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Nursery at Cavendish Close Infant School
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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Teacher-led early education gives Cavendish Close’s nursery its character: this is the school’s Foundation Stage 1 provision, with 39 full-time equivalent places. Children can join after turning three, with September following their third birthday the usual starting point. The nursery belongs to Cavendish Close Infant School on Wood Road in Chaddesden, Derby.
Its educational identity connects with the school’s STAR curriculum. For families choosing a school nursery, that makes the curriculum and teaching structure central to the choice, alongside the hours their child attends.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the learning and development framework. For parents, the curriculum’s spoken language and vocabulary, reading and mathematics headings mean learning to express ideas, build vocabulary, begin reading and develop mathematical understanding. Cavendish Close links a parent guide to this stage with its STAR curriculum, nursery topic planning and a Nursery Phonics Programme Overview. These give early learning a place in the school’s curriculum, rather than treating nursery simply as childcare.
Indoor and outdoor learning environments form part of the school’s approach. Resources that children can use in different ways support exploration, while books, topics and learning challenges provide starting points for enquiry. This is the school’s stated approach across its provision; it gives parents a useful sense of the educational emphasis surrounding the nursery.
At the May 2022 inspection, Ofsted identified curriculum planning beginning in early years that set out the sequence of learning. Across the school’s curriculum, however, checking remembered learning needed greater consistency. Leaders also needed a systematic approach to revisiting earlier learning because it was unclear whether pupils retained the key knowledge planned for them. Assessment beyond English, mathematics and science needed development. Those concerns concern the wider curriculum, rather than a separate nursery judgement.
Teaching is teacher-led, and families have a direct SENCO contact at senco@cavclosei.derby.sch.uk. The school’s SEND Information Report 2025.26 covers disability access, admission arrangements and complaints about support. Its Accessibility Plan 2025 addresses participation and the physical environment. These documents give families specific routes for discussing access and support.
Food arrangements described for the school include meals prepared on site, a salad bar and a packed-lunch option. Drinking water is accessible during the day. Families should flag medically required diets to the school, which says it will try to accommodate them; that is a conditional offer rather than a guarantee.
For concerns about a child’s safety, parents can contact the safeguarding team directly at safeguarding@cavclosei.derby.sch.uk to seek help or share information.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must make a separate application through Derby City Council. For September 2027 entry, the application window runs from 3 November 2026 to 15 January 2027, with an online route at derby.gov.uk/primary.
Transition preparation is separate from allocation. Before joining the infant school, children can attend settling sessions, meet their next teacher and see their classroom. Parents also have an opportunity to discuss concerns with staff. Familiarisation helps prepare for the next stage; it does not secure admission.
Nursery attendance is described as 15 or 30 hours a week, with a 2.50pm finish. Registration across year groups runs from 8.40am to 8.50am. Families entitled to a 30-hour place need a working-family voucher code and must renew it each term.
To begin the nursery application, obtain a waiting-list form from the office or nursery. Visits can be arranged on 01332 662239, and general enquiries go to admin@cavclosei.derby.sch.uk. The school’s Charging and Remissions Policy explains chargeable activities and circumstances for exceptions. On the school site, cars must stay off the drive for collection and drop-off.
The nursery aims to admit children after their third birthday. Most start in the following September.
There are 39 full-time equivalent places.
The school describes nursery attendance as 15 or 30 hours per week and gives a finish time of 2.50pm. Families entitled to a 30-hour place must obtain a working-family voucher code and renew it each term.
No. Parents must apply separately to Derby City Council. The deadline for September 2027 entry is 15 January 2027.
Call 01332 662239 to arrange a visit. Nursery waiting-list application forms are obtainable from the school office or nursery.
