Gallery

Welcome to Little Acorns Nursery

At Hill View Primary School, we believe every child deserves the very best start to their learning journey. Little Acorns Nursery provides a happy, nurturing and stimulating environment where children can grow in confidence, develop friendships and build the foundations for lifelong learning. Located within Hill View Primary School in Banbury, Little Acorns offers children the opportunity to become part of our school community from an early age.

Why Choose Little Acorns?

• Smooth transition into school life
• Caring and inclusive environment
• Flexible funded childcare options
• Experienced Early Years team focused on learning through play

Outdoor Learning and Exploration

At Little Acorns, we recognise that some of the most valuable learning takes place outdoors. Our children enjoy regular access to outdoor play and learning opportunities that encourage curiosity, creativity and exploration.

Through outdoor activities, children develop their physical skills, confidence and independence while learning to work collaboratively with their friends. From investigating the natural world and developing early problem-solving skills to building, creating and exploring, our outdoor environment provides exciting opportunities for children to learn through first-hand experiences.

We believe that outdoor learning is an essential part of early childhood development, supporting children's wellbeing while helping them develop resilience, communication skills and a love of discovery. As part of the wider Hill View community, children benefit from an environment that promotes active learning and encourages them to make the most of every opportunity to explore and grow.

Benefits of Outdoor Learning

Develops confidence, independence and resilience.
Encourages physical development and healthy lifestyles.
Supports communication, language and social skills.
Inspires curiosity through exploration and discovery.
Provides opportunities for imaginative play and problem-solving.
Helps children connect with the natural world and their local environment.

This section works well because it focuses on the benefits parents are looking for, rather than simply describing the outdoor area itself. It helps market the nursery by highlighting how outdoor learning supports children's development and wellbeing.

Nursery Sessions and Funding

Little Acorns Nursery offers flexible session options to support the needs of families while giving children the opportunity to learn, play and develop in a nurturing environment. We offer both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places for eligible families.

15-Hour Funded Places

Families can choose between:

Morning Sessions

8:30am to 11:30am
3-hour session each day

Afternoon Sessions

12:15pm to 3:15pm
3-hour session each day

All children aged three and four are entitled to 15 hours of funded early education per week from the term after their third birthday.

30-Hour Funded Places

Eligible working families may be able to access up to 30 hours of funded childcare per week. Our full-day nursery sessions run from:

8:30am to 3:15pm
Total session length: 6 hours 45 minutes per day

The government-funded 30 hours covers childcare for 30 hours per week only. The additional 45 minutes provided at the start of each day (8:30am to 9:15am across the week) is charged at £3.50 per day, with invoices issued monthly.

For families who wish to access only their funded entitlement, children can attend from:

8:30am to 2:30pm with no additional charges.

Funding Information

Every child is entitled to 15 hours of funded childcare from the term after they turn three years old.
Eligible working families may qualify for 30 hours of funded childcare.
Admissions and funded places are offered for September, January and April intakes, although places may become available at other times during the year.
Parents are encouraged to check their eligibility and ensure their funding codes remain valid, as eligibility for extended funding is reviewed regularly.

We understand that every family's childcare needs are different, which is why we aim to offer flexible, affordable nursery provision that provides children with the very best start to their educational journey.

How to Apply

We are delighted that you are considering Little Acorns Nursery for your child. Our nursery welcomes children from the term following their third birthday and offers admissions throughout the academic year in line with Oxfordshire County Council guidance.

Applying for a Place

All applications for Little Acorns Nursery must be submitted online via Applicaa. To be considered for a place in the next intake, parents and carers must complete a full application through the Applicaa admissions system.

Little Acorns has three main admission points each year:

September intake - Application deadline: 30 April
January intake - Application deadline: 30 September
April intake - Application deadline: 31 January

If places are available, we may also be able to offer places outside of these main admission rounds.

Parents will be notified at least half a term before their child's start date if they have successfully secured a place.

Allocation of Places

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, admissions are allocated according to Oxfordshire County Council's nursery admissions criteria. Priority is given to children in specific categories, including those living within the school's designated catchment area and those with siblings already attending Hill View Primary School.

Please note that admission to Little Acorns Nursery is entirely separate from admission to Reception, and attending our nursery does not guarantee or provide priority for a Reception place at Hill View Primary School.

Waiting List (Continued Interest List)

If we are unable to offer your child a place immediately, they can be added to our Continued Interest List. To join the list, a completed application must first be submitted via Applicaa.

The Continued Interest List is maintained in strict accordance with the nursery's admissions criteria. Places are not allocated based on how long a child has been on the list, but according to the published oversubscription criteria whenever a vacancy becomes available.

Nursery Enquiries

We understand that choosing the right nursery is an important decision and encourage families to get in touch if they would like to learn more about Little Acorns Nursery.

For admissions enquiries, application support or further information about our nursery provision, please contact the school office on office@hillview-school.co.uk or call 01295 251205.

We look forward to welcoming your family to the Little Acorns community and supporting your child's first exciting steps into education.