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Nursery at Redwood Primary School
Last reviewed: October 2026 · Inspection data and key information above update regularly, however, this review below is refreshed bi-annually and may not reflect recent changes. Contact the nursery directly to confirm current arrangements. If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Morning, afternoon or a longer week: Redwood’s nursery gives families three distinct attendance patterns, rather than one timetable to fit around. Children can start after turning three, when a place is available. This is the nursery within Redwood Primary School on Redwood Road in Sinfin, Derby, so the practical choice is both a school setting and a particular pattern of childcare.
Creative play is a starting point for learning here. Redwood’s early years curriculum uses it to develop children’s imagination and expression, giving play a purpose alongside the first steps in literacy and numeracy.
In January 2023, Ofsted described early years children practising sounds daily and using pretend teaching games to rehearse phonics with one another. Repetition was part of the routine. Mathematics also involved movement: children practised number formation through dance, while adults used mathematical vocabulary. These examples show learning taking place through talk, physical activity and play, rather than only through seated tasks.
Participation in phonics. The same inspection identified occasions across the school when adults did too little to draw children into sound practice, affecting learning for some pupils, including some with SEND. Active adult encouragement was an improvement priority, a relevant consideration alongside the early years examples.
From nursery onwards, adults demonstrate friendly relationships and recognise helpful behaviour and good manners. In January 2023, this was an explicit inspection finding about practice beginning with the youngest children. It gives everyday interactions a teaching role: learning how to treat other people is part of the day.
For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), Redwood’s process involves the class teacher setting goals, planning activities and reviewing progress. Parents help agree and review those goals each term. Where progress calls for further advice, the SEND team can involve other agencies and work with families. That creates a recurring point for parents to contribute, rather than leaving support solely to conversations when a problem arises.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process. Derby City Local Authority handles admissions to Redwood and allocates places under its admissions policy. Treat choosing a nursery session and applying for school as separate decisions; a nursery place does not settle the later application.
The morning pattern runs from 8:45am to 11:45am; afternoons run from 12:15pm to 3:15pm. Each involves attendance every morning or every afternoon, giving families a consistent half-day routine.
The 30-hour option is for working families who qualify for that entitlement. It runs from 8:45am to 3:15pm Monday to Thursday, with Friday finishing at 12:45pm. An optional paid extension adds 2.5 hours that week. Families sharing their 30-hour entitlement with another provider can use Redwood’s morning or afternoon patterns only.
Extra sessions carry charges and depend on spaces remaining after children entitled to 30 hours have been accommodated. Booking is required by Wednesday afternoon for the following week. Contact the school for current charges.
For nursery enquiries and an application form, email admin@redwood.derby.sch.uk. School visits can be arranged by appointment. The school buildings have a single-level layout suitable for wheelchair access, a concrete practical feature for families considering accessibility.
Children are admitted after their third birthday, subject to places being available.
Mornings run from 8:45am to 11:45am and afternoons from 12:15pm to 3:15pm, with attendance every morning or every afternoon.
Yes. Qualifying working families can choose the 30-hour pattern. Families splitting their entitlement with another provider can use only the morning or afternoon patterns at Redwood.
No. Reception requires a separate application through the normal admissions process, with Derby City Local Authority allocating places under its policy.
Parents take part in agreeing and reviewing their child’s support targets each term. The class teacher plans activities and reviews progress, with other agencies involved where further advice is needed.
