Acorn’s 2025 Highlights As we open 2026, we’re proud to look back on a year where Acorn Early Years strengthened its roots: eco leadership, exceptional quality, and deeper community connections across Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire, and Bedfordshire. From national recognition to local milestones, 2025 showed what happens when children, families, and educators grow together. Eco Achievements: A Green Flag Year 2025 closed with a standout moment, 14 Acorn nurseries earning Eco‑Schools Green Flag status, with multiple distinctions, underscoring how sustainability is embedded in everyday practice across our settings. Brafield, Burton Latimer, Castlethorpe, Hedgerows, Jubilee Wood, Kents Hill, New Bradwell, Shenley, Stony Stratford and others were celebrated, reflecting a culture of child‑led environmental action. At individual settings, the story was just as inspiring: Burton Latimer achieved Green Flag with Distinction, praised for hands‑on gardening, composting and community engagement. An authentic pathway from seed to plate. Kents Hill marked five consecutive years of Green Flag with Distinction, showcasing deep, sustained impact driven by children’s eco‑committees and family participation. In July, both Shenley Church End and Brafield celebrated a third‑year Green Flag with Distinction, proving that eco‑education at Acorn isn’t a project, it’s a way of life. Earlier in the year, Hedgerows and Mulberry Bear were re‑awarded their Green Flags, reinforcing a network of settings where sustainability threads through curriculum, play, and community. Quality & Care: Outstanding Ratings and Workplace Culture Our commitment to quality was recognised nationally: Kents Hill Nursery was rated “Outstanding” in all areas by Ofsted for the second consecutive time, with inspectors highlighting exceptional child engagement and wonderfully unique experiences (including much‑loved resident chicken Chips). Across the group, families’ voices continued to shape our provision, and our people powered the experience. In September, Acorn became a certified Great Place to Work®, with staff survey highlights including strong feelings of safety, fairness, and professional support...affirming that caring for our teams underpins the care we provide to children. New Beginnings: Deanshanger Opens Its Doors We announced a new nursery in Deanshanger to open in January 2026, returning life and learning to the former village pre‑school site with a dedicated under‑threes provision and a beautiful garden for daily outdoor play. By November, the Deanshanger Open Day became a heartfelt community celebration, complete with an official cake‑cutting led by our CEO, trustees, and local families. Setting the tone for a nurturing, nature‑rich start in 2026. Leadership & Governance: A New Chapter July brought a meaningful transition: Professor Eva Lloyd OBE stepped down as Chair of Trustees after three years, continuing her connection as Acorn’s first‑ever Patron, while Dr Narendra Laljani became our new Chair, bringing deep expertise in organisational leadership. In National Trustees’ Week we welcomed Michelle to the board and thanked Damien for his dedicated service. Another step in strengthening governance with lived early‑years and community experience. Celebrations, Events & Community From Summer Holiday Club adventures and Forest School sessions to our Annual Staff Conference, 2025 was full of moments where curiosity met confidence and children met nature. (See the full 2025 news roll for event details.) We also continued sharing practice through the Acorn Early Years Podcast, adding accessible insights for families and professionals into outdoor learning, culture of care, and more. Local recognition mattered too: Shenley celebrated success at the MK Inspiration Awards, and our nurseries hosted vibrant community open days, like Hedgerows’ "Where Little Explorers Grow". In 2026 we’ll keep growing. Expanding eco projects, enhancing outdoor learning, and deepening community partnerships. Together, we’ll continue turning little acorns into mighty oaks.