Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A day nursery in Milton Keynes for children from birth to 8+, open 07:30 to 18:15, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in December 2024. Open since 2017, with 36 places.
What you might pay
This setting does not publish its fees, and no national dataset holds them. This is what childcare costs across the council, as a starting point for the call.
What childcare usually costs in Milton Keynes
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Milton Keynes from the Department for Education's 2025 provider survey. No national data holds what an individual nursery charges, so ring and ask.
Places, hours and the day
Who they take, when they are open, and what a day there includes.
Where it is
MK19 7ELWhat the inspector found
One grade is one visit. A run of them tells you whether it has been good for years or has only just got there.
- 23 June 2025 — Concern: actions taken what Ofsted published
Ofsted inspector, 18 December 2024 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Children develop a sense of familiarity with the daily routines, as they quickly put their belongings away and join their friends in play. They are warmly welcomed by staff who are ready to engage in play. They talk to children about their morning and what children are looking forward to doing at nursery.
Children's interests are important to staff. They talk with children about their likes and interest that inform their planning of a variety of activities. They provide learning opportunities that build on what children know and can do. For example, staff support children's learning through conversation and by asking questions. This helps build and develop children's thinking skills, as they focus on their chosen activity.
Children are supported by staff in developing their physical skills well. Children develop their gross motor skills through climbing, balancing, and exploring large apparatus. Staff offer praise and encouragement that supports children's confidence in their physical skills. Children show pride and excitement, as they keep trying when exploring large equipment.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- enhance strategies to help children understand and manage their feelings to further support their emotional development n strengthen the quality of interactions, so that children have consistent opportunities to recall previous learning.
- 18 December 2024Good Safeguarding: Yes
- 12 February 2019Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Acorn Day Nursery Castlethorpe
- What it costs
- Funded hours
- Youngest age taken
- Meals
- Nappies
- Waiting list
No dataset holds any of this. Two parents telling us the same thing puts it on the page for whoever looks next.
What to ask them
None of this is in any national dataset and this setting has not published it, which is exactly why it is worth asking.
- What does it cost, all in? What is on top: meals, nappies, late pick-up, and what happens if you are late.
- Can I use my funded hours here? Whether they stretch them over the year, and the minimum days you have to book.
- Is there a place for my child's age? Baby rooms fill first and waiting lists are common.
- Who would my child's key person be? And how long have the staff been there. No dataset holds this and it matters more than anything above.
- Can I visit at a busy time? Mid-morning on a weekday tells you far more than an empty room after hours.
Day nurseries within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.