Dame Catherine Harpur's School Nursery Review

Eight children per session, a group called squirrels and a garden with a muddy kitchen: small scale gives this nursery its character. Dame Catherine Harpur's School in Ticknall takes children aged 3–4 into its nursery group, within the school's pre-school provision. The nursery has its own area within the school, while sharing opportunities such as village-hall PE and language learning.

The usual squirrels age range also has some flexibility. Summer-born children can spend an extra term in the group to support their transition. For families considering a later school start, extended pre-school is a separate option with its own funding conditions.

Play takes several forms here. Children choose activities for themselves, then also work together in smaller groups and as a whole group. That combination gives them opportunities to make decisions as well as practise talking and cooperating. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for early learning; in everyday terms, children develop communication, movement, number skills and relationships through play and guided activities.

Questions connect the learning. The curriculum for ages 3–4 in 2025–26 used How Do We Get From A to B? as its theme, giving different activities a shared starting point. At the March 2026 ISI inspection, the early-years question-based approach supported progress in communication, number, physical development and social understanding. Letter sounds were taught through modelling and engaging resources, while songs and equipment helped children count forwards and backwards to five.

Outside, the large garden contains wildlife areas, growing plots and a muddy kitchen. Forest school approaches form part of pre-school outdoor learning. Early-years children also climb on the garden's adventure playground and play ball games alongside older children. Painting, modelling and colouring provide a different kind of physical practice, alongside learning pencil control and letter formation.

Breadth of activities. The March 2026 inspection identified nursery teaching that sometimes centred on a single topic activity, limiting opportunities to develop the learning further. A broader selection of connected activities was recommended. Inspectors also found that staff did not consistently have accurate, objective attainment information for planning. They recommended improving assessment information so teachers could plan learning more precisely. These are material considerations alongside the positive findings about early-years progress.

The team includes a pre-school practitioner with an Early Years SENCO qualification who also holds deputy safeguarding responsibility. This gives families an identifiable early-years role for discussing additional needs. In March 2026, early-years staffing met the required ratios, and children remained within an adult's hearing or view.

Sharing and turn-taking are taught through play with equipment and toys. Children can choose both activities and resources, so learning about rules sits alongside practising independence. Full-day attendance includes lunchtime provision, allowing children to stay between the morning and afternoon sessions.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families wishing to continue at Dame Catherine's must make a separate application using the relevant forms and meet the appropriate deadline. Treat that as a distinct decision from booking nursery sessions.

Shared experiences provide continuity rather than an admissions promise. Pre-school children already use the village hall for PE, take part in garden learning and have language-learning opportunities. Summer-born children may remain in squirrels for an additional term; some children delaying school entry can continue in the rabbits group until the term after their fifth birthday.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon; afternoons run from 1pm to 4pm. A full day spans 9am–4pm and includes lunchtime provision. Wraparound care is also offered. These choices let families select shorter sessions or a day covering both teaching periods.

Eligible families can use up to 30 funded hours across pre-school and wraparound sessions. Additional sessions and lunch cover are charged separately. Government-funded places are not offered in the academic year when a child turns five, and extended pre-school at that stage carries an additional charge for co-curricular activities. Contact the school for current charges.

For enquiries or to book a visit, email office@damecatherines.org or call 01332480825. The school is on Rose Lane, Ticknall.