Darley Dale Primary School

23/07/2026

For our Year 6 parents this morning....

17/07/2026

We are so excited to be opening the doors to our brand new nursery this September!

Our team has been busy getting everything ready, creating a warm, welcoming, and exciting environment to learn, play, explore, and thrive. We can't wait to open our doors and welcome our first families!

Our nursery has its own dedicated building, designed especially for our youngest children, and will be led by a qualified class teacher.

As part of our school community, children will also benefit from becoming familiar with the school environment, helping to make the transition into Reception a happy and confident one when the time comes.

We still have a number of spaces available for September, but places are filling quickly. If you're looking for a caring, friendly nursery where your child can flourish, we'd love to welcome you and show you everything we have to offer.

Keep an eye on our page over the coming weeks as we share sneak peeks of our new nursery and all the exciting things we're preparing!

Get in touch to find out more or to reserve your child's place—we'd love to meet you!

06/05/2026

Darley Dale Primary School to Open New Nursery!

Darley Dale Primary School is set to open its new on-site nursery in September 2026, offering 30 places for children aged 3–4. The nursery will be led by the much-admired early years practitioner and teacher Mrs Gemma Chapman, whose return to the school has been warmly welcomed.

The nursery will make the most of the school’s beautiful grounds, including its woodland area and generous outdoor spaces, creating a calm and engaging environment where children can grow in confidence and curiosity. A smooth transition into Reception is a key feature, with shared routines and familiar staff helping children feel at home from the very beginning.

Headteacher Sarah Hudson says the development marks “a hugely exciting step” for the school, while Gemma looks forward to offering thoughtful, purposeful early years experiences in a setting she knows well.

To enquire about a place, visit the Parents page on the school website and click on Nursery, or contact the school office on 01629 732226 or [email protected]

27/03/2026

We are delighted to announce that applications are now open for places at our new school-based nursery which is opening in September 2026!

If you are looking for a warm, caring, nurturing, safe and fun-filled environment to start your child’s education - where they will truly thrive - we are now accepting applications for children three and over in September 2026 (you can also register interest for younger children too).

At Darley Dale Primary School, we strongly believe that our curriculum should not only be broad and balanced but enhanced using our exceptional outdoor space. We embrace outdoor learning and have well-established Forest School provision, which helps to teach children self-reliance, problem solving and resilience.

Our latest OFSTED report (January 2025) commented: ‘Darley Dale Primary School is a caring and inclusive school where everyone is welcomed. Pupils thrive in a supportive and aspirational environment. The school has high ambitions for pupils’ achievements, including pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)’.

Our new teacher-led school-based nursery is nestled within our wonderful school grounds. Although it is currently being totally refurbished, we would be more than happy to show you round.

To help your children grow and thrive, we offer:
• A teacher-led setting, led by an excellent, experienced EYFS teacher and supported by excellent, experienced nursery staff;
• A light and spacious building with a large, sole-use outdoor space and access to our vast grounds
• Weekly Forest Schools sessions in our expansive grounds;
• School lunches, if required - cooked on site;
• Wraparound Care available;
• The flexibility of half-day or full-day sessions;
• Availability of funded and paid sessions.

If you would like further information, please contact us on 01629 732226 or email [email protected]. The registration form can be accessed using the following link: https://forms.gle/1Td97BvrzuzFdmdw8 or found on our school website: https://www.darleydaleprimary.co.uk/Parents>Nursery.

Please complete this form to request a place for your child at our new Nursery, opening in September 2026. Once we have checked there is a place available for your child, we will contact you to confirm the place. If you have any questions or further queries please email [email protected]...

09/02/2026

Our children have arrived at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield and are currently rehearsing for this evenings performance. Parents, make sure you have your dancing shoes on! 💃🕺

09/01/2026

Please see further message sent on Seesaw from Miss Hudson

Dear Parents,
We have taken the decision to close school today due to the snow. I have been receiving reports and photographs from staff in school and colleagues from local schools from just after 5.00am. and, like us, staff will find it difficult to get in, considering their diverse locations, circumstances and severity of the snow in certain locations. The safety of all our school community is paramount and we do not want anyone to take a risk. We will not officially be setting online learning - we do not get these days often and playing in the snow, building a snowman, sledging are childhood rites and memories that I'm sure we all treasure. Stay safe, have fun together, do 'outdoor learning' and build memories (and if you want to do some schoolwork, children can read, practise spellings, go on TTRS / Numbots).
Take care and see you next week.
Sarah Hudson

09/01/2026

** Important information**
We have made the decision to close school today. A further message will be sent via Seesaw shortly.

08/01/2026

We are delighted to welcome back Michala from Mini Medics for the fourth year running yesterday and today. All the children have taken part, with a progressive curriculum, building on what they learned last year. The children have loved their sessions and Michala, yet again, said our children were a pleasure to teach and a credit to us all.

14/11/2025

Thankyou to those that have completed the google form regarding nursery provision - we have received an overwhelming response! If you still haven't filled out the form, but would like to, there is still time! https://forms.gle/VJc5xniQXHLNhH1J7 The form will close on Monday 17th November.

We are undertaking market research to ascertain the demand for places for pre-school aged children in the locality, with the view to potentially opening a school-based nursery on the school site. We would be most grateful if you would complete the following form:

07/11/2025

***Nursery Provision Proposal***

As you may know, Darley Dale Pre-school closed on Friday 17th October, initially as a temporary closure, becoming permanent on Wednesday 22nd October. This has obviously been a sad and worrying time for all involved and leaves Darley Dale with approximately 30 less places for pre-school / nursery-aged children.

We are undertaking market research (link to Google Form below), based on DCC advice, as to whether it would be viable to extend the school age range to incorporate a nursery.

If you have / know anyone who has young children that may be interested in a nursery place, please could you let them know about the form. From these findings we can determine whether we can proceed with this exciting venture.

We are undertaking market research to ascertain the demand for places for pre-school aged children in the locality, with the view to potentially opening a school-based nursery on the school site. We would be most grateful if you would complete the following form: