ACE Childcare

Year-round care for children under 3 years

We are on the same site as the Nursery School but are a separate childcare provider run by the ACE Centre Charity Ltd. Many children come to the ACE Centre through ACE Childcare or via ACE Pre-school and then stay on for their Nursery School sessions, and we work hard to give children a smooth transition between the settings.

Care and early learning for children under 3 is provided for 51 weeks of the year within our small day nursery, a cosy and nurturing setting, where children are supported by their key person and a dedicated team of early years practitioners. ACE Childcare is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm. We aim to provide a homely environment which is welcoming, physically and emotionally secure, for each child.

Click here to read our latest  Ofsted report (February 2025).

” Staff focus on supporting children’s communication and language development and do so well. For example, staff read to children and introduce them to new words. During activities, staff explain ideas to children and ask them questions that encourage them to think and respond. This is especially beneficial for children who speak English as an additional language, who quickly begin to use English fluently.” (Ofsted, 2025)

Our programme and learning environment is designed to enable our youngest children to achieve high levels of wellbeing and involvement in a range of experiences. We recognise that young children need close nurturing relationships with their significant adults, including their key person, as children need to feel safe and happy to be able to thrive and learn.

“Children form close relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff are attentive, kind and caring, and this contributes towards children feeling safe and secure at the setting”.

” Children learn to behave well, and staff intervene when needed to give children gentle guidance and to help them to learn about the feelings of others. Staff successfully encourage all children to get along. Children play together well, and staff understand the benefits of older children playing alongside younger ones as they learn from each other. ” (Ofsted, 2025)

We aim to foster a close relationship and dialogue with parents and carers. Our Focus Child observations, which are used across the centre, are a key way to share our insights into each child’s learning and development. This provides an opportunity for a very personal conversation about how we can together support and extend each individual child.

“Staff know their local community well and actively encourage children’s attendance at the setting. The provider offers flexible care to help meet the needs of local families. Staff engage with families well, and relationships with parents are strong..” (Ofsted, 2025)

To apply for government funding for Childcare please click here.

To find out about tax free childcare please click here.

Families in receipt of government funding for children aged from 9 months to three years old can use this to access 15 or 30 hours attendance in ACE Childcare. With the support of the ACE Centre trustees we have held down costs at £39.00 for a morning session, £37.00 for an afternoon session and £75.00 for a full day.

Year-round care for children 3-5 years

We are on the same site as the Nursery School but are a separate childcare provider run by the ACE Centre Charity Ltd. By working in partnership with the maintained nursery school, children can take up their funded free education sessions in a way which is fully integrated with their daycare. We offer families the possibility to wrap additional daycare around their free 15/30 hours entitlement, from the term after their child’s 3rd birthday.

Children enjoy both their free and fee-paying hours within our outstanding nursery school, supported by their key person, qualified teachers and familiar early years workers.

“Staff encourage children to learn about being healthy. At mealtimes, staff talk with children about healthy eating and looking after their teeth. Staff promote children’s independence. Children enjoy outdoor play where staff praise them as they climb, balance and slide on equipment as they strengthen their muscles and increase their physical skills. These activities contribute towards children being fit, active and learning about how to look after their bodies. ”
(Ofsted, 2025)

Holiday playschemes for Nursery School children (including summer term leavers)

During the school holidays we offer a holiday playscheme to our Nursery School children which runs within the familiar environment of the centre. Children enjoy learning through play with staff who are regular early years workers from across the centre. Find out more.