Derby St Chad's Nursery Review

Communication gives St Chad's early years provision its clearest character. In June 2023, children’s language development was a clear curriculum priority, with learning checked frequently and parents involved in supporting it at home. That makes talk, and the relationship between home and nursery, central to the experience.

The nursery belongs to Derby St Chad's CofE Nursery and Infant School on Gordon Road, Derby. Places are offered for three- and four-year-olds, with 15-hour and 30-hour weekly options. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 June 2023.

Language is part of learning through play here. Across the school, classroom practice follows Communication Friendly Spaces principles, combining practical activity with conversation and spoken participation. For a nursery child, that places communication within activities rather than treating it only as a separate lesson.

In June 2023, the early years curriculum built learning in a deliberate sequence. Activities were planned to engage children, and teachers assessed their progress to decide what to introduce next. This is the Early Years Foundation Stage in practical terms here: activities have a learning purpose, and adults adjust the next steps to the child.

Emotional development also has concrete classroom support. Across the school, calming areas and sensory breaks give children opportunities to manage stimulation. The school selects books about feelings to help children develop the vocabulary to explain emotions.

Settling is supported by a designated seating area where parents can spend extra time with their child before saying goodbye, with staff assistance if needed. The school also provides free cereal at the start of the morning. These are school-wide arrangements, alongside the nursery’s separate session timetable.

Family communication has several routes. Class Dojo is used for messages about children’s behaviour and achievements, while bilingual staff and the New Communities Achievement Team support communication with families. Translation is offered at parents’ evenings; important written communications are translated where possible. This gives families ways to discuss their child’s experience across language differences.

For additional needs, the school uses an Assess, Plan, Do and Review cycle, discussing support with parents. School-wide interventions include Speech and Language support, Sensory Circuits and Attention Autism; provision depends on the individual child’s needs. The SEND coordinator can be contacted at send@stchads.derby.sch.uk.

A Welfare Officer and Family Support Worker also help families with routines, sleep, starting school and communication. Their role extends beyond classroom learning, giving parents a route to discuss difficulties affecting nursery life.

Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply again through the normal local authority admissions process by the normal deadline. Treat the nursery choice and the Reception application as separate decisions.

For children with SEND, transition arrangements include sharing agreed information with the next setting and arranging transition days or taster events. These support familiarity and continuity of care; they do not secure admission.

Morning sessions run from 9am to noon; afternoon sessions run from 12:30pm to 3:30pm. The school aims to give children at least three nursery terms. Applications go through the main office on 01332 345997 or admin@stchads.derby.sch.uk.

Three- and four-year-olds are eligible for up to 15 funded hours from the term after their third birthday. Some working parents of children aged three to four may qualify for another 15 hours. Eligibility and the chosen weekly place therefore need to align.

Collection arrangements require parents to name authorised adults and notify the office before changes. Collectors must be at least 16. There is no school car park, so families driving to nursery need to plan for safe parking around Gordon Road.