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Nursery at Duckmanton 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sunflowers, construction bricks and a pretend Garden Centre give Duckmanton’s nursery learning a practical starting point. Children explore growing things, build with materials and use an outdoor writing area to make marks connected with their play. Early writing has a purpose here.
The provision belongs to Duckmanton Primary School on West Crescent in Duckmanton, Chesterfield. It includes Nursery and provision for two-year-olds, with NEST also forming part of the school’s early years offer. The school describes its early years approach as based on play, exploration and building foundations for learning.
Learning connects language, movement, number, creativity and understanding the world. These strands of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) mean children practise talking and listening alongside physical skills, relationships and early reading and maths. In Nursery, growing activities connect planting sunflowers and potatoes with learning about plant parts. Garden Centre role play gives children a reason to talk, make marks and explore what plants need.
White Rose Maths is used where appropriate. Nursery activities include counting beyond ten, representing numbers and learning position words through familiar contexts. Stories, rhymes and props sit alongside name writing and work on letter sounds. The emphasis is on using these skills: children retell stories with pictures and props rather than simply listening to them. Books such as Ten Seeds and The Enormous Turnip connect story time with the growing theme, giving children another way into plant learning.
Outdoor provision includes a Foundation Stage garden, construction materials, an outdoor writing area and a performance area. Summer seaside plans bring water play together with loose-part building and imaginative adventures. Get Set 4 PE contributes games and dance, while Jigsaws themes include Relationships and Changing Me. Talking about friendship, sharing and feelings about change gives social learning a place beside physical activity.
NEST activities work on earlier steps, including matching colours and shapes, counting during movement and making marks with tools. Its autumn learning includes a home corner, puppets and emotion stones. Familiar household play gives children experiences they can use as starting points for conversation.
Settling activities in NEST include making friends and acting out familiar experiences. Children also practise washing their hands independently and explore healthy food choices through their senses. Nursery learning includes helping with clothing and developing independence in personal care, so everyday tasks become part of learning.
Meals carry a charge unless a child qualifies for free school meals. Class Dojo connects families with classroom learning, celebrations and announcements; the class teacher can help parents access their child’s page.
For SEND concerns, the class teacher is the first contact, with advice from the SENCo and support from an Inclusion Assistant. Parents are involved as needs are identified and support develops. Referrals to outside agencies require parental permission. Parents receive their child’s individual education plan, where one is used, with a minimum of three reviews each year giving families recurring opportunities to discuss support.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Derbyshire County Council’s admissions process for a September Reception start and meet the normal application deadline.
Nursery summer learning includes transition events and discussion of feelings about change through Changing Me. These activities address the experience of moving on; they do not secure admission.
Eligible children can use either 15 or 30 funded hours within the operating window of 8:45am to 3:15pm. There are no chargeable extras within the funded entitlement. Meals are charged separately unless free school meal eligibility applies, and optional trips or afterschool clubs may carry additional charges. Contact the school for current charges.
Applications can be made through the school application route or by emailing enquiries@duckmantonprimary.org.uk. Families can arrange a visit through the school office after completing an initial enquiry form. The office telephone number is 01246 825 650.
No. A separate application through Derbyshire County Council is required for a September Reception start.
The provision offers 15 or 30 funded hours for eligible children, taken between 8:45am and 3:15pm.
Activities use the Foundation Stage garden, construction materials, outdoor writing area and performance area, with planting and water play among the planned experiences.
Class Dojo shares classroom learning, celebrations and announcements. For SEND support, parents are involved from early concerns and must consent before referrals to outside agencies.
Complete the initial enquiry form and contact the school office to book a visit. Call 01246 825 650.
