Ivy House School Nursery

Choosing who receives a morning song is a small decision with real significance here. Ivy House School’s early years provision gives children opportunities to express a preference, alongside activities that develop movement and introduce them to places beyond school. The nursery belongs to a special school in Littleover, Derby, with provision for two-year-olds.

The wider school caters for children with physical disabilities, multi-sensory impairment, profound and multiple learning difficulties, and severe learning difficulties. That context matters when considering the nursery: the early years examples centre on participation, personal choice and physical development.

A morning song gives children a decision to make: they choose the person they would like to sing to. At the inspection on 30 and 31 January 2024, this was an early years example of staff seeking children’s preferences. It makes a familiar group activity an opportunity for a child to influence what happens. The choice is part of the activity itself.

Visits to the park bring another dimension to early learning. Children can experience a place beyond their classroom, with an outing forming part of the early years enrichment programme. For parents considering the provision, this is a concrete example of learning extending beyond activities inside school.

Movement also has explicit goals. Early years children practise walking with their walkers and work towards standing for longer periods. These are practical challenges tied to physical development. Progress can therefore involve extending a movement or sustaining a position, alongside taking part in songs and outings. The examples give families a useful picture of the kinds of participation that feature in early years learning.

Physical support and learning meet in the early years movement activities. Walking practice uses children’s walkers, while standing activities increase the time children spend upright. The January 2024 findings recognised the contribution of these challenges to physical development. For a family whose child uses a walker, the relevant detail is the equipment’s place within learning activities.

Personal choice matters too. Selecting a singing partner gives children a say in a shared routine. Alongside the physical activities, this illustrates two distinct aspects of support: helping children participate in movement and making space for their preferences.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Ask the school how admission to Reception is arranged for your child. Choosing this nursery should therefore be a decision about the early years provision itself; a later school place remains a separate admissions question.

The school is on Moorway Lane, Littleover, Derby, DE23 2FS. The school telephone number is 01332777920, providing a direct contact route for nursery enquiries. For families weighing up the practical fit, the location is a useful starting point for considering the journey alongside their child’s care and mobility needs.