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Nursery at Acorns Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Playdough Gym, Music and Movement and sensory regulation give Acorns’ early years provision its distinctive shape. In Seedlings Class, learning starts with exploration and small steps, with adults helping children build shared attention alongside their own discoveries. This is early education within a specialist primary school in Moor Park, Preston, with provision starting at age two.
For 2026–2027, Seedlings has 11 children and five staff supporting the class each day. Those figures describe the early years class, rather than a separate nursery allocation. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding at the inspection on 7 and 8 January 2025. That judgement covers early years within the school.
Children have time to choose and explore, alongside activities directed by adults. Staff build learning around what a child can already do, introducing manageable next steps. Adult-led work also develops shared attention: learning to focus on something together becomes part of the day, alongside acquiring new skills.
The Early Years Foundation Stage spans seven learning areas here. In parent terms, children develop communication, movement and relationships alongside early reading, number, creativity and understanding their surroundings. Topics connect those areas, rather than treating each as an isolated lesson. In January 2025, early years teaching followed a deliberate sequence, with opportunities to practise earlier learning before taking on something new. Phonics begins when appropriate for the individual child. Readiness matters.
Indoor exploration is paired with outdoor learning. The nursery and Reception class has an enclosed play area; wider school facilities include an interactive sensory room, with resources involving touch, sound and sight. These give children different ways to engage with their surroundings.
Acorns Super 60 begins in Seedlings and extends across children’s time at the school. Its experiences include planting seeds, sharing books, messy play and visiting forest school. It is a programme across school life, rather than a timetable promising every activity during nursery.
Regulation is part of Seedlings’ daily support. TacPac, Circuits, Hand Awareness and Fun with Food sit alongside Music and Movement and Playdough Gym. Equipment is also used to address individual sensory needs. The purpose is practical: helping children become ready to engage in learning. In January 2025, routines were being rehearsed from early years onwards.
Starting arrangements can include transition visits after a place is confirmed, an information pack and, sometimes, a home visit. Families therefore have opportunities to prepare before the planned start. Across the school, individual education programmes are reviewed termly, with parents consulted about learning priorities. Evidence for Learning gives families access to their child’s learning throughout the year.
Medical support includes a part-time school nurse who trains class staff for individual medical needs, alongside visiting therapists. Meals are prepared at school, and families can choose packed lunches instead. Particular dietary needs should be communicated in writing. Parents who receive a supply of nappies are asked to provide enough for their child’s school day.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Treat the Reception placement as a separate admissions matter, rather than assuming attendance settles the next stage.
Acorns is a maintained special school, and every child attending must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). Lancashire County Council governs admissions; placement consideration depends on an EHCP review or assessment identifying special school provision as the appropriate match. Reception placement enquiries should therefore go to the council’s Inclusion team. Transition visits following an offer help prepare a child for starting; they are separate from the placement decision.
School opening hours are 8:55am to 3:15pm. For contact with Acorns, call 01772 792681 or email admin@acorns.lancs.sch.uk. Families can arrange a Non‑Prejudicial Visit to meet staff and look around.
For placement enquiries, the Inclusion team can be reached at Inclusion.South@Lancashire.gov.uk or 01772 531 597. This is the route for discussing the admissions decision, while a school visit gives families a chance to consider how the provision fits their child.
The school provides for children from age two. All children attending must have an EHCP, and placement is considered through the local authority process.
For 2026–2027, the early years class has 11 children supported daily by five staff. This is the class count, not a separate nursery capacity.
Children combine their own exploration with adult-led activities across seven early learning areas. Seedlings also uses Playdough Gym, TacPac and Music and Movement to support individual regulation needs.
Yes. Meals are cooked at school, but families may choose a packed lunch. Particular dietary requirements should be given to the school in writing.
No. Lancashire County Council governs admissions, with placement consideration linked to the child’s EHCP review or assessment. Contact the Inclusion team about the Reception placement.
