St John's Nursery, Belper

A purpose-built nursery with its own entrance gives St John's youngest children a distinct space within the school. Behind the main building on Laund Nook, the nursery has a classroom and quiet area, with a fenced outdoor space alongside it. This is the school's own early years provision, rather than a separate childcare setting.

Children can start in September, January or April following their third birthday. At the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 February 2023, early years provision was graded Good. That judgement covers the school's early years provision as a whole.

Play indoors and outside is the basis of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) approach. The curriculum connects learning to talk and listen with friendships, managing feelings and developing physical independence. Reading, writing and mathematics sit alongside creative activity and exploring how the world works. For parents, that means learning extends beyond early letters and numbers.

Science takes a practical form: children investigate melting ice, growing seeds and whether objects float or sink. They talk about changes and try to predict what might happen next. These activities give children something concrete to observe and explain, rather than relying on formal science lessons.

In February 2023, early years children could distinguish animals active at night from those active during daylight. They also used mathematical language to compare play-dough lengths. Phonics began early, although teaching across the school was inconsistent and the new approach needed further embedding. This is a useful question to keep in mind when discussing early reading.

The nursery's quieter space offers an alternative to the main classroom. Toilets, changing facilities and a kitchen are part of the building, while the enclosed outdoor area has safety surfacing for play.

Early years routines were established promptly in February 2023, giving children clear expectations as they adjusted to classroom life. The EYFS guidance includes drinking water and a healthy snack each day among its welfare requirements.

Learning journals bring home and nursery observations together. The EYFS guide describes photographs and staff notes, with Tapestry allowing parents to contribute achievements from home. That gives families a way to share learning that staff might otherwise miss.

For additional needs, parents can contact the school's SEND coordinator by telephone or through the SEND page. Derbyshire Local Offer is linked there too. Families seeking wider support can request Early Help through the medical and welfare assistant or the deputy headteacher. A separate safeguarding contact form provides a confidential route for concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Derbyshire local authority; nursery attendance is not included among the school's listed admission priorities.

For September 2027 entry, the application timetable opens in November 2026 and closes in January 2027. Families offered places are scheduled to receive a welcome evening in June and a child introduction morning in July 2027. Those opportunities help children prepare for the next stage; they are separate from allocation of places.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Attendance can extend to up to 30 hours a week. For enquiries, telephone 01773 822995.

Handover follows a nursery-specific procedure: adults bring children to the nursery gate, where staff take them into the building. At collection, adults wait in the first nursery playground and a staff member brings each child to their adult. The school calendar provides date updates and can be synced to a phone or tablet.