Nurseries and childcare in Amber Valley
We know of 29 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Amber Valley. 2 are state nursery schools, shown below with their latest Ofsted inspection: 2 of 2 judged good or better. Most nurseries are private, voluntary or part of a school, and Ofsted inspects those too: every one has a report on Ofsted’s website.
State nursery schools across Amber Valley
- Alfreton Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Outstanding (2024) · phone and directions
- Ripley Nursery SchoolGood or better School remains Good (2024) · phone and directions
Each name goes to its Ofsted reports. Primary schools, many with a nursery class, are on the schools page.
Nurseries and childcare by area
A few to start with
- Clowns Day Nursery Day care preschool 12 Cromford Road, Ripley, DE5 3FP 5 Call
- Ripley Nursery School Preschool Sandham La, Ripley, DE5 3HE 5 Call
- Smalley Pre-school Playgroup Preschool Old Church Hall, Main Rd, Smalley CP, DE7 6EF 5 Call
- Sunny Days Preschool Nursery Preschool 109A Derby Rd, Ripley, DE5 3HT 5 Call
- The Cottage Day Nursery Preschool 14 Mansfield Rd, Heanor, DE75 7AJ 5 Call
- Aldercar Infant and Nursery School Preschool Godkin Dr, Nottingham, NG16 4GL Call
- Alfreton Nursery School Elementary school Stanton Close, Alfreton, DE55 7SH Call
- Belper Childminders Home service The Pinfold, Belper, DE56 Call
- Brooksite Preschool Co Belper School John O'Gaunts Way, Belper, DE56 Call
- Cheeky Monkeys Childminding- Heanor/Loscoe Day care preschool 15 Douglas Avenue, Heanor, DE75 7FQ Call
- Derbyshire County Council Social Services Department Day Cen Child care and day care John O'Gaunts Way, Belper, DE56 Call
- Fritchley Church of England Primary and Nursery School Elementary school Church St, Belper, DE56 Call
- Holbrook Pre-School Preschool Moorside Lane, Holbrook, DE56 Call
- Kilburn Infant and Nursery School Elementary school The Flat, Belper, DE56 Call
- Leaps & Bounds Day Nursery Child care and day care 33 Wellington Court Road, Belper, DE56 1UP 5 Call
- Little Sunshines Pre-School Preschool Somerlea Park Community Centre, Sherwood St, Alfreton, DE55 1LB Call
- Openwoodgate Playgroup Preschool 11 Openwoodgate, Belper, DE56 0SD Call
- Riddings Infant and Nursery School Elementary school 2 West St, Alfreton, DE55 4EW Call
- Stepping Stones Day Care Centre Home service Community Hall, 3 Ilkeston Rd, Heanor, DE75 7AG 5 Call
- Swanwick Pre-school Preschool Pentrich Rd, Alfreton, DE55 1BN Call
- Wildlings Preschool Devonshire St, Belper, DE56 2GJ Call
- Clare Bears Childminding Preschool Cook Close, Belper, DE56 Call
- Clowns Childrens Centre Child care and day care Cinder Bank, Ironville, NG16 Call
- Derbyshire County Council Preschool West St, Riddings, DE55 4EW Call
Choosing a nursery
- Read the latest Ofsted report. Search by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Private nurseries and childminders are on it as well as school nurseries.
- Visit, and ask about the day. Ratios of staff to children, how they settle a new child in, food, naps and time outdoors.
- Ask about funded hours and extra charges. Some nurseries charge for meals, nappies or trips on top of funded hours.
- Check waiting lists early. Popular nurseries fill months ahead, especially for babies.
Questions people ask
What do Ofsted grades mean for nurseries?
Until late 2025 Ofsted gave one overall grade: Outstanding, Good, Requires improvement or Inadequate. Newer inspections give a report card instead, grading each area on a scale from exceptional to urgent improvement. Older grades stay on a nursery’s record until its next inspection.
Can I get free childcare hours?
In England every three and four year old can get 15 hours a week of funded childcare in term time. Working parents can get up to 30 hours a week from when their child is nine months old, if each parent earns at least 16 hours a week at the minimum wage and under £100,000 a year. Check and apply at childcarechoices.gov.uk.
How do I check a nursery’s Ofsted report?
Search for it by name or postcode on reports.ofsted.gov.uk. Every registered nursery and childminder in England has a page there with its inspection reports.
How many nurseries are there in Amber Valley?
We know of 29 nurseries, preschools and childcare providers across Amber Valley, including 2 state nursery schools. Childminders working from home don’t always appear on maps, so there may be more.
Other things people look for
Nursery school inspections from Ofsted, Open Government Licence. Listings from Overture Maps, the Food Standards Agency and © OpenStreetMap contributors. Missing one? Tell us.