Cherubs Ilkeston

In June 2025, lavender pressed into dough, books borrowed for home and babies learning to feed themselves gave Cherubs Ilkeston a practical, hands-on character. At its 20 June 2025 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and judged safeguarding effective. Everyday independence is a useful thread through that picture.

The nursery accepts children aged 1 to 60 months at 1 Mundy Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8DH. Its opening hours are 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.

The early years foundation stage combines children's learning, development and care: play, conversation and physical exploration contribute to their day alongside everyday routines. In June 2025, staff used children's interests to shape activities, including investigating dinosaurs and pressing their footprints into dough. Lavender offered another sensory experience, with children exercising their fingers as they pushed stems into dough.

Books were within toddlers' reach, allowing them to choose favourites independently. Babies shared picture books with their key person, pointing and exchanging responses. These are concrete ways to bring stories into play before children can read.

Outside, the June 2025 provision included tricycles, steps and a slide, with daily outdoor time organised for babies. Gardening gave children a task of their own: planting flowers and filling watering cans to tend them. Low furniture indoors helped babies practise pulling themselves upright.

Ofsted's June 2025 inspection also identified two priorities: activities needed to engage and stretch every child more consistently, and staff needed to give children more opportunities to practise conversation themselves.

Independence started with small tasks in June 2025. Babies practised feeding themselves, while toddlers served lunch and poured drinks. Clear routines helped children understand expectations, and staff talked through feelings and supported turn-taking with friends.

The lending library and loaned activity packs connected nursery learning with home. In June 2025, staff shared development information with individual parents and offered ideas for play beyond nursery. That gives families something concrete to build on, rather than simply a description of what their child has done.

Cherubs Ilkeston's address is 1 Mundy Street, Ilkeston, DE7 8DH. It opens across the year, closing on bank holidays and for one week at Christmas. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am until 6pm.

In June 2025, the nursery cared for children receiving government funding. This is a dated account of participation, rather than a promise of a funded place for an individual family.

• Challenge during play. The June 2025 improvement priorities included keeping children engaged and extending their learning. During a visit, look at how staff adapt an activity when a child finds it easy.
• Children's conversation. In June 2025, descriptive language from adults was stronger than the opportunities children sometimes had to speak themselves. Listen for exchanges that give children time to answer and develop an idea.
• Your attendance pattern. The nursery opens throughout the year with bank-holiday and Christmas closures. Which booking pattern would fit your family's week?

Cherubs Ilkeston suits families who value practical independence, accessible books and hands-on play, with an opening window that spans the working day. The June 2025 picture includes useful links between nursery and home, alongside clear priorities for more demanding activities and fuller conversation. Those priorities deserve attention when judging the fit for your child.