Carlton Private Day Nursery

In February 2024, paint play with toy cars, shared stories and children learning to serve lunch gave Carlton Private Day Nursery a practical, hands-on character. Based in Derby, it accepts children aged two to 60 months and has 96 places in total.

At its February 2024 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good, found safeguarding effective and described effective support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). Later regulatory action needs to sit alongside that judgement when families weigh the setting.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: children build communication, physical and social skills through play and everyday routines. In February 2024, babies explored paint with toy cars, splashed in puddles and scooped sand with tools. These were opportunities to practise movement and coordination through active exploration.

Books gave conversation a clear purpose. In February 2024, staff talked with younger children about stories and encouraged page-turning, while older children remembered favourite tales and described their characters. Songs and action rhymes also supported early communication.

Outside, the February 2024 activities included climbing ladders and riding tricycles. Number songs introduced counting and subtraction, but mathematical vocabulary needed more attention during practical tasks such as preparing ingredients and setting tables. That distinction matters: joining in a number rhyme is different from using mathematical ideas independently.

In February 2024, staff gathered information from families at the start of attendance and used it to shape activities around children's interests and development. Parents received updates about the day and their child's progress, alongside help with continuing learning at home.

Everyday independence was another emphasis in February 2024. Children practised pouring drinks and serving food, and staff joined lunchtime conversations. Older children sometimes needed quicker assistance with cutlery, however. Encouraging independence needed to be matched by recognising when help was necessary.

Ofsted's later regulatory findings included repeated safety issues: risk-assessment and cleanliness actions were met in May 2025, and outdoor security assessments and staff deployment were addressed in August 2025. Those outcomes record corrective action at those dates; they do not replace the earlier inspection judgement.

The address is 3 Maxwell Avenue, Derby, DE22 1GQ. Opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, throughout the year except bank holidays. Full-day care is offered.

In February 2024, sessions ran from 7.30am to 6pm and funded early education was provided for children aged two, three and four. That funding statement describes the inspection-era offer rather than establishing today's entitlement arrangements.

• Repeated safety action. Risk-assessment and cleanliness actions were met in May 2025, followed by further outdoor security and supervision action in August 2025. On a visit, ask how outdoor checks and staff deployment are maintained in daily practice.
• Practical mathematics. In February 2024, mathematical vocabulary needed stronger attention beyond number songs. Ask how staff now bring counting, quantities and comparisons into ordinary activities.
• Support at lunch. The February 2024 improvement point concerned recognising when older children needed help. Discuss how staff balance self-serving with assistance at mealtimes.

Carlton suits families seeking full-day care across the year, with hands-on play and everyday independence prominent in its February 2024 account. The Good judgement gives a clear inspection baseline. Repeated later safety action makes the nursery's day-to-day checking and supervision practices an essential part of a family's decision.