Business Details
23 Years
experience
Trusted Childcare Services in Newbury
Acres of Fun was founded in 2003 by Nicola Walters, a seasoned childcare recruitment professional, to address the need for high-quality nursery care in West Berkshire. Our nursery and pre-school provide a homely environment with extensive outdoor spaces, combining exceptional childcare with educational excellence. Our team of dedicated, qualified staff prioritises child-led learning through play, ensuring children develop confidence, social skills, and a love for exploration.We maintain a 5* Food Hygiene rating and hold an Ofsted 'Outstanding' rating in all areas. Our unique approach includes no agency staff, smaller group ratios, and a curriculum enriched by specialist teachers, forest school activities, and homegrown produce. With over two decades of experience, we prepare children for school while fostering joy, creativity, and emotional well-being in a family-like setting.
Services
Nursery Care
Pre-School Education
Holiday Club
Forest School
Catering Services
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of childcare experience with no agency staff employed.
- Our 2-acre grounds include forest school areas and organic vegetable gardens.
- We maintain smaller group ratios than legally required for personalised attention.
- Our on-site chef holds a 5* Food Hygiene rating from West Berkshire Council.
- Ofsted rated us 'Outstanding' in all areas during our February 2024 inspection.
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
- West Berkshire Council 5* Food Hygiene Rating
What people say
Outstanding care
Lovely outdoor space
Excellent staff ratios
5* hygiene rating
Well-prepared meals
Services
Nursery Care
Our nursery provides full and part-time care for children aged 3 months to 3 years in a converted family home. Bright, stimulating rooms and secure outdoor gardens support sensory play, sleep routines, and early socialisation. Staff engage babies in storytelling and music while toddlers enjoy messy play areas and free-flow access to gardens.
Pre-School Education
Children aged 3 to school age benefit from our purpose-built pre-school with dedicated learning zones. Specialist teachers deliver French, music, and sports sessions alongside forest school activities. The curriculum prepares children for primary education through play-based literacy, numeracy, and social skills development in indoor and outdoor classrooms.
Holiday Club
Our holiday club operates during school breaks for primary-aged children in themed spaces like the 'Fairy House' and 'Wizard's Den'. Activities include treasure hunts, gardening, drama, and outdoor adventures across 2 acres of grounds. Meals are freshly prepared on-site, with a focus on homegrown produce and no electronic devices allowed.
Forest School
Qualified educators lead forest school sessions in our wooded areas, promoting nature exploration and risk assessment through den-building, bug hunts, and seasonal activities. Children develop physical coordination and environmental awareness while engaging in structured outdoor play throughout the year.
Catering Services
A full-time chef prepares balanced meals using local ingredients and produce from our vegetable garden. Menus incorporate five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, with staff encouraging healthy eating habits at family-style mealtimes. Special dietary requirements are accommodated with prior notice.
People
Nicola Walters
Owner & Managing Director
Nicola founded Acres of Fun in 2003 after 25 years running Newbury Nannies. She champions home-like childcare environments and oversees curriculum development, staff recruitment, and daily operations while maintaining close parent communication.
Rebecca Pritchard
Nursery Manager
Rebecca joined in 2008 as Head of Pre-School, progressing to Manager in 2011. She leads staff training, ensures Ofsted compliance, and coordinates special educational needs provision while maintaining continuity in care standards.
Julie Huntley
Development Manager
Julie has been with Acres of Fun since its 2003 launch. She focuses on staff mentoring, curriculum innovation, and family engagement strategies to support children's transition to primary school.
Questions
What are your opening hours?
We operate Monday-Friday 8:00am-6:00pm with optional early starts at 7:45am. We close one week in August for maintenance.
What age groups do you cater for?
We accept children from 3 months old through pre-school age, with a separate holiday club for primary school-aged children during school breaks.
How do you support children's learning?
Our curriculum combines play-based learning with specialist sessions in French, music, and sports, delivered through indoor activities and outdoor forest school experiences.
Are meals included?
Yes, all meals and snacks are provided. Our chef prepares fresh dishes using local produce and vegetables grown in our on-site garden.
What qualifications do your staff hold?
Our team includes qualified early years educators, with some staff undergoing ongoing training. All staff receive continuous professional development.
How are parents kept informed?
Each family has a dedicated key worker for regular updates, and we maintain open communication through daily interactions and formal progress reports.
