Combs Infant School Nursery Review

Buddy reading starts young at Combs: even two-year-olds share books with other pupils and talk about the stories. That gives the nursery a clear character, with conversation and books woven into children’s experience of being part of the infant school.

Combs Infant School’s nursery caters for children aged two and three, at the school on Lesser Lane in Combs, High Peak. In the Ofsted inspection of 1 and 2 April 2025, early years provision was judged Good. This is the school’s early years judgement, covering that provision within the school inspection.

Play and adult-led teaching sit alongside each other. Children work independently, in smaller groups and in larger groups, with individual teaching also part of the approach. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together early reading and maths, creativity, understanding the world, physical development, communication and personal development. In parent terms, learning includes talking, exploring and playing with others as well as practising emerging skills.

Nursery programmes include First Class Phonics, alongside Read Write Inc. resources for nursery phonics and language development. Shared books provide another route into language: adults read to children regularly, while buddy reading gives them someone else to discuss a story with. The emphasis is on enjoying books and talking about them.

Outdoor exploration is another feature of the early years experience. In April 2025, children explored outside with curiosity, and adults supported language during imaginative play through questions and vocabulary practice. That connects what children are doing with the words they need to describe it. Specialist sessions across early years include music, physical education, yoga and mindfulness, adding different ways to move, listen and participate.

Settling begins with a home visit. Staff meet nursery starters somewhere familiar, and parents have an individual opportunity to raise concerns and discuss their child’s entry. This gives families a conversation with staff before nursery begins.

Progress is discussed at parent consultations, with an annual attainment and progress report providing a further update. For special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), the co-ordinator can be contacted through the office by telephone or email, giving parents a direct route to discuss support.

Safeguarding concerns have a dedicated email route, alongside contact through the office. School oversight. In April 2025, governance monitoring remained incomplete and behaviour incidents were not being logged. These were school-wide concerns, relevant to how leaders and governors oversee provision. Some subjects also needed clearer choices about essential knowledge; this was a curriculum concern across the school, rather than a nursery-specific finding.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal admissions process and meet its deadline. The school directs applications to Derbyshire County Council’s online admissions service, with Call Derbyshire providing a telephone alternative for families unable to access the internet.

Transition activity is separate from allocation. Children starting Reception are invited for a full day that includes lunch before their first term begins. That offers a chance to experience the next stage; it does not secure admission.

Choose between a morning session, 9am to noon, and an afternoon session, 12.30pm to 3.30pm. These are distinct nursery sessions, so the afternoon start matters when planning the family’s day.

Funding includes 30-hour sessions for eligible families and funded sessions for eligible two-year-olds. Eligibility checks are directed to the government service and Derbyshire respectively. Contact the school for current nursery charges.

For enquiries or a visit appointment, telephone 01298 813120 or email info@combs.derbyshire.sch.uk. A visit gives families an opportunity to discuss joining the nursery with the school.