Lenthall Infant and Nursery School: Nursery Review

A mud kitchen, miniature worlds and a room for toddlers give Lenthall’s nursery its character: learning starts with things children can touch, change and investigate. The provision serves ages two to four within the school’s integrated Early Years Unit on Marsh Avenue in Dronfield.

Bright Beginnings is the governor-run toddler room for two-year-olds. Carle Class is the maintained nursery for children aged three to four, with its own room. That distinction matters for families: the two provisions have separate admission criteria and session arrangements, even though both belong to the same early years setting.

Play and guided learning share the day. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) here means building communication, early number skills, literacy and social confidence through practical experiences. Planning follows children’s developmental stages, with learning goals divided into smaller milestones. The curiosity-led approach gives children opportunities to ask questions and pursue interests, alongside activities guided by adults.

Within the Early Years Unit, daily communication, phonics, literacy and maths sessions sit alongside child-led exploration. Afternoon activities follow the Lenthall Learning Challenge curriculum. Indoors, children can invent miniature stories in small-world play, use costumes and dolls for role play, or experiment with collage, paint and play dough. Sand, water, puzzles and construction materials give problem-solving a practical form.

Outside, the mud kitchen, gardening areas and Forest School area extend that exploration. Nursery Forest School activities include scavenger hunts and building dens, giving children reasons to investigate natural materials and work together. Friday PE involves Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust, using the hall during winter and outdoor space in warmer weather. Movement has a regular place alongside quieter activities.

The October 2023 inspection described nursery number learning through stories, songs and rhymes, and early years children visiting a bakery to see gingerbread made. Those examples connect learning to familiar experiences: counting can begin with a song, while a local trip gives children something concrete to discuss afterwards.

In October 2023, children joining the early years setting settled promptly, with adults developing trusting relationships and getting to know them individually. Today’s staffing structure includes early years teachers and practitioners, with a Higher Level Teaching Assistant among the support team.

Parents can speak with teachers at collection or drop-off, or telephone the school. ClassDojo provides class updates, photographs and learning resources; absences and safeguarding concerns should go directly to the school. For SEND, the school’s arrangements include identifying needs with parents and external agencies, targeted intervention and individual support. The SENDCo is accessible through the office, giving families a clear contact for discussing additional needs.

Food has both routine and choice. Children receive fruit daily, and under-fives qualify for free milk. Derbyshire Catering prepares two-course lunches on site, served in the school hall; packed lunches are also permitted. The school excludes nuts, and medical diets require advance arrangements. Families send a water bottle, spare clothing and, where needed, nappies and wipes.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal route and meet the relevant deadline. Treat that application as a distinct step from choosing nursery.

Transition support is a separate matter. The school organises events and transition days for joining school and moving between classes, alongside stay-and-play opportunities for parents. These offer practical preparation for change; they do not secure admission.

For 30-hour places, the nursery timetable runs Monday to Friday, 8:45am to 3:15pm. The 15-hour option has flexible arrangements. Funding for 30 hours requires a valid HMRC code; universal funding covers 15 hours. Lunchtime sessions and meals attract separate charges outside funded hours. Eligible two-year-olds may receive funded places depending on family circumstances, with paid places also offered.

Paid nursery breakfast runs from 7:30am to 8:45am. For current charges, enquiries or a personal nursery tour, contact enquiries@lenthall.derbyshire.sch.uk or 01246 414569. Friday PE clothing includes dark bottoms, a white or royal blue top and dark trainers; jewellery must be removed. Everyday school clothing can carry the logo or be unbranded.