Students Who are Parents

Day nurseries provide care and a space to play and learn in groups for children under 5, though some nurseries cater for slightly older children. Day nurseries are open all day but not evenings or weekends. OFSTED registration is compulsory and all nurseries must be registered with their local authority. They are inspected by OFSTED (the Office for Standards in Education) every three to four years.

• You can find inspection reports for individual nurseries on the OFSTED website
• Find Nurseries in the Derby area using the Derby City Council nursery finder

• Child minders ‐ self‐employed child carers who are Ofsted registered. They will look after your child in their own home. Age restrictions and opening hours can vary and should be checked with the individual child minder.
• Playgroups ‐ sessional play work, usually of about three hours duration, catering for children of ages 2 to 5. Again, Ofsted registration is compulsory.
• Nursery classes/pre‐school ‐ sessional or all day care for pre‐school children. These facilities are usually open during school hours, but in term time only. Ofsted registration is compulsory.
• Crèches ‐ occasional care for children under 8 years. Ofsted registration is compulsory.
• Out of school clubs ‐ play and care for school age children before and/or after school hours. Ofsted registration is compulsory if catering for children under 8 years.
• Babysitters ‐ care for your child in your own home. Flexible hours are usually available. Babysitters are not legally required to have qualifications, training, Criminal Records. Bureau checks or Ofsted registration. Parents or carers are responsible for checking all claimed registrations and references.

Applications made prior to arrival in Derby will be accepted but most schools allocate places based on the distance between the school and the home address.

A local address needs to be secured before an application will be processed. Home addresses must be verified by a document such as a council tax bill or tenancy agreement. Submit the application in advance with an explanation that you will be moving into the area. Confirm your local address to the School Admissions Team as soon as possible on arrival.

In addition to the guidelines above, international parents or carers should note that allocation to year groups is automatically based upon age rather than prior learning.

Some schools may wish to assess children from abroad who have been following a different educational curriculum and syllabus. At secondary level this may result in children needing to enter lower year groups in some subjects in order to avoid being disadvantaged.

Most parents choose a school for their child within walking distance of their home.

The walking distance is given in law as: two miles for children under eight years old, three miles for children aged eight and over. However, if your child is eligible for Free School Meals, or you are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit, the walking distance will remain at two miles until your child moves to Secondary School. Proof of these benefits will be required. In these instances the Council may provide you with a free bus pass or refund the cost of transporting your child to school

If your child is attending school full-time, but has no school within walking distance of your home which we can arrange for them to attend, the Council help with transport to the nearest suitable school, excluding nursery schools. They will give this help up to the end of compulsory school age - this is the end of the school year in which your child reaches the age of 16.