Aldercar Infant School Nursery Review

A woodland learning area and a toy puppy linking home with nursery give Aldercar’s early years a distinctive shape: practical exploration alongside help with those first separations. This is the school’s own nursery in Langley Mill, serving children aged 2 to 4 across two nursery classes. For the 3 to 4 provision, there are 26 morning places and 26 afternoon places, plus limited availability for longer days.

Super Saplings has a team of teachers, an early years educator and teaching assistants, including ERF support. Ofsted graded the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 1 and 2 October 2024. That judgement covers early years within the school.

Play drives the learning. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) brings together physical development, conversation and social confidence with early literacy, maths, creative work and understanding the world. Indoor and outdoor spaces support exploration, so learning extends beyond sitting with an adult.

Sound work is woven into nursery sessions through Phase One phonics. Children explore rhyme and rhythm, sounds made by voices and instruments, and listening to their surroundings. These activities give early reading preparation a practical, playful form. Weekly Jigsaw sessions also introduce personal, social, health and economic education, with themes including Celebrating differences and Relationships. The school aims to help children recognise feelings and develop their emotional vocabulary.

The on-site woodland area is accessible throughout the year, and all classes can use it. Forest Schools activities include nature crafts, shelter building and bug hunts; sessions begin with boundaries and safety before developing skills. This gives outdoor learning a structure as well as space for exploration. In October 2024, nursery and early years children worked successfully both independently and together, with activities adjusted when children needed additional help.

Settling starts before the first session. Families are usually invited to visit with their child, meet staff and discuss questions. In October 2024, children settled successfully, helped by preparation with families and Hector’s puppy, a small toy dog shared between home and school. A familiar object gives that change a tangible connection.

For children staying through lunch, families can supply a packed lunch or choose a charged hot meal; eligible children receiving Free School Meals have no lunch charge. Nursery staff and Mid Day Supervisors support the lunchtime period. Fresh meals are prepared in the school’s kitchen, and the catering team can work with families on dietary alternatives.

Support for deaf children is a distinctive part of the setting. The Enhanced Resource Facility serves children aged 2 to 7 with significant hearing loss, with a Teacher of the Deaf and specialist teaching assistant providing additional support. Classroom soundfield systems assist listening, while communication can use spoken English, British Sign Language or Sign Supported English according to the child’s needs. Parents can discuss SEND with the SENDCo; Class Dojo and Arbor carry family updates and messages.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application to the local authority, including when their child already attends Aldercar’s nursery. Derbyshire County Council manages the school’s admissions. Treat choosing the nursery and applying for Reception as separate decisions.

Transition support has a different purpose: helping children manage the change. For children with SEND moving between classes, staff share information with the next teacher beforehand, and extra classroom visits are arranged where needed. Familiarity supports the move; it does not secure admission.

The booking patterns are term-time, Monday to Friday. Morning sessions run from 8.45am to 11.45am, with afternoons from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. Eligible children taking 30 funded hours attend from 8.45am to 2.45pm; extending to 3.30pm brings an additional charge. Ask the school for current charges.

All 3 and 4 year olds receive 15 universal funded hours, while 2 year old places depend on funding eligibility. Thirty-hour places for eligible 3 and 4 year olds are limited, and funding codes must be valid before starting; 30-hour codes require reconfirmation every 3 months. Entry is normally the term after the relevant birthday, subject to space.

Nursery uniform is optional. Clothes suitable for messy outdoor play are recommended, and jewellery, including earrings, is prohibited. Enquiries and visits can be arranged on 01773 713428 or at info@aldercar-inf.derbyshire.sch.uk; an online enquiry form is also available.