Castleton CofE Primary School Nursery Review

Hedgehogs brings nursery children into a shared Nursery/Reception class, giving Castleton’s early years provision a mixed-age character from the outset. This is the school’s own nursery on Back Street in Castleton, within its Church of England setting.

Small cohorts shape the approach. Staff use children’s existing learning, interests and individual skills to plan what comes next, so the starting point is the child rather than a uniform set of activities. For families, that makes the shared class and its approach to individual planning central considerations.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides the nursery curriculum. In practical terms here, planning begins with what children already understand and what interests them, then matches learning to their needs. Hedgehogs has class learning overviews, giving parents a way to follow the topics being explored.

Little Wandle is the phonics and reading programme used across EYFS. Number learning also has a concrete example: at the May 2024 inspection, staff helped early years children explore the number 7 using games, demonstrations and questions. That turns an abstract number into something children can discuss and work with.

Outdoor learning has a named approach and a physical setting. The school’s Forest School provision uses woodland play shaped by children’s interests, with adults teaching skills for exploring the natural world safely. Its community-provided Woodland Area supports the school’s weekly outdoor programme. Nature observation and craft are among the activities described, bringing learning beyond the classroom.

Curriculum planning deserves consideration alongside those examples. In May 2024, the school’s learning sequence across foundation subjects needed better adaptation for mixed-age teaching, and subject oversight also needed development. These were school curriculum concerns, relevant context for parents considering a shared-age class.

Individual needs are built into the EYFS planning approach. The headteacher also holds the SENCO role, supporting staff with children’s additional needs. The school’s SEND arrangements include reasonable adjustments, involvement from outside professionals and informing parents when special educational support is being provided. This gives families an identified route for discussing additional needs.

Emotional support extends to families through the school’s Early Help offer. Positive Play, Therapeutic Play and Time to Talk are among its named interventions; access to a Family Support Worker is arranged through school. Families seeking this help can request a confidential appointment through the office.

Safeguarding concerns can be raised by telephone or through the headteacher’s safeguarding email. That inbox is checked beyond school hours, including holidays and weekends, giving parents a contact route outside the teaching day.

Sharing a class with Reception children is part of the nursery’s organisation. It does not guarantee a Reception place.

Families must make a separate Reception application through Derbyshire Education Authority. The school’s admissions route directs parents to the local authority application service, with decisions communicated during the spring term before the child starts school. Treat that application as a separate step, even when your child already attends Hedgehogs.

Nursery enquiries go through the school office: telephone 01433620630 or email enquiries@castleton.derbyshire.sch.uk. An online contact form provides another route to the team.

The Hedgehogs class page links to a document titled Chargeable Extras in Nursery. Refer to the school for current charges. Class overviews also offer a useful connection between home and nursery learning, while the office provides the starting point for arranging nursery attendance.