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Nursery at St Anselm's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 separate sleep room for babies, a mud kitchen outdoors and woodland for Forest School give Little Puddings its own character within St Anselm's School in Bakewell. Provision begins at three months, with Roly-Poly Puddings for babies, Mini Puddings for toddlers and Rising Puddings for pre-school children.
The baby room takes a maximum of six children. Its milk kitchen and separate sleeping space allow care to follow individual routines. Little Puddings opened in 2026, adding year-round nursery care to the school: that opening matters when considering the earlier inspection evidence.
Children's interests shape the activities, with Birth to Five Matters guiding the planning. Conversations with parents and settling sessions establish starting points, then staff plan each child's next steps. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) connects learning with development: here, that means practising communication, movement, independence and relationships through play.
Mini Puddings children, aged two to three, have songs, circle time and activities in small groups. Painting and playdough sit alongside sensory exploration and outdoor play. From three, Rising Puddings adds gymnastics, music and Forest School, with group activities supporting early literacy and friendships.
Outside, scooters and bikes give children ways to practise movement; climbing equipment, a sand pit and the mud kitchen support exploration and imaginative play. Walks use the school grounds, with pushchairs allowing younger children to join outings. The nursery's woodland provides space to build and climb through Forest School.
The November 2025 ISI inspection described the then-existing early years provision as combining adult guidance with independent thinking and problem-solving. Spacious classrooms supported both directed activities and children's choices. Those findings relate to the provision before Little Puddings opened, rather than an inspection of the new nursery.
A Key Person takes responsibility for each child's care and learning. Settling visits let children build relationships with practitioners; where a child bonds naturally with a team member, that practitioner takes the role. This gives the relationship a practical basis before regular attendance begins. Stay & Play sessions are also part of nursery and pre-school admissions.
Tapestry connects parents with children's activities, new skills and developmental milestones. For babies, the separate sleep room supports individual routines. Toddlers can rest after lunch, and toilet training proceeds at their own pace. An on-site paediatric nurse adds a medical point of support.
Food carries a daily charge, including when a session uses funded hours. Families therefore need to account for meals separately from childcare funding.
In November 2025, early years children were supervised effectively indoors and outside, and knew which adults they could approach with concerns. These are dated findings about the school's earlier early years provision.
At school level, the November 2025 inspectors also recommended correcting the recording of barred-list recruitment checks, consistently making necessary information accessible to parents, and strengthening teaching oversight to ensure consistent teaching and suitable challenge for all abilities. These recommendations predate Little Puddings' opening.
Attending Little Puddings does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the admissions team about Reception application arrangements before treating nursery enrolment as confirmation of the next place. The school makes offers subject to availability and completion of its admissions steps.
Shared experiences between nursery and Reception staff formed part of the early years provision in November 2025. Such contact supports familiarity with the next stage; it does not establish an admissions entitlement.
Core sessions run Monday to Friday: a full day is 8am to 6pm, with morning and afternoon options of 8am to 1pm and 1pm to 6pm. Charged wraparound extends care to 7.30am and 6.30pm. Opening covers 51 weeks, with closure between Christmas and New Year and on bank holidays.
When families use stretched funding across opening weeks, the 15-hour and 30-hour options give 10 or 20 hours weekly respectively, with up to 10 funded hours available daily. Funding excludes wraparound, and meal charges still apply. Invoices are issued monthly in advance; contact the school for current charges.
Enquiries and personal tours go through admissions@anselms.co.uk. A tour and the nursery's Stay & Play option provide practical ways to meet the team before applying.
Children can start at three months. Roly-Poly Puddings covers three months to two years, Mini Puddings is for ages two to three, and Rising Puddings begins at three.
Full days run from 8am to 6pm. Morning sessions finish at 1pm, when afternoon sessions begin. Charged wraparound runs from 7.30am to 8am and from 6pm to 6.30pm.
Settling visits help children get to know practitioners and establish their Key Person relationship. Nursery and pre-school applicants can also attend Stay & Play.
When families use stretched funding, the 15-hour and 30-hour options provide 10 or 20 hours weekly respectively. Meals are charged separately, and funding cannot cover wraparound sessions.
No. Ask the admissions team about Reception application arrangements. The school's admissions process makes offers subject to availability and completion of the required steps.
