Elmsleigh Infant & Nursery School Nursery Review

Stories, rhymes and poems give Elmsleigh’s nursery its clearest character: children enjoyed listening to all three in October 2024. This is the school’s own nursery on Queens Drive in Swadlincote, with morning, afternoon and full-time attendance options.

Children may join from their third birthday, subject to space. There are also 4 part-time nursery places for children with formal diagnostic and assessment needs. Ofsted judged the school’s early years provision Good at the inspection on 22 and 23 October 2024; that judgement covers early years within the school, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Listening comes before formal reading here. In October 2024, nursery children enjoyed stories alongside verse and rhymes, giving families a concrete picture of their early encounters with books. Expectations for behaviour also begin in Nursery, so learning classroom routines starts early.

Elmsleigh aims to develop communication, independence and the ability to manage emotions. Its curriculum pathways can change as a child’s learning needs change, rather than fixing children permanently into one route.

For sensory learners in the Enhanced Resource base, the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum centres on sensory exploration. The base has a dedicated sensory room, an outdoor learning space and a separate secure play area. These are specialist provision features, with learning matched to developmental stage. In October 2024, school-wide improvement priorities included correcting misunderstandings sooner and broadening experiences through which pupils could discover interests and talents.

Support starts with a conversation. Parents with concerns about special educational needs can request a SENCO meeting during their tour, allowing needs to be discussed before choosing the nursery. Across the school, the SENCO coordinates provision with families, staff and outside professionals.

The school’s SEND approach uses a repeating cycle: understand the need, plan support, put it into practice and review the response. Possible adaptations include visual timetables, extra time to process information and smaller teaching groups. Speech and language therapists and occupational therapists can be involved when needed. This makes support a plan that can change with the child.

Physical access includes ramps and adapted toilets across the school. For wider family difficulties, the pastoral team offers an Early Help discussion and can help identify support. Parents can contact that team through the school office.

Nursery attendance neither guarantees a Reception place nor gives admission priority. Families must make a separate application through their home local authority’s normal admissions process; for Derbyshire families, the route is Derbyshire County Council. Treat this as a separate decision, even when your child already attends Elmsleigh.

For pupils with SEN moving between year groups, preparation may include additional visits, transition booklets and lessons with the incoming teacher near the end of the summer term. These arrangements help prepare children for change; they do not alter admission rights.

Monday to Friday sessions run from 8:45am to 11:45am for mornings, 12:15pm to 3:15pm for afternoons, and 8:45am to 3:15pm for full-time attendance. The choice lets families compare a shorter session with the longer nursery day.

Government-funded hours can begin in the term following a child’s third birthday, subject to the applicable eligibility and funding rules. A paid place transfers to funded hours from the relevant funding start date when the child becomes eligible. Contact the school for current charges.

Use the nursery application form to request a place; the school then confirms availability or adds the child to its waiting list. Families can register interest in a tour and receive a staff response. General enquiries go to 01283 216883 or enquiries@elmsleighinfantschool.co.uk.