About Little Acorns Nursery
Little Acorns is a high quality nursery and pre-school located in Hindley Green, near Wigan. We offer an outstanding weekday childcare service for babies (3 months +), toddlers and preschoolers. We are far more than just a playgroup, baby crèche, kindergarten or childminding service — our childcare services deliver a full early years education for children under five in a fun, caring environment.
Children learn and develop through both structured and free play at the nursery. Studies have shown that play is by far the most natural and effective approach during children’s early years. It encourages discovery, creativity and imagination, boosting intellect through a curiosity that naturally increases knowledge. Free and physical play activities also encourage friendships to grow, confidence to build and both physical and cognitive skills to develop in readiness for school.
Defined areas within the nursery are designed to optimally support 3 specific specialities:
Childcare for Babies (3 Months-2 years)
Babies and infants aged from 3 months to 2 years of age are welcomed to areas specially designed and equipped for this particular age group. With a ratio of 1 qualified member of staff to every 3 infants, you can be sure that your little one is going to receive high levels of attention and care.
Babies and infants spend their time in a warm, homely, calm and caring environment that’s both relaxed and nurturing. They have lots of learning and development opportunities available to them too, in order to stimulate them and develop their life skills. These include creative, sensory and messy play, sand play, water play, books with captivating images, songs, rhymes and much more.
Childcare for Toddlers (aged 2-3)
Children aged 2 to 3 years of age at the nursery benefit from a high ratio of 1 qualified early years practitioner for every 4 toddlers and resources that are specifically designed to benefit this age group.
Toddlers have a fairly structured day and enjoy a huge variety of well-planned activities. They’ll also enjoy some free play time, where they’ll be able to choose what activities they take part in. For example, games with friends, climbing on the climbing equipment, looking at story books or playing with table toys.
Structured activities include messy play, sand play and many different creative activities using a variety of media. They also learn number, colour and shape recognition and hone fine motor skills like pencil control and cutting using child-safe scissors.
Activities at Little Acorns will help toddlers improve physical skills as well as skills like concentration, listening and communication. Enhanced social skills and some focus on toilet training will all help them in readiness for moving up to the preschool group at the age of 3.
Childcare for Preschoolers (aged 3 up to 5)
In our pre-school, children aged from 3 up to school age are gradually prepared for the transition to school by our high calibre early years professionals. With a high ratio of 1 qualified practitioner to every 8 preschoolers, children are now more able, independent, self-confident and mobile. They therefore benefit from some of the larger and more advanced equipment, which includes both indoor and extensive outdoor facilities.
Preschoolers continue to thrive through a huge range of planned activities, covering all aspects of the EYFS curriculum, as well as through free play with their peers. Indeed, many friendships are made and these will also stand them in good stead once they leave us to begin school around the age of 5.
As they approach school age, we ensure that they’re achieving personal bests in every area of their learning and development and that all areas of the EYFS have been amply covered by the time they leave us. As well as cognitive skills, physical skills, social skills and skills like good communication, children will also now be confident in aspects of self-care and aware of the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Children’s growing knowledge, understanding, skills and journey with us is reflected in a personal journal that we keep for every child. Here, their learning and development milestones will have been recorded both at the nursery/pre-school and, with parents’ input, at home too. They leave us ‘school-ready’.
