Acacia Nursery: growing, making and learning

Vegetables grown by the children become ingredients for firepit cooking at Acacia. That connection between making, talking and learning gives this Leytonstone nursery its character. Children have practical reasons to ask questions and try things for themselves.

Acacia is a maintained nursery school, serving children aged two to five, with leadership supported through an agreement with Arbor Academy Trust. Its two-year-old provision has capacity for 24 children in each morning and afternoon session; the three-year-old group has 78 places per session. These are session capacities, rather than a count of children attending across the week. Ofsted graded the school Outstanding following its inspection on 7 and 8 June 2023.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early reading, number work, creativity and understanding the world. Acacia combines activities directed by adults with play that children choose. Concepts are taught in smaller steps and revisited, giving children opportunities to practise rather than moving straight to something new.

Practical learning has substantial space here. Children can use the outdoor area across the day, grow produce in the vegetable garden and prepare ingredients for the fire pit. In the woodwork area, hammering and drilling introduce tools and materials while exercising hands and arms. The sand kitchen and water area turn pouring and emptying into exploration of how much containers hold. Clay and play dough helped children build writing skills in June 2023; inspectors also described drawings, emerging writing and books shared across the day.

Daily phonics follows Letters and Sounds principles and is aligned with the bug club reading scheme. Children begin with activities developing awareness of sounds; later phases depend on readiness assessed by staff. In June 2023, language development was a central curriculum strength, with adults extending vocabulary through practical experiences. A visit to the Tate prompted children to make a collaborative sculpture. Learning has something concrete to attach to.

Parents can give feedback directly to their child's key worker. Home visits and coffee mornings provide further contact with families, while Stay and Play gives children experience of activities with a parent still present. Its term-time mornings include messy play, rhymes and art. These offer a way to become familiar with the setting together, rather than beginning with separation alone.

Lunch can be brought from home or bought cooked. Vegetarian food is available, meat is halal, and menus go to parents each week. Breakfast club provides breakfast choices; after-school care includes a tea-time snack alongside outdoor play, crafts and group games.

SEND support includes increased staffing relative to children who need help accessing learning, plus a separate room for quieter, more focused time. Makaton, visual timetables and speech and language therapy are among the approaches available. The SENCO can help families contact outside agencies and seek additional support. In June 2023, children with SEND participated alongside other children, and safeguarding arrangements were effective. Staff recognised concerns and leaders acted promptly, making relationships with families part of the protection around each child.

Attending Acacia does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Treat choosing this nursery and securing a primary school place as separate decisions.

Preparation for school happens through everyday learning: sharing activities, joining adult-led groups and developing independence. These routines help children practise participation in a group.

Morning, afternoon and full-day patterns are offered. The school lists 8:45am to 11:45am, 12:25pm to 3:25pm and 8:45am to 3:25pm respectively. Admissions information instead gives 8:55am starts and an 11:55am morning finish. Agree the applicable timetable when arranging sessions.

For three- and four-year-olds, the funded offer includes 15 hours weekly across 38 term-time weeks, with 30 hours for eligible families. Two-year-old places can be funded or paid. Additional hours, cooked lunches and wraparound care carry charges; contact the office for current charges and to arrange a visit. Applications are accepted throughout the academic year.

Breakfast and after-school clubs extend the day. The homepage gives breakfast hours of 8:00am to 8:45am and after-school care from 3:25pm to 6:00pm; the extended provision page gives breakfast as 7:55am to 8:55am. Confirm which schedule applies to your booking. Contact school@acacia.waltham.sch.uk or 020 8558 4444.