We believe that good nutrition is the foundation for happy, energetic children. A balanced diet helps children grow, learn, and play while developing lifelong healthy habits. Each session we provide the children with a nutritious snack, below is an example of a weekly menu:
Special Dietary Needs
We accommodate allergies, sensitivities, and dietary restrictions and the menu is amended accordingly to suit individual children’s needs.
Between 12pm and 12.30pm we offer lunch club to children who would like to attend a morning and afternoon session. For this you will need to provide a packed lunch.
What Makes a Healthy Packed Lunch?
A great lunch includes:
Protein
Chicken, beans, eggs, or hummus for energy and growth
Whole Grains
Whole-grain bread, pasta, or crackers for sustained energy
Vegetables
Fresh fruit, veggie sticks, or salad for essential vitamins
Dairy or Dairy Alternatives
Cheese, yogurt, or plant-based options for strong bones
Water
The best drink for hydration
At Little Acorns, the health and well-being of our children, families, and staff are our top priority. We are the only Early Years Setting in this area to hold Millie’s Mark. This award represents the gold standard in paediatric first aid. Achieving this prestigious mark means that every member of staff in the setting is trained in paediatric first aid, ensuring they are equipped to respond confidently and effectively in critical situations. The accreditation process is rigorous, requiring continuous reflection and improvement and requires us to go above and beyond legal requirements.
What do to if my child is unwell
To help keep everyone safe and well, we ask that children remain at home for 48 hours after their last bout of sickness or diarrhoea. If a child has had a temperature (37.8 or above), they should stay home for 24 hours after the last spike before returning. These precautions help reduce the spread of illness and ensure a healthy environment for all.
We would please ask that you email enquiries@littleacornswendover.org or call 07519 036703 if your child is unable to attend.
Additional Guidance
If a child becomes unwell while at preschool, parents or caregivers will be contacted and expected to collect them promptly.
Please notify the preschool if your child has been diagnosed with a contagious illness so we can inform other parents and take appropriate precautions.
We encourage good hygiene practices, including frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes.
Further information can be found on our illness policy.
A gradual skills based approach:
Step 1 - Preparation
Ensure there is no underlying constipation and the child is having plenty of water based drinks (6-8 cups a day). Keeping their bladder and bowel healthy and working properly will help with potty training. Involve them in nappy changing and talk to them about it whilst you’re doing it so that they begin to understand where wee and poo goes, and the language that we use for the toilet and how our body feels.
Step 2 - Practice
From the time the child can safely sit up by themselves, they can start sitting on a potty with your help. Good times to try a potty include shortly after they wake up, after mealtimes, and anytime you know the child needs to go. Practice pushing pants down and pulling up. Correct way of wiping, handwashing and drying. Dress in loose fitting clothes – and keep nappy on for these practice steps. Use positive language during practice stage. Use books, dolls in role play using potty / toilet.
Step 3 - Stop Using Nappies
Thanks to plenty of preparation and practice, the child has gained new skills and confidence and is now ready for the last step. Make sure it’s a good time to start with the family, avoiding any big changes or disruptions to the family’s routine. Dress the child in easy to manage, loose fitting clothes so they can take the lead with using the potty or toilet. If the child is a boy, encourage him to sit for both wees and poos, especially in the beginning. We empty our bladder better when sitting down and it helps to prevent constipation. Use praise to motivate your child.
Toileting information from www.eric.org - The Children Bowel and Bladder Charity.
Why It Matters
Children in the early years are exploring the digital world more than ever—through games, videos, and learning tools. While this can be exciting and educational, it also presents risks. Early guidance and safe practices can help children form healthy, responsible habits online.
Internet Safety for Young Children
Supervise Digital Activity
Ensure young children only use devices when supervised. Sit with them during screen time, so you can guide their interactions and content choices.
Use Age-Appropriate Platforms
Stick to websites and apps designed for early years learners. Look for content marked as age-appropriate, with educational value and no ads or chat features.
Talk About Safety Early
Use age-appropriate language to teach children simple rules: ask permission before going online, don’t talk to strangers, and always tell a grown-up if something feels wrong.
Set Up Parental Controls
Activate filters and parental controls on devices and apps. These help limit what children can access and reduce the risk of inappropriate content.
Model Good Online Behaviour
Children mirror adults. Be conscious of your screen habits and the tone you set when using technology around them.
Encourage Offline Activities
Balance is essential. Encourage play, reading, and outdoor activities alongside digital interaction to promote well-being.
To help keep children safe online, we encourage families to use trusted apps like Google Family Link, Qustodio, FamilyTime, mspy, Aura or Bark. These tools offer features such as screen time monitoring, content filtering, and mirroring.
We love messy play — painting, digging, splashing, and exploring — so please dress your child in clothes that are comfortable and easy to wash. Save special or delicate outfits for home, as our learning adventures often lead to spills and splodges!
To help with this, we have preschool-branded uniform items available for purchase, including t-shirts and sweatshirts designed for comfort and durability. Just ask a member of staff if you’d like to order.
We are extremely proud to have been rated 'Outstanding' by Ofsted, a reflection of our commitment to excellence in early childhood education. Click here to read our OUTSTANDING Ofted report.
