Age range
0-5 years
The Cottage Private Day Nursery, established in 1990 by Debbie Bull, is a family-run childcare provider with three nurseries in Derby, Mickleover, and Heanor. They aim to provide outstanding childcare for children aged 0-5 years in a warm and stimulating environment.
The nurseries cater to babies, toddlers, and preschool-aged children. The website provides information about their childcare offerings, timetables, fees, funding options, and a gallery.
They also share news and highlights from their various locations, keeping parents informed about the activities and events taking place. The nursery actively engages with its community by sharing updates and inviting inquiries.
What it's like
Children form strong, positive relationships with staff who get to know them well and incorporate their interests into play, such as introducing dinosaurs to extend learning with new vocabulary. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. Staff support children's understanding of emotions, hygiene, and independence.
Fees are structured by location, offering full day, morning, and afternoon sessions, alongside an hourly rate for additional care. Rates differ between the Derby and Mickleover branch and the Heanor branch.
Age range
0-5 years
Term time / All Year
All Year
Last inspected 20 August 2025 · Amy Johnson
What it's like to attend
Children form strong, positive relationships with staff who get to know them well and incorporate their interests into play, such as introducing dinosaurs to extend learning with new vocabulary. All children, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, make good progress from their starting points. Staff support children's understanding of emotions, hygiene, and independence.
Inspector highlights
Areas to develop
Inclusion & environment
All children, including those children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), make good progress from their starting points. Leaders and staff identify gaps in children's learning and put in place early support, making timely referrals to outside agencies. Children with SEND have targeted plans for their learning that incorporate advice received from outside agencies, and staff put in place effective support, such as adapting their questioning based on their targets. Staff attend targeted courses to support children with SEND, helping to improve their teaching skills and practice for these children.
The inspector observed the quality of education being provided, indoors and outdoors, and assessed the impact that this was having on children's learning. Staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to develop their physical skills, including learning to balance and jump off stepping stones, and strengthening large muscles by copying staff demonstrating how to "jump like a frog".
Our daughter started attending The Cottage in Mickleover at 16 months old and she has grown so much in terms of her confidence, her social development and with her learning. For two years, she learned so many things, gained new friends and has developed into a sweet, kind and fun little girl and a huge part of that is down to Jodie and the team at The Cottage. A fantastic group of staff who are so caring, attentive and provided a safe, happy environment for our daughter. We can only say a HUGE thank you for everything you have done!
Read on GoogleBoth of our children attended The Cottage in Mickleover and we could not recommend it highly enough. It’s a very nurturing environment where you can feel confident that your children are in safe hands and are having a fun packed day. The menu is excellent and our children would regularly have seconds at meal times, especially ‘super duper jammy toast’! We were sad when our children left to go to school but we know that their time at The Cottage has really helped to prepare them for that transition.
Read on GoogleMy daughter was at the preschool here for the best part of two years (Sept -19 to July -21). Having spent a year in another nursery setting prior, that I had no qualms with, but once she started at The Cottage it really highlighted to me what an exceptional and special place this really is. EVERY member of staff cares about the children and they put so much effort, time, care and attention into their wellbeing and development. Every day she would go in with a smile on her face excited about what they would be doing and equally every day came out excited to tell me about her day. We are so sad that the time has come for her to leave for big school, but are equally comforted by the way she has been looked after and know everything The Cottage has done has helped her be ready for this next milestone. We miss you all already.
Read on GoogleExcellent Pre-School! Our son thoroughly enjoyed his year of Pre School at the cottage. I was nervous about moving him from a childminder to nursery but I need not have been. The team are supportive, friendly and personable and quickly formed a bond with him. The activities are varied and exciting. Joey often stuns us with the knowledge he has gathered at pre school - for instance 'bees have two tummies!' He loved going everyday and I loved hearing about his daily experiences! I can not recommend this setting enough. 5*
Read on GoogleAn amazing nursery , that go the extra mile at all times , the management and staff offer a warm and welcoming environment that made choosing to go back to work full time an easy decision ,knowing my daughter was cared for and having fun everyday . The standards they adhere to at all times is exceptional as well as offering the most amazing facilities for the children . Thank you to all at the Cottage , me and Ava will miss you all .
Read on GoogleReviews from Google for The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road). See all on Google Maps
Date: August 2011
The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road) registered in 2002 and is located in Mickleover, Derby. The nursery opens from Monday to Friday, all year round, with sessions from 7.30am until 6pm. The nursery provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children, and employs 27 members of staff, all of whom hold appropriate early years qualifications at level 2 and above. The pre-school coordinator has a Master's degree in childhood studies and the manager holds early years professional status.
Other Ofsted-registered day nurseries close to The Cottage Private Day Nursery (Uttoxeter Road).
Derby · DE3 9AJ
Derby · DE3 9FN
Derby · DE23 4BX
Derby · DE23 3EY
Derby · DE23 3TZ
Derby · DE3 0DJ
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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