Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited
GoodBirth to 8+Long established
A pre-school in Bishops Stortford for children from birth to 8+, open 09:00 to 15:30, 5 days a week. They do not publish prices, so that is the first thing to ask. Rated Good by Ofsted in October 2023. Open since 2015, with 22 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 Hertfordshire
This is not this setting's price. It is the median hourly fee across all providers in Hertfordshire 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
CM23 5LDWhat 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.
Ofsted inspector, 17 October 2023 · read the full report
What it is like to attend
Staff have high expectations of children to help broaden their vocabulary. They teach new words in this language-rich environment. For example, during story time, children hear the words 'shrink' and 'locomotive' and explore their meaning with staff. Children get excited as they say that they have learned a 'new big word'.
Staff provide a range of activities to promote children's physical skills. During a dance and movement session, children learn to move their bodies in a range of ways. They use ribbons to stretch up high and down low. Children explore the changes to their bodies during exercise as they explore why they feel hot after moving around, which deepens their understanding. Children learn to follow instructions as they march like 'scary dinosaurs'. Staff are very enthusiastic and provide great encouragement and excitement to children. Children laugh as they stomp around with each other.
Children learn good social skills through positive role modelling from staff. They share well and enjoy playing and sharing stories together. Staff model taking turns and how to respect each other. They praise 'good waiting' and how to give each other personal space during larger-group activities. They build towers together and laugh as they fall down. Children learn to add 'one more', which enhances their mathematical skills. They have formed great relationships with staff and go to them if they want a story, need help or a cuddle, or would like to play with them.
What Ofsted told them to improve
To further improve the quality of the early years provision, the provider should:
- help staff to understand and review the use of daily routines to ensure that children have more opportunities to build on their own learning and interests.
- 17 October 2023Good
- 15 January 2018Good
Rated Good or Outstanding at 2 of the last 2 graded inspections.
Still missing for Thorn Grove Little Acorns Limited
- 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.
Pre-schools within a couple of miles
This one is first. Tick it and one or two others to see them side by side.