Kids Planet Chesterfield

A refurbished Grade II listed building, outdoor learning in a dedicated nature space and practical help through a Parent Hub give Kids Planet Chesterfield a clear identity. This town-centre nursery combines climbing, digging and outdoor storytelling with a swap shop and food bank referrals. Its appeal extends beyond the playroom.

At its July 2022 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective, while identifying improvements needed in room transitions, questioning and support for less-confident children to join others in play. That judgement belongs to an earlier period; later supervision incidents also matter to the decision.

The nursery has 65 places in total, with a current age range of three months to five years. Full-day, morning and afternoon bookings provide different ways to use the setting, rather than a single attendance pattern.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets out children's learning, development and care: learning through play, conversation and exploration supports communication, physical development and social skills. Alongside that foundation, Chesterfield uses the group-wide Udeskole approach, which brings learning outdoors through practical experiences in nature. The branch is accredited for this approach and has a dedicated nature space.

Climbing and digging give children physical tasks to tackle, while outdoor storytelling and team challenges bring language and cooperation into the same environment. For families who value outdoor learning, the useful detail is the combination of a specific space and concrete activities. This is more informative than an outdoor-learning label alone.

In July 2022, children explored leaves, flowers and sticks, using their shapes and patterns as starting points for conversation. Discussions about small creatures could change direction when children became interested in sea life. That flexibility gave children room to introduce their own ideas, although adults did not always allow children enough time to answer their questions.

Babies' experiences in July 2022 included edible paint for making marks and songs accompanied by gestures. Older children tackled an obstacle activity involving hoops, a log and crates, and encouraged their friends as they took part. These examples show different kinds of participation, from sensory exploration to movement and shared play, rather than one activity being applied across ages.

Outdoor and Community Life

In July 2022, outdoor areas included a sensory garden, play dens and a mud kitchen, alongside equipment suited to children's stages of physical development. Each offered a different reason to spend time outside: investigating textures, creating pretend play or practising movement. These are dated examples of the environment, separate from the current Udeskole offer.

The Parent Hub adds a practical community connection. Families can exchange pre-loved essentials through its swap shop, and the food bank referral scheme links them with local services. For parents, this makes support something tangible: resources can be shared, and a conversation can lead to practical help.

Relationships and Communication

Famly supplies real-time updates for parents at Chesterfield. This gives families another way to follow their child's day, and makes communication part of the care arrangement rather than something reserved for a formal meeting.

In July 2022, key persons learnt about children's interests and routines through daily exchanges with parents and an online application. Children turned to familiar adults for comfort, and those who were less confident about separating from parents received individual encouragement. Take-home activity bags also connected nursery experiences with learning at home.

Relationships did not remove every difficulty. In July 2022, staff sometimes needed to do more to help quieter children take part in play with their peers. Children moving between rooms were not always offered activities that reflected what they could already do. For a child who takes time to join a group, or who is ready for a room move, these findings make the detail of current support especially relevant.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

On 23 August 2024, Ofsted recorded corrective action following two supervision incidents: the provider notified Ofsted on 4 July 2024 that a child had reached the pavement after following a staff member through a door, and on 14 August 2024 that another child had been left unsupervised outside. The entrance arrangements were changed to add a gate, and staff and parents were reminded to check which children were with them before opening doors.

Attendance procedures for ad hoc sessions were also changed, including assigning responsibility when a room leader was absent. Checks before leaving the outdoor area were strengthened. Both outcomes recorded action to put matters right, but the repeated supervision issue deserves attention alongside the older safeguarding judgement.

Sessions and Attendance

The address is Elder Court, Saltergate, Chesterfield, S40 1UT. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, across 52 weeks of the year; bank holidays are closures.

A Full Day runs from 7.30am to 6pm. Morning bookings run from 7.30am to 12.30pm, while Afternoon bookings begin at 1pm and end at 6pm. These are separate choices: a morning session does not simply divide the full-day window into equal halves.

Full Time bookings and ad hoc hourly care are also offered. Top up AM runs from 7.30am to 1pm, and Top up PM from 12.30pm to 6pm. Those extensions provide different boundaries from the standard morning and afternoon sessions, so the chosen pattern should be reflected clearly in the booking agreement.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 01246 488411 or by email to chesterfield@kidsplanetdaynurseries.co.uk. A tour can be booked through the Chesterfield nursery.

Funding and Paid Extras

Funded childcare and privately paid care are offered. For private care, the inclusive fee covers meals and snacks, alongside formula, wipes, nappies and sun cream; food is freshly prepared and dietary needs are catered for.

On days when early years funding is applied, meals, consumables and activities are charged separately. The charge structure distinguishes shorter attendance from half-day and full-day attendance, so a funded booking has different extras from wholly private care. Current prices come in the nursery's written quotation.

• Supervision after two incidents. The incidents notified on 4 July and 14 August 2024 led to changes at the entrance, in attendance recording and in outdoor checks. During a tour, ask staff to explain how those checks work across room changes and ad hoc sessions.
• Room moves and quieter children. In July 2022, transitions did not always carry enough information about children's learning, and some children needed more help joining group play. Ask how your child's key person will support a room move and participation with other children.
• Funded-day extras. Meals, consumables and activities attract separate charges on funded days. Request a written quotation for your chosen pattern that separates funded care, paid hours and these extras.
• Starting age. The current age range begins at three months, while the Chesterfield offer describes care from six weeks. Families seeking an early baby start should confirm the accepted starting age before committing.

Kids Planet Chesterfield suits families seeking either full-day care or shorter morning and afternoon sessions, with outdoor learning and practical family support as priorities. Udeskole has substance here: a dedicated nature space supports climbing, digging, storytelling and shared challenges. The Parent Hub adds a useful resource for families beyond childcare itself.

The balance requires care. The Good judgement dates to July 2022, and the two later supervision incidents warrant a specific discussion about present procedures. A decision should weigh the current outdoor offer and attendance choices alongside how staff explain supervision, room transitions and support for quieter children.