There are five maintained nursery schools (MNS) across Derby city offering high-quality early education and childcare to many families.

• Whitecross Nursery School
• Central Nursery School
• Ashgate Nursery School
• Lord Street Nursery School 
• Harrington Nursery School

The five nursery schools work closely together collaboratively for the benefit of many children across the city. 

Maintained nursery schools offer:

• Focus on Early Years:

  While legally schools, they are primarily focused on providing early education and childcare, often serving disadvantaged children in deprived areas. 

• Role in the Community:

  MNS can play a wider role in the community, acting as centres of excellence and leading in areas like outdoor learning and SEND support. 

• Inspection:

  They are inspected by Ofsted in the same way as primary and secondary schools. 

• Local Authority Funded:

  MNS are funded and controlled by the local authority, similar to other maintained schools. 

• School Structure:

  They have a Headteacher, a governing body, and they are staffed by qualified teachers, including a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).