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Nursery at Highfield Hall 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Five mornings, five afternoons or a longer week with an early Friday finish: Highfield Hall’s nursery has a clear term-time rhythm. This is the school’s own provision for children aged three and four, on Highfield Lane in Chesterfield. Its maximum of 52 places is split into 26 morning and 26 afternoon places, with some children attending full-time.
Children can start in the term following their third birthday, with entry points in January, April and September. For families choosing between shorter sessions and longer days, the attendance pattern matters: the part-time offer runs across five sessions rather than concentrating the hours into fewer days.
The school plans its early years provision across five days, so the part-time pattern gives children a session each weekday.
Morning and afternoon sessions each last three hours. The longer pattern combines four days ending at 3.30pm with a shorter Friday. That difference is substantial for family routines: choosing a full-time place still means planning for an earlier collection at the end of the week, unless taking the optional Friday extension.
Before children start nursery, families have a meeting with staff, and children visit their classroom and meet their teacher. This gives the child a first introduction to the people and room they will know, while parents have an opportunity to meet the team before attendance begins.
For concerns about special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the class teacher is the first contact, with the special educational needs coordinator involved as needed. The school’s support process includes termly discussions with parents of children on its SEN register. Where a child needs more direct support, a one-page profile sets out targets and strategies and is reviewed three times a year. This gives families recurring opportunities to discuss progress and contribute to support planning.
Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor confers priority under the school’s listed admission criteria. Families must make a separate application through Derbyshire County Council’s coordinated admissions process by the normal deadline. The school cannot allocate those places itself.
Classroom introductions are a separate matter. Before Reception admission, meetings with staff and visits for children are arranged, allowing families to become familiar with the next classroom and teacher. These preparations help with the change of setting; they do not alter the admissions decision.
The universal 15-hour offer is delivered as five mornings, 8.40am to 11.40am, or five afternoons, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible working families can use a childcare code for the additional funded hours supporting a 30-hour place. Eligibility can be checked through Childcare Choices.
Longer places are limited. The school fills its 30-hour places in September. Their timetable is 8.40am to 3.30pm from Monday to Thursday and 8.40am to 11.30am on Friday. A Friday extension to 3.30pm is an optional extra; contact the school for current charges.
Nursery applications go directly to the school office using its admission form. Visits are encouraged. For routine enquiries, email info@highfieldhall.derbyshire.sch.uk; the office requests that telephone calls be reserved for emergencies.
Children aged three and four attend, starting from the term after their third birthday. Entry points are September, January and April.
Yes. The 15-hour pattern comprises five mornings from 8.40am to 11.40am or five afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Monday to Thursday runs from 8.40am to 3.30pm, with Friday ending at 11.30am. An optional Friday extension runs until 3.30pm. Places are limited and filled in September.
No. It does not guarantee a place or give priority under the listed criteria. A separate application to Derbyshire County Council is required.
The school arranges meetings for parents and classroom visits for children before nursery admission, including an introduction to their teacher.
