Little Acorns Pre-School at Stonegate

A small pre-school on the primary-school site gives Little Acorns its defining character: children begin school life alongside older pupils, with opportunities to learn together. This is the nursery provision at Stonegate Church of England Primary School. In March 2023, its capacity was 12 children, aged two to four. That makes the provision small in scale; the figure describes capacity at that time rather than vacancies today.

The wider school site includes a Victorian listed building, a field and garden areas. These give the pre-school a rural school setting, rather than a separate nursery address.

Language and guided activities are the clearest features of the early-years learning described by Ofsted in March 2023. Adults demonstrated language and helped children develop their learning through planned activities. For a parent, the useful detail is the adult involvement: learning includes conversation and guidance, with staff helping children take the next step.

There is also contact between age groups. The prospectus describes Reception pupils working alongside younger pre-school children as learning partners and role models. This gives younger children a connection with pupils already taking part in school life. It is a practical link between the two stages, separate from the question of admission.

Settling starts with a conversation about the individual child. Families joining the pre-school are offered a visit at home to discuss their child's needs and interests. Where that cannot happen, a meeting at school takes place before the child starts. The arrangement gives families a chance to explain what matters to their child before the first session.

Families are also encouraged to visit together so children can become familiar with the surroundings and adults. A further connection comes through the Buddy system: each Foundation Stage child is paired with a pupil in Year 6. For pre-school children, this adds an older school contact alongside the adults supporting their start.

Attending Little Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place at Stonegate. Nursery admission and Reception admission are separate processes: families must apply again through the normal Reception application route and meet its deadline. Treat that application as a separate task when planning the move to school.

The learning links should be considered separately. Working with Reception pupils can introduce younger children to the next stage, while the March 2023 inspection identified the pre-school's contribution to children's transition into early years. These are educational connections, rather than an assurance of a school place.

Little Acorns operates in term time, with opening hours of 8.45am to 3.15pm. Those hours give families a clear boundary for planning travel and care around the pre-school day.

Visits can be arranged through the school office. Contact office@stonegate.e-sussex.sch.uk or telephone 01580 200415 to arrange one or make an enquiry. A family visit also fits the settling approach: children can become familiar with the school before starting, while parents begin the conversation about their interests and needs.