BOUNDLESS BEGINNINGS.
CONFIDENT FUTURES.
Why Choose Little Acorns?
Little Acorns offers an exceptional start to your child’s education, nurturing their natural curiosity, encouraging confidence, and building foundations for life-long learning.
Located within the wider Crosfields School campus, our nursery provides a warm, welcoming, and well-equipped environment where young learners flourish.
If you’re looking for a vibrant place for your child to begin their learning journey, and want the flexibility of extended care and enrolment options, Little Acorns is the ideal choice for families seeking quality early years education in Reading.
What Makes Little Acorns Special?
Purpose-Built Nursery Environment
Our nursery enjoys its own dedicated, purpose-designed building, nestled within the Crosfields campus.
Designed specifically for children aged 3–4, the environment supports both independent play and adult-led learning in a calm, secure setting.
Calm, Child-Focused Classrooms
Neutral tones, natural materials, and soft lighting create a peaceful backdrop that allows children’s work to shine.
Our thoughtfully curated spaces encourage focus, exploration, and pride in personal achievement.
Access to Specialist Teaching
Even our youngest learners benefit from Crosfields’ specialist subject teaching, including:
- Music
- French
- PE & Games
- Forest School
- Dance
Balanced Daily Programmes
Each day combines structured activities with free exploration. Children participate in creative sessions such as:
- Dough Disco – Developing fine motor skills through music and movement
- Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle – Supporting early writing with fun, physical pre-writing exercises
- Talk 4 Writing – A creative approach to imaginative play, outdoor time, and interactive story telling.
- Maths – Developing strong foundation in mathematical thinking, through play and adult led sessions.
- Phonics – Sessions using songs, games and stories to begin teaching reading.
State-of-the-Art Swimming Pool
Nursery children enjoy weekly swimming sessions in our modern indoor pool. The variable depth floor ensures safety and comfort, perfect for building water confidence from the start.
Outdoor Adventures with Forest School
Our beautiful on-site woodland provides the ideal setting for Forest School sessions. Children explore the natural world, learn about the environment, and develop resilience and teamwork through outdoor learning.
Nutritious, Home-Cooked Meals
Healthy, tasty, and freshly prepared on-site, our nursery children enjoy home-cooked lunches served in the Junior Dining Hall. Meals are designed with young palates and nutritional needs in mind.
Flexible Hours & Wrap-Around Care
We understand family life can be busy. That’s why we offer flexible options to support your routine:
- Core nursery hours: 08:15 – 15:15 (term time)
- Breakfast Club: Available from 07:30
- After-school care: Until 17:50
These options can be added at an additional cost to suit your schedule.
Flexible Enrolment & Funding Options
- Join any time from age three (or two from Sept 2026)
- Parents can select flexible session attendance
- Access to up to 15 hours of government Early Years Funding available
This adaptability helps ease the transition into nursery and supports working families.
Quick Reference: Nursery Highlights
| Feature | Details | Feature | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Age Range |
From 2 years old (2 years from Sept 2026) |
Environment |
Calm, neutral tones, natural materials, child-centered displays. |
|
Daily Activities |
Exploration through play, fine motor development (e.g., Dough
Disco), and storytelling (Talk 4 Writing). |
Facilities |
Dedicated nursery building, access to full school facilities. |
|
Wraparound Care |
Breakfast Club (07:30) & After-school (to 17:50). |
Swimming Pool |
Indoor pool with variable depth floor. |
|
Outdoor Learning |
Forest School in on-site woodland. |
Meals |
Fresh, home-cooked lunches served daily. |
|
Enrolment & Funding |
Flexible sessions, 15 hours Early Years Funding available. |
Visit Opportunities |
“Stay and Play” sessions for prospective families. |
Top Nursery FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions parents ask about Crosfields Nursery:
Visit us
Come and see what makes Little Acorns so special. Join us at one of our Stay and Play sessions or book a personal tour. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our vibrant learning community.
Location: Crosfields School, Reading
Website: www.crosfields.com
Contact: nursery@crosfields.com | 0118 987 9902
We follow government guidelines with high staff-to-child ratios. Our small group sizes ensure each child receives personal attention and support.
Yes! We offer flexible attendance options, with a minimum of five sessions per week. You can choose the days that suit your family’s schedule.
Children receive a healthy mid-morning snack, mid-afternoon and a nutritious, hot lunch. Meals are prepared on-site and designed to encourage healthy eating habits.
Yes. In addition to core hours, we offer optional wrap-around care:
- Breakfast Club: From 07:30
- After School Care: Available until 16:15 (free of
charge) or extended until 17:50 (with a fee)
Absolutely. Nursery children enjoy shared experiences with Reception-aged children, and teachers visiting the Reception classrooms, making the transition into the main school smooth and familiar.
Children in the nursery are automatically guaranteed a place in Reception.
Yes. Eligible families can use up to 15 hours of Early Years Funding. Additional hours are chargeable.
For more, visit our full FAQs: www.crosfields.com/nursery/faqs
