About Acorn Pre-School & The Mighty Oaks
Our History
We were established in 1971. Originally based in the Baptist Church Hall on Bedford Road, Shefford; we later moved to the Methodist Church Hall on Ampthill Road. On 26th April 2008, we opened our brand new, purpose built premises on School Lane. It was designed for our Pre-School and Out of School club and has enabled us to offer even better facilities, early years education and out of school, wrap around care, to the community of Shefford and the surrounding villages since. Our build was driven by our Volunteer Committee members and was self funded through fundraising and grants.
In April 2024, we were able to update our charity registration to become an Incorporated Charity (No 1200985), providing our trustees and members with greater protection and ensure the long term future of Acorn Pre-School & The Mighty Oaks. With this came an updated Ofsted registration with a new registration number 2782674.
About Pre-School
We offer Early Years education for children aged 2 to 5. We are open from 9am to 3pm, with an option for 7.30am to 6pm using our wrap around care service. We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage. (EYFS). The EYFS sets the standards for learning and development and care for children from birth to five. Our children learn through play in a stimulating and nurturing environment. Our staff recognise that every child is an individual with their own character, abilities, sense of humour and needs. Our staff track the children's learning and development, encouraging and engaging with the children to help then reach and extend their goals and experiences. We provide a secure online learning journal for parents to access and see observations, pictures and videos. Parents can also share their pictures and video from home.
About Mighty Oaks
This is our wrap around care service. We run a breakfast, and after school club for children who attend the Pre-School, Shefford Lower School and Robert Bloomfield Academy. Breakfast Club (7:30am – 9am) and After School Club (3pm – 6:00pm). Children aged 2 to 14 years can attend and runs Monday to Friday. We offer a relaxed atmosphere where the children can initiate the activities they are interested in.
Ofsted
Whilst from April 2024 we had an updated Ofsted registration (2782674), the day to day ethos, organisation, staffing, early education and childcare remains the same.
Our previous Ofsted registration (Ey371758) and inspection can be viewed:
We were very pleased to be awarded a good grading during an inspection in December 2017 and again in July 2023. The report can be read here.
"Children are happy and excited to attend the setting and are welcomed warmly by the manager and staff team."
"Children's behaviour is very good and their emotional development is well supported by staff."
"Children's behaviour is good. They play cooperatively and share resources when making cakes in the mud kitchen or digging for bugs in the soil."
"Parents and carers talk positively about the setting and are happy with the service provided. They enjoy receiving feedback about their children's learning and progress and have formed good relationships with their children's key person and buddy."
"The manager has an excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures. The staff team have received training in safeguarding and understand how to report concerns."
Millie's Mark Award
We hold Millie's Mark Accreditation. Millie's Mark is an exceptional achievement for a childcare setting, as it shows we and our staff go well above and beyond minimum requirements in keeping children safe.
Healthy Child - Healthy Workforce Award
On the 16 April 2024 we were accredited with the new Healthy Child – Healthy Workforce Quality Standards Award. This award demonstrates our commitment to promoting and improving the health and wellbeing of all the children attending Acorn Pre-School & The Mighty Oaks as well as all our staff and visitors.
Early Years Alliance
We are members of the Early Years Alliance, previously known as the Pre-School Learning Alliance. Their mission is to support early years providers to deliver high quality, affordable and sustainable care and learning to families, and to ensure that all children, regardless of background, are given the best possible start in life. Please follow the link to Early Years Alliance.
What our families say about us...
"My daughter loves Mighty Oaks and seeing all her old teacher from when she was at Acorn. She was full of smiles today when I picked her up as she had help build a shopping list with the Mighty Oaks Committee for some new toys."
"Thank you for all your support and reassurance, I have been so worried about my daughter attending during this horrible pandemic, you have put my mind at rest. I can see from the photos she is having a great time."
"Thank you for everything you do. My son is always excited on Pre-School day and runs in without even looking back at me!"
