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Nursery at Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Cubs and Bears give Cotmanhay’s youngest children two distinct starting points, with language, play and learning to manage familiar routines running through both. Cubs caters for children aged two to three; Bears takes three- and four-year-olds. They form part of Cotmanhay Infant and Nursery School on Beauvale Drive in Ilkeston.
The session sizes differ substantially: Cubs offers 16 morning places and 16 afternoon places, while Bears has 52 in each session. Ofsted’s March 2026 assessment placed early years at Expected standard within the school inspection and found that Cubs children flourished and became comfortable quickly. This is a judgement on the school’s early years provision, rather than a separate nursery rating.
Play combines children’s own choices with activities guided by adults, indoors and outside. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) covers seven areas, bringing together relationships, movement and communication with early reading, number work, creativity and exploring the world. In practice, children handle play dough and clay, practise counting, make marks, listen to stories and move to music. These experiences develop hand control, vocabulary and confidence alongside early learning.
Language gets sustained attention. Cubs and Bears offer ECAT, the Every Child A Talker programme, while Makaton, visual prompts and speech give children several ways to communicate. Word Aware introduces vocabulary that families can practise through sentences and books. In March 2026, adult conversations with children were a strength, and early phonics followed a systematic sequence.
Forest School work extends learning outdoors, with a Forest Schools area among the early years spaces. Nursery children also take part in baking each week with a visiting adult. Topics give those experiences a focus: Cubs explores Farm Animals and People Who Help Us, while Bears includes Transport and Journeys and Winter and Food. There is plenty to talk about beyond a worksheet.
Settling begins before the first regular session. Families attend an introductory meeting, children can join three Get Ready for Nursery Sessions, and initial starts happen in small groups. A home visit is offered to every family, with particular encouragement for children who have not used childcare or spent time apart from their main carer. Familiarity with staff can begin at home.
Bears has a teacher supported by four teaching assistants; Cubs has four teaching assistants. Across early years, assistants have at least Level 3 training. Children have drinking water available and a healthy snack daily. OTrack and Class DoJo support learning portfolios, with parents able to contribute photographs and descriptions of experiences at home; staff regularly share each child’s next steps.
For children needing a different pattern, The Bears Den is a quiet nursery SEND base with fewer children and teaching assistant support. Sensory breaks, outdoor movement and adapted timings are among the options. Graduated entry is reserved for a small number with complex needs and proceeds at the individual child’s pace. In March 2026, early years support addressed children’s learning barriers carefully, while familiar routines helped them act independently.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must apply separately through Derbyshire County Council’s normal school admissions process by 15 January for a September Reception place. Applications go to the council, rather than being processed by the school.
Preparation for change is a separate matter. The school’s transition arrangements include meeting new teachers and visiting new classes, with Personal Passports for children whose complex needs make a move difficult. Records, assessments and targets are handed to the receiving staff. These measures support continuity of care; they do not secure admission.
Morning and afternoon sessions are the booking model. Bears runs five days a week and does not offer full-time places. Cubs provision is for children eligible for two-year-old funding, with attendance of 15 hours weekly. Eligibility applications can be made through Derbyshire’s free childcare route.
Nursery applications are returned directly to the school, and the office can arrange a visit on 0115 930 2064. The confirmation letter gives the child’s start dates and times, making it the practical reference for the initial settling arrangements.
Cubs is for children aged two to three, with admission tied to eligibility for two-year-old funding. Bears caters for three- and four-year-olds.
Bears offers morning or afternoon places, five days a week. Full-time places are not offered.
There is an introductory meeting, three Get Ready for Nursery Sessions and small-group starts. Families can also request the offered home visit.
Cubs and Bears offer Every Child A Talker. Children use spoken language alongside Makaton and visual cues, and speech and language referrals require parental consent.
No. A separate Reception application must be made through Derbyshire County Council’s school admissions process.
