Dots & Tots Nursery ARH

Open-ended play gives Dots & Tots Nursery ARH its character: purpose-made furniture, resources children can use in different ways and access to an outdoor play area. Based within the grounds of Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School in Leicester, it has capacity for 30 children aged 18 to 60 months. The emphasis is on making choices and exploring materials, rather than everyone completing the same task.

Ofsted rated the nursery Good at its June 2022 inspection and judged safeguarding effective at that time. Morning, afternoon and day bookings run during term time. That calendar is central to the choice for families.

Learning and Activities

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for learning, development and care: children build skills through play, conversation and everyday routines. Alongside this, the group-wide Child-initiated Learning approach uses toys and open-ended materials to build activities around children's interests. At ARH, the open play setting gives children opportunities to choose resources and explore at their own pace. Choice is part of the day itself.

In June 2022, preschool children investigated sand, water and shells in beach-themed play. Mark-making involved chalk, brushes and fingers on different surfaces, giving children several ways to practise controlling their movements and expressing ideas. These were practical experiences with materials, rather than a single prescribed result.

Story sessions in June 2022 included pauses and repeated vocabulary so children could contribute familiar words. Younger children also tried newly introduced language while playing with sand and equipment outdoors. Conversation was woven into activity, connecting words with what children were doing.

Outdoor and Community Life

Purpose-made furniture followed a refurbishment in 2019, and the nursery has a secure outdoor play area. Flexible use of resources connects the indoor and outdoor offer: children can choose how to explore, rather than using each object for only one activity.

In June 2022, children made pretend vehicles from benches and wheels, while preschool children discussed how to hold a tree branch safely during climbing. Toddlers used steps and a slide. These examples brought imagination, physical movement and decisions about safety into play. Children also experienced outdoor activity in different weather, while learning included their families' experiences and other cultures.

Relationships and Communication

In June 2022, a key-person arrangement linked children with staff who knew their interests and planned their next steps. This gave everyday care a personal reference point: familiar adults could connect an activity with something a child already enjoyed. Parents exchanged updates through conversations and an app.

Those daily updates had a limitation. In June 2022, parents were unclear about the learning behind activities and how to continue it at home. Sharing a child's day and explaining their development are different jobs; both matter when parents want to build on nursery experiences.

Inclusion and Wellbeing

Small acts of independence featured in June 2022. Preschool children managed personal-care tasks with little assistance, younger children helped prepare their belongings for nappy changes, and children practised putting on shoes before outdoor play. Staff gave help while leaving children opportunities to try for themselves.

Food also became a conversation about health in June 2022: preschool children discussed snacks, and younger children identified healthy items in packed lunches. The practical value was in connecting food choices with familiar things children ate.

Sessions and Attendance

The nursery opens Monday to Friday, from 8am to 4.30pm, during term time, and closes for school holidays. Bookings can be for mornings, afternoons or days. The opening window describes the nursery's operating day; the three booking choices allow families to select a shorter attendance pattern or a day booking.

In June 2022, funded places were offered for children aged two, three and four. That is a dated funding position, separate from the current term-time attendance offer.

Getting There

The address is The Nursery Mobile, Alderman Richard Hallam Primary School, Avebury Avenue, Leicester, LE4 0FQ. Enquiries can be made through the contact form or the ARH telephone number, 0116 467 0288.

Sharing school grounds does not guarantee a Reception place.

• The term-time calendar. The nursery closes during school holidays. Families needing childcare throughout the year should weigh that against their working arrangements.
• Learning through free play. In June 2022, staff sometimes missed opportunities to introduce further ideas during children's play. At a visit, ask how practitioners now develop learning when children choose their own activities.
• Updates with substance. The June 2022 improvement points included explaining children's learning more clearly to parents. Ask to see how an update connects an activity with development and an idea to try at home.
• Funding and daily supplies. Morning, afternoon and day bookings offer different attendance choices. Ask for a written quotation explaining funded hours, meals and non-food supplies for the pattern you are considering.

Dots & Tots Nursery ARH suits families seeking term-time morning, afternoon or day bookings, with children choosing materials and activities in an open play setting. Purpose-made furniture and outdoor access give that approach a concrete setting. The June 2022 findings offer useful examples of language, independence and imaginative play, balanced by clear improvement points about extending learning and explaining it to parents.