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Nursery at Ashbourne Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A secure outdoor area, daily sound games and Wednesday experiments give Ashbourne’s nursery its character: an early start to school life with plenty of room for play. The provision opened in September 2023 and is led by a teacher, with teaching and learning assistants supporting the nursery team.
Children can start in the term following their third birthday, with entry points in January, April and September. This is the school’s own nursery, on Cokayne Avenue in Ashbourne. School uniform is part of nursery life too, making the connection with the wider school practical from the start.
Play and adult-led teaching both have a place in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. In everyday terms, children have time to pursue their own play as well as join activities led by adults. The school aims to develop communication, independence and problem-solving through this balance.
Daily nursery phonics starts with listening rather than learning written letters. Children explore environmental noises, sounds made by instruments, body percussion and rhyme. Singing and action rhymes are among the activities, with oral blending and segmenting also included. The focus is on hearing, making and discussing sounds before tackling letter sounds.
Books give learning a theme. The Colour Monster features in the autumn’s work about children and their feelings, while Supertato appears alongside spring topics about growing and superheroes. Children hear at least two stories each day and visit the school library weekly, choosing a book to share at home. That gives families a concrete way to join in.
Beyond the classroom, children use an outdoor classroom and have an outdoor learning session each week. Wellies stay at school for wet weather. Monday brings PE; cutting activities also give children practice with fine motor skills. WOW Wednesday adds a weekly experiment, while the Curiosity Cube prompts children to look closely and talk about their observations. There is a clear emphasis on doing and discussing.
Fresh drinking water is available daily, and children are encouraged to refill their own named plastic cup. Families send fruit or vegetables for the morning snack; afternoon fruit is provided. Lunch can be a school meal or a packed lunch. School meals are prepared on site, using ingredients from local butchers and greengrocers.
Early years staff use planning and assessment to identify barriers and arrange extra support where needed. Across the school, SEND support can include individual or small-group work and specialist services. Parents take part in planning and reviewing support, so concerns can become a shared plan rather than remaining a separate conversation at home.
Child and Family Wellbeing Leaders also offer confidential support with emotional wellbeing, behaviour at home and changes within the family. Their Early Help support extends into school holidays, providing a contact beyond the nursery session itself.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Derbyshire County Council handles school admissions, and applications go through the council’s school-place application route. Treat nursery attendance and the Reception application as separate decisions.
Morning sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons are 12:15pm to 3:15pm. A full day runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm. Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are offered. Additional hours and sessions, school lunches and wraparound care carry charges; contact the school for current charges.
Wraparound care starts with Morning Club at 7:30am, including breakfast. After-school options end at 4:30pm or 5:45pm, with a snack included in the later option. Book wraparound places ahead through Parent Pay.
For a nursery place or waiting-list enquiry, complete an application form and email nursery@ashbourneprimary.derbyshire.sch.uk. Nursery tours can also be arranged. Uniform combines a navy jumper or cardigan with white shirts or polo shirts and black or dark grey bottoms; children need PE kit too. The blue gate outside the EYFS classroom is the collection and drop-off point.
Children can join in the term after turning three, with September, January and April intakes.
Morning sessions are 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoon sessions are 12:15pm to 3:15pm, and full days are 8:45am to 3:15pm.
Both 15-hour and 30-hour funded places are offered. Morning Club starts at 7:30am, and after-school care can finish at 4:30pm or 5:45pm. Wraparound bookings use Parent Pay.
No. A separate Reception application is required through Derbyshire County Council’s normal school admissions route.
Complete a nursery application form and email nursery@ashbourneprimary.derbyshire.sch.uk for a place or waiting-list enquiry. Contact the nursery to arrange a tour.
