The Council is delighted to offer congratulations to Acorns Nursery in Rassau for the recently published joint report following inspection in November 2024 by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) and Estyn. The nursery received good judgements across all areas, reflecting the dedication and hard work of its staff and leadership.
The inspection report highlighted several key strengths of Acorns Nursery.
- Nearly all children at Acorns Nursery have a strong voice, confidently making choices and decisions about their activities.
- The nursery's practitioners are kind, caring, and nurturing, creating a positive, happy, and engaging atmosphere. They provide a welcoming learning environment that inspires children's curiosity and engagement.
- The resources and layout promote children's independence and purposeful play. The outdoor learning provision is particularly strong, supporting children's holistic development.
The report noted that the leadership team at Acorns Nursery demonstrates a clear vision and passion for providing high-quality care and education. They have developed a strong team ethos, with all staff feeling supported and valued.
Melanie Madden and Leanna Hodgkins, the registered persons and persons in charge, expressed their pride in the nursery's achievements, saying:
"We are thrilled with the positive feedback from Estyn and CIW. This report is down to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. We are committed to continuing to provide nurturing and stimulating environments for all our children."
Cabinet Member, Cllr. Trollope – People & Social Services—gives congratulations to the team at Acorns, saying:
“I’m delighted for the team—they’ve worked so hard to embrace the curriculum and follow children’s interests, and their hard work has paid off.”
“As part of our Corporate Plan priorities, we aim to maximise learning and skills for all to create a prosperous, thriving, resilient Blaenau Gwent, providing high-quality educational and skills opportunities for all, and Acorns have showcased this perfectly with this inspection report.”
Acorns Nursery is a funded, non-maintained nursery setting and offers early education, Flying Start, and childcare offer. They look forward to building on this success and continuing to provide care and education for the children of Ebbw Vale. Read the full report here: Inspection report Acorns Nursery 2025