The FMS Inspection Score is FindMySchool's proprietary analysis based on official Ofsted and ISI inspection reports. It converts ratings into a standardised 1–10 scale for fair comparison across all schools in England.
Disclaimer: The FMS Inspection Score is an independent analysis by FindMySchool. It is not endorsed by or affiliated with Ofsted or ISI. Always refer to the official Ofsted or ISI report for the full picture of a school’s inspection outcome.
Nursery at Arkwright 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.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 covered outdoor space and a shared Nursery/Reception building give Arkwright’s nursery a clear early years identity within the primary school. The building accommodates up to 26 children: that is a shared building capacity, rather than 26 nursery places. The school’s age range starts at three.
The Ofsted nursery rating is Requires Improvement. This is distinct from the school’s overall position, Not judged, which means there is no single overall grade.
Play shapes the learning here. Staff use the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), the framework covering children’s earliest development through their first school year. Arkwright describes an approach that lets children develop at their own pace. Art, music, physical development and exploring the natural world sit within that learning, alongside understanding feelings and relationships.
Cornerstones Curriculum provides a sequence of knowledge and skills beginning in nursery. Its stages, Engage, Develop, Innovate and Express, organise the teaching. For parents, this means play sits within planned learning rather than being a separate part of the day. Early years art includes regular exploration of materials and media, giving children opportunities to experiment and make things.
Movement has scheduled time too. Nursery/Reception children have one hour of structured PE each week, plus at least one hour of opportunities to practise larger physical movements. Teachers use Complete P.E. The nursery’s covered outdoor space adds a physical setting beyond the classroom; the cover is a useful feature for families who value outdoor learning.
EYFS teachers work with teaching and learning assistants. Class Dojo carries more detailed updates about classroom activities, and parents obtain access through their child’s teacher. Each half term, parents receive information about learning, routines and ways adults can help at home. These give families practical connections between nursery and home.
Support for additional needs begins with a baseline assessment when children enter nursery. The school uses observation and further assessments, with parent discussions forming part of its approach. Small-group interventions are monitored, and methods can change when a child is not responding. Families can arrange a SENCO meeting through the office, giving them a direct route into discussions about support.
School lunches are prepared on site by a kitchen supervisor and catering assistant. Menus change twice during the academic year, between Autumn/Winter and Spring/Summer versions. This describes the school’s meal preparation rather than an entitlement to a nursery lunch.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through Derbyshire County Council. For the 2026/27 intake, the application deadline was midnight on 15 January 2026; that deadline has passed. Nursery registration and Reception allocation are separate steps, so choosing this nursery must not be treated as securing the next place.
For children with SEND, transition support includes planning and information sharing with consent, conversations with parents and staff, and opportunities for supported visits with a parent. These arrangements address a child’s emotional, medical and social needs during a change of setting. They do not establish an admissions advantage.
Nursery hours run from 8.50am to 3.20pm. Morning-only children leave at midday, including those attending for 15 hours; afternoon-only sessions are not offered. Collection is through the EYFS entrance. The midday finish is a concrete consideration for families organising work and collection.
Families can register interest several years ahead. To arrange a meeting with the EYFS Lead and look around, telephone 01246 234018. The school office can also be contacted at info@arkwright.derbyshire.sch.uk. The nursery sits at the school on School Lane in Arkwright Town, Chesterfield.
The nursery opens at 8.50am and finishes at 3.20pm. Morning-only children are collected at midday. There are no afternoon-only sessions.
No. A separate application is required through Derbyshire County Council. For the 2026/27 intake, the deadline was midnight on 15 January 2026.
Class Dojo provides detailed classroom updates, with login details available through the class teacher. Parents also receive information about learning and routines each half term.
Children entering nursery have a baseline assessment. Observation, further assessments and discussions with parents contribute to identifying support needs. A SENCO meeting can be arranged through the office.
Yes. Call 01246 234018 to arrange a meeting with the EYFS Lead and a look around.
