Lord Street Nursery School: play, language and outdoor discovery

An all-weather garden, Forest School and a Sensory Room give children several ways to explore at Lord Street. This local authority maintained nursery school in Allenton, Derby, centres its provision on young children rather than forming a nursery class within a primary school. The recorded age range is two to five. There are 104 education places for three- and four-year-olds, alongside 32 funded places for eligible two-year-olds.

Children’s interests shape the activities. Staff observe their play and respond with next steps, so a child’s curiosity helps determine what happens next.

Play has room to develop here. The approach includes uninterrupted play and planning that responds to children’s activity in the moment. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) organises learning across seven areas: these cover communicating, physical and social development, understanding the world, creative work, early reading and mathematics. For parents, that means learning extends beyond letters and numbers.

Indoors, block play, role play and the creative area give children choices about materials and activities. Small groups gather for songs and stories, while family time involves listening to others, choosing songs together and sharing learning. Core books include Owl Babies and Handa’s Surprise. These give families specific stories to share at home.

Outside, children use the garden through different weather conditions, with suitable clothing provided. Forest School adds exploration of the natural environment and opportunities to make choices. The Sensory Room contains fibre optics, a bubble tube and projectors, giving storytelling and sensory exploration their own physical space.

Curriculum development. In April 2023, Ofsted identified unfinished curriculum implementation: learning steps needed greater precision, and vocabulary needed planned repetition. The required work concerned how learning builds over time and staff’s knowledge to support it. Families should weigh the practical experiences alongside that improvement requirement.

Each child has a key worker who supports them and shares records of their achievements with parents. That gives families an identified person for discussions about progress or concerns. Before nursery starts, Little Explorers brings children and parents together in the Atelier on Fridays, with advance booking required. Familiarity with activities and routines is part of its purpose.

Support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) includes additional adults where needed, smaller story and singing groups, and signs and symbols. A soundproofed room provides space for language, attention and listening activities. Staff work with parents and other professionals to adapt provision to individual needs.

Children receive a snack with milk or water. The weekly contribution also covers additional activities such as Forest School; contact the school for current charges. Family support extends to parenting, housing applications, attendance and debt management. In April 2023, safeguarding arrangements were effective, and children needing SEND support received help promptly.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through the normal primary admissions process and meet its deadline. Lord Street’s admissions page provides a primary-school admissions link, so treat this as a separate decision from choosing nursery.

Preparation also involves continuity of care. In April 2023, staff shared information with receiving settings so children’s welfare support could continue. That supports the move between settings; it does not determine admission.

Morning sessions run from 08:30 to 11:30; afternoons run from 12:30 to 15:30, during term time. Morning collection is between 11:20 and 11:30, and afternoon collection between 15:20 and 15:30. Extra sessions require advance booking and depend on availability. INSET days and bank holidays interrupt the term-time pattern.

The admissions offer includes 15 universal funded hours for three- and four-year-olds, with an additional 15 hours for eligible working parents of two-, three- and four-year-olds. Flying Start provides funded places for eligible two-year-olds; non-funded slots are also offered subject to availability.

Choose washable, labelled clothes that children can manage independently for toileting. Collection is restricted to authorised adults over 16, and changes should be telephoned in advance. To enquire or arrange a visit, call 01332 349 363; enquiries can also go to admin@lordstreet.derby.sch.uk or through the contact form.