Hollingwood Primary School Nursery

Play dough, dancing and stories give Hollingwood’s nursery its character. Dough Disco and Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle make movement part of early writing, while familiar books and rhymes give children a starting point for reading. This is the school’s own nursery, with children joining from the term after their third birthday.

Lilac Class is the nursery class within Hollingwood Primary School on Lilac Street, Chesterfield. There is space for up to 26 children at any one time. Morning, afternoon and all-day sessions give families distinct choices about the length of their child’s day.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) learning here includes exploring materials, making marks, listening to stories and developing control through movement. Hollingwood uses an enquiry-based approach in its early years provision. The activities give that approach concrete form: children squeeze and twist dough, move to music and experiment with writing tools.

Dough Disco uses energetic music and play dough to exercise the small muscles involved in writing. Children can pinch, flatten and roll the dough, then use tools to create patterns. Squiggle Whilst You Wiggle starts with larger movements. Children dance holding pieces of fabric called flappers, then take those movements down to floor level and make marks with pens or crayons. Foam, sand and paper provide different surfaces to explore. Writing preparation involves the whole body.

Books have a clear place alongside this physical work. Nursery reading centres on repeated stories, songs, poems and nursery rhymes, giving children opportunities to join in and become familiar with language. In the final nursery term, children begin learning Read Write Inc pictures and connecting them with letters and sounds. Phonics resources have their own unit in the EYFS classroom. Learning also takes place outdoors, so practical clothing for the weather matters throughout the year.

Lunch can be a hot meal or food brought from home. The hot option is voluntary, can be ordered that day and is prepared on site by the Derbyshire County Council Catering Team. A packed lunch gives families another choice.

For children with additional needs, the class teacher works with the SEND coordinator to plan support, with parents contributing to that planning. School support options include Early Talk Boost, Speech and Language Therapy and pictorial help with instructions; provision is considered individually. Families can contact the SEND team at senco@hollingwood.derbyshire.sch.uk.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions route. Applications are handled by the local authority through the Derbyshire Coordinated Admissions Scheme.

For entry in September 2027, the application round opens on 9 November 2026 and closes on 15 January 2027. Keep that application separate from nursery arrangements. Choosing a nursery session does not replace applying for school admission.

Sessions run Monday to Friday: mornings are 8:45am to 11:45am, afternoons 12:15pm to 3:15pm, and all-day attendance is 8:45am to 2:45pm. The funded offer totals 30 hours a week, including 15 extended hours. An optional paid extension covers 2:45pm to 3:15pm each day, adding 2.5 hours across the week. Parents can opt out through the school office. Meals and additional trips or activities can also carry charges; contact the school for current charges.

Wraparound care. Nursery-age support may be possible by arrangement with the office. Families needing a longer day should establish that arrangement before relying on it.

Nursery children should arrive no earlier than 8:40am and are met by a teacher or teaching assistant. Collection is by adults known to the school; a different collector requires an office phone call and a password. For nursery enquiries or to arrange a tour, call 01246 472417 or email schooloffice@hollingwood.derbyshire.sch.uk.