Acorns Nursery at Oaktree Nursery and Primary School

Acorns brings provision for children aged 2 to 4 into Oaktree’s Foundation Stage, with a nursery lead, a deputy lead and early years teaching assistants. It is part of Oaktree Nursery and Primary School on Priory Road in Park South, Swindon. That places nursery provision within a wider school team, while retaining its own leadership roles.

Three-hour Acorns sessions give families a defined block of nursery time. Oaktree aims to combine practical learning with experiences outdoors, and encourages a Growth Mindset: its emphasis is on developing children’s resilience as learners. These are school-wide aims rather than a description of a particular nursery activity.

Kindness, resilience and empathy feature among the Oaktree Values. The school also aims to develop curiosity about the environment and respect for other people’s cultures and beliefs. For parents, these aims place social development alongside learning, with attention to how children relate to other people and the world around them.

A nursery lead and deputy lead work alongside early years teaching assistants in Acorns. Beyond that nursery team, the school has a Foundation Stage Leader, a Special Educational Needs Coordinator and a Parent Support Adviser. These are distinct roles covering early education, additional needs and family support.

For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), Oaktree aims to identify needs and work with parents so children can participate in school activities. Its wider support arrangements involve outside professionals according to each child’s needs, including educational psychologists and speech and language therapists. Parents can contact the SEND coordinator at senco@oaktree.bluekitetrust.org.

The school’s Sensory Room is designed to help children develop ways of coping with sensory experiences. Family support also extends to practical concerns: the Parent Support Adviser can help with housing, benefits advice, behaviour and routines at home. This gives families a route for discussing pressures beyond learning itself.

Attending Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place at Oaktree. Nursery and Reception require separate applications: pre-school enquiries go to the school office, while Swindon Borough Council handles Reception admissions. Families must apply again through the normal Reception route and meet the normal application deadline.

Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions. An Acorns place should not be taken as confirmation of a future school place.

Acorns sessions last three hours and carry a charge unless the child receives two-year funding. Contact the school for current charges.

For pre-school enquiries, use the school office on 01793 521903 or email admin@oaktree.bluekitetrust.org. The address is Priory Road, Park South, Swindon, SN3 2HA. Keeping the office contact separate from the council’s Reception route helps families direct each application to the right team.