# Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School

Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School is a full-day nursery at Whitehill, WELWYN, AL6 9FN, in Welwyn, Hertfordshire. It is registered for 32 children. It opens 09:00–15:00, Mon–Fri. Its Ofsted report card (December 2025) grades inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Strong standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Strong standard, children's welfare and well-being Strong standard and leadership and governance Strong standard; safeguarding standards met. It has a Google rating of 5.0 from 9 reviews (November 2026).

Page: https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/acorn-playgroup-and-pre-school-ey458165  
Last checked 13 November 2026.

## At a glance

- Type: Full-day nursery
- Address: Whitehill, WELWYN, AL6 9FN
- Opening hours: 09:00–15:00, Mon–Fri
- Registered places: 32
- Phone: 01438 840132
- Website: http://www.acornwelwyn.com/
- Ofsted URN: EY458165

## Ofsted and official records

Report card inspection, 5 December 2025. Report cards grade each area separately; there is no single headline grade.

| Area | Grade |
|---|---|
| Inclusion | Strong standard |
| Curriculum and teaching | Strong standard |
| Achievement | Strong standard |
| Behaviour and routines | Strong standard |
| Children's welfare and well-being | Strong standard |
| Leadership and governance | Strong standard |

Safeguarding standards met.

Report: https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY458165

Official records:

- Ofsted registration: Registered since April 2013 (Reference EY458165). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY458165)
- Inspections on record: 1 inspection (latest 5 December 2025). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY458165)
- Registered places: 32 places (the most children it may care for at once). Source: Ofsted, checked 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY458165)
- Food hygiene rating: 5 (Very good) (inspected 13 March 2025). Source: Food Standards Agency, checked 13 November 2026 (https://ratings.food.gov.uk/business/1451873)

## Fees

Fees and ages: not published yet.

## Hours and ages

- Monday to Friday: 09:00–15:00

## Getting there

Address: Whitehill, WELWYN, AL6 9FN

Directions: https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=51.827512,-0.219936

- 11 bus stops within 400 m
- Park: Node Way Gardens Community Green, 0.4 miles
- Playground: Playground, under 0.1 miles
- Playground: Playground, under 0.1 miles

NaPTAN, Department for Transport, checked 13 November 2026 · © OpenStreetMap contributors, checked 13 November 2026.

## Places and next steps

Spaces: not published yet.

In Hertfordshire there are about 2.9 children under 5 for every registered nursery place. Places are how many children nurseries may care for, not free spaces. Source: ONS Census 2021.

When to apply: https://toddly.co.uk/when-to-apply-for-nursery

## Ratings

- Google: 5.0 out of 5 from 9 reviews (as of 13 November 2026)

## Nearby schools

Distances are in a straight line.

| School | Phase | Ages | Ofsted | Nursery class | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welwyn St Mary's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Outstanding; Leadership and management: Good (March 2025) |  | 0.2 miles |
| Tenterfield Nursery School | Nursery | 2–5 | School remains Outstanding (March 2023) | yes | 0.3 miles |
| Sherrardswood School |  | 2–19 |  | yes | 0.6 miles |
| Homerswood Primary and Nursery School | Primary | 3–11 | Quality of education: Good; Behaviour and attitudes: Good; Personal development: Good; Leadership and management: Good (October 2024) | yes | 1.0 miles |
| Harwood Hill Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (March 2023) | yes | 1.2 miles |
| Templewood Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | Good (December 2023) | yes | 1.3 miles |
| Oaklands Primary School | Primary | 4–11 | Good (July 2023) |  | 1.4 miles |
| St John's CofE Primary School | Primary | 3–11 | School remains Good (April 2023) | yes | 1.5 miles |

## Nearby nurseries

| Nursery | Ofsted | Day fee from | Hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Meadow View Childcare](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/meadow-view-childcare-ey556731) | Good |  | 07:30–18:00 | 1.1 miles |
| [Annabel's Montessori School](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/annabels-montessori-school-ey540314) | Good |  | 09:00–15:00 | 1.6 miles |
| [Busy Bees Day Nursery at Welwyn Garden City](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-welwyn-garden-city-ey308307) | Outstanding |  | 07:30–18:30 | 1.6 miles |
| [Codicote Preschool Nursery Provision](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/codicote-preschool-nursery-provision-2872831) |  |  |  | 1.7 miles |
| [Rowan Tree Day Nursery](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/rowan-tree-day-nursery-496768) | Outstanding |  | 07:30–18:30 | 1.7 miles |
| [Busy Bees Day Nursery at Mardley Hill](https://toddly.co.uk/nursery/busy-bees-day-nursery-at-mardley-hill-148131) | Outstanding |  | 07:30–18:30 | 1.7 miles |

## Frequently asked questions

### What are Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School's opening hours?

Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School opens 09:00–15:00, Mon–Fri.

### What is Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School's Ofsted rating?

Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School was inspected on 5 December 2025 and given an Ofsted report card. Report cards grade each area separately rather than giving one headline grade: inclusion Strong standard, curriculum and teaching Strong standard, achievement Strong standard, behaviour and routines Strong standard, children's welfare and well-being Strong standard and leadership and governance Strong standard. Safeguarding standards met.

### How many children can Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School take?

Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School is registered with Ofsted for up to 32 children at any one time.

### What is the nearest station to Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School?

Welwyn North is the nearest station we know of, 1.2 miles away in a straight line.

### How do I contact Acorn Playgroup & Pre-School?

You can call 01438 840132 and visit www.acornwelwyn.com.

## Sources

- Registration and inspections: Ofsted, as of 30 June 2026 (https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/16/EY458165)
- Rating and review themes: Google, as of 13 November 2026 (https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=Acorn+Playgroup+and+Pre-school&query_place_id=ChIJj5eh4rE6dkgR2fS2vQA6j78)
- Schools: DfE Get Information about Schools, as of 4 November 2026 (https://get-information-schools.service.gov.uk/)

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.