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Nursery at Ashwood Spencer Academy
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Sharing, learning together and getting used to school routines give Ashwood’s early years provision its clearest character. In February 2023, children were settling into those routines and cooperating well with one another. For a child beginning group learning, those are useful foundations: taking turns and understanding the rhythm of a session matter alongside learning new things.
The nursery is Ashwood Spencer Academy’s Foundation Stage 1 provision, on Amber Street in Derby. It sits within the primary school. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 14 and 15 February 2023; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.
Morning and afternoon sessions provide two distinct parts of the nursery day. The morning runs from 08:45 to 11:45, while the afternoon runs from 12:15 to 15:15. These are useful boundaries for families planning collection and the rest of their child’s day.
DREAM is the school’s named curriculum approach. Ashwood aims to encourage creativity, spoken communication and cooperation, with respect and resilience among its values. For parents, the emphasis is on children expressing themselves and learning alongside others, rather than treating learning as an entirely individual task.
Within early years, the February 2023 findings give a concrete example of that social emphasis: children learned to share and work together. The school’s broader curriculum also aims to support social development, physical health and emotional wellbeing. These are school-wide aims, distinct from the dated findings about early years.
Class teachers are the first contact for parents with a concern. Reception staff can arrange a teacher appointment, giving families a direct route to discuss their child rather than leaving a worry unresolved.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), teachers and support staff identify individual development needs. When a child needs help beyond what the class teacher can provide, the school can coordinate additional specialist support with the local authority. Ashwood says its staff receive training in its approach to SEND.
School meals accommodate dietary requirements and food allergies, and lunch is served in a shared, family-style arrangement. This is the school’s meal provision; the nursery’s morning and afternoon session times should be kept distinct from the wider school lunch arrangements.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions route and meet the applicable deadline. Ashwood follows local authority admissions procedures. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.
The nursery’s session labels are Nursery AM and Nursery PM. General enquiries go to the school office at info@ashwoodspencer.org.uk or 01332 348356.
Families can also register interest through the academy’s enquiry form. Staff then offer an initial visit and a meeting with the principal, providing an opportunity to discuss joining the school.
Nursery AM runs from 08:45 to 11:45. Nursery PM runs from 12:15 to 15:15.
No. Nursery and Reception admission are separate processes, and families must apply again through the normal Reception admissions route.
The school’s early years provision was judged Good at the Ofsted inspection on 14 and 15 February 2023. This is an early years judgement within the school inspection.
Start with the child’s class teacher. Reception staff can help arrange an appointment.
Email info@ashwoodspencer.org.uk, telephone 01332 348356 or use the academy’s registration-of-interest form. Staff offer an initial visit and meeting after receiving a registration.
