Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School

Chesterfield Royal Hospital, Dryhurst House, Calow, Chesterfield S44 5BL
Review Us
10 152 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.
Show Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School on the Map

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 07:30-18:30
    Tuesday 07:30-18:30
    Wednesday 07:30-18:30
    Thursday 07:30-18:30
    Friday 07:30-18:30

When Closed

  • Bank Holidays & Christmas

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School Reviews (152)

10

Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has a Review Score of 10 (9.954) out of 10, based on 49 reviews in the last 2 years.
Over all time Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School has 152 reviews.

Overall Experience
  • 146
  • 6
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
Date Published
  • 152
  • 1
  • 15
  • 49
  • 103
Reviewer Connection to Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School
  • 131
  • 21
Total of 152, showing 141-152
Review from Zoe (Mother of Child) published on 11 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
This nursery has such a homely feel from the minute you walk in. All the staff are lovely and although my daughter is still in the 'settling stage' they are so reassuring and friendly. I chose the nursery due to its reputation and facilities and I couldn't be happier with my choice.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jackie (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
The staff are extremely welcoming first thing in a morning as I have to drop my child off at 7am. They provide a swift handover without me feeling like i'm leaving her and dashing straight off to work.


The staff have been wonderful at implementing my potty training regime. My child gets rewarded

with stickers on a daily basis for using the potty which helps with positive reinforcement. She is progressing wonderfully and I feel that the staff and the nursery are a key part of this and would recommend to any friends and colleagues.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Claire M (Mother of Child) published on 8 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 4.0 out of 5
I have used this nursery since 2010 for my 3 children up to preschool age. My third child leaves nursery in December 2010 and I will miss the contact I have with the staff. I have always been more than happy with the love and care given to my children. All the staff work very hard to achieve outstanding
results. Nursery is clean. Indoor and outdoor facilities are very good. Food is of good quality. Nursery is very well run, management are very helpful in dealing with queries and try to be flexible where possible.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hayley P (Mother of Child) published on 5 August 2016 Submitted via Postal Card • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both of my children have attended this nursery, my youngest is still there. They have both blossomed whilst attending! The staff are above and beyond excellent, they are so supportive, friendly and always encourage my children to be the best they can be. As a parent I am always kept up to date and informed
on my child's progress via E-log diaries and a chat when I collect my daughter. I feel my children have and are extremely safe and well looked after here. I wouldn't want them to be anywhere else! I would highly recommend this nursery, the grounds are idyllic for the children and once again brilliant staff! Thank you.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Ruth H (Mother of Child) published on 4 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My daughter loves going to this nursery, they're always very welcoming and helpful and she's made some great friends there. The staff are always pleasant and tell you whatever information you need to know. It's always nice to hear all the things she's done during her day on my way home from work. She's
gained so much confidence while being there, which will get her in good stead for school.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Andrew D (Father of Child) published on 4 August 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both our children have been to this nursery and we have been delighted with the care and attention given to them both. The facilities are excellent and have just been upgraded, the staff are always polite and the feedback is also very helpful.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from WSL (Mother of Child) published on 17 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
I cannot praise this nursery highly enough!
The staff are always enthusiastic and friendly, working so hard for the benefit of the children in their care. There are always a wide range of different fun activities on offer, and I feel happy knowing that my children are learning well through play during
their time at nursery. The outdoor facilities - the castle, trimtrail, mud kitchen, little diggers - are fantastic; our boys particularly love the varied outdoor opportunities that nursery offer. Communication with parents is really good; I know from the regular EYLog updates I receive (via email) that my children are progressing well on their Early Years journey.
This nursery offers a real 'home from home' - even the meals smell delicious! I would recommend Children 1st at Chesterfield Royal Hospital without reservation, and feel it is thoroughly deserving of its OFSTED 'Outstanding' status.
Reply from Heather Tunnicliffe, HR & training Advisor at Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School
Thank you Wendy for your lovely feedback and comments, it’s great to hear that the boys are enjoying their time at nursery and really benefit from our outdoor facilities. We’re especially pleased…read more
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Ruth M (Mother of Child) published on 8 February 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
My son is nearly 4 and attended this nursery since the age of 1. I have been very happy with the nursery, the managers and staff are lovely and can't do enough for your child and you, the environment is a very happy one, the food is excellent (including veggie food) and the ground floor refurb has
been lovely. I'm looking forward to the upstairs Early Years area being done as I think this will bring the whole nursery up to the same excellent standard of facilities.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Naomi T (Mother of Child) published on 27 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Great nursery, and the staff are really responsive and caring to all the children as individuals. My boys are 1 and 4 and both learning so much through their time at nursery. The food is good, freshly prepared on-site and well balanced nutritionally. My youngest has dairy intolerance, and they have
been very accommodating of his needs. The outside space is amazing, and I love the fact that the children spend lots of time playing outside and learning about nature in their new outdoor classroom.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Jennifer C (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery with fantastic staff. Both our children thrive at this nursery and are very fond of all the staff who directly and indirectly contribute to their care. We have highly recommended this nursery to friends and colleagues in the past and will continue to do so.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Hannah D (Mother of Child) published on 26 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Excellent nursery with great facilities and lovely caring staff. The outdoor facilities are second to none and such a lovely environment for little one to play and learn. The indoor facilities are lovely, clean and very well laid out for children to get the best of play, rest and learning. The staff
are all very professional yet lovely and caring and make an effort to know lots about the children. There is a varied food menu and brilliant environment for meal times with all children eating together and learning about food and where it comes from. The learning and development is excellent with lots of feedback and opportunities to discuss. My little one learns so much and is so stimulated by a variety of activities. We would never go anywhere else.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Review from Ben O (Father of Child) published on 20 January 2016 Submitted via Website • Report
Overall Experience 5.0 out of 5
Both our kids have been here and we are really impressed each time. They have dealt with my sons skin allergy.
  • Facilities / Outside Space
  • Learning
  • Resources / Equipment / ICT
  • Care
  • Activities
  • Staff
  • Food / Nutrition
  • Management
  • Cleanliness
  • Safeguarding
  • Value for Money
Current Review Score: 10.0 (9.954)

Overview of Review Score

The Review Score of 10 (9.954) 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 49 Reviews in the last 24 months.
  2. The score for the number of positive Reviews is 5.0 out of 5 from 49 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 4.954 for Children 1st Chesterfield Nursery School is calculated as follows: ( (562 Excellents x 5) + (23 Goods x 4) + (2 Satisfactorys x 3) ) ÷ 587 Ratings = 4.954
  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 49 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 10 Positive Reviews in the last 24 months; 3 points for the first Positive Review, and then 0.125 Points for each of the next four Positive Reviews and then 0.1 Points for the next five Positive Reviews. (1st = 3.000, 2nd = 0.125, 3rd = 0.125, 4th = 0.125, 5th = 0.125, 6th = 0.100, 7th = 0.100, 8th = 0.100, 9th = 0.100, 10th = 0.100) 3 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.125 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 + 0.1 = 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 49 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.

Loading

Loading Loading

Loading

Loading

Awards / Recognitions (8)

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.

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.