Starting at Little Acorns
Starting pre-school is an important milestone for children and their families. For some children, it may be their first experience of spending regular time away from home. At Little Acorns, we take time to ensure every child feels happy, safe and confident as they settle in.
Little Acorns provides early years education and childcare for children aged 2 to 4 years. Based within the Thringstone Primary School grounds, we offer a warm, nurturing and purposeful environment where children are encouraged to play, explore, communicate and grow in independence.
As part of the Thringstone Primary School community, we share our school vision, Believe and Achieve Together, helping every child feel that they belong from the very beginning.
Learning and growing at Little Acorns
We know young children learn best through play, exploration, talk and positive relationships.
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), our staff get to know each child and plan learning around their interests, development and next steps. Children have opportunities to explore independently, learn alongside their friends and take part in activities supported by adults.
Our setting includes two spacious rooms for different age groups, alongside a dedicated sensory room. Our environment is carefully planned to support communication, independence and early learning through play.
Outdoor learning is an important part of life at Little Acorns. Children have daily access to their own secure outdoor area and benefit from the wider school grounds, including our large playing field, MUGA, trim trails and Forest School areas.
Part of the Thringstone community
Being based within Thringstone Primary School means children become familiar with school life from an early age.
Children have opportunities to use the wider school environment and, as they approach school age, become familiar with our Reception classroom, staff and routines.
For children who go on to join Reception at Thringstone, this familiarity helps to support a smooth and confident transition into school.
Places in Reception are allocated separately through the school admissions process. Attending Little Acorns does not guarantee a Reception place at Thringstone Primary School.
Sessions and funding
Little Acorns operates during term time from 8.45am to 3.30pm, offering morning, afternoon and full-day sessions.
We offer government-funded early education and childcare places in line with current national entitlements. Our team can help families understand the funded hours available to them, so please contact us if you are unsure about your entitlement.
Children staying for lunch can bring a packed lunch or enjoy a freshly prepared hot school meal from the school kitchen at an additional cost.
Working with families
We know children thrive when families and pre-school work together. We value regular communication with parents and carers and encourage you to talk to us about your child's experiences, development or anything that may help us to support them.
We want families to feel welcome and involved throughout their child's time at Little Acorns.
Fees and Terms and Conditions
Full information about fees, funded hours, additional charges and other arrangements can be found in our Childcare and Early Education Terms and Conditions in the documents below.
We ask families to read the Terms and Conditions when accepting a place at Little Acorns.
Questions, concerns and complaints
We want to work openly and positively with families. If you have a question or concern, please speak to us in the first instance so that we can work together to resolve it.
If a concern cannot be resolved informally, our Complaints Procedure explains the steps you can take. This can be found in the documents below.
Visit Little Acorns
We would be delighted to welcome you to Little Acorns, meet your family and show you around our setting.
For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact:
Lisa Hickman
Pre-School Manager
Telephone: 01530 222489
Email: littleacorns@thringstone.leics.sch.uk
The documents below provide further information about Little Acorns, including our prospectus, Terms and Conditions, records and data protection information, Complaints Procedure and Long Term Plan.