Meadow Farm Community Primary School Nursery Review

Language, stories and learning to listen give Meadow Farm’s nursery its character. This is term-time provision for children aged three and four, with 52 places offered annually on a 15-hour funding basis and 30-hour placements for eligible parents. It sits within Meadow Farm Community Primary School in Chaddesden, Derby.

A nursery teacher forms part of the Foundation team, alongside an Early Years Phase Lead who is also an assistant headteacher. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good following its inspection on 18 and 19 October 2023. That judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Communication has a clear place in the learning. In October 2023, activities were shaped around children’s interests, and children engaged enthusiastically with them. For parents, the useful emphasis is on helping children express themselves and take part in learning, rather than simply introducing school subjects early.

ASPIRE is the school’s named curriculum approach. It draws on early years learning foundations and encourages children to participate actively. The nursery’s topic sequence starts with Marvellous Me, moves through Celebrations and Once Upon a Time, and later includes Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These give the year distinct themes, linking familiar experiences with stories and the wider world.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) mathematics planning includes counting, patterns, measures and shape. In plain parent language, this means early mathematical learning extends beyond recognising numbers. Listening matters too. Little Wandle supports the school’s pre-reading teaching, with children working at a phase suited to their development. The introductory sound work includes rhyme, percussion using the body and distinguishing sounds, building the listening skills needed before recognising written letters.

Learning to join in is part of nursery life. In October 2023, staff helped nursery children sustain attention as their concentration developed. Occasional interruptions had little effect on learning. Children also responded to adult guidance and behaved considerately towards their peers.

Parents also had weekly opportunities to come into school and participate in early years learning at that time. This gives families a practical connection with what their child is learning.

For additional needs, the school’s SEND team works with families, staff and outside professionals. Parents can contact that team at senco@meadowfarm.derby.sch.uk. The school’s Early Help process can include an assessment to clarify support needs and, where several services need to work together, a Team Around the Family. These are school support routes available for families to discuss their child’s needs.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal school admissions process, following the deadline for their child’s entry year.

Meadow Farm directs families to Derby City Council for that process. For the September 2026 intake, the online application deadline was 15 January 2026; that admissions cycle is now past. Keep the nursery application and the later Reception application as separate tasks.

The booking patterns are five weekday mornings, five weekday afternoons, or a Monday-to-Friday 30-hour place for eligible parents. The nursery operates during term time. The 15-hour and eligible 30-hour options therefore give families different weekly attendance patterns.

To enquire or arrange a nursery visit, contact the school office on 01332 662631. Applications can be made through the nursery contact form or on paper, with completed forms returned in person or emailed to admin@meadowfarm.derby.sch.uk.