Welcome to the CAN Schools Federation. We are two well-established, teacher-led nursery schools supporting children and families in Derby.
How do I register my child for nursery?
You can register your child for either nursery by phoning the school. Or you can download a registration form and return it to the nursery you want your child to attend.
Click here to visit the admissions page and access the registration forms.
All children and their parents will be invited to make an appointment to visit their chosen nursery. We feel it is important for you to meet us and for us to meet you and your child. You will have the opportunity to ask lots of questions and you and your child will get to see the nursery and meet the staff.
What are your opening times?
We are open from 8.00 am (drop off from 7.30 am) to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday, 47 1/2 weeks of the year.
For more information on our session times and charges click here to visit our Admission page.
We offer a flexible range of start times and finish times to allow you to use your funding to suit you.
The times you offer aren't quite what I want, can I drop off and pick up at any time?
Our session start and finish times are fixed. Funding allocation and charges will be calculated based on the whole session that your child is booked in for. Sessions are planned to give your child the maximum opportunities to access the range of activities that make up the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. We encourage you to stick to the session times.
We understand that there are situations when you need to drop your child off late, or pick up early. Please let us know in advance if this applies to you.
Do you have a curriculum? What kind of activities do you provide?
Our Enquiry Based Learning approach means that we have a curriculum based on allowing the children's interests and theories to direct the direction for learning together. This means our basis for working with children is highly reflective and is underpinned by the joy of learning together within our beautiful nursery grounds and beyond. We incorporate the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum into our work to ensure their learning covers all areas of development.
Will my child go on outings?
Outings and visits to places of interest such as parks, museums, religious buildings and local businesses linked to the children's learning are regularly arranged and often form a key part of their projects.
Do you cook your own food?
Yes, all our healthy meals are freshly homemade using seasonal, locally sourced, high quality ingredients. We keep processed food to an absolute minimum and encourage the children to join in with growing, harvesting and cooking their own fruit and vegetables too.
What if I am late?
Please let us know as soon as possible by telephone or email. There is a link to report absence on each school's website.
If your child is late being dropped off for a morning or day session we will need to know whether to order a meal for them. Please let us know by 9.15 am
If your child does not arrive for a session that they are booked in to then we will phone you and all the named adults on your child's admission form. In some circumstances there may also be the need to contact social services or the police.
If you are late collecting your child at the end of a session then there will be a late charge applied in line with our latest charging policy.
How often will my child go outside?
Both our nurseries are inside-out with free-flow gardens leading from open doors in all of our nursery rooms, so your child will be able to choose to play inside and outside as often as they like, all day long. All areas are fully staffed and we provide suitable clothing whatever the weather.
Will my child be able to sleep during the day?
Many children, particularly under the age of 3 years, will require a sleep during the day. Our nurseries have ample sleeping facilities and children are offered a rest period during the day. We will try and encourage your child's natural routine. We are happy to offer your child a sleep time but we cannot make children sleep. Children who do not sleep will be provided with other restful activities.
How will I know how my child is doing?
All children's progress is monitored through Tapestry (our online learning journey) which you will have secure access to. All observation made at nursery will be sent to you. Tapestry also gives parents the opportunity to share things from home with the nursery staff.
Each term you will also be offered a parents meeting to come and talk about your child's learning. We also have detailed handovers every day and you are always welcome to come and find out more.
Throughout the year we plan a number of parent weeks and special days/events which parents and other family members are encouraged to attend, these include baking week, School readiness evenings and our Big Breakfast.
How will my child be prepared and supported to transfer to a new setting/school?
We offer support from the moment you are required to choose a school for your child. We can visit schools with you if required, support with filling in an application or just have a chat about the process.
Once a school has been allocated, we will make contact with them to start the handover of information. We will meet with your child's new school to pass on information about their interests, learning style, as well as their progress and attainment. All schools are encouraged to visit the children in our setting and parents are encouraged to take the children to their new school too.
Alongside this work, we also run School Readiness meetings for parents/carers to attend which will support parents in getting information in a timely manner as well as offering an opportunity to discuss any worries.