Whitwell Primary School Nursery

Dough, puddles and conversation give Whitwell’s nursery its character: practical play with a clear purpose. Its dedicated outdoor area overlooks the school’s large grounds, giving outdoor learning a space of its own. This is Foundation Stage One within Whitwell Primary School, with 52 nursery places overall and room for 26 children in each morning or afternoon session.

Children can start from the term following their third birthday, subject to a place being available. At the December 2023 Ofsted inspection, early years provision was judged Outstanding. That judgement covers the school’s early years provision, rather than a separately inspected nursery.

Play combines activities organised by adults with ideas children choose themselves. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework, with nursery teaching concentrating on movement, communication and children’s social and emotional development. In parent terms, learning to talk, manage feelings and use their bodies forms the foundation for later learning.

Activities extend between the classroom and outdoor learning areas. Children help shape topics around their interests, and small group work introduces ideas and develops skills each day. Learning is planned so children can try something new, practise it and return to it. Maths begins through activities woven into the nursery curriculum.

Early reading starts with exploring images and sounds and the connections between them. Speech and language activities build nursery children’s vocabulary, giving conversation an educational purpose as well as a social one.

In December 2023, adults supported learning through small steps and purposeful exchanges with children. Making dough and puddle play were examples of experiences developing curiosity, sociability and resilience. Established routines gave that exploration a predictable structure. The emphasis was on personal and emotional development alongside learning through play.

Tapestry connects home and nursery through an online learning journal. Parents can see their child’s learning, comment on it and contribute experiences from home. This gives families a way to join the conversation about what interests their child. School parent consultations take place in the autumn and spring, with appointments also possible at other times to discuss learning.

Nursery children receive milk free of charge and a piece of fruit or vegetable on each school day. School meals are prepared on site by Derbyshire’s local authority meals service. These are useful distinctions for families considering the full time session.

For children with additional needs, the school’s approach starts with early intervention and discussion with parents. Support is selected around the individual child’s needs, with the SEND coordinator overseeing this work and helping families. The focus is on identifying difficulties and choosing appropriate support.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. Families must make a separate application through Derbyshire County Council’s coordinated school admissions process.

For the September 2026 intake, the deadline was 15 January 2026, with applications made through the Derbyshire Council website. That deadline has passed. Keep the nursery place and the Reception application as separate decisions.

Three session patterns are listed: mornings run from 8:40am to 11:40am, afternoons from 12:20pm to 3:20pm, and the full time session from 8:40am to 2:40pm. The longer option finishes before the afternoon session, a difference that matters when planning collection.

Nursery applications go directly to the school. Its Forms page includes both the Nursery Application Form and the Early Years FE1 Form for Nursery Funding, which new starters are asked to complete. Visits can be arranged before applying. Contact the school office on 01909 720251 or email info@whitwell.derbyshire.sch.uk for nursery enquiries.