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Children 1st @ Chesterfield

Ofsted: Good
(May 2022)
·
5.0(7 parent reviews) ·Dryhurst House, Royal Hospital, Chesterfield, S44 5BL · Derbyshire
Number of places
73 places
Age range
0–4 yrs
Last inspected
May 2022
Local authority
Derbyshire

About this day nursery

Children 1st @ Chesterfield is a renowned nursery located at Dryhurst House, Calow, Chesterfield, S44 5BL, catering to children aged 4 months to 5 years. The nursery prides itself on offering a warm, home-from-home environment within a Grade II listed building, providing nature-inspired learning experiences.

Their outdoor spaces are thoughtfully designed with a teepee, vegetable patch, sensory garden, and apple trees to encourage exploration through all seasons. Inside, learning spaces are tailored to babies, toddlers, and preschoolers, featuring inviting environments and natural resources.

The nursery emphasises a "whole child approach," aiming to support every child's unique developmental journey. They foster a close-knit, nurturing atmosphere and strong relationships with families, offering settling-in sessions to ensure a smooth transition for children.

Updates on a child's progress, including daily activities, routines, and meals, are shared through daily chats, learning journals, and parents' evenings. The nursery also makes it easy for parents to manage finances by invoicing monthly and offers sibling and full-time attendance discounts.

Their comprehensive fees include infant formula, milk, home-cooked meals and snacks, health and hygiene consumables like nappies, cream, wipes, and sun cream, along with extracurricular activities such as yoga, community trips, cookery, and Forest School. Katie Macnamara, the Nursery Manager since 2018, leads an experienced team dedicated to providing exceptional care and education, fostering a welcoming family atmosphere.

Our ethos

We believe that parents who get involved in their child’s early years education truly enhance it, so we work closely with you to develop a meaningful and communicative partnership.

What it's like

Children of all ages spend a large amount of time playing outdoors and are closely supervised as they use large play equipment. Children are creative and use their imaginations as they play together in the mud kitchen, working together to make "mud cookies". Singing can be heard throughout the nursery, and staff encourage children to develop a love of books.

Nature-inspired learningHome-from-home environmentTailored learning spacesWhole-child approachAll-inclusive fees

Pricing & funding

Funding accepted

15 hours — working parents (9 months–2 yrs)15 hours — eligible 2-year-olds15 hours — universal (3–4 yrs)30 hours — working parents (3–4 yrs)
Pricing on request

This nursery doesn't publish its fees online. Contact them directly for an up-to-date price list and availability.

Key facts

Opening hours

Business Days: 8 am - 6 pm; Mornings: 8 am - 1 pm; Afternoons: 1 pm - 6 pm; Nursery days: 8 am - 5 pm; School days: 9 am - 3 pm

Age range

4 months to 5 years

Term time / All Year

All Year

Ofsted Inspection

Ofsted rating

Last inspected 5 May 2022

Safeguarding effective
Overall effectiveness
Good
Quality of education
Good
Behaviour and attitudes
Good
Personal development
Good
Leadership and management
Good

What it's like to attend

Children of all ages spend a large amount of time playing outdoors and are closely supervised as they use large play equipment. Children are creative and use their imaginations as they play together in the mud kitchen, working together to make "mud cookies". Singing can be heard throughout the nursery, and staff encourage children to develop a love of books.

Inspector highlights

  • All staff receive good support to continually develop their professional knowledge and skills.
  • Staff promptly recognise the signs that children may need additional help or support.
  • Parents are well informed about the time their child spends at the nursery and how their child is developing.
  • The manager and staff structure the curriculum to support and build on what children know and can do, with an emphasis on children's personal, social and emotional development.
  • Staff provide activities to give children the opportunity to take part in experiences beyond those that they often have at home.

Areas to develop

  • 1ensure staff provide accurate information in response to children's questions
  • 2support staff to deliver the curriculum for mathematics effectively, to enhance children's understanding of number, shape and measure.
Inspection #10216751 · Source: OfstedView full Ofsted report

What parents say

Verbatim quotes recorded in the Ofsted inspection

Parents comment that they are well informed about the time their child spends at the nursery and how their child is developing.

Parents comment that their children are happy at the nursery.

They value the care given to their children by the attentive staff.

Inclusion & environment

How they support every child

SEND provision

Staff promptly recognise the signs that children may need additional help or support. They work alongside parents and other professionals, where gaps in children's learning are identified, to implement targeted support to help children make the best possible progress.

Outdoor space

Children of all ages spend a large amount of time playing outdoors. Staff closely supervise children as they use large play equipment. Babies have their own garden space where they can safely crawl and walk, and staff wrap babies up warmly and gently settle them to sleep in prams outside.

Parent Reviews

5.0
(7)
Melissa Clay
2 months ago

Since my son started at children 1st Chesterfield nursery he is thriving. His development has come along leaps & bounds at 21 months old. The nursery/school setting is absaloutly fantastic. As soon as I went to view the nursery for my son you feel a sense of warmth, safety and you feel relaxed and put at ease. All the staff that work there are amazing they go above and beyond every day. You are kept upto date through your childs app on their learning and development also with toileting and meals. Staff also give you feedback when you collect your child. The garden area is set out fantastic into different sections and everything is all secure . I would absaloutly recommend this nursery and all the staff can't do enough for you and your child.

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Dan Haywood
3 months ago

My daughter started at this nursery in January 2026, after some successful breaking in days. It is evident that the staff really truly care about the children who they are looking after. Our daughter adapted very quickly and the care and attention which is shown to her is magnificent. All the staff are very welcoming and friendly, always with a smile on their face and happy to see you. More importantly, they love seeing the kids. They build strong rapport with the children. Know what they like and dislike. I'm extremely be happy and confident, leaving my daughter in the capable care of the staff at children first.It is hard to put into words how much the staff really care about everyone. The biggest compliment and better than any review than can be written is seeing the smile on your child's face when you drop them off for another day at nursery. Furthermore, the staff are committed to developing developing your child and getting the best out of them. Thank you all so much :)

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Philly Eyre
2 months ago

We are very happy with the care our son has received over the past year at this nursery. The staff are kind, attentive, and have created a warm and nurturing environment where he feels safe and happy. It’s been wonderful to see how much he has grown in confidence and development during his time here. We truly appreciate the dedication and support from the whole team.

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Andrea
3 months ago

In my opinion this is the best nursery in Chesterfield. The team is lovely, they know all the children by name, they always greet us with a smile, they have a doors open policy so you can always get there to pickup your child at any time. The garden is huge and beautiful and all the teachers do their best to keep our little ones active. Thank you everyone for all your hard work.

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Molly Gallagher
3 months ago

Our daughter has had the most wonderful start at Children's 1st Chesterfield Nursery, and she always looks forward to going in the morning! We can't thank the nursery staff enough for all the effort they put into the activities and experiences for the kids to enjoy, and all the care they provide.

Read on Google

Reviews from Google for Children 1st @ Chesterfield. See all on Google Maps

Inspection history

Date: March 2012

  • May 2022Good
  • March 2018Outstanding
  • August 2013Outstanding
  • October 2012Outstanding
  • March 2012Outstanding

Frequently asked about Children 1st @ Chesterfield

About the setting

Children 1st @ Chesterfield registered in 2000. It employs 16 members of childcare staff, 13 of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, from 7am until 6.30pm and provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

URN
206321
Registered person
Breedon House Nurseries Limited
Day care type
Full day care
Register
Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register
Establishment type
Childcare on non-domestic premises
Previous rating
Outstanding

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This listing has been compiled from official Ofsted records, the nursery's own website, details provided directly by the nursery where available, and other trusted public sources. We regularly review and update listings to keep the information as accurate as possible. Learn more