New Mills Nursery School

Stories, colour mixing and caring for guinea pigs give New Mills Nursery School its character. This is a nursery school in its own right, serving children aged three to five at Sett Close in New Mills. Its focus is the early years, with language threaded through play, stories and everyday routines.

At the January 2025 inspection, staff adjusted learning to children’s backgrounds and starting points. That matters for a child joining with different experiences or needing extra help: activities can be adapted rather than expecting everyone to begin in the same place.

The curriculum centres on 10 curriculum goals, bringing together childhood experiences and knowledge. Mixing paint colours introduces children to how new shades are made; building models with different materials gives them opportunities to explore construction. These are concrete ways to turn play into learning.

Stories do substantial work here. Characters’ emotions give children something to discuss, while comparisons and patterns introduce early concepts. Children learn that print has meaning and practise paying attention during group stories. Songs and rhymes also run through routines, linking rhythm with the familiar sequence of the day.

Language is a clear thread: children practise explaining ideas and talking about their activities. Books linked to children’s interests help those needing additional support engage with reading. Families can borrow games, jigsaws and books, extending shared learning beyond nursery.

Independent play needs closer attention. In January 2025, some children’s self-directed activities became repetitive or lost their purpose, limiting how far their understanding developed. Ofsted asked for learning during these periods to cover the curriculum more fully and in greater depth. For parents, the useful distinction is between keeping children occupied and helping their play move forward.

Caring for the guinea pigs, Smudge and Velvet, gives children a practical way to learn consideration and responsibility. Children also explore how their actions affect other people and practise managing emotions. Treasure keepers rewards recognise positive attitudes, giving children something specific to explain to their families.

For children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), staff adapt activities so they can participate in the same curriculum as their peers. Relationships with families were positive in January 2025, and safeguarding was judged effective at that inspection.

Staff workload needs attention. In January 2025, workload concerns were affecting staff well-being, and governors were asked to make working demands manageable. This is a relevant concern alongside the care children receive.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal Reception admissions process and meet its deadline; choosing this nursery should not be treated as securing the next school place.

Transition support addresses children’s feelings separately from admissions. A toy mouse helps children express their emotions when visiting their new schools, giving them a familiar way to talk about the change ahead.

The nursery’s address is Sett Close, New Mills, High Peak, SK22 4AQ. Enquiries go to the school office at info@newmills-nur.derbyshire.sch.uk or by telephone on 01663 745098. These provide a direct starting point for families considering the nursery.