Little Acorns Nursery at Mawdesley St Peter's

Little Acorns brings a nursery identity to Mawdesley St Peter's Church of England Primary School, in the village of Mawdesley. The school describes Christian values as central to its work, with Believe, Achieve, Shine as its guiding vision. That gives families a clear sense of the wider school's character.

The school's early years provision was graded Good at the Ofsted inspection on 24 and 25 September 2024. This judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Conversation and shared play provide the most concrete picture of the school's early years teaching. In September 2024, adults' interactions helped develop children's language and social skills. Pretend messaging with a cardboard tube brought children into shared play and gave them vocabulary they later used independently. The learning lay in what children could do with the words, as well as the object.

Stories and rhymes also mattered in early years: children enjoyed participating in familiar favourites and were developing an enthusiasm for books. Joining in gives children an active role in story time.

Beyond the classroom, the school uses its surrounding area for Forest School opportunities, led by a trained member of staff. This places outdoor exploration within the wider school's approach to learning.

Additional needs. The September 2024 inspection identified a school-wide concern: some pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) needed more precise identification and management of their needs. Their learning targets did not match those needs closely enough, limiting progress. This finding concerns the school rather than nursery children specifically, but deserves consideration when assessing support.

The school connects families with Lancashire's Local Offer for SEND information and help. That provides a practical starting point for understanding support beyond the setting itself.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place at Mawdesley St Peter's. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline. Treat choosing Little Acorns and applying for school as two distinct decisions.

The practical implication is straightforward: a child can attend the nursery while their eventual Reception destination remains subject to a separate admissions decision. Familiarity with a school should never be mistaken for a secured place.

For nursery enquiries or a visit, contact the school on 01704 822657. Individual appointments can be arranged at a convenient time, giving families an opportunity to look around and meet the team.

School updates reach families through Seesaw, text messages, email and the school newsletter. These channels provide several ways to keep track of events and arrangements. The school also publishes term dates, so families can check the calendar when planning ahead.