St Joseph's Catholic and CofE Primary School Nursery

Musical Gems and a 26-place nursery give St Joseph's early years provision its own identity within the primary school. Derbyshire Music Partnership brings Musical Gems to the nursery, adding a named music programme to the children's learning. This is the school's own nursery in Staveley, on Calver Crescent, within a joint Catholic and Church of England setting.

Children usually join in the term following their third birthday. Earlier attendance is possible for children eligible for working-parent or two-year-old funding, or through paid attendance when government funding does not apply. The school aims to help children become independent learners through its Christian ethos.

Learning combines activities with the whole class, guided work in smaller groups and continuous provision. In practice, this means the early years foundation stage (EYFS) brings together shared teaching and learning opportunities that continue across the session. Themes connect different areas of learning rather than keeping every activity separate.

Three named programmes add detail to that picture. Barefoot supports computing in the EYFS, Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised is used in Nursery, and Musical Gems brings input from Derbyshire Music Partnership. For parents, these are useful points of reference when discussing what their child is learning.

In June 2023, Ofsted found that enjoyment of stories began in Nursery and that early years story sessions helped children build vocabulary and communication. Early mathematics also had a practical focus: the youngest children were learning the language of measuring and weighing. Together, these examples show how talking, listening and everyday mathematical ideas connect.

An optional hot lunch is available for nursery children, with an additional charge paid through Parentpay. Families choosing this option should contact the school for current charges. The meal choice therefore sits alongside the funded attendance pattern rather than being included automatically.

Support also draws on the wider school team. Across the school, seven general teaching assistants work alongside four SEN teaching assistants supporting children with additional funding. A SENCo provides a contact for special educational needs, while the Derbyshire Local Offer includes early years support and information about assessments and local services.

Parents receive weekly updates through a note home, and the school has an open-door approach to conversations with families. These give parents routes to stay involved and raise concerns. For wider family needs, the school's Early Help work includes Team Around the Family meetings and support through Compass Changing Lives.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. Admissions are handled through Derbyshire County Council. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two distinct decisions, even though both concern the same school.

The 15-hour funded pattern can be taken as five morning sessions or attendance across two and a half days each week. Eligible children can attend full time using 30-hour funding. Additional paid sessions are possible for families without the extra funding, subject to availability. This gives families different attendance patterns, with eligibility determining the funded hours.

To enquire, contact the school office on 01246 472798 and complete an expression-of-interest form. Prospective families are encouraged to tour the school. The school generally follows Derbyshire's holiday pattern and has five INSET closure days each school year. Christmas 2027 differs: children break up on 17 December 2027 and return on 5 January 2028. Factor these dates into childcare arrangements.