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Nursery at Holmgate Primary School and Nursery
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Play indoors and outdoors, with stories, phonics and maths talk woven into the learning: that is the character of Holmgate’s nursery. This is the school’s own Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) provision in Clay Cross, with 52 places and entry from the term following a child’s third birthday. It offers an introduction to school life built around play.
Ofsted’s inspection on 7 and 8 June 2023 graded the school’s early years provision Outstanding. That judgement covers early years within the school; it is not a separate nursery rating.
Children learn through play, with teachers joining their activities to develop ideas and move learning forward. Stories, maths talk and daily phonics add more structured teaching to that exploration. There is an indoor learning environment and an outdoor learning area, giving children space to continue their learning outside as well as inside.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings care and learning together. Here, its foundations are children’s physical development, communication and emotional and social development. Literacy, understanding the world, mathematics and expressive arts build on those foundations. Development Matters guides progression, while planning draws on children’s interests alongside festivals, seasonal themes and local events. This gives adults a framework for choosing what comes next while responding to what interests a child.
Early mathematics includes imaginative play, games, songs and stories, alongside whole-class teaching. For early writing, children use paint, crayons and pencils to practise making marks and controlling their movements. These are practical steps towards expressing ideas on paper.
In June 2023, the early years inspection findings described children sustaining attention and enjoying their activities, with adults extending learning and carefully sequencing the steps towards new knowledge. The emphasis is on purposeful play, with teaching that helps children build on what they already understand.
Home visits and a staggered start introduce children to nursery gradually. Families also have the opportunity to meet staff and discuss a place before joining, giving the relationship with the nursery team a starting point before attendance begins. Trained teachers work with children during their play and structured learning.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), support is tailored to individual needs across the school. An Individual Education Plan (IEP) or One Page Profile can set out additional help and short-term goals; parents contribute to reviews alongside children and outside agencies. Speech and Language Services and the Educational Psychology Service are among the agencies the school works with.
The June 2023 findings identified SEND promptly from early years. There was also a wider-school concern about SEND attendance and some children missing subject learning while receiving pastoral help. Families needing additional support should weigh both curriculum access and emotional support when discussing their child’s plan.
A separate application matters. Attending Holmgate’s nursery does not guarantee a Reception place or confer nursery-attendance priority under the school’s listed admission criteria. Families must apply again through Derbyshire County Council, following the normal Reception application timetable.
Nursery learning develops independence through play, communication and practical activities. That preparation for the next stage is separate from the decision about allocating a school place.
Morning nursery runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; the afternoon session is 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Parents can choose attendance hours and combine nursery with Breakfast Club and After-School Club, making the booking model useful for families needing care around a nursery session.
Eligible children can use either 15 or 30 hours of funded provision, with hours within their entitlement free. The thirty-hour entitlement can also be used for the breakfast and after-school clubs. Contact the nursery on 01246 862270 to enquire about a place or arrange to look around and meet the team.
Children can start in the term after their third birthday. Holmgate’s nursery has 52 places.
The morning session is 8:45am to 11:45am, and the afternoon session is 12:15pm to 3:15pm.
Yes. Eligible children can access 15 or 30 hours of provision, and the nursery says the thirty-hour entitlement can also cover breakfast and after-school clubs.
The nursery uses home visits and staggered entry. Families can also visit and meet staff to discuss a nursery place.
No. Nursery attendance does not guarantee a place or confer priority under the listed admission criteria. A separate school application goes through Derbyshire County Council.
