This article is sponsored by Ashville College. 

With the name of ‘College’, sometimes parents assume that Ashville College only caters for teenage pupils, however, there is also a well-established Prep School and Nursery Class on the same 64-acre campus.

Acorns Nursery Class is located in a purpose-built building which provides a happy, secure and stimulating setting for the beginning of a child’s learning journey. It is packed full of facilities appropriate to support younger children with their educational development in a fun environment.

And whilst it is a stand-alone facility, being part of the ‘Ashville family’, pupils also benefit from being able to make use of the extensive facilities the wider College has to offer, including a state-of-the-art Sports Centre and superb outdoor area for games. Additionally, this link allows them to explore a wider range of subjects at a much earlier age and to discover what areas they are particularly interested in and where their individual talents lie.



Acorns Nursery Class is open to children after they turn three, until they start school in Reception. And for many it is the first step in a child’s learning journey at Ashville.

In comparison with other mainstream nurseries, the ‘young Acorns’ are taught by fully-qualified teachers, rather than nursery practitioners, and the Acorns teachers have a wealth of experience specifically working with younger children. Acorns Nursery Class also introduces them to a school routine; they wear a uniform, learn through play in a classroom setting and attend assemblies as part of the wider Ashville Prep School community. This helps develop their confidence and independence, and it removes the potential ‘shock’ of starting school the following year.

Smaller class sizes enable the children to have more teacher interaction and greater support to grow and develop, and the boys and girls are very much a name and never a number.



Acorns Nursery Class follows the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) curriculum that sets out key learning through interactive activities and play, for children to help with a smooth entry into Reception the following year. It covers a variety of themes including a core introduction to literacy and numeracy skills.

Simon Asker, Head of Ashville Prep School explains: “At the heart of the Ashville College ethos, pupils are supported to be ‘the best versions of themselves’, which is also true in Acorns. Teachers cater for individual interests and strengths to make the Early Years curriculum more relevant, accessible and enjoyable to each child.

For more information about Acorns Nursery Class at Ashville College, please visit www.ashville.co.uk/acorns or call 01423 566358.