Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School

Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Dryhurst House, Calow, Chesterfield S44 5BL
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Top 20 award
10 160 Reviews
  • Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School, Chesterfield
Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is situated close to Chesterfield city centre within a listed building with a fabulous garden. The nursery has been refurbished to offer children from birth to five years a warm, welcoming and stimulating learning environment. Funded places are available for eligible 2, 3 and 4-year-olds.

The nursery features age-appropriate rooms and a large outdoor garden with outdoor classrooms, a mud kitchen, a fort and a woodland area, which offers the children a chance to explore their surroundings.

Highly trained and experienced staff undertake exciting forestry school activities, musical funky feet sessions and baby ballet. The children also have access to the local swimming pool and are offered classes by qualified instructors.

A healthy menu is created and prepared by a dedicated chef who develops nutritionally balanced meals and caters for any specific dietary requirements.
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Funding & Fees

Contact Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School to get a personalised quote.

Contact Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School to get a personalised quote.

Type of Service

  • Day Nursery
  • Open all year
  • Full Day Care
  • Sessional Day Care

Group/Owner

Person in Charge

  • Katie McNamara (Manager)

Number of Childcare Staff

  • 20

Total Places for Children

  • 73

Age Range

  • from 0 years 2 months
  • to 5 years 0 months

Opening Times

  • Monday 08:00-18:00
    Tuesday 08:00-18:00
    Wednesday 08:00-18:00
    Thursday 08:00-18:00
    Friday 08:00-18:00

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School Reviews (160)

10

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has a Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10, based on 28 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has 160 reviews.

Overall Experience
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Date Published
  • 160
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Reviewer Connection to Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School
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Total of 160, showing 1-20
Review from Megan B (Mother of Child) published on 31 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little girl absolutely thrives at nusery and has come along so well since starting. She loves all her nursery workers and speaks about them at home and gets excited when she's on the way to nursery.
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Review from Emma G (Mother of Child) published on 27 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery is nothing short of amazing!
I honestly can't thank them enough for being such an integral part in my daughter's upbringing. She's really come out of her shell and all the staff there understand her so well. They have so much patience and care for the children.
She comes home excited
to tell us about her day and clearly feels safe and cared for by the staff there.
I'm so grateful for their contribution to this incredible start to her learning life and will be gutted when she leaves them to start school. But thanks to them, she will be ready.
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Review from Charlotte G (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We're so pleased with the care our little boy receives at this nursery. The environment is warm, welcoming, and nurturing, and it's clear how much the staff genuinely care about the children.
Our little boys key worker is nothing short of wonderful and caring, and all the team are kind, patient, and
supportive. They've played such a big role in helping our little one grow in confidence and develop so well. It's been lovely to see his progress since starting here.
We also really appreciate the super regular updates and observations, which keep us informed and involved in his development. Including lovely pictures that we cherish.
A fantastic nursery that we'd highly recommend!
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Review from Olivia T (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Our daughter started at Children 1st in September 2025 and we are very happy with how well she has settled in and the bonds she has developed with the staff in her room, who are all so lovely and approachable. Her speech and communication has developed significantly since she started nursery and we
are so impressed when she sings and dances along to the songs that they teach her.
The staff have been amazing at encouraging our daughter to use cutlery when eating and we have noticed this improve in a very short time, along with her eating habits in general.
I couldn't recommend Children's 1st nursery enough and we are so pleased that we chose to send our daughter here. We can't wait to see her continue to thrive.
A huge thank you to all the staff who make it such a fantastic, safe and engaging nursery for our daughter.
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Review from L J (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
A truly incredible nursery and I couldn't be happier with the care and support they provide to my daughter. Since my daughter has started she has come on leaps and bounds. It's been incredible to see her confidence grow. The staff has always been warm, attentive, and genuinely invested in my daughter's
development.
The nursery creates a safe, nurturing and safe environment where every child can learn, play and thrive. I'm always impressed by the variety of activities my daughter takes part in and the effort that goes into supporting through play.
Communication with myself and my partner is excellent and it's very reassuring to know she is such capable hand. Children's 1st has made such a positive difference to her early learning.
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Review from Megan H (Mother of Child) published on 26 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I feel so relieved to leave my child in the care of others with no worries. Constant updates and photos for reassurance. My child absolutely loves it and is always so excited to go. She has developed amazingly well and learns so much. Her meals are always balanced and her needs always taken care of.
Absolutely fantastic nursery.
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Review from Jodie H (Mother of Child) published on 23 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My little boy has been going to the nursery for the last 2 years and its brilliant . The staff are so kind, helpful, caring and professional. They are all amazing and my son thinks this too! They know my child so well and I feel so reassured when he is there. He comes home telling us all the brilliant
activities he has been doing and shows us all the different skills he has learnt. The support and transitions when moving rooms is brilliant, the facilities are great, especially the outdoor area. Management have been so helpful and accommodating when I've changed my work days too. The app/information/communication between the nursery and parents is great too. I always recommend this nursery to whoever is looking as it's fantastic!
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Review from Lauren S (Mother of Child) published on 18 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We have been part of this nursery community for many years-our eldest attended from 2018 to 2022, and our youngest has been here since 2021 and will be leaving talon to start school.
This nursery has been more than just childcare; it has truly felt like a second family. The team has supported us through
changes in our family life, always showing kindness, understanding, and care. They have been there for us when we needed reassurance and support, and we are incredibly grateful.
We are genuinely sad to be leaving, and the only reason for doing so is our child moving on to school.
Daily pick-ups are always detailed and reassuring. Staff take the time to share how the children have been, what they've eaten, and what they've enjoyed. Our child comes home excited, full of stories about the fun activities and experiences from her day.
We also love that it's an all-weather nursery. The indoor and outdoor facilities are fantastic and give the children wonderful opportunities to explore. 5stars
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Review from T W (Mother of Child) published on 9 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The nursery is nothing short of amazing! My child loves coming, he feels so comfortable here and that has allowed him to be able to thrive and develop with confidence. The staff are very welcoming and friendly, the outside space is what my child loves the most he can be his authentic self letting his
imagination run wild. I feel confident in knowing when my child is at nursery he is cared for as if he was at home. Couldn't ask for anything more as a parent.
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Review from Dan H (Father of Child) published on 1 March 2026 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
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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Review from Ellena G (Mother of Child) published on 4 August 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Wow where to start we have been part of children's 1st nursery (chesterfield) since 2019. Im so grateful for everything over the years from looking after our children while at work to looking after me when parenting is hard. You have been there to listen to my concerns and worries when needed. Our children
have loved coming to nursery even on those days they didn't they soon were happy to be there with the comfort you provide them.
Im so emotional that our time is over with Childrens 1st and want to say from the bottom of my heart thank you so much!
We will miss you all so much with special mentions to two teachers in particular. But honestly all staff have been fabulous I cant fault anyone but just too many names to mention.


Both graduations were amazing with the attention to details spot on (thanks for the tissues).


All the crafts you have done with them over the years all the cards for birthdays have been extra special.


100% recommend!!

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Review from E H (Father of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both my boys have been all the way through nursery here and they have been amazing for their development both physically snd academically and they have thoroughly enjoyed the huge garden and well set up rooms. All the staff have been excellent with special mentions for 3 staff members in particular.
Great food from the chef.
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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Really wonderful nursery, staff are kind and understanding. Our daughter took some time to get used to leaving us but the staff were so kind and patient with her and us to make the whole experience so much easier. The feedback is always so personal, they really take the time to get to know the kids.
The outside space is amazing and the kids are encouraged to get outside everyday, it's clean and colourful. Overall a really lovely nursery
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Review from O P (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The most amazing nursery. My daughter has been at the nursery since she turned 1 year old. She is now almost finished there and starting school in September. My son attends now too and they both love it there. The staff are all so friendly and caring. Both children are happy when I collect them and
I know they are safe. I recommend the nursery to everybody! It is truly amazing. They eat fabulous food, play outside with their friends, they have developed so many skills at the nursery and I am so thankful to all the staff. Managers are amazing too really friendly and supportive, always a friendly face on the reception each morning and an ear to listen. Highly recommend to anyone
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Review from Kerry T (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
We couldn't have made a better nursery choice for our little girl - such a wonderful and caring place! I was so anxious to leave her at 9 months but the staff were so supportive and gave us the time we needed to feel reassured and know that she would be happy and safe. She absolutely loves going to
Nursery and it's lovely to see her smiling and waving at everyone when she arrives. She has come on so much since being in the baby room and I know she will continue to develop well as she moves into the toddler room. A massive thank you to everyone for creating such a fabulous, nurturing and supportive environment x
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Review from Rebecca S (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
What an amazing nursery.
The food - amazing.
The staff - second to none.
The setting - perfect.
The building - beautiful!! Amazing revamp with excellent SEN features for those kiddies with leaning needs.
The education - my 4 year old can tell the time, write and spell mummy, daddy and her
own name - I didn't do this!! The wonderful educators did.
Cleanliness - Miss mopperlady (a name my child gave the cleaning lady) outstanding how she's keeps it so clean I won't ever know.
Resources - excellent.
Academic content - follows the national curriculum for early years.
Honestly cannot fault this nursery and its staff!!
I am sad my daughter is graduating. A family felt feeling here, they truly all care about your precious humans. I've had no issues here. They have gone above and beyond for us as a family.
I couldn't recommend more if I tried to!!
Book in, you won't be disappointed
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Review from L W (Mother of Child) published on 28 March 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Children 1st for the significant role you have played in my children's development. Both my daughter and son have attended since they were babies, and we have consistently felt welcome and comfortable within your Nursery.
The bonds my children
formed with their key workers are a testament to your nurturing environment. We also appreciate the variety of healthy food options provided. Your encouragement of independence is particularly commendable, and the staff's dedication is truly amazing. My child especially enjoys the outdoor space, notably the summer house.
As today is my child's last day, I would like to thank you for providing my children with the best possible start.
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Review from K W (Mother of Child) published on 7 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot recommend Children 1st enough. I was (and probably still am) a really anxious parent when my son first joined due to his multiple allergies. The thought of leaving him with somebody else filled me with dread but I can honestly say that now it's like he goes to his second family. The staff are
really reassuring and I love their open door policy. At times, when I've needed reassurance, they have been on the end of the phone and that support has enabled to me to grow in confidence with leaving him. My son is growing and developing in to a proper little character where the staff are drawing on his qualities. The facilities and the outside space were a great selling point to us, and I'm pleased that from such a young age children are able to utilise all that's on offer. The staff are amazing and I can't imagine leaving my little boy anywhere else!
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Review from Georgia L (Mother of Child) published on 7 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Such a relaxing experience to know my little one is in safe hands and lovely to see the photos of what they get up to when they are there. Would recommend to anyone wanting to put their kids or baby into a nursery.
The staff are all so friendly and easy to get on with.
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Review from Anya T (Mother of Child) published on 7 January 2025 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Would like to say a massive thank you to all the staff at Children 1st Nursery. My daughter has had a brilliant personal experience with her key workers and has developed extensively as a result of this! Would highly recommend!
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Current Review Score: 10.0 (10.000)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (10.000) out of 10 for Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is based on a) the Average Rating and b) the number of positive Reviews.

  1. The Average Rating is 5.0 out of 5 from 28 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 28 positive Reviews in the last 24 months.

Detailed Breakdown of Review Score

The maximum Review Score for a Day Nursery is 10, which is made up from the Average Rating of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) and the Number of Reviews (maximum of 5 points) in the last 24 months:

  1. 5 Points are available for the Average Rating from all Reviews in the last 24 months. The Average Rating of 5.000 for Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (335 Excellents x 5) ) ÷ 335 Ratings = 5
  2. 5 Points are available for the number of Positive Reviews in the last 24 months. A Positive Review is defined as any Review with an 'Overall Experience' of '4' or '5' (out of a max rating '5'). The 5 Points relating to the number of positive Reviews for Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is based on 28 positive Reviews in the last 24 months and is calculated as per below:

    The 5 points available are broken down as follows:

    1. 4 points are available for the first 20 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews, 0.05 Points for the next five Positive Reviews, and finally 0.025 Points for the next ten Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.050, 7th = 0.050, 8th = 0.050, 9th = 0.050, 10th = 0.050, 11th = 0.025, 12th = 0.025, 13th = 0.025, 14th = 0.025, 15th = 0.025, 16th = 0.025, 17th = 0.025, 18th = 0.025, 19th = 0.025, 20th = 0.025) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.05 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 + 0.025 = 4
    2. 1 point is available for the number of Positive Reviews reaching 20% of the number of registered child places in the last 24 months. If this number is partially reached, then that proportion of 1 point is given. eg a Day Nursery registered for a maximum of 50 child places has to reach 10 Positive Reviews to receive 1 point, if it has 7 reviews it will receive 0.7 points. 20% of the 73 number of registered child places is 14.6, which has been reached with 28 Positive reviews. Points = 1
  3. When a Review is submitted by someone who has previously submitted a Review, only the latest Review will count towards the Review Score.
  4. If a Day Nursery does not have a review in the last 24 months, then it will not have a Review Score.

Child Vacancies

Please contact us for latest vacancies.

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Awards / Recognitions (10)

Meet the Team (1)

Katie

Katie McNamara

Job Title: Nursery Manager Joined: 2010

Hello, I’m Katie Macnamara, Nursery Manager at Children 1st @ Chesterfield Royal Hospital. I have worked in childcare for 9 and half years and completed level 3 in Child Care And Education at Chesterfield College in 2009.
I then worked in my first nursery to gain experience and joined Children 1st @ Chesterfield Royal Hospital in June 2010 as a Qualified Nursery Nurse working in the toddler room. After 9 months I started to work with children aged 3 and above to support with the transition to school. I moved back into the toddler room in 2012 to help support younger children.
In October 2013 I was promoted to Senior Nursery Nurse of the toddler room where I gained experience in leading a room. I built up good relationships with the staff team as well as parents and children. I also supported new staff with their induction period.
In September 2014 I became the Deputy Manager. I now support the manager with her duties, I also support with new parents and children during their settling in period ensuring they feel welcome and valued and help them to settle into a new routine. I am enjoying my new role and learning new things about the job, working with Children 1st and what the company stands for.

Frequently Asked Questions about Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School

What is the Age Range of Children that Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School accepts?

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School accepts Children aged from 0 years 2 months to 5 years 0 months.

What Days & Hours is Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School Open?

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is open: Monday 08:00-18:00, Tuesday 08:00-18:00, Wednesday 08:00-18:00, Thursday 08:00-18:00, Friday 08:00-18:00.

How many Children does Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School have capacity for?

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has capacity for a total of 73 Children.

How far is Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School to the centre of Chesterfield?

1.2 mile(s) as the crow flies, distance by road may be significantly further.

Information on this page is displayed without responsibility for its accuracy on the part of daynurseries.co.uk. Please contact Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School to verify any information. View our terms and conditions. Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has an Enhanced Service - more info.