Acorns Nursery

Our Staff

All staff are fully qualified Nursery Nurses with NNEB, CACHE Diploma Or NVQ 3 equivalent qualifications. Staff have relevant experience and varying years of service with nursery aged children.

The structure of staffing with the children is -

• Room supervisor
• Child care worker
• Students

At Acorns we have a strong team who have worked alongside each other for a long time. There are 4 staff members who have worked at Acorns since we opened in 1996, 2 members of staff have worked together for 17 years.

Support staff are employed to work alongside the full time members of staff, these being cleaner and nursery cook.

There are students at nursery at various times, these will be mainly from North Devon College and local secondary schools. The students are never left unsupervised and do not supervise toileting or close contact with the children.

All staff are vetted by the CRB and no children are left in the care of unchecked staff.

All OFSTED guidelines and code of practise are adhered to and followed at all times. Staff are introduced to policies and practises at induction time and given opportunities to discuss and develop their skills and practises through appraisals and ongoing training.

Coral Cray

• NNEB
• DPP
• First Aid
• Food Health and hygiene

Debbie Baker (0-3 room)

• Deputy Manager
• NNEB
• Child protection
• Advanced baby practitioner
• First Aid
• Food health and hygiene

Rachel Forsythe (0-3 room)

• Nursery Nurse
• NNEB
• First Aid

Leanne Squire(0-3 room)

• Nursery Nurse
• Level 3 BTEC National Diploma
• First Aid
• Child Protection

Tracy Singleton (3-5 room)

• Nursery Nurse
• DPP Level 3

Carol Stevens (3-5 room)

• Nursery Nurse
• CACHE Diploma
• Food Hygiene
• Child Protection
• First Aid

Katie Duncombe (0-3 room)

• Nursery Nurse
• BTEC Certificate level 3
• First aid

Katie Horwood (0-5 age groups)

• Nursery assistant
• Level 2 training
• First aid

Bev Huckstep (3-5 room)

• NNEB
• First aid
• SENCO

Healthy Food Policy

• When children are able to hold/eat solid food we offer a range of healthy snacks such as; grapes, banana, pear, cucumber, raisins, ham and occasionally digestive biscuits.
• When children are ready to eat a nursery cooked meal we can offer a nutritious and balanced meal.
• Foods, which are high in saturated fat and have additional salt and sugar content, are avoided.
• Food is steamed, boiled, grilled or baked.
• Wherever possible fresh vegetables/ingredients are used for the children's lunches
• Children are also able to have raw vegetables when a salad option is available.
• Parents are welcome to make suggestions to our menu.
• Children's choices and preferences are considered when planning meals.
• Please advise of any special requirements.

Our Prices

Charging Policy

• On your child's induction to nursery you will receive a registration form and contract. These will need to be completed and returned to nursery.
• The registration form is to ensure that we have up to date and relevant information regarding your child's contacts and any additional needs.
• The contract is and agreement between the nursery and the parent for all services that are required during your child's time here at Acorns.
• EYEF sessions are offered for term times only, you will be notified of these in advance, you can then choose whether to use the nursery, obviously you will be then charged without any deductions.
• EYEF sessions are available all week from 8.30 - 5.30, if your sessions are within the 15.5 hours of entitlement then you will not be charged, any sessions over this will be invoiced.
• You will be invoiced monthly and we would like payment before the end of the relevant month. If payment is not received by the second week of the following month your place at nursery may be withdrawn.
• Lunch can be provided on for a daily charge of £1.85.
• If you wish to leave nursery a minimum of one months notice must be given to avoid charges, you cannot use the EYEF for this period (unless you child attends).
• If you have any queries please contact a member of staff who will be happy to assist you.

Our Prospectus

Please click here to download a pdf version of our prospectus.

How to Find Us

Acorns Nursery Unit
Old Sticklepath Hill
Sticklepath
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 2BQ