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Nursery at Derwent 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Ladybirds and Caterpillars give Derwent’s youngest children their own class identities within the primary school site. This is school-based pre-school provision in Henlow, with entry from the term following a child’s third birthday. The October 2024 pre-school policy sets a limit of 26 children per session, subject to annual review.
Each class has a teacher working with qualified staff. The same policy specifies one adult for every 13 children, with an additional adult where special needs requirements indicate one. For parents, the class structure and staffing arrangements are useful starting points for understanding who supports their child through the day.
The daily timetable sends pre-school children to class at 8:50am and ends their day at 3:20pm, when they leave or join wraparound care. Nursery snack breaks are separate from those of the older year groups. Lunch is staggered, with the youngest children starting from 11:45am and an hour allocated for lunch.
Reading starts early here. At the July 2023 inspection, Ofsted found that learning to read began in Nursery and that early-years children’s reading suited their ages. The early-years findings also described children sustaining attention, responding to adults and sharing turns cooperatively. These are practical foundations for joining group activities and learning alongside other children.
Full-time, morning and afternoon places are described in the October 2024 policy, with the pattern offered depending on demand. Families therefore need to distinguish the full nursery day from the session pattern in their child’s offer.
Settling begins before the first session. Parents and children visit the pre-school together, meet staff and explore the classroom. An early-years team member also meets the family at home or at the child’s existing nursery to discuss their development. These meetings give staff information about the child before attendance begins.
Class Dojo carries school communication, alongside a Friday newsletter. For children needing additional support, the SEND information page explicitly includes Nursery: concerns begin with the class teacher, with the SENCo joining further discussions where needed. Support plans have termly review meetings involving parents. Wheelchair access extends to every teaching area, a concrete consideration for children with mobility needs.
Lunch can be a packed meal or a school dinner. Choosing the school dinner brings an additional charge; lunchtime care also carries a separate charge. Families should obtain current charges from the school when arranging their sessions.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Parents must submit a separate application through Central Bedfordshire’s normal admissions process and meet the deadline for their application round. The school’s 2027–2028 arrangements give no priority for attending its pre-school, so familiarity with Ladybirds or Caterpillars does not change an application’s position.
Transition support is a separate matter. For children with additional needs, activities at a change of year or school are tailored to the child and discussed with parents at their review meeting. That supports preparation for the next stage while keeping the admissions decision separate.
The October 2024 policy describes funded patterns of 15 or 30 hours over a 38-week school year. For non-working parents, it specifies five funded sessions of three hours; extra sessions are chargeable when spaces permit. Charged wraparound care is also described, with breakfast club beginning at 7:30am and after-school care ending at 5:45pm.
Register interest through the school office using an application form, a birth certificate and address evidence. Registration is not a place offer. Pre-start visits include uniform information, while collection takes place on the main playground. Contact the office on 01462 812047 or derwent@derwentschool.co.uk.
The October 2024 pre-school policy describes entry in the term after a child turns three, subject to spaces being available.
The pre-school policy describes full-time, morning and afternoon places, depending on demand. Its funded provision follows a 38-week school-year pattern.
Families visit the pre-school before starting. An early-years team member also meets parents at home or at the child’s existing nursery to discuss their development.
Lunchtime care and wraparound care are chargeable. A school dinner also brings an additional charge if parents choose it instead of supplying a packed lunch. Contact the school for current charges.
No. Nursery attendance is not a priority criterion in the school’s 2027–2028 arrangements and does not guarantee a place. Parents must apply separately through Central Bedfordshire’s admissions process.
