens, and pavements begin to fill with a carpet of crunchy leaves. For children and under-fives, autumn is one of the most exciting times of the year. With the landscape so full of textures, sounds, and colours, it's the perfect time to get outdoors, explore, and learn about the natural world. It’s also the ideal time for them to begin a simple but deeply rewarding project: composting. In today's post, we outline how children can approach this wonderful activity and explain its significant benefits.]]> Primary School Offers Day – a Guide for Parents https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/primary-school-offers-day-guide/ Sun, 16 Mar 2025 09:40:19 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=6956 Most families find out if children have received an offer for their preferred primary school in mid-April.When April is on the horizon, there is a buzz amongst parents whose children will receive school offers that month. It's quite a milestone in the lives of families as it's the time they'll find out if their children have received an offer for their top school choice. If not, will they be offered another “preferred” school listed lower on their application? It will often have felt like a long wait to find out the results, too, with families having applied in mid-January or potentially months earlier. Because we are an early years nursery, today's guide focuses on primary school offers. We'll explain in detail when to expect your child's primary school offer, criteria that may have affected it, and your options if you're not happy with the school place offered. To keep things as simple as possible, we'll concentrate on applications for a standard school start date in the September term (rules and dates for 'in-year' applications are slightly different). If your child is due to start primary school this year, take a look.]]> Children’s Activity Ideas for World Wildlife Day https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/childrens-activity-ideas-for-world-wildlife-day/ Mon, 17 Feb 2025 10:40:34 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=6903 World Wildlife Day arrives in early March each year — just around the corner at the time of writing. The annual event is hugely important and very worthwhile. It is also a great opportunity to inspire children to get more interested in the natural world. By doing so, they will benefit wild animals and plants — as well as themselves through fun, learning and discovery. What's more, many of the nature-inspired activities that we'll suggest today are totally free. Spending time in and around nature is incredibly good for children and World Wildlife Day offers families many opportunities to get much closer to it. As well as being great fun, such activities can open children's eyes to humanity's impact on the planet and help them understand the importance of looking after nature's incredible flora and fauna. Learning about the plight of some of the Earth's wild animals and plants will also nurture a greater respect for the natural world. It will help to encourage greener values, greater empathy, and a sense of responsibility in even the youngest children. It is also likely to instil in them a love for the great outdoors and encourage outdoor play, which is also hugely beneficial to children. With all that in mind, let's dive into what World Wildlife Day stands for and then explore some of the children's activities inspired by the initiative. Families right across the UK can take part, explore and discover. In so doing, they will self-improve, become more responsible citizens, and evolve into more effective stewards of this irreplaceable planet.]]> Children Get Ready for National Storytelling Week! https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/national-storytelling-week/ Fri, 17 Jan 2025 14:08:38 +0000 https://www.littleacornsnursery.school/?p=6869 National Storytelling Week for 2025 begins on Saturday the 1st of February and ends on Sunday the 9th.With the start of the new year now behind us, it's time for children to get ready to take part in National Storytelling Week. This year it begins on Saturday the 1st of February and ends on Sunday the 9th. It's a wonderful initiative that brings children and families together to use their imaginations, get creative, and entertain one another. What better time of the year to do that than during mid-winter? National Storytelling Week is perfectly timed to be a fabulous antidote to cold, blustery, winter days and is a wonderful way for children to escape through the power of the mind.]]> 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.]]>