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Nursery at Charles Darwin 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Garden planting, bug hunts and neighbourhood walks give Charles Darwin’s nursery a character beyond the classroom. This Norwich city-centre provision takes children aged 2 to 4, with indoor and outdoor play forming part of their learning. It is the nursery at Charles Darwin Primary School, with its own hours extending beyond the primary school day.
The age groups are Little finches for two to three-year-olds and Big finches for three to four-year-olds. For families, the practical distinction is equally clear: this is a nursery operating across the year, with a choice of morning, afternoon or full-day attendance.
Play provides the starting point. The nursery follows the Early Years Foundation Stage, with an emphasis on children developing socially, physically and emotionally as well as learning to think and solve problems. In everyday terms, that means learning with other children, trying things out and building confidence through activities.
Story sessions and messy play sit alongside music with movement, while yoga and mindfulness add quieter activities. Sand and water play offer further opportunities to explore. Outdoors, children plant in the garden and hunt for bugs; walks take their experiences into the local community. The garden is a concrete part of the learning environment, rather than outdoor provision being limited to an abstract promise of fresh air.
In April 2025, Ofsted found that nursery children were learning to look after their classroom resources and willingly helped to tidy them away. Across the early years, children were also expanding the vocabulary they used. These are useful foundations for independence and communication.
Settling involves becoming familiar with the nursery’s routines. At the April 2025 inspection, two-year-olds received very effective support for their emotional needs and everyday care. That matters for children whose first experience of nursery involves both separation from family and adjusting to a different daily rhythm.
Diddy Darwins brings preschool children and their families into school, helping relationships begin before nursery attendance. The nursery also aims to work jointly with parents and carers on each child’s development, allowing progress at an individual pace.
Within the school team, leadership responsibilities include early years, inclusion and SEND, alongside a Parent Support Advisor and Designated Safeguarding Lead. Food attracts an additional charge on days when a child uses funded childcare, so families should include this when considering their attendance pattern.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through the normal local-authority admissions process, even when their child already attends a school nursery.
For September 2027 entry, applications opened on 23 September 2026 and close on 15 January 2027. Norfolk County Council is the admissions route. Keep that deadline separate from nursery booking: enrolling here does not replace the Reception application.
Monday to Friday attendance comes in three patterns: a full day from 8am to 5pm, a morning from 8am to 1pm, or an afternoon from 1pm to 5pm. Opening continues across the year except for bank holidays, four staff-training days and the Christmas-to-New-Year closure. This gives working families an option beyond school terms.
The stretched funding arrangement spreads the 15-hour term-time entitlement into 11 hours each week over 50 weeks. Under this arrangement, some two-year-olds qualify from the start of the term following their second birthday, depending on family financial circumstances; all three- and four-year-olds qualify from the start of the term following their third birthday. Some children qualify for 30-hour funding according to family circumstances. Eligibility codes for the latter require reconfirmation every three months. Additional attendance and food can attract charges; contact the school for current charges.
Applications go directly to the nursery using its application form, returned to 81 Rose Lane, Norwich, NR1 1DJ, or emailed to charlesdarwinnursery@inspirationtrust.org. A waiting list operates, and requested sessions and the required start date affect allocation. Ending a place or reducing regular sessions requires at least four weeks’ notice, or fees covering that notice period.
Children aged 2 to 4 attend, with Little finches for two to three-year-olds and Big finches for three to four-year-olds.
Sessions run Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm for a full day, 8am to 1pm for a morning, and 1pm to 5pm for an afternoon.
It operates across the year, except for bank holidays, four staff-training days and the Christmas-to-New-Year period.
No. A separate local-authority application is required. For September 2027 entry, the closing date is 15 January 2027.
Complete the nursery application form and send it to charlesdarwinnursery@inspirationtrust.org or return it to Charles Darwin Primary, 81 Rose Lane, Norwich, NR1 1DJ.
