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 12 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 inspection in July 2026 can be viewed here.
We received strong standard across all inspection areas with the Inspector and report highlighting:
"Children make consistently swift progress in their learning and development."
"Leaders ensure staff provide consistently effective support and guidance to help children foster positive attitudes towards their learning and others."
"Children are settled and feel able to separate from their parents when they come into the preschool."
"Leaders and staff effectively work together to plan an ambitious curriculum that inspires children through new experiences, exciting themes and enthusiastic teaching."
"Leaders and staff use their insightful knowledge of children's development to help set realistic next steps for key children to move forward through a clearly sequenced curriculum. "
"Parents report that the support they and their children receive goes 'above and beyond' their expectations."
"Children thrive in the preschool and wrap-around care within the provision. They enthusiastically find the resources that interest them and enjoy discovering how they can play and investigate within the stimulating environment. "
Millie's Mark Award
Since 2018 we have held a Millie's Mark Award, a Quality Mark for Early Years settings where employees working directly with children, in our case all staff, are trained in paediatric first aid. This has been awarded by the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) in association with the Department of Education and Millie's Trust. Although we are an official Millie's Mark setting our hard work of continuously developing our quality care and education does not stop.
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!"
