The Bemrose School Nursery

Learning through play, with adults deliberately building children's language, gives Bemrose's early years its character. The nursery belongs to The Bemrose School in Derby, an all-through school whose age range starts at three. It sits within the primary phase, so the useful focus for parents is the early years classroom and its routines.

Ofsted graded the school's early years provision Good at the inspection on 13 and 14 March 2024. That is an early years judgement within the school inspection, rather than a separate nursery rating. The early years findings describe planned learning across the curriculum and resources that support play: a combination of adult teaching and opportunities for children to explore.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings play and planned teaching together. At Bemrose, the early years curriculum supports development across its learning areas, with adults using teaching activities to extend language and communication. For a young child, talking is part of learning, rather than something reserved for a separate lesson.

Bemrose's EYFS timetable gives that approach a concrete shape. Morning Challenge Time starts the sequence, followed by phonics taught together and in groups. A topic discussion on the carpet and a maths session punctuate longer periods of continuous provision, the timetable's term for ongoing learning opportunities between organised activities. Children therefore have time between group sessions to continue exploring.

The afternoon EYFS sequence includes Mindfulness and Drawing Club, further continuous provision, then a period combining indoor and outdoor activity with interventions. Tidying and a story bring the sequence to a close. These are the school's EYFS routines; they should not be read as a nursery session booking pattern.

The physical learning environment matters too. In March 2024, early years resources supported children's learning through play. Together with the timetable's indoor and outdoor activity, this gives play a place alongside the carpet sessions and group teaching.

An EYFS lead and EYFS teachers form part of the primary staff team. The primary phase's classroom policy also makes room for parents: they can stay during the morning settling period to support their child, and speak with the class teacher during the collection period. That creates opportunities to connect home and classroom around the day's learning.

For families needing wider support, Early Help uses a family assessment to bring services together, including education, health and housing. Parents can contact the safeguarding team about this support. Welfare concerns can also go directly to the school's safeguarding email address, giving families a clear contact beyond classroom conversations.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process by its closing date. Bemrose's primary admissions route is Derby City Council's common application form: name the school as a preference and return the form to the council, rather than to the school. Treat choosing nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Nursery enquiries can go through the school's contact form, by email to admin@bemrose.derby.sch.uk or by telephone on 01332 366711. The school address is Uttoxeter New Road, Derby, DE22 3HU. These contacts provide a direct starting point for families considering the provision.