Business Details
Your Child's Home Away from Home in Derby
At Little Scholars Nursery, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing environment where every child feels loved, safe, and inspired to explore. Established to offer a warm, family-like atmosphere, our setting prioritises individual attention through a team of experienced early years professionals. Our approach combines play-based learning with structured activities, ensuring children develop confidence and curiosity from their first day. Recognised by Ofsted as 'Good' in our September 2025 inspection, we maintain high standards in care and education, reflected in our commitment to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.We work closely with families to support smooth transitions, offering flexible session options and tailored next steps for each child's development. Our inclusive philosophy extends to children with special educational needs, supported by a dedicated SENCo and collaboration with external agencies. Freshly prepared meals by our on-site chef ensure children experience diverse, healthy flavours daily. With sessions available for 2, 3, and 4-year-old funded places, we aim to make quality childcare accessible while maintaining a home-away-from-home environment that families in Derby trust.
Services
Full Day Sessions
Morning Sessions
Afternoon Sessions
2-Year-Old Funding
4-Year-Old Funding
Highlights and features
- We offer individual attention from experienced early years professionals
- Our Ofsted 'Good' rating reflects our commitment to quality care and education
- Freshly prepared meals ensure children experience diverse, healthy flavours daily
- Flexible session options accommodate family needs, including funded places
- We provide tailored support for children with special educational needs
Associations and certifications
- Ofsted
What people say
Incredible staff
Loved every day
Sad to leave
Amazing menus
Always updated
Services
Full Day Childcare
Our full-day sessions provide continuous care from 7:45 AM to 6:00 PM, offering structured learning activities and free play. Children engage in curriculum-aligned experiences while receiving individual attention. Freshly prepared meals and snacks ensure nutritional needs are met throughout the day.
Early Years Education
Following the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, we deliver play-based education focusing on prime and specific learning areas. Individualised next steps help children develop communication, physical skills, and school readiness through interactive, child-led activities.
Funded Sessions
We offer eligible families 2, 3, and 4-year-old funding options with flexible usage patterns. Funding can be applied to stretched sessions across the year or combined with additional paid hours to suit working parents' schedules.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our dedicated SENCo implements the SEND Code of Practice, working closely with families and external agencies. Individualised support plans ensure children with additional needs receive tailored care and developmental opportunities within our inclusive setting.
Settling-In Programme
We facilitate smooth transitions through parent consultations and gradual introduction sessions. Families receive personalised guidance to help children adapt comfortably to nursery routines and build relationships with key staff members.
People
Tara
Deputy Manager
With extensive early years experience, Tara ensures high-quality care across our setting. She specialises in creating nurturing environments that support children's emotional development and independence through respectful care practices.
Charlotte
Deputy Manager
Charlotte brings specialist knowledge in early childhood education, focusing on curriculum implementation and staff development. Her approach prioritises individual learning styles while maintaining strong partnerships with families.
Lucy
Senior Practitioner
As a Level 3 practitioner, Lucy delivers expert care across all age groups. She excels in creating engaging learning environments that balance structured activities with child-led exploration and discovery.
Alex
Chef
Our dedicated chef prepares nutritious meals daily, introducing children to diverse flavours through balanced, age-appropriate recipes. Alex works closely with staff to accommodate dietary requirements while making mealtimes enjoyable learning experiences.
Questions
What age groups do you cater for?
We welcome children from 0 to 5 years across our Bouncing Bunnies (0-2), Little Ducklings (2-3), and Excellent Elephants (3-5) rooms.
How do you support children's learning?
We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum with individualised next steps, combining structured activities and free play to develop all seven learning areas.
Are meals included in the fees?
Yes, our on-site chef prepares fresh meals and snacks daily, offering balanced nutrition with options to accommodate dietary requirements.
Can I use government childcare funding?
We accept 2, 3, and 4-year-old funding with flexible usage options, including stretched funding across the year and wrap-around care arrangements.
How do you help children settle in?
We offer parent consultations, keyperson introductions, and gradual settling-in sessions to ensure each child adapts comfortably to our nursery environment.
Do you support children with additional needs?
Our inclusive setting includes a dedicated SENCo, individualised support plans, and collaboration with external agencies to meet each child's specific requirements.
Reviews (6)
Simone Handsley
Jun 25, 2021
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This nursery well all I can say is wow!! Signed my little man up to here for his 15 hours a week free child care, he started during covid in April so parents were not allowed in on his first day. However thanks to the amazing staff they made my son feel welcome, safe, happy and excited all of which I saw. Tina and Shannon are in my sons room and they are both fabulous, I would wish for anyone else to take care of him these 2 ladies are brilliant. Since being at little scholars my son has come on so much. Everything including his language skills, his confidence and his ability to do just things
Andrew Beattie
Jan 03, 2019
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Our son goes to this nursery and the staff are incredible! We love the use of the Tapestry app, so that we can share in what he has been doing whilst there!
Fiona Ellis
Jan 26, 2018
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Such a lovely nursery
The progress my niece Molly has made since she started is incredible. She looks forward to going every day and doesnt want to leave at the end of the day!! The staff are so lovely and you can tell they all love their jobs.
Cant recommend this place enough
The progress my niece Molly has made since she started is incredible. She looks forward to going every day and doesnt want to leave at the end of the day!! The staff are so lovely and you can tell they all love their jobs.
Cant recommend this place enough
Lee Ellis
Nov 26, 2017
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Great nursery. The staff are wonderful with the children and so encouraging with them . My niece now eats food she would never have tried at home and loves showing us what she has learnt whilst at nursery.
X. St
Nov 17, 2017
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My daughter has attended this nursery since the summer, and has loved every single second of it. All the staff are brilliant especially Lucy, reenie always asks for Lucy which makes me feel so comfortable to know that their is someone who she likes to go to. The staff are always honest and easy to talk with and always tell you about your child's day.. the only thing I will say is the tapestry should be more quicker and should tell you what the child has eaten ext so you can check on it yourself.. but other than that, everything is absolutely amazing and my little girl loves it and the food
Kirsty Dee
Aug 31, 2017
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I was so nervous sending my little girl to Nursery but ever since being here shes made me and her dad so proud and we have all of the girls there to thank for that. My little girl has learnt new songs, count to 20 and her ABCs by the age of 3 years old and its all down to this amazing Nursery. They have encouraged her to eat different foods which was a worry to me and always let me no what she has and hasnt ate when i pick her up which is a good help. The girls are amazing and are very aproachable to me and my daughter! Id recommend this Nursery to anybody!!!
