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Nursery at St Joseph's 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 If you spot anything outdated or inaccurate, please let us know.
A light-up ball pool for babies, an Atelier for toddlers and baking for older children give St Joseph's nursery distinct stages within the same school. Care starts from 9 months, with provision extending to age 4 at the school's Derby Road address in Nottingham. Rainbow Room, Sunflower Room and Pre-Prep Class organise the day around different ages and interests.
In February 2026, the registered nursery had 85 places and 47 children on roll. Those are nursery figures, rather than the capacity of the whole school. The practical attraction is care across 51 weeks, alongside the familiarity of a school setting.
Rainbow Room serves children from 10 months to 2 years. Stories and music feature daily, while a book corner, mark-making station and soft play give children different ways to explore. Its attached playground has mini climbing frames and a mud kitchen, bringing movement and messy play close to the room.
For ages 2-3, Sunflower Room divides its space between imaginative play and creative exploration. A home corner and small-world resources support play alongside other children; the cosy nook offers somewhere quieter for books. The Atelier provides a separate space for experimenting with materials. The Reggio approach informs play with natural materials here, while Marte Meo uses filmed adult-child interactions to identify ways to support development.
Pre-Prep Class, for ages 3-4, combines construction, small-world play, a home corner and sand or water activities with outdoor access. Its routine includes library time, music circles, apparatus and baking. The early years foundation stage (EYFS) spans physical, social and language development alongside literacy, maths, creativity and understanding the world: learning is broader than preparation for reading and sums.
The nursery's ISI inspection of 10 to 11 February 2026 found safeguarding met, with inclusion, curriculum and teaching, achievement, behaviour and routines, welfare and wellbeing, and leadership and governance all needing attention. Younger children developed language through songs, books and responsive conversation. Older children's experiences were less consistent: lengthy adult-directed activities restricted independent play, and planning did not reliably build on individual development. Some older children lacked preparation for their next learning stage. Emotional support was uneven too: strategies for managing feelings were inconsistently used, and expectations poorly matched to children's readiness could hinder behaviour and engagement. Assessment and the organisation of purposeful play required action. Leadership monitoring failed to pick up weaknesses in teaching across rooms and inconsistent SEND support, or evaluate how funding benefited children's outcomes. The differences between age groups matter when assessing provision for your child.
Children in Rainbow Room and Pre-Prep have an allocated key worker who tracks development. Babies have individual mini beds in a quiet part of their room, and baby-room staff have safe-sleep training. In February 2026, sleep checks and responsive comfort supported younger children, while daily handovers and online communication kept parents involved.
Support for special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) involves parents, external professionals and individual plans. Its delivery was uneven in February 2026: toddler-room support matched children's needs, but agreed strategies were inconsistently used in Pre-Prep. Changes of supporting adult could also make attachments harder to establish.
Safety and consistency. In February 2026, environmental risk management and food preparation to prevent choking did not meet EYFS requirements. The simultaneous school inspection also identified early-years supervision failures at morning classroom arrival and incomplete recruitment checks. These findings warrant close attention when assessing care. Staff working in early years had paediatric first-aid qualifications.
Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate Reception application through the normal admissions process.
During term time, Pre-Prep children have access to the Reception classroom and its teacher, including small-group maths and phonics activities. That offers familiarity with the next stage for children who subsequently join the school; it does not secure admission.
Full days run from 8am to 6pm, mornings from 8am to 1pm, and afternoons from 1pm to 6pm. Full-time, individual-day and hourly charging options are offered. Lunch is included with full days and mornings; afternoon sessions include tea. The nursery operates for 51 weeks, with Monday-to-Friday opening and bank-holiday closures recorded in February 2026.
Eligible working families may access 15-30 funded hours per week. An eligibility code, national insurance number and proof of the child's age are required when applying for a space. Ask the school for current charges. Collection must be before the nursery closes at 6pm; later collection attracts an additional charge.
Pre-Prep children wear summer and winter uniform. Visits can be arranged through the nursery enrolment form, making it possible to discuss the session pattern before booking.
Care begins at 9 months and extends to age 4. Rainbow Room covers 10 months to 2 years, Sunflower Room ages 2-3, and Pre-Prep ages 3-4.
Full days are 8am to 6pm, mornings 8am to 1pm, and afternoons 1pm to 6pm. Hourly charging is also offered.
Full-day and morning sessions include lunch; afternoon sessions include tea. In February 2026, safer food preparation required action to address choking risks.
No. Reception requires a separate application. Classroom access and shared learning activities support transition but do not secure a place.
Complete the nursery enrolment form with your contact details, your child's age and your preferred visit time.
