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Nursery at St James' Church of England Aided Infant 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A starfish model, an outer-space activity and a bag of objects for exploring sounds give a concrete flavour of early learning at St James'. This is the nursery provision within St James' Church of England Aided Infant School on Leonard Street in Derby. For parents, the useful focus is the experience of learning through activities, becoming familiar with routines and spending time with other children.
The May 2024 inspection described early-years children enjoying their learning and cooperating in play and work. Those findings concern the school's early years, rather than a separate nursery judgement.
Learning has a planned sequence. The early-years curriculum connects ideas, while practical activities give children something to investigate or make. Modelling a starfish and exploring space were two examples seen in May 2024. These give parents a more concrete picture than a curriculum label alone: making and investigating sit alongside learning to think about what an activity means.
Language also has a practical starting point. Children explored objects from a teacher's bag while learning sounds and words. An object gives them something specific to talk about, linking vocabulary to an experience rather than leaving it as an abstract exercise. The inspection found that children enjoyed this language learning.
Adults encourage children to work ideas out for themselves. That matters alongside the planned activities: the emphasis includes thinking through a task, rather than simply completing it. Children also play and work with one another, giving the day a social dimension alongside its learning content.
Familiar routines are part of the early-years experience. In May 2024, children picked these up quickly and were comfortable cooperating with their peers. For a parent considering the nursery, this is useful evidence about how children respond to the structure of school life.
Adult encouragement and opportunities to work together connect care with learning. Thinking independently involves making choices within an activity; working alongside another child involves sharing the experience. These are the concrete features supported by the early-years findings, and they help explain the place of everyday routines and relationships in the children's experience.
Attending the nursery does not guarantee a Reception place at St James'. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as two decisions: familiarity with school life must not be mistaken for an admissions entitlement.
The school is on Leonard Street, Derby, DE23 8EG. Its telephone number is 01332854984. These details provide a direct contact point for families considering the nursery, while the address identifies the school site associated with this provision.
Yes. The nursery provision is part of St James' Church of England Aided Infant School.
The May 2024 findings include making a starfish model, exploring space and using objects to learn sounds and words.
The early-years findings describe adults encouraging children to think through activities for themselves.
No. Families must apply separately through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline.
The address is Leonard Street, Derby, DE23 8EG. The telephone number is 01332854984.
