Little Acorns Nursery at Coton-in-the-Elms Cof E Primary School

An age-two starting point gives Little Acorns its distinct place within Coton-in-the-Elms Cof E Primary School. The nursery takes children aged two and above, and advertises immediate availability for 30-hour places. It belongs to a Church of England primary school on Elmslea Avenue in Coton-in-the-Elms, giving families a nursery option within a school setting.

The June 2023 Ofsted inspection graded the school's early years provision Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision; it is not a separate nursery rating.

Play and growing independence shape the school's EYFS approach. Its art curriculum describes early learning through practical exploration and challenges that encourage children to do things for themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage framework guides this work, with development extending beyond academic learning to children's emotions, social relationships and physical skills. For parents, that means the educational aims include how children relate to others and develop physically, alongside what they learn.

Stories supply a concrete daily thread. Storytime happens each day in school, and the Reading Spine brings together the books adults read to children. The early years guidance also encourages families to share nursery rhymes at home: vocabulary, the sounds within words and movement through actions are its stated purposes. These give parents specific ways to continue language learning together.

Curriculum precision. In June 2023, some early years plans needed clearer detail about the knowledge children should retain and its connection to later learning. This is a consideration when assessing the curriculum alongside its emphasis on exploration.

Parent communication includes a half-termly overview of early years learning. Plans are adjusted for the children in each cohort and relevant local or national events, helping parents understand the learning focus rather than relying on a fixed annual outline.

For additional needs, the school SENDCo coordinates support, and parents can make contact through the office. The school's Inclusion & Family Wellbeing Booklet covers both support within school and external resources. This gives families a contact route and a guide to the wider support structure.

The staff structure includes an assistant headteacher with responsibility for SEND, the EYFS phase and pastoral inclusion. An early years teacher also holds Forest School lead training. These are school team roles and qualifications, rather than a description of Little Acorns' staffing allocation.

Attending Little Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet the applicable deadline.

Derbyshire County Council handles applications through its website or by telephone on 01629 580000, asking for school admissions. Reception information can be obtained from the school office from November in the preceding year. Keep this application separate from arranging nursery attendance.

The advertised 30-hour places are a useful starting point for families considering Little Acorns. For enquiries, contact the school office on 01283 761361 or email schooloffice@coton-in-the-elms.derbyshire.sch.uk.

Visits can be arranged through the office, providing an opportunity to see the setting before choosing it. The address is Elmslea Avenue, Coton-in-the-Elms, Swadlincote, DE12 8HE.