Breadsall Hill Top Primary School Nursery Review

Children’s interests set the starting point for the youngest learners here: staff build small topics and activities around what two-year-olds want to explore. That gives this school nursery a recognisable character, with children’s curiosity helping to shape their learning rather than simply following a fixed sequence of topics.

Breadsall Hill Top Primary School has two-year-old provision and a pre-school for children aged three to five, within the school on St Andrew’s View in Derby. The early years provision reached Expected standard in the inspection report published on 24 February 2026. This judgement covers the school’s early years, rather than awarding the nursery a separate grade.

For two-year-olds, Development Matters birth to three guides staff as they plan around individual children. The approach is child centred: an interest can become the basis for a small topic, giving adults something meaningful to build conversation and learning around.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together learning to communicate, move and manage feelings with early reading, number work, creativity and discovering the world. Adult-led activities sit alongside tasks children choose themselves. Indoor and outdoor learning opportunities provide different contexts for practising those skills, so learning extends beyond a single type of activity or space.

Books give that curriculum a concrete focus. The report published on 24 February 2026 found that children across the early years enjoyed making storyboards to retell We’re Going on a Bear Hunt. Retelling a familiar story gives children a reason to use vocabulary and organise their ideas. Adults also use focused conversations to establish what children understand and extend it. The emphasis is on exchanging ideas, with teaching adjusted to the children staff know.

Getting to know a child involves the adults who already know them. The report published on 24 February 2026 found that early years staff worked with families and previous settings to understand children and recognise their needs promptly. That knowledge shaped teaching, making the relationship with parents useful to the child’s learning as well as their introduction to school.

Language support is a specific strength of those early years findings: difficulties with communication were recognised promptly and suitable help followed. For a child who needs support expressing themselves or understanding others, this connects everyday conversation with additional help.

Beyond the nursery team, the school has a Pupil and Family Support Manager whose role includes working with other professionals and agencies on early intervention. This gives families a school contact for difficulties that may affect a child’s participation and learning.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Derby City School Admissions is the contact route for admissions queries, so treat choosing the nursery and applying for school as two distinct decisions.

The school office handles enquiries by telephone on 01332 341451 or email at admin@bhtp.derby.sch.uk. Appointments to look around the school can be arranged through the office. A visit offers families a practical opportunity to meet the team before deciding whether the provision suits their child.