The Scraptoft Day Nursery

All-weather outdoor play and growing food give The Scraptoft Day Nursery a practical, hands-on character. Children grow herbs and vegetables, help prepare food and use climbing equipment in a large garden. These experiences connect learning with things children can touch, change and do for themselves.

At its February 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the nursery Good overall, with improvements needed in extending learning during planned activities and helping every child participate in group work. That balance matters: the judgement was positive, but adult-led learning needed closer attention.

The nursery accepts children from 2 months up to 5 years. The nursery is registered for 50 places. Full-time and part-time attendance are offered. Its address is 373 Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, LE7 9SE.

Learning and Activities

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provides the framework for learning through play, combining activities led by adults with opportunities children choose themselves. Planning takes account of individual interests, so the day is intended to connect developmental goals with what engages each child.

For the youngest children, the emphasis is on movement, communication and emotional development. Older children also develop early mathematical and literacy skills, explore the world and use creative materials. These are foundations shared across early years provision; Scraptoft's concrete examples give parents a clearer picture of how learning takes shape here.

In February 2022, babies experimented with the sounds made by rolling and tapping jar lids, joined in clapping during songs and used paintbrushes to make marks. The activities brought sound, movement and handling tools into their play. Preschool children used imaginative play in the wooded part of the garden, turning the outdoor space into a setting for a pretend bear encounter.

The limitation lay in how adults extended those experiences. In February 2022, opportunities to take children's thinking further were sometimes missed during planned activities. Group sessions also needed more effective help for children who struggled to stay involved. For parents, the useful distinction is between providing an appealing activity and helping each child gain something from it.

Outdoor and Community Life

The large outdoor area is used whatever the weather, with climbing equipment offering physical challenges alongside exploration. Indoors, spacious, bright classrooms contain resources suited to children's developmental stages. The combination gives children opportunities for both active movement and play with materials.

In February 2022, preschool children climbed a wooden pirate ship and explored leaves during planned forest school sessions, outdoor learning involving investigation of natural materials. Comparing leaf colours and textures gave them something concrete to describe, connecting language with direct experience. These are dated examples of the garden's use, rather than a promise about today's activity timetable.

Growing vegetables and herbs remains part of the nursery's food learning. Children also help with some meal preparation, giving everyday food a role beyond simply being served at lunchtime.

Relationships and Communication

A key person system links each child with a practitioner, while parents contribute to planning and receive updates about development. This gives families a continuing relationship through which to share their child's interests and discuss progress.

The Blossom Parent App provides a diary feed covering activities, food and sleep. For parents, that makes the smaller details of a nursery day easier to follow alongside conversations with staff.

In February 2022, children sought comfort from familiar staff, and babies responded to singing and gestures. Staff also helped children talk about feelings and practise everyday independence, including pouring milk at snack time. These examples show how relationships and small routines formed part of the day at that time.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and children needing additional support well included, with extra resources funded where needed and staff working with other professionals. These findings concern the practice assessed on that date.

Current safety arrangements include monthly fire drills, annual safeguarding training and paediatric first-aid training for staff, followed by a yearly refresher. These are concrete procedures families can discuss, rather than a substitute for the dated safeguarding judgement.

The SEND information directs families to the Early Years SEND Inclusion Team at Leicestershire County Council and explains that its linked guidance covers universal and targeted support. It also links to the Solihull Approach, resources developed with practitioners and parents to support emotional wellbeing. These provide routes to information for families considering a child's individual needs.

Sessions and Attendance

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with full-time and part-time sessions offered. The nursery operates across the year. Those attendance options serve different weekly childcare needs, while the opening window gives parents a clear boundary for planning their working day.

Enquiries can be made by telephone on 0116 241 3351, by email at childcare@thescraptoftdaynursery.co.uk or through the contact form. A registration form can also be downloaded.

Funding and Paid Extras

In February 2022, the nursery provided funded early education for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated participation statement and should be read separately from a family's current funding arrangements.

Homemade meals use fresh produce and free-range eggs; breakfast is served until 9am, followed by a two-course lunch around midday and another two-course meal around 4pm. Milk and snacks are offered through the day, with water accessible throughout.

• Extending learning. In February 2022, planned activities sometimes missed opportunities to stretch children's thinking. On a visit, ask staff to demonstrate how they build on a child's response or idea.
• Participation in groups. The February 2022 improvement points included helping children who needed support to remain involved. Families whose child finds group activities difficult should discuss how practitioners adapt these sessions.
• Funding and the total bill. Funded provision covered two-, three- and four-year-olds in February 2022. What current entitlement and attendance arrangements would apply to your child, and how would meals, consumables and additional hours be treated in the written quotation?

Scraptoft suits families considering either full-time or part-time attendance who value outdoor play, food learning and communication through a parent app. The garden and opportunities to grow and prepare food give the day useful practical substance.

The February 2022 Good judgement provides a positive inspection position, with specific reservations about challenge and participation during organised activities. Those points deserve attention alongside the nursery's hands-on experiences when deciding whether it fits your child.