Larklands Infant School Nursery Review

A Nursery Science Area, a creative space and a playground give Larklands’ youngest children places to investigate, make and play. This is the nursery attached to Larklands Infant School on Park Road in Ilkeston, serving children aged three and four. Families can choose between morning and afternoon sessions under the 15-hour pattern, while the 30-hour pattern covers a longer day.

Communication gives the early years curriculum its direction. At the October 2024 inspection, Ofsted identified early years as a school strength, with a clear emphasis on accelerating language development. For parents, that means looking beyond finished pictures or counting exercises to the conversation children develop through their activities.

The early years foundation stage (EYFS) is the framework used here for children’s early learning. Its practical character comes through in the October 2024 examples: children made books containing information, constructed hedgehog nests, compared the weight of leaves and conkers, and baked cookies. These are examples across early years, rather than a fixed nursery timetable. They bring language and mathematical ideas into things children can make and handle.

Within the nursery itself, the Nursery Creative Area and Nursery Science Area give those interests distinct indoor spaces. Outside, the Nursery Playground provides a separate place for play. The school’s curriculum materials also include a Nursery Curriculum Map and an EYFS Continuous Provision Progression Grid, connecting nursery planning with the wider early years framework.

For families whose child has special educational needs or disabilities (SEND), the class teacher and SENCO are points of contact for discussing development and support. Outside agencies also communicate with parents about their involvement. Derbyshire Information Advice & Support Service for SEND provides another route for family advice, alongside the Derbyshire Local Offer.

Milk has a clear routine. Through Cool Milk, children receive a chilled carton of semi-skimmed milk in their classroom each day. The school handles registration for under-fives, and free milk continues until the Friday preceding a child’s fifth birthday.

Safeguarding procedures apply across the school, including its nursery. Adults follow the child protection documents and receive annual local authority training. A dedicated safeguarding email gives families a direct contact route for welfare concerns.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process: Derbyshire County Council determines school admissions, and the school’s admissions page links to the council application route.

Keep that application separate from nursery registration. Choosing a nursery session and arranging its funding are nursery decisions; they do not replace the application for a school place.

For 15-hour children, the morning session runs from 8:40am to 11:40am; the afternoon option starts at 12:15pm and finishes at 3:15pm. Children on the 30-hour pattern attend from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Those different finish times matter when planning collection around work or other childcare.

Eligible working families may qualify for a funded 30-hour place. The funding process requires an eligibility code, the child’s birth date, parental National Insurance information and written permission to verify the code. Confirmation depends on Derbyshire County Council completing that verification. The admissions page also provides a nursery registration form and a link concerning chargeable extras; contact the school for current charges.

For enquiries, use 0115 932 4288 or info@larklands.derbyshire.sch.uk. School visits can be arranged through the office; ask whether your visit can include the nursery spaces.