Nightingale Nursery Castle Donington

A spider’s web in a tree became a conversation about food, eggs and what happens when a web breaks. That small example from July 2023 captures Nightingale Nursery Castle Donington’s approach at the time: children’s discoveries supplied the starting point, and staff helped them explore further. Books, songs and independent choices also featured in the day.

At its 25 July 2023 inspection, Ofsted rated the nursery Good and found safeguarding effective. The setting has capacity for 89 children from birth to five, at 123 Park Lane, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2RS. That whole-setting figure should be kept separate from the number of children sharing any particular activity or room.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the requirements for children’s learning, development and care here. For parents, that means education and everyday care belong together: play, conversation and growing independence all have a place in the nursery day.

In July 2023, children could choose activities and resources for themselves. Staff followed their interests, including the discovery of the spider’s web, and introduced questions that took the conversation beyond simply naming what the children had found. It was a concrete example of an adult helping children think through a discovery rather than supplying an activity unrelated to their interest.

Different ages had different ways into learning. In July 2023, toddlers returned to earlier experiences through firefighter role play and explored dried pasta. Babies looked at photographs they recognised and shared books while being held by staff. These examples give parents something more useful than a general promise of purposeful play: familiar people, materials and experiences were used as starting points.

Language ran through these activities. In July 2023, staff talked babies through what they were doing, while toddlers chose cards representing songs and joined familiar rhymes with actions. Older children contributed invented stories during group discussions. The opportunities to speak were matched to children’s different stages.

Reading also took several forms in July 2023. Younger children looked at animal pictures as staff supplied the corresponding sounds; older children could choose books independently as well as join shared stories. That distinction matters. Access to a book and an adult-led reading activity give children different ways to engage with it.

In July 2023, staff used a calm manner, recognised children’s efforts and gave clear guidance about routines. Children were familiar with the daily pattern. Predictability and adult responses were part of the care described at that time, alongside the close contact babies received while sharing books.

Everyday independence was also practised in July 2023. Younger children received help with handwashing and cleaning their teeth after food, while older children worked towards managing the toilet themselves. School preparation therefore included practical self-care, as well as stories and conversation. For families, these are useful examples of how learning can be carried through ordinary routines.

At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that staff knew children’s interests and development well, but needed to use assessments more precisely when planning learning and explain children’s next learning steps more clearly to parents. These were two connected improvement points: knowing a child well needed to translate into more targeted activities and information families could use at home.

The distinction between care updates and learning updates matters. In July 2023, communication about daily care routines was established, but the next steps in learning were less clear to parents. A useful conversation should explain both what a child has done and what adults are helping them learn next.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 7.30am to 6pm, throughout the year. It closes for bank holidays and Christmas. This opening window is useful for families whose working day extends beyond school hours, while the closures still need to fit the family calendar.

Enquiries go through the Castle Donington enquiry form. It asks for the child’s name and age, the intended start date, the number of days required, funding information and preferred weekday attendance. Families can also request contact about a tour through that form.

Getting There

The address is 123 Park Lane, Castle Donington, Derby, DE74 2RS. The branch can be contacted on 01332 850585 or at castledonington@nightingalenurseries.co.uk.

Funding and Paid Extras

In July 2023, the nursery provided funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children. That describes the provision at that date, rather than establishing a present entitlement or guaranteeing a funded place. Current prices should come in the nursery’s written quotation.

• Learning updates. The July 2023 improvement points linked more precise activity planning with clearer information for parents. At a visit, ask to see how a child’s assessment now becomes a learning plan and an explanation for home.
• Care for the youngest children. The nursery accepts children from birth and has 89 places in total. Ask how the youngest children’s daily group, sleep arrangements and familiar adult support are organised; the whole-setting capacity does not answer those questions.
• Calendar fit. The weekday opening window runs from 7.30am to 6pm, with bank holiday and Christmas closures. Families needing care across the year should build those closure periods into their plans.

Nightingale Nursery Castle Donington suits families seeking weekday care across the year, including those needing an opening window that extends beyond the school day. Its July 2023 examples give the educational account substance: babies sharing familiar photographs, toddlers choosing songs and older children investigating a web.

The Good judgement is dated, and the assessment and parent communication improvement points deserve attention. The clearest decision is whether the present arrangements for a child’s care and learning match the family’s needs, with particular attention to how staff explain the next steps.