Inkersall Spencer Academy Nursery

A planned dinosaur topic can give way to firefighters here: children’s curiosity helps shape the learning. Inkersall Spencer Academy’s nursery takes children aged three and four within the primary school on Inkersall Green Road, Chesterfield. Its emphasis is on becoming ready to learn, with relationships and routines helping children build confidence and independence.

In June 2026, Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision to meet the Expected standard. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery. The nursery teacher also leads EYFS, linking responsibility for the nursery with leadership of the wider early years provision.

Topics and stories give activities a starting point, but staff change direction when children’s interests take over. The dinosaur-to-firefighter example shows how this works: adults adapt the teaching rather than insist on the original topic. Children’s questions therefore have a practical influence on what they explore.

Conversation is a substantial part of learning. Adults use purposeful exchanges with children to develop speech, language and communication. This gives a child’s enthusiasm a second purpose: talking about an absorbing subject becomes an opportunity to practise expressing ideas.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) curriculum addresses different stages of development across children’s learning. Alongside it, the school’s GROW framework stands for Global awareness, Reading widely, Opportunities to explore, and Wonder and curiosity. The school aims to develop knowledge and language alongside curiosity and respect. For parents, the useful connection is between planned learning and adults’ flexibility in responding to individual interests.

Wellbeing routines begin in nursery, alongside the focus on readiness for learning. In June 2026, positive relationships with staff helped children become more independent and confident quickly. That makes everyday care part of preparation for learning, rather than a separate concern.

Speech development presents a barrier for some children. By June 2026, an additional support programme was showing initial signs of success. Its results were still emerging, so the measured conclusion is that targeted help had begun to make a difference.

Early years children receive a free fruit or vegetable snack at playtime. Parents should tell the school about fruit allergies. For everyday communication, the child’s class teacher is the first contact; office staff can arrange a teacher appointment. Safeguarding concerns can also be sent to safeguarding@inkersallspencer.org.uk, with contact monitored during holidays.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to make a separate application through Derbyshire County Council. For the September 2026 intake, the application deadline was 15 January 2026; that cycle is now past. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

The school office handles enquiries and appointments to look around the school. Call 01246 472370 or email info@inkersallspencer.org.uk to arrange a visit. The address is Inkersall Green Road, Inkersall, Chesterfield, S43 3SE.