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Nursery at Salterford House 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
Box-built castles indoors and a woodland play space outside give Salterford House’s nursery its character. Children can experiment with paint, water and sand, then explore nature or try the climbing equipment. This is a nursery within the school, with uniform and opportunities to spend time alongside older children, so school life becomes familiar early.
Children can start in Kindergarten from age two. The nursery belongs to the school’s early-years department in Calverton, Nottinghamshire. Its classroom is bright and spacious, with a separate EYFS area among the trees: two distinct settings for construction, messy play and physical activity.
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) guides the curriculum. In practical terms, play sits alongside early reading, mathematics and ICT: children build with bricks and boxes, investigate materials and begin developing the skills they will use in later learning. The nursery aims to shape activities around each child’s interests and stage of development.
Outside, wheeled vehicles and climbing equipment add movement to the day, while the wooded setting gives children things to investigate in nature. Indoors, sand, paint and water provide different materials to handle and explore. These are concrete opportunities to make, test and discover.
In November 2024, ISI found that early-years children progressed well through activities matched to their interests and next learning steps. Adults extended learning through exploration and problem-solving. That gives the play a clear purpose: staff use what interests a child to help them tackle something new.
Weekly music lessons begin in Kindergarten. The EYFS department has also welcomed a doctor, local firefighters and an optician, bringing familiar community roles into children’s learning.
In November 2024, each child had a key person who understood them closely and used guidance tailored to their needs to support learning. Before children started, families received information about their key person and the setting, helping the move into nursery feel familiar.
Emotional care has a daily routine too. Children identified their feelings in the morning, and staff responded when they were anxious or unhappy. Adults helped them learn to cooperate, form friendships and take responsibility for classroom tasks. November 2024 findings also confirmed appropriate early-years safeguarding arrangements, staff training and protection for sleeping children.
Food has several options. Apetito supplies hot lunches on a seasonal menu rotating over four weeks; a jacket potato with different fillings is another daily choice. Individual dietary needs are catered for. Breakfast includes toast and cereals, with porridge in colder months, while morning snacks and a light tea for children staying late cover other parts of the day. Parents can discuss progress with staff between the regular parents’ evenings.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families need to apply separately for Reception through the normal admissions process.
Familiarity is a separate benefit. Nursery children spend time with older pupils, and the school aims to use that contact to ease the move into Reception. It helps children get to know school life; it should not be treated as an admissions entitlement.
Morning sessions run from 8am to 1pm, short days from 8am to 4pm and long days from 8am to 6pm. These give families a choice between a morning and two longer patterns. Ad hoc hours are also charged separately.
The school offers funded sessions covering the first 15 hours and has a number of 30-hour places. It states that all parents qualify for 15 funded hours in Kindergarten once their child turns two, with funding ending when the child attends Pre Prep full time. Breakfast and lunch carry additional charges; snacks are free. Nappies can be supplied for a charge or brought from home. Contact the school for current charges.
Children wear school uniform. Enquiries go directly to the school on 0115 9652127 or office@salterfordhouse.co.uk, and families can request a tour using the visit booking form.
The wooded EYFS area has climbing equipment and wheeled vehicles, alongside space to explore nature.
Morning sessions run from 8am to 1pm, short days from 8am to 4pm and long days from 8am to 6pm.
Hot lunches come from Apetito, with a daily jacket potato alternative. Breakfast, morning snacks and a light tea for children staying late are also offered. Individual dietary needs are catered for.
No. Families need a separate Reception application; nursery attendance does not guarantee admission.
Complete the school’s visit booking form to request a tour. For direct enquiries, call 0115 9652127 or email office@salterfordhouse.co.uk.
